Oh and I like the hardtop. Not as an class-competitive autocrosser, but I think the RHT model with some good coilovers and a supercharger would make a superb daily driver.

 

In reference to the original question.. the only RX8 that does not have the limited slip is the base automatic. As long as you do not buy the base automatic, you will have the limited slip.

As for upgraded suspension - the best setup is aftermarket anyway.

This is what I would do - sport 6MT so you get the DSC for daily driving (plus the sunroof robs 1.75" of headroom) and put on some koni adjustable struts.

You don't get heated leather seats or a 6-disc changer but you'll be lighter, cheaper, faster, and have enough headroom to wear a helmet.

 

My bad on the 200 pounds. Mazda obviously does more for motorsports than almost any other manufacturer, so I wasn't trying to be that negative.

 

I bought my GF a Miata and solved this delemma for myself. Now I have the best of both worlds

 

Mazda optioned the 8 perfectly and dropped the ball on the MX-5. It seems they really did want people to campaign the RX-8, but they seem to have forgotten about autocrossers with the MX-5.

 

The Miata is more fun and has much better visibility, but the RX-8 is more comfortable, practical, smoother.

I don't like how I can't cinch the 8's seatbelt and move the seat forward to get myself strapped in. By the time my chest is tight, my knees are jammed against the dash. I blame this on the plush seats; the miata's are much firmer. I really like the Miata because I almost feel like I can stick my head out the window to make sure I'm cutting those cones as tight as possible. Going to the 8 was a little un-nerving because there's now a split-second where I can't SEE the cone.

However, I bought the 8 partly because I wanted an autocrosser that I could drive to the track and autocross on street tires. I really got fed up trying to fit 4 wheels into the miata's trunk. Most local NASA drivers don't run on race rubber, so loosing the super-sticky stuff is a small price to pay to drive in comfort during the rest of the month.

 

Fuel economy should be inclusive in the word 'practical'. As such, the Rx8 is hardly more practical than a Miata. Sure it holds a physical advantage in that it can house two more adults but the Rx8 uses on average 50% more fuel than a Miata.
'Practical', depends upon your point of view.

 

being a lot more fun to drive is considered practical in my book, you gotta pay to play

 

My brother had a Miata and it was very fun to drive. Agile, good power, and it was what made me fall in love with convertibles. The RX8 is fun also, but it's not the "same" kind of fun as a Miata...

There are two types of suspension for this car in stock form. I believe if you get a manual transmission, you will have the larger, 18", wheels, larger front brakes, LSD, and "sport-tuned" suspension. If you get an auto, I beleive, these are packages that can be bought. If you are buying used, then ask the dealer or previous owner...

 

Someone was selling a B stock prepped base RX8 the other day, the OP might want to contact him. I think it was in the racing section.

 

One of my good friends owns a Mazdaspeed MX5, and everytime we take a ride I become envious over his tiny car... But that's exactly what it is, a tiny go-cart with blinkers, lights, and even a roof! I'm mostly jealous of the turbo though... It picks up so hard with that stock turbo, it constatly makes me reconsider what I drive...

We've raced TONS of times, and it depends solely on the driver... Once we get our momentum moving we have exactly the same acceleration... The only time we gain on each other is during our shifting...

Next is seeing his tiny car taking a turn... It's hilarious trying to reciprocate what that tiny Miata does around turns, because it only ends up in me slamming on the brakes... 8's gotta take turns so wide compared to 5's...

 

Any car that can't beat a RX8 from a roll shouldn't be considered to be "fast". Also you'd be surprised how well a RX8 can handle with some basic suspension/tire upgrades.

 

I have an NB and my '8.
Gotta have both.

 

I wouldn't say 50% more fuel that's kind of exaggerated. I consistently get 20-21 mpg combined half city half highway in my 05 RX8 and I shift around 4000 rpms in the lower gears and 3500 in the higher gears. I don't think a miata driven in the same manner would consistently get 30+ mpg mixed city/highway.

Also all 4 of the RX8 seats are considerably roomier and offer better headroom than the 2 seats in the miata not to mention more elbow room and a quieter smoother ride, that and it has a trunk that you can actually fit 2 golf bags in. The two cars are inherently much different so it's pointless to compare them. Even a S2000 and a RX8 which are in the same price segment can't really be compared overall except for maybe in certain aspects of performance.

 

I have an 93 supercharged miata and a 04 4AT and i am glad i have both. The miata gets my vote for fun in the sun, when it's not too hot. I have not AC.... for everyday however, the 8 offers all the comfort of my audi a4 quattro, but with a little more zoom in the pants. My miata gets much better mpg, consistently between 23-28mpg and my 8 has ranged from 14-21mpg.
My miata is faster off the line and is a better handling car the way I have it set up, but I'm hoping by this weekend with the new d-spec and esperlir springs, I can bring the 8 closer !
Keep your mx-5 if you can and get the 8 too

 

The fun of a turbocharged Miata, but the RX-8 feels more like a sports car. The Miata is too roadsterish to me. With that in mind, I still think the FD are better cars.

 

In terms of being a better platform, the RX-8 blows the FD out of the water. The RX-8's suspension geometry is superior and the chassis is FAR stiffer. The RX-8 suspension bushings and hard parts are beefier as well and will far outlast the fragile FD stuff. Stock for stock, you can fit more tire and wheel under an RX-8.

The FD was just blessed with lighter weight stiffer springs and bars and better shocks from the factory, plus it's far better looking :D

 

Th FD3 is lighter and has a more powerful engine with the TT setup. If the RX-8 had a similar TT setup it would be superior to the FD3. The FD3 is prone to snap-spinning at the limit, the RX-8 chassis/suspension is superior, but that's what you'd expect 10 years later

 

That's all assume the RX-8 has all the items you mentioned......If my Geo Metro had.......

 

I never qualified my statment. The RX-8 is a far better chassis. The FD has the more powerful engine.

 

The chassis is nicer, but it has to have the whole package to win. That's like saying someone has a nice *** but no ***** or face

 

that nest of snakes under the manifold is high maintenance tho