Top Gear = Top Review
#26
Originally posted by renegade_si
http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum...t=347&start=20
we're meeting up on December 2nd with the 350z guys!
more details on the RX8 owners club site....
http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum...t=347&start=20
we're meeting up on December 2nd with the 350z guys!
more details on the RX8 owners club site....
#28
tut! bloomin clarkson!!!
wish he'd said the rx8 was a pile of poo and maybe change his mind in 3yrs time when i come to sell mine.
i wanted a car people dont see too much on the road, ask what it is, blah, blah...., not be compared to other cars in it's class (tho the rx8 doesnt have any direct competition), just hope this car doesnt get the image of the TT or subaru or M3. not sure about the nissan as its damn ugly imho.
comon Mazda, hurry up with me car!!! there's valuable head turning time passing!!
i can hear more n more people whisperin, "oooh it's an rx8.... we've seen that on telly......"
hope the above conveys me feelins.
3 cars can go round a track in the same time? errrr who cares?
wish he'd said the rx8 was a pile of poo and maybe change his mind in 3yrs time when i come to sell mine.
i wanted a car people dont see too much on the road, ask what it is, blah, blah...., not be compared to other cars in it's class (tho the rx8 doesnt have any direct competition), just hope this car doesnt get the image of the TT or subaru or M3. not sure about the nissan as its damn ugly imho.
comon Mazda, hurry up with me car!!! there's valuable head turning time passing!!
i can hear more n more people whisperin, "oooh it's an rx8.... we've seen that on telly......"
hope the above conveys me feelins.
3 cars can go round a track in the same time? errrr who cares?
#29
Originally posted by RX8BoiUK
3 cars can go round a track in the same time? errrr who cares?
3 cars can go round a track in the same time? errrr who cares?
Even if you never experiance the full potential of the RX8 (and if it means driving like the Stig did, not many will) is good to know its got the cohones where counts. :D
Cheers
---Dave
#30
not sure i agree.
the track and the queen's highway are completely different places.
you can always find a track where one car is better than another. and even then, if u want to stage a race you can make any car win by fixin the number of laps.
there is no car directly comparable to the rx8 so can't we stop tryin to?
the car is gr8 for the money, just please dont go tellin every1 or its gonna become mainstream fast. i aint no muggle :-)
the track and the queen's highway are completely different places.
you can always find a track where one car is better than another. and even then, if u want to stage a race you can make any car win by fixin the number of laps.
there is no car directly comparable to the rx8 so can't we stop tryin to?
the car is gr8 for the money, just please dont go tellin every1 or its gonna become mainstream fast. i aint no muggle :-)
#31
Originally posted by RX8BoiUK
not sure i agree.
the track and the queen's highway are completely different places.
you can always find a track where one car is better than another. and even then, if u want to stage a race you can make any car win by fixin the number of laps.
not sure i agree.
the track and the queen's highway are completely different places.
you can always find a track where one car is better than another. and even then, if u want to stage a race you can make any car win by fixin the number of laps.
the car is gr8 for the money, just please dont go tellin every1 or its gonna become mainstream fast. i aint no muggle :-)
#33
Originally posted by ChrisW
Looking at Top Gear's other track times, the 8 is also half a second faster than the Focus RS which is a superb track car, and only half a second slower than the VX220 turbo.
Looking at Top Gear's other track times, the 8 is also half a second faster than the Focus RS which is a superb track car, and only half a second slower than the VX220 turbo.
and 0.7 seconds faster than a lotus esprit V8!!
#34
Guys,
I would step back from believing the topgear hype if I where you.
The 350Z tested was either a slower JDM car (with old stig) or a UK car in the wet for starters.
Secondly - the new stig is considerably faster than the old stig - look at the Lamborghini Murcielago times a couple of weeks ago.
I wont even mention that Clarkson is trying to get on to the order books for a Ford car that is already sold out....whoops.
More importantly though - the RX8 is too softly sprung for track work - its more suited to fast road use - Clarkson lied to you guys !!
RickB
I would step back from believing the topgear hype if I where you.
The 350Z tested was either a slower JDM car (with old stig) or a UK car in the wet for starters.
Secondly - the new stig is considerably faster than the old stig - look at the Lamborghini Murcielago times a couple of weeks ago.
I wont even mention that Clarkson is trying to get on to the order books for a Ford car that is already sold out....whoops.
More importantly though - the RX8 is too softly sprung for track work - its more suited to fast road use - Clarkson lied to you guys !!
RickB
#35
RickB less of the excuses, if the 350Z ran in the wet, they would have side so, as they have done for every other car.
The 350Z might have been a JDM model as they had it in quite a while ago. But JDM spec cars normally have higher power - is this not the case for the Nissan?
The JDM RX8 has 248bhp compared to the UK model's 228bhp (US & AUS 238bhp). And before you run off to the 350Z formum claiming another consiparcy about it being a JDM RX8 - it wasn't.
