RX8 zoom zoom

flappist · 21-06-2006, 06:39 PM

I had a loan of a RX8 for the weekend from my freindly local Mazda dealer a few days ago.

What a nifty car. It is not particuarly quick off the mark but it out handles and out stops everything I have ever driven with a Ford badge on it.

It also gets a LOT of attention from young ladies. Now I just have to convince myself not to buy it.

I recommend anyone who wants to have a bit of fun to test drive one of these. They are heaps better than I thought they would be.

ReVd_uP · 21-06-2006, 06:45 PM

yeah, theyre not bad, i used to have a RX7, great little car but way to thirsty, after owning one everything, including my xr8 feel like fuel misers...

PH47 · 21-06-2006, 06:47 PM

I'd rather the later model RX7s to the RX8.. but RX8s are still an undeniably good car..

EL_futuraistic · 21-06-2006, 06:50 PM

never driven one but you have a point a lot of people stop to look when they see one..... I guess mazda has doen something right

Steffo · 21-06-2006, 07:13 PM

RX-8 has the same problem for me the last RX-7 had. Top looking car, horrible heap of junk excuse for an engine. If they didn't have a stupid rotary, I'd be after one.

Though swapping a good engine into a Series 7 RX-7 is tempting sounding idea... like a 302W

**Falcon Coupe** · 21-06-2006, 07:17 PM

Can a man actually fit in one ?

turboute · 21-06-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

RX-8 has the same problem for me the last RX-7 had. Top looking car, horrible heap of junk excuse for an engine. If they didn't have a stupid rotary, I'd be after one.

Though swapping a good engine into a Series 7 RX-7 is tempting sounding idea... like a 302W

The newer rotaries have actually been quite good engines - however they were not made for turning up the boost, which most owners doo and therefore they have the 'reliability' problem.

flappist · 21-06-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Can a man actually fit in one ?

I am 6ft 2in, weigh 95kg and I can fit in it wearing a helmet.

flappist · 21-06-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

RX-8 has the same problem for me the last RX-7 had. Top looking car, horrible heap of junk excuse for an engine. If they didn't have a stupid rotary, I'd be after one.

Though swapping a good engine into a Series 7 RX-7 is tempting sounding idea... like a 302W

So when you drove the RX8 you didn't like it?

Or are you yet again quoting others.

I seem to remember several rotaries doing quite well at Bathurst. Mustn't have been any V8s running those years........

The RX8 engine is completely different from all of its predecessors.. but I thought you would already know that......

NA XR6 · 21-06-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

I am 6ft 2in, weigh 95kg and I can fit in it wearing a helmet.

Why were you wearing a helmet

:

**Falcon Coupe** · 21-06-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

I am 6ft 2in, weigh 95kg and I can fit in it wearing a helmet.

Hmmm a helmet on a "testdrive" ehh.....sounds like a REAL testdrive, how is the legroom ? i'm also 6ft 2 and struggle in some newer cars EG: new Pathfinder is shocking.

alesia · 21-06-2006, 09:29 PM

my boyfriend brought a 2000 model about 5 weeks ago..... its crazy the way that thing corners and brakes , there also fairly fast for a 4 cylinder

Steffo · 21-06-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

So when you drove the RX8 you didn't like it?

Or are you yet again quoting others.

I seem to remember several rotaries doing quite well at Bathurst. Mustn't have been any V8s running those years........

The RX8 engine is completely different from all of its predecessors.. but I thought you would already know that......

Can't say I've been in or driven an RX-8, no. But I never said the car itself was bad, I just personally don't like rotary engines. I love the rest of the car, it looks awesome, I just don't like the piece of technology (or lack thereof?) powering it.

In my opinion, if they stuck the Mazda 6 MPS' 2.3 turbo 190kW 380Nm inline-four in the RX-8... they would have the absolute best car in its price-point and category. And I'd bet it would be faster then the less powerful n/a 13B car too, and use less petrol.

