dj_nacho

Just wondered which cars you guys currently drive. I have never owned a japanese car and have strong leanings to German auto engineering. My current vehicle is a BMW 323Ci, I must admit that although I am excited at the prospect of owning a RX8, I am also a little apprehensive about the comparrisons I will naturally make to my BMW. Thoughts gentlemen?

Stu C

Well, I currently drive an FTO, which is very Japanese, but it sure has a noisy cabin.
The steering etc is great, accel is decent (but not up to rx8 methinks) and I've had it for 3 years.

I like Japanese cars, as they make something for everyone in the sports world.

Usefully, I had BMWs for 5 years, and they were absolutely quieter in the cabin and more refined, but I am comparing chalk to cheese and back again. The RX8 as far as I can tell, has come on a million miles from the FTO days and should be comfortable (leather + aircon!), quiet and a blast to drive.

Cheers
Stu

AndyPearce

Currently in a Volvo C70 T5 GT (Coupe.)

I'm looking forward to the styling, 4 doors, handling and relative exclusivity of the RX8.

I'm not so sure about the stereo (it's so damn good in the Volvo!), the MPG, the small boot and the rotary (just cos I've never had one and am terrible for forgetting oil checks!)

RomanoM

I'm also coming out of BMW 3 series cars and am inevitably going to compare the RX-8 to my '96 328is and '00 328i.

I'm getting my test drive tomorrow, will post.

But, so far many of the reports I've read kind of remind me of both the E36 and the E46. The cozy cabin, tight steering and fun handling sound like an E36 and the firm, smooth ride with supportive seats and quality materials sound like the E46.

We'll see.

AndyPearce

Sorry but E36 adn E46 are what sort of car?? They dont ring any bells with UK cars that I know of.

Hopefully there will be a little more room for your feet in the back of the RX8 compared to the '96 328 coupe my mate had.

18ME

The E46 is the current shape 3 series BMW and the E36 is the previous shape.
BMW use E numbers instead of Mk1, Mk2 etc.

Its more confusing than their use of model numbers and engine sizes, eg, the current 320 is a 2.2 but used to be a 2lt

crabacle

I wondered what Andy thinks about the C70 convertible, as that's my 2nd choice if the RX8 doesn't live up to expectations when I see it (or Mazda put the date back 12 months)!!

Currently I drive the Mazda MX3 1.8 V6 - a great 4-seater coupe - room for the kids and some luggage. Unfortunately Mazda stopped making it, so I'm hoping that the RX8 will be the replacement that I've been looking for for the past 2 years.

Let's hope that the waits worth it.

- Craig -

MarkW

Weve had a couple of these threads before, but for our newer members:

I currently drive an 02 Impreza STi which I like very much, but just got a bit bored with it and fell in love with the RX8 at last years motorshow.

This is my second Impreza and as far as Japanese cars go, they might not be the last thing in quality of materials, but I have not had one single problem with either car.

On the other hand, my wife has a Mercedes Coupe which cost £27k and has endlessly been back to the garage to have faults fixed, some of which have still not been resolved. She has said she will not buy another german car when she changes it in a couple of years.

AnilS

I drive a Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec, and it does exactly what it says on the tin, but better. Its a fantastic handling car, better even than my Carlton GSi 3000 24V !

I'm only apprehensive about the qualities of the Rotary engine but not about japanese cars. My wife has a Yaris and I've previously had a Nissan 200SX (v.good) and a Toyota Corolla GT coupe (stunning - miss it like mad).

AnilS.

KEF

J-Spec Mazda MX-6 with a smaller 2.0l 24v V6 (although i believe it may actually be more powerful than the UK 2.5l)

it's greatest feature is four wheel steering, which i am seriously going to miss, i've never experienced another car that deals with round-abouts in such a manner.

initial complaints about the turn in on the '8 had me worried, but i'm hoping that the production spec will provide me with an suitable successor.

build is pretty good, feels lighter than your average german machine but to be fair it is over 10 years old (therefore nil safety features)

never let me down reliability wise, although i got utterly shafted by Queensburgh Mazda at it's last service (wound up taking the car away from them on a trailer after 8 weeks in their garage), hence i've traveled up to Stirling to buy my new car, hoping for better luck there.

rael

dj - Good question and one as a Audi TTC owner am asking too. Earlier threads suggest that the production model quality is good and can be compared to European standards but I still need to be convinced. The Mazda 6's I have seen in the showroom still seem a bit too shiney anf flimsey. But I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Look forward to your report.

rael

The Ace

From what I gather, VERY few of you actually have an experience with an RX (3,4 or 7). Shame, because the latest RX7s (FCs and FDs) were VERY nice cars.....

Anyway, you'll get your chance to know the rotary world up close and personal

morganrogers

If it makes you feel better - I had a 1st Gen (seriesIII) and loved it to death !

For me the Rotary IS the reason for wanting the RX8.
The fact the car is gorgeous is a real bonus !

Morgan.

sixspeed

I currently drive a Polo G40 as my daily transport, and have a Tuscan S for the weekends

Polo is such a little pocket rocket! 820kg, and (with some minor fettling) about 160bhp and 150lb/ft from a supercharged 1300 engine make for some good fun! But it's a little harsh and raw for my liking as an everyday car. The ride isn't too great and the thing rattles, shakes and squeaks like its done 160,000 miles... but that's because it has. Hence the RX-8.

