http://www.thecarplace.com/famrx8.htm

The Car Place

 

Thanks, Flatso, excellent find. It's a great review (though I found it weird that they ranked the 8 number two behind the Prius, of all vehicles - the two cars don't seem directly comparable). Did you notice, though, that all the family members sound pretty much like the same person? I don't mean to sound sexist or anything, but I don't think my mom would comment on chassis shake and torque. (She'd just nod and say, "That certainly is a pretty little car. I hope you didn't spend a lot of money on it.")

 

lol good point Claudius:D

 

The humpback styling, almost feminine-looking stance, and meek appearance did nothing to shout "I'm a hot sports car." ..... inside I noticed a continuation of the feminine theme. The soft blue lights that come on as soon as the door is opened are a nice touch, but quite pastel. The ***** and gauges are low key and even the sunvisors have a soft feel, with a lace-like insert making stop light visibility easy when they are down, but still a bit frilly.

The engine did not roar to life. It sounded soft. Even the clutch didn't require a man's leg strength. The RX-8 was behaving just like a well brought up young lady on her first date. She was attentive, quiet, and orderly. Nothing pretentious, low cut, or Janet Jacksonish.

Once on the road, I continued my appraisal of the Mazda and its lack of macho manners. Small bumps didn't upset her much, there was a murmur of road noise, and once out of first gear it pretty much didn't make much difference if you shifted her at 3,000 rpm or 9,000 rpm because she was accepting of your unfamiliarity with her six-speed transmission.

LOL roll on the floor I'd like to see this 'mom', she (Oh I see it's that family in the littlepic at the top heehee..) is certainly very critical (or not?) of her idea of the the "feminine" side of the car. Maybe it's the old female rivalry, she doesn't like some other female taking a man's attention!! The words used are very starange to describe a car, any car. And the last comment, no dif tween 3k and 9k shift after 1st, what is THAT o :o !!

Otherwise, interesting I guess.

 

And in the big picture part they write that "In fact, in this price range, only the Nissan 350Z and the Mitsubishi Eclipse are competitive and those cars are much more demanding to drive, do not offer nearly the interior room, and ride much harsher.

On the other hand, the Nissan's engine offers far more torque and the Mitsubishi costs less."

WTH the Eclipse?

 

Agreed, I test drove one along with a EVO before the 8, and WOW, the Eclipse - total blah! I was shocked, actually thought it wouldn't be like that.

I thought too, what a weird comparision. Now the NEW Eclipse... THAT does looks HOT!