Steffo · 21-06-2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alesia

my boyfriend brought a 2000 model about 5 weeks ago..... its crazy the way that thing corners and brakes , there also fairly fast for a 4 cylinder

I hope you're not talking about RX-8's... because those came out in 2003 and use a 1.3 litre rotary engine.

opto · 21-06-2006, 10:11 PM

You do know that Ford does own Mazda ....

Steffo · 21-06-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opto

You do know that Ford does own Mazda ....

Yes. And that has what relevance to this conversation?

XRated · 21-06-2006, 11:36 PM

They certainly are a beautiful design. I think it'd be the perfect package if it had the 3.5L V6 from Nissan though :P

gtfpv · 21-06-2006, 11:45 PM

i went over a friends place and there was one out the front of his house . it was black . my mate had another friend over who owned the car . he loved it . but wasnt happy with the paint . he had it completely resprayed under warranty because paint was chipping off everywhere . after painting the same thing started happening agian . he still loved it though. the interior was very nice. he was ****ed off that his brother had a new ba xr8 with $1000 worth of mods . he said the xr8 blew it away. part of what made me buy the gt.
but i think they are very nice and will get the birds everytime .

Dezza · 21-06-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Can a man actually fit in one ?

Not in the back LOL!! Well, not without extreme discomfort! I am 6"4' and tried to sit in the back of one at the Melbourne Motor Show, just for the sake of it. We could hardly get the door shut!

ClevlndStemer · 21-06-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

RX-8 has the same problem for me the last RX-7 had. Top looking car, horrible heap of junk excuse for an engine. If they didn't have a stupid rotary, I'd be after one.

so bad that it won engine of the year 2003 and was listed in 2004 and 2005 Ward's ten best engines. It also holds the "2.5 to 3 liter" size award for 2003 and 2004, where it is considered a 2.6 L engine. Not bad for a horrible heap of junk excuse for an engine as you put it :togo:

i have test driven one when a friend of mine had one for a weekend (dealer lent it to him to help make up his mind). The engine sounded fantastic for a rotary, the car rode well, better than anything I have been in (incl the focus XR5T which i still crave after), only downside for me was the dash/console, a little too red and busy at night. Meh minor issue. Countless times the car has been given the thumbs up by journos and others.

Steffo · 22-06-2006, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

so bad that it won engine of the year 2003 and was listed in 2004 and 2005 Ward's ten best engines. It also holds the "2.5 to 3 liter" size award for 2003 and 2004, where it is considered a 2.6 L engine. Not bad for a horrible heap of junk excuse for an engine as you put it :togo:

Believe what you like about it, and I'll believe what I like.

I personally choose not to like a 1308cc engine that has fuel economy that makes some 5000cc+ piston engines look efficient, nor do I like an anything that makes a paltry amount of torque at very high revs... and there is the questionable reliability of the things.

"International Engine of the Year," is a pretty meaningless title. It's another big magazine publication event that really has no bearing on how said product will turn out in day to day use.

And their criteria is quite interesting, to say the least, when you look at the last few winners...

1999 - Toyota 1SZ-FE (1.0L Yaris)
2000 - Honda 1.0L IMA Insight
2001 - BMW S54 3.2L M3
2002 - BMW N62 4.4L Valvetronic
2003 - Mazda "2.6L" RENESIS RX-8 (Funny, since Mazda itself states 1308cc)
2004 - Toyota 1NZ-FXE 1.5L Hybrid Synergy Drive Prius
2005 - BMW S85 5.0L V10 M5/M6

So let me get this straight, in '99 you've got a small, efficient 1.0L petrol engine winning, followed by a Hybrid 1.0L Petrol engine in 2000. Then in 2001 a 252kW 3.2litre high-performance inline-six wins? Followed by a 4.4litre V8 used in large four-wheel drives and big luxury cars? So are they after an economical, eco-friendly engine, a ball-tearer or something torquey to tow trailers?

