rael

This follows on from Clives initial post earlier in which he mentioned that Mazda were hoping to attract the Audi TT driver to the RX8. As a TTC 225 owner I seem to fit the bill but it should be pointed out, and realised by Mazda, not without some concern as highlighted below (IMHO);

Shape; Both cards looks superb, TT better from the back, RX8 best from the front. The TT may be loosing some of its panache now but I think the new V6 (at circa £31,000 should make that up). I am not 100% convinced about the rear of the RX8, looks a bit too Japanese.

Interior; TT has the best in the market (both design and quality) and RX8 would do very well to get near that standard.

Engines; TT 1.8 sounds terrible until the turbo starts to spin after that its a great noise (but lots of cabin noise too). The RX8 sound is a mystery to me and of some concern.

Price; TT about £4k more expensive simlarly loaded. Either RX8 is discounted to obtain market share, or TT is sold at a premium (possibly) or RX8 is £4k short in quality (I hope not). I don't know.

What got me interested in the RX8 was the shape, 4 doors and price (I also liked to RX7 shape). I am not 100% convinced that I will be a happy bunny at the end of this as I have question marks over interior quality, engine & cabin noise as well as dealer quality. But I am willing to take a chance.

Finally, considering the TT best selling market is the UK and Mazda clearly want a part of that market I am very suprised how badly we are being treated by them.

rael

morganrogers

I keep reading this RX8-TT compare - I still remain unconvinced.

I think the TT (as Rael says) has possibly the best interior of any car. I personally think that the RX8 will struggle to match it.
I think there are fundamental differences in the cars. I keep coming back to it , but the bottom line is that the RX8 is a drivers car , the TT (to be blunt) is not.

What the TT does have (although Clarkson will argue) is buckets of image. The love/hate shape inevitably has a great deal of people (I certainly know some) who would pull their own arm of for a TT.
The Audi badge is a huge draw too - it is perceived as a prestige brand in a way that I fear the Mazda never will be.

If anyones reason for buying an RX8 is to be admired by the general populous , I fear that a TT will be a better weapon. Fact is 95% of the population know NOTHING about cars and care even less. That is how they sell MGFs - Crap in most departments but some think they look pretty , so they sell.

I also fear that the rotary experience will not provide what a turbo driver is looking for. Certainly there will not be the 'lunge' that one can experience from a turbo car , all down to the torque.
I *loved* my rotary - the linear delivery , the odd noise , the stratospheric rev-limit - but I am the first to admit it is a acquired taste.

I suspect when all is said and done the TT will continue to outsell the RX8.
The RX8 will be a great success by rotary standards (and deservedly so) and will probably kill the TT in terms of performance , handling , driver appeal etc. I am afraid that for most people it will not be enough.

Getting of the general topic for a minute - I am concerned for rael that this will not offer what he wants from a car. I really hope it does , I think the car is stunning but out of all of us I think you would benefit from a test drive most. Do you have a refundable deposit from your dealer ? And is there any way you can hang onto the TT until after you have tested RX8 ? If this comes out in any way badly it is not meant to , I assure you.

None of my business really - trying to help. I just want everyone to be happy..... !

M.

rael

Morganrogers thank you for the concern which I share.

I would like to offer some additional colour though. It took me a long time to like the TT as my previous car was a lazy Jag XJS and it was not until after a 1-2-1 day in my car with a 'specialist' on Oxforshires 'A' roads that I apprecaited what this car could do. It needs to be driven quite hard otherwise it is just a nice 1.8 car.

I suppose I am looking for something between the TT aggression and the possible lazy comfortable drive of the Jag. I'm not sure if the RX8 will provide this but the ads would suggest that it provides this middle ground.

Dealer confirm that deposits are refundable less a small admin fee possibly.

rael

rael

On an associated point, how does the acceleration experience differ. On a graph I saw recently the TT had the advantage for the 1st 1 to 2 seconds but after that the RX8 accelerated faster and beat the TT to 60mph?

Also, the overall impression is that you would prefer a TT to a RX8, or why are you choosng the RX8 over a TT.

rael

MarkW

I am also coming to the RX8 from a turbocharged vehicle (Impreza) and I know and expect that the straight line performance of the RX8 wont be as good.

I am however buying the RX8 for a number of reasons including handling, styling, interior, specification and residuals as well as the fact I dont like the boy racer image of the Subaru.

Im sure I will miss the violent kick in the back at 4000rpm as the turbo kicks in as well as the security of AWD, but it is down to the level of the expectation you have of the car.

At the end if the day the RX8 has 25 bhp and 100lb/ft torque less than my Impreza so something has to give.

I just really hope it makes it up in other areas and I cant wait to find out.

I would have expected the performance of the RX8 and TT 225 to be more similar, even if the delivery is very different.

morganrogers

Oops !Fear not - the RX8 is the ONLY car for me.
I have followed this for a long time , through RX01 and RX-evolv and now finally she is here.

If I give the wrong impression concerning TT it is out of respect for someone elses choice.
Fact is , the TT does nothing for me. Never has. Dont understand those that adore them - but each to their own...
Hence I find the constant compares odd - and fear the RX8 will not provide what a TT person wants. Does that make sense ?

I was afraid of causing offence - over something that is a personal choice !

Love the XJS though... Now that was a car.....

Morgan.

oilman

Guys.

I've always liked the TT and was about to buy one when I fell in love with the early pics of the RX8.

I have to say, there are now too many of them and everyone has a silver one!

At the end of the day, compared to the RX8 they're overpriced and too common.

My only one hope of the RX8 (as it's not overpriced) is that it doesn't become too common. May be a contradiction in terms....

By the way, this look beats the TT for my money......I'M TOO SEXY FOR.......................?

Cheers
Oilman

rael

It's my existing silver TTC which is also forcing the red consideratioin on the RX8.

I also think that the red cars we have seen are actually the same colour (ie vel red) but the colour looses definition on reproduction. Also, there was a previous mention of the colour having an underlying gold/ orange tint which would really lighten the colour in direct sunshine but allow the car to look darker in the shade.

rael.

oilman

Hey Rael,

Didn't mean to insult silver TT drivers buddy!

Just feel the RX8 will be less popular and in RED will probably be the envy of many TT drivers.

Hey, you're a convert anyway.

Cheers
OILMAN

rael

I'm cool, proud to be a TTC owner but also a convert to the RX8.

rael