Its here! First impressions
07-30-2003 | 07:39 PM
#1
Thread Starter
aka Smoothy
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane Australia
Its here! First impressions
At about 4.45pm yesterday I finally got to drive mY RX8 away from the dealer. So what is it like?
I attended the drive day at Willowbank plus drove a dealer demo car around Mt Cootha and I was not exactly being gentle either time so it is a little frustrating not exceeding my self imposed 6,000rpm during breakin period!
Anyway back to the point - Honest first impressions
Appearance
I have the Leatherpack velocity red and it looks awesome. I hadn't appreciated how much the paint colour changes in differing lights. The detailing staff at the dealership were laughing/ drooling over the vehicle before they handed it over.
Handling
The best compromise I have found between comfort and that Go Kart feel that a performance car needs to have. I went around a roundabout this morning , gave the car a squirt and whoa we had oversteer! I hasten to add very controllable and what a feeling!
Performance
Not really pushed at all due to breakin but the signs are very encouraging. This is my first rotary and the feel of linear, smooth power delivery is unlike any other car I have driven. I have previously owned a WRX and a Honda VTIR and they have nothing on this in my opinion. I am not saying that the RX8 is quicker but the experience of smooth power without the artificial intrusions of the turbo/ vtec power bands is amazing.
Interior
Top notch. Very strong attention to detail and the kids just love those freestyle doors!
Niggles
Nothing can ever be perfect so here come my niggles
1) For $66,000 I would expect that the keyless entry to the vehicle was integrated into the actual key - not a stand alone unit.
2) The Owners manual could have been summarised into 5 words.
DO NOT F***** SUE US!
Why can't we have a document written purely to explain the vehicle without a box with WARNING written on it for every third paragraph.
Don't get me wrong this is a great car but there can always be improvement.
I attended the drive day at Willowbank plus drove a dealer demo car around Mt Cootha and I was not exactly being gentle either time so it is a little frustrating not exceeding my self imposed 6,000rpm during breakin period!
Anyway back to the point - Honest first impressions
Appearance
I have the Leatherpack velocity red and it looks awesome. I hadn't appreciated how much the paint colour changes in differing lights. The detailing staff at the dealership were laughing/ drooling over the vehicle before they handed it over.
Handling
The best compromise I have found between comfort and that Go Kart feel that a performance car needs to have. I went around a roundabout this morning , gave the car a squirt and whoa we had oversteer! I hasten to add very controllable and what a feeling!
Performance
Not really pushed at all due to breakin but the signs are very encouraging. This is my first rotary and the feel of linear, smooth power delivery is unlike any other car I have driven. I have previously owned a WRX and a Honda VTIR and they have nothing on this in my opinion. I am not saying that the RX8 is quicker but the experience of smooth power without the artificial intrusions of the turbo/ vtec power bands is amazing.
Interior
Top notch. Very strong attention to detail and the kids just love those freestyle doors!
Niggles
Nothing can ever be perfect so here come my niggles
1) For $66,000 I would expect that the keyless entry to the vehicle was integrated into the actual key - not a stand alone unit.
2) The Owners manual could have been summarised into 5 words.
DO NOT F***** SUE US!
Why can't we have a document written purely to explain the vehicle without a box with WARNING written on it for every third paragraph.
Don't get me wrong this is a great car but there can always be improvement.
07-31-2003 | 05:19 AM
#3
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
rx8 - smooth!,
I'll have my Velocity Red Hi Power next week and your comments about the paint clour looking different in varying light interests me. Ive seen the red in artificial showroom light and in the bright sunshine, and in my oppinion their is no comparison - sunlight wins by a long shot. It really brings out that glittery effect in the lower layers of the paint.
Congratulations and Happy Rotaring !
P.D.U
I'll have my Velocity Red Hi Power next week and your comments about the paint clour looking different in varying light interests me. Ive seen the red in artificial showroom light and in the bright sunshine, and in my oppinion their is no comparison - sunlight wins by a long shot. It really brings out that glittery effect in the lower layers of the paint.
Congratulations and Happy Rotaring !
P.D.U
12-02-2005 | 10:16 AM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I have a question about the keyless. Do you mean you prefer the keyless part be integrated into the detachable key, and not the other part with the buttons?
I think that might be the standard configuration for these things. I have a nissan with keyless and it's the same thing. I treat the detachable key to be a backup if the wireless somehow stops working.
I think that might be the standard configuration for these things. I have a nissan with keyless and it's the same thing. I treat the detachable key to be a backup if the wireless somehow stops working.
12-02-2005 | 09:25 PM
#5
cry me a river...
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 0
From: Syd / Melb
Originally Posted by RUmble
I have a question about the keyless. Do you mean you prefer the keyless part be integrated into the detachable key, and not the other part with the buttons?
I think that might be the standard configuration for these things. I have a nissan with keyless and it's the same thing. I treat the detachable key to be a backup if the wireless somehow stops working.
I think that might be the standard configuration for these things. I have a nissan with keyless and it's the same thing. I treat the detachable key to be a backup if the wireless somehow stops working.
.... the early models have seperate key and remote items... the '05 model have those keyfob/blade switch style combo, just like most european cars......
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