The TVR? Erm. These things should be illegal! Lol. Mind-numbing acceleration, in any gear. Looks and sounds like nothing else on the road, and consistantly puts a grin on my face *every* time I drive it. However, as much as I hate to admit it, it has had a couple of problems (hence why I bought another car as my daily runabout). Unfortuntely, TVR do seem to be building the cars themselves very well. I've had no electrical glitches, bits falling off etc. The car is solid, no rattles, squeaks or funny noises. However, TVR have taken it upon themselves to build their own engines now (the Speed Six), and ... something just isn't right. To give you an idea, mine is currently one of seven cars sitting at the local TVR dealer awaiting the return of it's engine from the factory in Blackpool following a rebuild.... and this is the second.... in 17,000 miles. Thankfully it's all under warranty, but it's a little annoying to say the least. However, once it's back I know it'll make up for it all the minute I jump in and push that 'go' pedal...


If the RX-8 can put a grin on my face like the TVR, and run as reliably as the Polo, I think I'll be very happy.... and I've no doubt that it will.


-andy-

18ME

Bought this baby a few weeks back for my daily commute to work and back. Being a tractor and pretty economical (a little less now as it came back from AMD yesterday:D )means I can have another car to play with without worrying too much about fuel consumption. But the RX8 will replace my Golf R32 "eventually"

18ME

Hi Sixspeed,

I enquired about buying a Tuscan S a couple of months back, I think they are fantastic looking in an unusual sort of way and the wife likes them, which is half the battle. I heard that the bonnets are bolted down and all work on the engine must be carried out by the factory. This info put me off a little, is it correct?

cw007

I have a green Lexus IS200SE with sat Nav which i have had for just over 3 years now.

Superb build quality, no noice from cabin. Never had a fault.

18ME

I have to agree with you on build quality. I had an IS200 sport a couple of years back and I think its the only new car I've had that didn't have any rattles anywhere and I've had a lot of German cars and all without exception have some sort of rattle or creek. Nothing that can't be rectified but still an anoyance just the same.

Wakey

I drive a focus ST170 at the moment before getting the RX8 (subject to fitting in it).

A very nice car and handles like a dream :D

Edo

Another TTC (225) owner. Dont expect the RX to match the Audi on build, given the price differential, but we'll see....

RomanoM

E36 - 1991-1999(for 2 doors)

E46 - 1999(4 door) - current model

Those are the platform codes.

copperband

I had the exact same car and loved everything about it except the lack lustre performance.There is no doub't that it was a smooth runner and i liked the styling of the car its just a shame they never imported the jap hi power version which is known as the Toyota Altezza there Twin turbo's no less.I have driven one on Sega GT:D and if goes as well in real life as it does on the game it would be a very exiting car to own.

I currently drive a 325ci which is a lovely car but there are too many on the road (especially in Silver as mine is) and the power is almost too smooth. What i mean by this is my friend has a honda Accord type R which on paper is almost identical performance wise but it is just much more raw giving it a feeling of being faster

I had a civic VTi a few years ago and i loved the car, although almost half the cost of my current car it was infinately more fun.
I had a Golf 1.8 T for 4 months - what a dull car

Ed

Evil Weevil

In reply to the original post...
My last four motors have been Jap (6 including my better half's recent Corolla Verso).

Very first car - Vauxhall Chevette!! Followed by two Opel Manta's - these still bring a grin to my face when I see them on the road - happy days! Then came the string of Japs...

-Isuzu Piazza
-Mazda Xedos 6 (didn't have for long... nice car but too sensible for me)
-Mazda MX-6 (yummy car in looks and performance apart from a wierd flat-spot; can't remember where but it used to bug me a bit! Kept this car for some time.)
-New Toyota Celica VVTLi 190 (loved this car which I bought as soon as they came out. Had it fitted with TTE's uprated shocks, springs, exhaust and a MILD Toyota bodykit - LOVELY CAR!)
-New Toyota MR2 (current car - sometimes miss the Celica for various reasons, but love the rear-wheel drive/mid-engine, handling and summer evenings coming home from work with the roof off!)
- New Corolla Verso T2 (current family-chariot. Good build quality/features per pound, and my wife loves the driving position... NOT a 'driver's car' but better than many mid-sized MPVs)

Next - RX8 ??? More than likely but haven't ordered... yet! I'm hoping I'll get the handling of the MR2 with the (slight) practicality of the extra 2 seats and somewhere to put luggage and two kids (in emergencies only - NO FOOD).

So yes, I like Jap cars. I find them reliable, well built and generally less 'sterile' from the styling POV than others, but I realise that styling is such an individual thing. My bro-in-law wouldn't drive anything that didn't look or feel like a Golf - not my cup of tea at all.

sixspeed

They are bolted down, but only by 4 12mm bolts (and a couple of clips). It's apparently more down to strength than to stop you looking underneath. It does mean you can't just pop the bonnet to show your mates, but its no impossible task. It's best to use two people since the entire bonnet section lifts off in one piece, but it really is just a 2 minute job to undo the 4 bolts and lift it off the car.

All your levels (oil, water, washer etc) are under the first bonnet, which is hinged and locked by a single catch like most cars.




-andy-

AndyPearce

I think this has been discusse din one of the other threads but with the C70 the sports suspension you get on the T5 makes a real difference to the handling. I can't comment on the handling of the convertible as I havent driven one but I can say that the car is a very comfortable cruiser, has a good climate control system with the ability for the passenger to have different temps. The boot is very big and there is plenty of room for rear passengers (I am 6" and I have a 6" 1' and 6" 3' guy travel with me.) The Dolby Pro-logic sound system is fantastic and the T5 is deceptively quick.