Yea, drove an RX-8 the other day, and i have to say, I have mixed feelings about the car.

Clutch: The clutch was fairly similar to our car as far as engaging points, but felt a bit softer, which i did not like

Brakes: Brakes are awesome, very comparable to the S.

Acceleration: You can feel the weight in this car. Low RPM's were awesome, but unlike our car, past 6000 it seemed to be somewhat of a dog! I will say i was expecting that VTEC kick, but still, it almost seemed to fall slowly onto its face.

Shifts: I did one hard shift from 1st to 2nd, and the suspension is too soft in my opinion...car lurched, squatted, and lurched again, to the point that i was somewhat tossed around in the seat (and im a somewhat big guy 5'10" 215lbs)

Tranny: Very smooth, had that oh so familiar 3rd gear notch, and reverse was the same too.

Handling: Seemed to be comparable to our car, but still had a lot of body roll, at least more than i would like to have.

Fit'n'Finish: Everything seemed to be very well built, and finish was very clean, but some things i did not like. Taillights, exhaust tips, and all the plastic covers in the engine bay.

Space: Back Seat is small, i see no point to it. Leg room up front is the same for the driver, more for the passenger.

Trunk Space: About 1.5 - 2 times our trunk...not to shabby!

Exhaust Note: Sounds like the old carbureted RX-7's, but a little quieter. Very whiny, and high pitched. Definitely a big turn off.

Overall, for 34K fully loaded, with navi, heated seats, traction control, GT package, Sunroof, Leather etc....not a bad car, but could be better.

One other thing i did not think was right....no sports car should have traction control, and heated seats....it then becomes a luxury sports car, and thats no fun at all! If you cant controll it yourself, then you shouldnt be driving it!

 

Thanks for the review. Me and my gf are interested in this car. Looks like we'll wait for the next gen RX-7. I'm also trying to see if she would get the Evo.

 

for the price...id take the evo over the rx8 any day...more reliable, and in my case (snowy weather) the evo is more practical.

 

Mazda also admitted that it doesn't really produce 247 HP either. Maybe the morons at Mazda need to invest in a dyno after they lied about the Miata HP a few years back and then screwed up the RX-8 this year.

 

the rx8 got owned by the s2k in that best motoring video, thats what matters.

 

HAHA, Razor, that blunt (but factual) statement made me burst out laughing. You always have something blunt, if not funny, to say.

 

I added butt warmers to my s2k...makes the season much longer here in New England...

 

i guess if thats the case, then fine, but traction controll, seriously!

Im thinking (if its available) of adding butt coolers to the seats! That would be a very nice feature!!!

 

oh yeah don't forget, mazda got caught lying about the hp figures of the RX8. they first said ~250 hp but now its been knocked down to 238 HP. i don't think if even makes 238 hp, since some rx8 owners are dynoing at only ~175 whp. mazda did this with the 2001 miata, they should've learned from their mistakes. i don't think ill ever buy a mazda...

 

That's really sad when my little Vibe GT with a little 1.8L four banger (2ZZ motor out of Celica GT-S) makes 170whp with just a cold air intake.