A fine stereo maketh not a fine car, but there's Bose in the fast RX8.

 

There's a Bose in the "slow" RX8 too, not that Bose = quality, far from it in my opinion, especially in home audio, but the one in the car isn't too bad (for a car stereo).

In the US, the RX8 was advertised as having 250bhp but was crippled by new emissions regulations and ended up having 237IIRC. Mazda offered people a refund or some cashback. A chap in Canada has already tweaked the mapping and is getting 250bhp out of his (as are lots of other people now)

In the UK it's always been 231PS (emmissions problems again), we're waiting results of the Canadian ECU in UK cars to see how much power it gives back.

The cheap purchase price (22K for the 231PS model) somewhat makes up for the "poor" fuel economy. Although I'm sure people did not buy an S2000 for it's fuel efficiency.

Paul

 

Perhaps not, but I get 28mpg during motorway/dual carriageway driving which is far more than I expected.
Its not so much the mpg that put me off the RX-8, but how many miles do you manage between fuel stops?

 

The average between fill-ups for most people seems to be about 250 miles, with some stretching to 280. I only got mine yesterday so I'll let you know!

 

I've seen a black RX * around my town with the plate **** HOT - looks very nice

 

Thats pretty good. I'd forgotten the tank has those extra 11 litres over ours

 

I really like the RX-8 but for me the key points are that the S2000 is :

a) covertible
b) relatively rare
c) has just 2 seats

If I had kids I would seriously consider the RX-8.

 

(a) and (b) are good, but

 

First tank of fuel in Paul's new motor : 18mpg

Oh well, it can only go up from there. Still, it'd be a bad job if the scoobynet boys start taking the piss about your fuel consumption

 

If you want a reliable car, don't buy one in its first year of production!

The RX-8 is so cheap for what it offers, you'd have to get through gallons of squirt to be at a disadvantage.

If you're still not convinced, apparently they are cut n shutting it into the next generation MX-5, with a regular four banger and a soft top.