The RX8 formula is close. I like rotaries. They are different. The torque knock is similar to VTEC Honda engines. We all know a broad dyno curve isn't all bad. My buddy's stripped-down 2nd Gen trailer queen makes over 240 RWHP (with stand-alone EMS and seriously annoying exhaust note). With its light weight and R-compound tires it really moves.

But put me in with the group that thinks the turbo rotary is more lustworthy (e.g. Steve O'Blene's championship winning Solo2 car, piano-hinged wing and all!).

 

I love the RX-8's. They are a blast to drive, nearly the perfect combination of lightweight, high revs, good ride, great handling, and even decent room to make it everyday livable. Then you look at reliability and gas mileage, and they go to sh!t. Even on the RX8 boards where they are supposed to be taking care of their cars, there are guys with 60k miles bragging that they are still on the original engines! And if I'm going to be getting 11mpg, I'd better be in an F430 or better, not in an everyday japanese sports car.

 

wait till' you drive a RX8

 

Hopefully with years of experience, Mazda should create a more reliable 13b-rew(To think that reliable and 13b-rew in the same sentence lol) and put that into the rx8.

 

I would consider the Miata closer than the Rx-8 in any formula.

Put the mzr turbo 2.4 (now a 2.5) from the Mazdaspeed in it, and couple the car with a 1G suspension along with a set of brembos (just because) and watch it literally tear up everything on the track from S2ks to 911s. Mazda could do this and still sell the car for less than a current S2k CR. Does anyone else realize this?

There is rumor that the mzr will be replaced by the new Volvo unit going around the performance models company wide but who knows.

Bottom line, the mzr turbo engine is great. The Miata is great and with the basic addons it would be a monster. I know there would be a lot of S2k fans that would switch...

 

Miata is (was) too small for my DD. Haven't sat in one since it grew but it still looks too small for me.

 

If you had to choose between that RX-8 and a Mugen Si for factory prepped overpriced cars, which would you get?

 

RX8. RWD rules all ! F**K FWD.

 

mugen si.