Then the 13B-RENESIS wins it, billed as a 2.6 even though it isn't, followed by a 1.5L Hybrid 4cyl engine and then... a 373kW 8250rpm V10? Oh boy, that makes a whole lot of sense, especially since some of those engines (like the M3's 3.2) bring no real technical innovation to the motoring world, and were just pretty powerful and in a good car.

Bad thing to use as a "for and against" argument.

As you'll notice, I commented nothing about your experience in the car, because the car itself I have no gripes with. I think it looks great and that the interior looks great, and I'm not doubting for a second that its a nice drive.

I simply dislike its powerplant, have done so since I knew the difference between a rotary and a piston engine, and probably will for the foreseeable future.

blackers10 · 22-06-2006, 04:01 AM

they actually double the engine capacity of a rotor to classify it as it does 2 "fireings"(for lack of a better word) compared to the piston engines 1 "fireing" per rotation

ClevlndStemer · 22-06-2006, 06:06 AM

Steffo time and time again you amaze me with the cr@p you spout onto the keyboard. You would be a good politician. I don't know why I bother even replying to you. It doesn't matter what anyone says you're always right and everyone is wrong, even professionals who have been in the area longer than you have existed. You're young and very naive, blinded by your own faith in the at times tainted blue oval.
I wish you all the best in life, cause the way you're going, you're going to need it!!

Aussie_Geo · 22-06-2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

I am 6ft 2in, weigh 95kg and I can fit in it wearing a helmet.

Oh so your a lightweight

I need plenty of room

:

Peter

MAGPIE · 22-06-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

I wish you all the best in life, cause the way you're going, you're going to need it!!

Big fan of the RX8 also, they are an awesome looking vehicle. One of the euro car mags had one as a long term tester, they seemed quite happy with.

merlin · 22-06-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

Steffo time and time again you amaze me with the cr@p you spout onto the keyboard. You would be a good politician. I don't know why I bother even replying to you. It doesn't matter what anyone says you're always right and everyone is wrong, even professionals who have been in the area longer than you have existed. You're young and very naive, blinded by your own faith in the at times tainted blue oval.
I wish you all the best in life, cause the way you're going, you're going to need it!!

He does have a point though - Great looking, handling car but with a thirsty beast of an engine that makes no torque. If your going to pay through the nose for that much fuel you may as well buy a V8 or turbo.

flappist · 22-06-2006, 09:12 AM

Reason for helmet, I like circuit and if I buy one then that will be one of its roles.

Some of you just don't get it. It is a FUN car that handles very well and is very light.
I liked it, others do not, life goes on.......

turbo6 · 22-06-2006, 09:59 AM

My wife owns one - need I say more??

IMO a girls car, sorry. Well built, a hoot to drive around any corner, but my 6'4-6'5 body does not fit real well and it sucks fuel like a V8. She gets lots of attention (apparently) from the boys but she is 3 weeks away from our first child so her brand new RX8 must go, only 7000kms....... she is not happy about it.

Being replaced by a July build Turbo Territory Ghia. What a stark contrast!

gozza · 22-06-2006, 10:13 AM

i don't like the look of them one bit....i love them when they first come out but i think they look terrible now..

Much prefer s4-s6 shape

Steffo · 22-06-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevlndStemer

Steffo time and time again you amaze me with the cr@p you spout onto the keyboard. You would be a good politician. I don't know why I bother even replying to you. It doesn't matter what anyone says you're always right and everyone is wrong, even professionals who have been in the area longer than you have existed. You're young and very naive, blinded by your own faith in the at times tainted blue oval.
I wish you all the best in life, cause the way you're going, you're going to need it!!

My, so its not ok for me to dislike rotary engines and put forward a point why, I must join the "wow" bandwagon?

There are professionals who have been around longer then myself who dislike it too. And they are the people I choose to side with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin

He does have a point though - Great looking, handling car but with a thirsty beast of an engine that makes no torque. If your going to pay through the nose for that much fuel you may as well buy a V8 or turbo.

Thankyou. You sum up everything I've said quite nicely in that simple paragraph. Good to see I'm not alone.