RobDickinson

....Fantastic.

Picked up my Car , including brushed aluminium strakes, at 10:30am Saturday, First RX-8 mazda warrington had put on the road (sorry TitG).

Mainly because I pressured them into getting it done for my 1st wedding aniversary that weekend (sunday). Which we'd booked ourselves into Old colehurst manor, a 1600's timber framed elizabethan manor house. In depest darkesk shropshire.

What can I say that hasnt been said already? The car has a presence like some exotic italian car. Theres nothing about this car I dont like so far, and I havnt even pushed it yet.

Spent a fair chunk of saturday, sunday and monday driving around shropshire and herefordshire (down to hay-on-why).

First tank was 261 when the light came on, 275 when I got fuel, 53.3 litres, 23mpg, from 'spirited' running in driving. Mostly 4-5k, some 6K, 7k twice.

Everytime I'd pull out to overtake I found I'd passed 2 cars and had plenty os road left for more. Could be very norty in this car.

It handled Herefordshires best A and B like it was born for it.

Cant wait for 600 miles to come up on the clock so I can start winding it out a little more. My wife loves the car too, since she's a biker at heart its far closer to that than the focus ever was.

ROb.

rael

Lucky man Rob.

Sounds like the MPG is going acceptable too.

rael

ploszek

:D

Glad you are enjoying it as much as I am Rob!!!

Have you found that the car has a lot of "road presence"? I see a lot more other drivers noticing me and getting out of the way than I have before, as much as when I had a bright yellow Elise. On the other hand it could just be because I'm coming up behind them slightly faster and lower and an Exorcet!

Beleive me - I found that 50+ litre tank a shock on the first fill up: I've been used to topping up a Punto once a fortnight for the last couple of years!

AnilS

Rob, as you know I'm coming out of a Focus, which, as far as shopping trolleys go, is very good, especially in the handling stakes. What I'm interested in (as I only had a short test drive) is how do you rate its refinement and ride ?

Whilst up in Herefordshire, did you get to sample the A49 between Leominster and Ludlow ? Never a truer test for a cars dynamics.


AnilS.

RobDickinson

In every way the RX-8 ride and handling is better - htis has been a revelation for me.

I know the RX-8 has a soft subtle suspension for a sports car, but it is still a sports car. It rides over uneven road surfaces much better, less road noise etc.

I'd rather go over a pothole in the 8 than the focus - on my trip down to Hey I went over a few sets of railway lines, much, much better in the 8 than the focus.

Apart from the hatchback/rear seats and MPG this car beats the focus on everything.

RobDickinson

Twice My wife got thta road first time through. Me 2nd. I go down to Hey quite often, and always love the drive, even in the focus. But the focus always ends up suffering severe brake fade a short time into the trip. Not so the RX-8, but I wasnt pushing it that far, still running in n stuff.

AnilS

Thanks Rob, thats a relief.

My Focus has only done 28K and doesn't feel too tired, I only hope the 8 will take the kids (5 and 6) and dads abuse:p .



AnilS.

AndyPearce

Congrats Rob! Where's the pics ?

Im not at all jealous that you've got yours before me!

rael

Thank God for that, for a moment I thought the Focus may nick it!

rael

Titanium Grey

It's OK Rob, it's the moonroof and leather combo that has held mine up. It should arrive at the dealer this weekend so I should have it early next week.

Was at Warrington Mazda Friday afternoon, there was a Titanium Grey up on the lift getting its tie down hooks removed, thought it might have been yours. :D

Glad you got it for the Anniversary weekend.

RobDickinson

But carying on the tradition of historic buildings..

RobDickinson

hmm, can scan em bigger if needed. Any1 want to get me a 5+ mp digi camera for x-mas?

Stu C

Cheers
rob! Enjoy


Stu C

renegade_si

Rob

well done sir!!!

Mines now at 897 miles..........its getting old!!!