Just got back from a quick test drive at T W White in Milford !!!!!!!

They have managed to blag a high power velocity red and a low power titanium grey for this weekend.

I know there is a thread about potential Surrey test drives here:

https://www.rx8club.com/europe-forum-36/rx-8-event-surrey-pre-orders-8498/

but I couldn't resist my own thread for this. Very happy.

The car is wonderful to drive. Very responsive, plenty of power, and a lovely engine sound. Not at all like a washing machine having sex.

I can't really comment on the handling as it was a short drive and I'm a bit of a wimp on test drives. It didn't help to have a police car follow us down the A3 either !!.



The situation with T W White is this:

They have 2 cars until Monday 25th. This is not part of a national event by Mazda, T W White have done this themselves because they are a big dealership. The main purpose of these cars is for T W White to sell more cars, so they are only booking test drives out in these for potential new customers. (They are funding this weekend themselves). They have a big list of people interested, so only a few spaces left.

I managed to blag a drive because the cars turned up today, and I *happened* to be nearby !! :p

FOR ALL YOU PREORDERERS
If you want to go along for a look and a fiddle you are all cordially invited, but no drives I'm afraid. Say hi to Nick and mention who sent you Oh and please park in the lane across the road, as the forecourt is a bit small.

Oh and a big hello to ROTORIST, who also *happened* to be passing in his beautiful red RX-7. Hopefully he can give us a bit more of a qualified review.


P.S.

If you are a potential customer, and go along to T W White in Milford, speak to Nick and tell him Jimbobjoe sent you

 

jimbobjoe,

You are a very lucky individual indeed.

Did the car live up to your expectations?

Chris (very jealous)

 

JIMBOBJOE, HOW DID THE GEARBOX AND CLUTCH FEEL ?

AnilS.

 

Gearbox - very positive changes. Nice short throw. One of the nicest I've tried.

Clutch - well it's a clutch. It goes in and out. :p . Actually very good feel to it. Not too heavy or light.

It was really nice to drive. It has confirmed my desire to own one. I didn't really have too much opportunity to open it up, but it revs so freely, and the sound is so nice, and the steering has a good feel to it.........

I did notice that it needed a few revs to pull away, but that's just something you get used to, and I think the clutch bite was lower than my car..

 

Jimbobjoe, you cant possibly have as my dealer told me only this morning that this is impossible and no dealer will have cars until October.....

.....congrats anyway, and hope you enjoyed it

What did you think of the Vel Red in the flesh, and did it have the red leather?

 

yes - i've got a test drive but the conversation went:

me - can i get a drive?
them - no you're a pre-orderer we want to do a special event where we can treat you properly
me - when?
them - sept
me - well i thinking of cancelling
them - monday?

obviously as stated, they've got the cars to sell more, they dont care about pre-orderers, they've got our business

incidently when i asked about a test drive last jan, they said i would be driving my own car before they had any test drive cars in - how things change


EDIT: having said the above, since tw whites have paid their money to get the cars i'd want to maximise my return too.

 

I wouldn't say that they don't care about us pre-orderers (at a dealer level, I'm not defending Mazda UK at all )

The dealership wants to sell even more cars, and persuade more people to put their money down. The best way to do that is to give them a test-drive. So that is what they have tried to do. There are so many potential buyers on this dealers list that there is no time this weekend for the rest of us.

Pre-orderers WILL get a test-drive. But we have to wait until September.

And I do appreciate that I'm being incredibly hypocritical as I've had a drive, but hey
:D

 

I too have just driven an RX8!!!

Initially I was worried about the RX8 not having enough power what with it being naturally aspirated as opposed to the RX7 with its sequential twin turbos. Today my mind was put at ease!

It is a very different car to the 7 but still retains good power through out the rev range and red lines at 9k with the same beep to let you know it is time to change gear! I enjoyed discovering that one!!

As jimbobjoe stated the clutch does have quite a low bite point and did feel a little light (currently mine is heavy though so only in comparison).

Both the red and titanium looked stunning, my order is titanium and it was confirmed by seeing them that I made the right choice! Well done all you ****!

The sound was not what I am used to, somewhat difficult to explain, just hearing the rotors spinning (quite noisily) without the whistle of turbos.

Today confirmed my pre-order will result in a sale for Mazda!

Many thanks to the team at T W White.

Respect to our moderator jimbobjoe - you got there first!

Happy rotoring.

 

I rang TWW in Weybridge today, who only found out they were getting cars this morning. Booked my drive for Friday the 12th...

Can the next peron to try one check out the hi-fi please!

 

Only very briefly listened to the Bose (radio not CD), full sounding, coped with high volume well.

Need to hear for longer to post more!

 

Both pleased for you both and jealous at the same time!:p

I understand that these dealers are businesses who are looking at this as a chance for more orders but I still think that shows that they are not treating pre-orders in the manner they deserve. They should se us as strong possibles and should be using this as an oppurtunity to cement the deal. I think a bit much is being taken for granted, especially seeing as many were driven close to cancelling because of the delays / changes in spec / bad communication.

Having said that I applaud T W Whites for organising something at all - my dealer won't even take my phone calls - whether he's been very busy for the last two weeks or recognises the name and is avoiding me I don't know but I know it's not good enough.

Anyway - glad you both enjoyer the experience - I just can't wait for my turn!

 

What did you lucky guys think to the quality of the dash plastics?

Jimbobjoe - when you needed a few revs to pull away, how many were needed? 1.5-2K?

Was it driveable at low revs - eg around town, 4th gear 30-ish mph?

TIA

 

Plastics were good quality, ergonomically interior was very user friendly, the handbrake position was fine (did not notice the gaurd on it unless you are looking at it).

Indicator paddle perfectly positioned. Thankfully no need to use the washers (although would have been interesting in the wet to see how stable the rear end is, I am used to the back end stepping out in the RX7 quite freely).

Even the sat. nav. looked the part (wish I had ordered it as my reason for not was that it may spoil the dash).

Rev counter very dominant, barely noticed the digital speedo zipping up and down!

Have never owned electric seats so these were a welcome comfort to set things up!

It's an all round winner!!

 

Indicator stick on the left?

 

On the left!

 

w00t thx