Cheers
---Dave
The 350Z might have been a JDM model as they had it in quite a while ago. But JDM spec cars normally have higher power - is this not the case for the Nissan?
The JDM RX8 has 248bhp compared to the UK model's 228bhp (US & AUS 238bhp). And before you run off to the 350Z formum claiming another consiparcy about it being a JDM RX8 - it wasn't.
Cheers
---Dave
#36
Druck - the only day they had the UK Z for was raining all day - last wednesday, so the only time they had a 350Z in the dry was last January and it was a JDM model.
The JDM model (as tested in Australia is a mid 6 second 0-60 car) and it has the old suspension.
Many of us have driven the JDM car and its not as quick as the European or US car.
The time set by the Mazda was definately a UK car - no quibble with that at all.
RickB
The JDM model (as tested in Australia is a mid 6 second 0-60 car) and it has the old suspension.
Many of us have driven the JDM car and its not as quick as the European or US car.
The time set by the Mazda was definately a UK car - no quibble with that at all.
RickB
#37
Oh and why is the 350Z the only car with a time posted on the wall that we have not seen any footage of ? Because it was the Japanese car and that was lent to them on the understanding that it wouldn't be used as a demonstration of the european car.
RickB
RickB
#38
I could sit back and feel smug that my RX8 is a fast car, as fast as an M3 and as fast as a 350Z according to Top Gear but I would be lying to myself. I find it very hard to believe that the RX8 is that quick, I've had a few cars recently in the same ball park speed (on paper). I was not expecting it to get anywhere near the time they recorded for the R32 that I had previously, on the Top Gear track (1.33, I think) nevermind the M3 time. Remember the Autocar test, 0 - 100 in around 18 seconds, what does the M3 do it in? approx 11 seconds. They maybe a little out but surely not that much, and the handling can't be that bad on the M3 either.
I like my RX8 for what it is, a contempory, practical, comfortable sports coupe with a good amount of toys for the money, but its not that fast.
BTW, I'm not sticking up for anyone else, just my own beliefs and my own experiences.
I like my RX8 for what it is, a contempory, practical, comfortable sports coupe with a good amount of toys for the money, but its not that fast.
BTW, I'm not sticking up for anyone else, just my own beliefs and my own experiences.
#40
Can anyone tell me how a 0-100mph figure is remotely relavent except at the ome 1/4 drag stip in this country at Santa Pod. If that was all that counted, I'd be driving a top fuel dragster.
Racing away from lights probably isn't even getting up to 60 on UK roads, and in urban areas thats for ******* not wankels, any way.
There are two real tests of the car in every day driving. Over taking on the motorway, with the 70-90 figure probably being the most appropriate. I'd expect the M3 to absolutely walk away from the RX8 unless he was asleep in top, and the RX8 dropped down to 3rd.
The other test being cornering ability (nice quiet open roads only of course), where the more nible RX8 should be able to hold its own against the more heavy but more powerful M3 - up to a point - dont drive it like the Stig unless you are on a track.
Cheers
---Dave
Racing away from lights probably isn't even getting up to 60 on UK roads, and in urban areas thats for ******* not wankels, any way.
There are two real tests of the car in every day driving. Over taking on the motorway, with the 70-90 figure probably being the most appropriate. I'd expect the M3 to absolutely walk away from the RX8 unless he was asleep in top, and the RX8 dropped down to 3rd.
The other test being cornering ability (nice quiet open roads only of course), where the more nible RX8 should be able to hold its own against the more heavy but more powerful M3 - up to a point - dont drive it like the Stig unless you are on a track.
Cheers
---Dave
#41
Gentlemen, if you havent downloaded JC's RX-8 segment you can get it at the website below.
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forum...0&referrerid=1
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forum...0&referrerid=1
#42
I saw a post some time ago which probably defines the 8 the best by saying that it is not the best at anything but as a sum of the whole is the best car in a very broad class on the market.
rael
rael
#43
Originally posted by RickB
Guys,
I would step back from believing the topgear hype if I where you.
The 350Z tested was either a slower JDM car (with old stig) or a UK car in the wet for starters.
Secondly - the new stig is considerably faster than the old stig - look at the Lamborghini Murcielago times a couple of weeks ago.
I wont even mention that Clarkson is trying to get on to the order books for a Ford car that is already sold out....whoops.
More importantly though - the RX8 is too softly sprung for track work - its more suited to fast road use - Clarkson lied to you guys !!
RickB
Guys,
I would step back from believing the topgear hype if I where you.
The 350Z tested was either a slower JDM car (with old stig) or a UK car in the wet for starters.
Secondly - the new stig is considerably faster than the old stig - look at the Lamborghini Murcielago times a couple of weeks ago.
I wont even mention that Clarkson is trying to get on to the order books for a Ford car that is already sold out....whoops.
More importantly though - the RX8 is too softly sprung for track work - its more suited to fast road use - