NeO SAMuRAI

Its true, the RX8 does lack torque...its even worse than the S2000. And if you're directing that statement to the original poster, he hasn't even ridden in an S2000, let alone owned one.

This I totally agree with. The RX8 accelerates quicker, handles better...and does just about everything else better than the RSX, both great cars though.

[QUOTE]And if you wish to magazine-race; look at the numbers- RX8s are only behind S2000s (at the drag strip) by a couple tenths.

Bullitt44

I had one for a couple of days and thought it was a nice package if you need a couple more seats. That thing was anything but fast, I have never been in a car that need a turbo more then that one. I does rev to 9K, but it feels like it should rev to 14K to make power.

b00stn

The people that dont buy sports cars for speed and handle are the kind of people I would be inclined to think are the ones looking for a status symbol.

I have not driven the RX8 so I will say but a few things.

For a performance car from Mazda, it needs more power especially when you compare it to the car it is supposedly a successor to (FD). Nothing about the car really makes it stand out aside from the more functional back seat. It would be nice for Mazda to put a little more into the RX8.

Anyways, I am sure its a nice fit for some or for those people great. To the original poster, I am just curious what you have as a reference to be walking away from this car so impressed.

steven975

the 8 was my second choice behind the S...the convertible won.

the only real gripe i have is the material for the cloth seats seemed overly thin and cheap.

MadScientist

[QUOTE=b00stn,Dec 21 2004, 09:59 AM] The people that dont buy sports cars for speed and handle are the kind of people I would be inclined to think are the ones looking for a status symbol.

124Spider

It sure is nice to see some sense in one of the posts. I've been on this board for eight months, and I am always amazed at the mindless bashing of any other car which goes on here all the time, mostly, of course, by people who have no idea what they're talking about. Rather than celebrating the wonderful mix of somewhat affordable cars now available to the enthusiast, so many people mindlessly bash any car but their own, of course generally using their own narrow criteria as justification for why all the other cars suck. The same idiocy goes on in the other boards.

For some reason, the RX-8 seems to come in for particular bashing by the bigots on this list. For instance, I also love the S2000 owners who bash it for being underpowerd, when the power and torque numbers are almost identical to the S2000, on a car which weighs only 200 lbs more. Looks are a completely subjective thing, and no reason to bash someone else's choice. Gas mileage always comes up, but somehow nobody ever mentions that the RX-8 is much, much less expensive to insure than the S2000 (probably because their are fewer mindless street-racers in the RX-8 than the S2000).

Finally, I have to chuclkle as Car & Driver includes the RX-8 on their "Ten Best" list for the second straight year (where was the S2000 this year?); it takes a special kind of ignorant arrogance to bash a car which the motoring press really appreciates for what it is.

My youngest child and I recently went to see my middle child play in a HS basketball game, driving my beloved S2000. When the game was over, the basketball player asked to come home with us, rather than on the bus. Had we been driving my wife's RX-8, it would have been no problem. That's not to say that the RX-8 is better than the S2000; it is, however, a very fine car, by any rational criteria, with a very high utility, and it is better, if you need to carry two children with you!

MadScientist

You have an 8 AND a Stook???

Life is good eh?... go on .. say it

124Spider

Well, there was a bit of poetic license there. We don't pick up the RX-8 until Friday.

Yeah, life is very, very good, and what a great time to be an auto enthusiast! As much as I love my S2000 (and that's a lot), the RX-8 likely will be the car Mrs. Spider and I take for a trip, sans kids, if it's not top-down weather. Nice choice to have, eh?

Station

I'm really surprised to hear so many S owners bashing the RX-8.

I love my S2000, but I know a good thing when I drive it. The RX-8 is a great car. I have never driven a car that feels more similar to an S2000 than the RX-8. It really is like a 4-door, fixed-roof S. It's certainly not as fast, but it is still respectable. The power curve feels very similar. The shifter is perfect, and feels a lot like ours. The brakes are suberb. My brake pedal in the S felt mushy after driving the RX. Impressive.

Mazda did a good job with this car. At the end of the day, I still prefer the S for various reasons. That's no criticism of the RX, though. I have a lot of respect for that car. I sure wouldn't mind owning one of each.

y2ks2k

Race a normal street car from 50 in an RX8 and you will understand slow (aka no torque). It might pull a mid 14 second quarter off the line but at any other speed, I bet my MDX could keep up with it.