Mustang GT vs. RX-8
 

Hey guys has anyone ever done a comparison with RX-8 vs. 05 GT? I know straight line there is no comparison. I'm looking at how it stacks up in all other categories? I can't get even a true straight line performance figures on a GT from anyone? I'm not here trying to support the GT. This is my second RX-8. My boss has a 05 GT and raves about how great it is all around including handling.

Rob

Test drive his mustang and tell us what you think.

Those are the best specs ^ the real life ones. :)

fyi I think this goes in general automotive.
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Roll blunts

RX8 beats Mustang GT in handling feel and preciseness--period. If you two are in a debate--he should drive your car to feel what its like to carve corners versus drive them.

I've driven both, back to back in the same day. I will be perfectly honest, I liked the Mustang a lot, significantly more than I expected.

I drove an '06 GT, premium package w/ 18" wheels, leather, traction control, and some other goodies. Since I'm on this board, naturally I bought the RX-8. :mdrmed:

The Mustang had a very nice power delivery, even though the electronic throttle tip-in retard was very noticable. The clutch was excellent, and the shifter was one of the better ones I've driven in an American car. Steering was a bit numb, and the brakes were a bit "squishy" at the top of the travel. Turn in was OK, and I didn't really get to drive the car long enough to explore grip. The interior was pretty well layed out ergonomically, and the build quality looked pretty decent. The back seat area is only for kids or groceries, but it's nicely finished. The one thing that I came away feeling about the car was how large it was. The car has a long hoodline, and being 5'5", I really couldn't see the road in front of me very well.

The RX-8 has better steering, shifter, brakes, turn in, likely better ultimate grip, a more usable interior, and better fit and finish. The Mustang has a better clutch and a more linear power delivery. I love the angry vacuum cleaner sound of my rotary, but it simply doesn't compare to the rumble of the Mustang V8. That in itself is enough to sell a lot of people.

I'm 5'11" and I had trouble seeing the front of the hoodline in an `05 Mustang. I was afraid of wiping the front bumper across another car as I wound my way out of the crowded dealer lot for a test drive. Not a good feeling. That and the 2dr vs. 4dr (I almost always travel with 3 chicks) were the deal-breakers for the Mustang.

However, when I watch Gone in 60 Second and hear Elenor roar I think about getting a V8 in the family just for the occassional spectacle. I just couldn't use a 2dr Mustang as a daily driver; in my opinion nothing else I drove compared to the comfort, fit and handling of the RX-8.

Same here cool-blue, I like the new Mustangs but it felt like sitting in boat compared to my 8. I couldn't see the front hoodline--not as bad as trying to pull out into traffic in an F-Body though.

some poeple just prefer torque over handling

Well I talked him into going to the road track we have here Donaldsonville, LA. I hope my Rotary hands it two him.

This all started b/c I told him I really didn't care for the new GT and that next week I bought my second RX-8. Now the war has begun.

Does anyone one know what the straight line specs are on one of new GT's so I don't get stomped if here tries to run me from a roll.

Rob

dont even try from a roll, dead stop and you are an excellent driver and he is a clod, you have a chance, slim.

my thoughts on the stang gt were great all around car, excellent motor. but very tall. felt like i was riding in a suv after the rx8.

beers

Small world Rob, my mother is from Donaldsonville which is just up the river from where I grew up, Luling.

The Mustang GT with a competent driver and a Ford Racing catalog will take your RX-8 everywhere but on a short track (even if you are armed with the Mazdaspeed catalog). I haven't driven one yet, but from all the comments I've read... the new Mustang is the best built yet. It handles and rides much much better than before. Build quality is way up (it's built at the Mazda6 plant). The engine performs almost as well as the last SVT Cobra and it's only NA. Add suspension upgrades from the Ford Racing catalog (available from dealers individually or as packages... or via the web), cat-back, intake and short shifter. Some light weight 18" or 19" rims with sticky tires and the Mustang will walk all over your RX-8 with full Mazdaspeed parts in the majority of situations. Will it feel as good? Probably not. But you asked about peformance. Performance... in the right hands this car is strong.

... this is all no diss to the RX-8... just the facts. Flip side... the RX-8 has been said to have one of the best feeling steering in the industry. The RX-8 has the same dimensions as a Prosche 911... nice and compact... good view out and good driver feedback. The modded suspension with good tires and light rims can seriously stick to some pavement. The backseat is very useable (I'm 6' and fit fine) and the suicide doors both add flair and help with rear entry. The rotary engine is unique and provides a strong linear power curve.

If Mazda was more tuner friendly like Ford (WTF is their problem?!!!) providing for better tuning solutions for FI (like Kenne Bell uses an ECu reflash for the '05 Mustang)... the 8 would stand on a more level playing field.

^^ there ya go my thoughts exactly..

Two things: the GT, right out of the box, is a completely different beast when lightly tuned. Some decent suspension bits and better rubber infinitely help its corner capacity. The GT, simply put, has the power and torque to eat an RX-8 up in a straight line (unless, say, you have to stop somewhere quickly in between...). The handling is best described as competent - much more so than previous generations. The stock grip slides away under power in the corners, much as you'd expect or want it to. The torque takes care of the rest. There is significant body roll. A driver who is used to that sort of setup can do well, but you do have to get used to it.

The RX-8. out of the box, is much, much more communicative. The steering and suspension set up work well together, provided you either have the Canadian RX-8 or the upped gear for the US models.

On the track? It depends on how familiar you are with the track and your car. I've driven Civics effectively against 3-series BMWs, and it's all about the familiarity factor (and the willingess to flog your daily driver, I suppose).

YT1300... awesome post. That is the gist of what I was trying to say.

Having owned 7 Mustang Gt's all from the years of 93-01 I can say that a stock Gt will not hang with a RX8 in the twisties and a straight line the RX8 will get eaten alive. If you match up with a Mustang with a few suspension items from a company like Griggs or Maximum Motorsports I would lay the money on the Mustang from not only a straight line but also the twistes. The torque of the Mustang will make up for any of the lack of handling ability. But with that being said most Mustang guys like the straight line performance where we with the "8"s tend to like the twistes and it's hard to get both items of straight line and twisties out of a car. Mazda has done this quite well we just need torque but only a turbo will help that area out. This is just my 2 cents worth as I am a newbie to the RX8.