Tomorrow I pick up the 335i coupe, and in a few days I say goodbye to my RX8 for good . So here's my chance to say "thank you Mazda", for a fun three years.

After a while, it's easy to take for granted what the RX8 does really well. But with the knowledge that it's going, you have a chance to revisit it's strengths, and maybe see them in a different light. Here's what I came to really love about this little car:

- The great steering, so fluid and feelsome, light and precise. How did Mazda manage to get electric assisted steering so right, first time?
- The agility, and what they had to do to achieve it.
- The beautifully damped, supple ride
- The 6 slick and precise 6 speed gearshift. Surely one of the world's best?
- The precision instrument that is the RX8 throttle. I think I'm right in saying it was Mazda's first fly by wire throttle. And again, they got it spot on, first time
- The well judged traction control ( Mazda's first attempt, again?)
- The feeling that you're driving something unique and special ( even if there are heaps of them on the roads these days ).
- 9000rpm, in a car for god's sake! ( Though somehow it never felt quite as amazing when I learnt on this site that the rotors were only rotating at one third of that!!)
- The fact that you can enjoy all this at city speeds, if you have to.
- The chance to participate, in a very,very small way, with the committed and enthusiastic RX8 community on this website. My job and travel commitments have meant I haven't been able to spend nearly as much time here as I would like to. But I've really enjoyed the chance to drop in from time to time, and it's been great to see so many people who genuinely love the car and all it stands for. All power to you guys...

Closing thought:

IMHO Mazda's biggest RX8 sin - if there is one - is simply that there is no upgrade path, aside from FI. We're at the top of the range already, and there's no place to go, except back for a second serve ( as some have done already - good for you!) or OUT. For me, somewhat reluctantly, I guess it's the latter....

I hope you guys all continue to get as much pleasure from your RX8's as I have with mine over these 3 years...

Thank you and cheers

Nick

 

A very fair farewell!

Your point about an upgrade path is well made, FI is not a real option for some of us, and it would be nice to have other options.

We'll miss ya, Nick!

S

 

Keep in touch Nick and let me know the teething problems (none I hope) with the new beast).
It makes you appreaciate how good the 8 is after reading your post.

Cheers

Gibbo.

 

May your new car give you as much pleasure albeith at a much higher servicing cost , congrats keep in touch .

Michael

 

Nick, yep, agree 100% with those sentiments

 

Great post Nick and I hope you have lots of fun with the new Bimmer.

Please drop in from time to time and let us know how it's going.

 

thank you and good bye.

or as missy would say it...
"sank you and pls come again."

 

What they all said too.

Sad to see you go...but hey times change as do needs etc.

Hope to see you back again in another 3 years with another 8.

Have fun in the bimmer and look forward to hearing what you think of it.

Ciao'

Julia

 

Thanks guys I'll definitely drop in from time to time. Maybe bore you with some pics!



Cheers

Nick

 

we love pix....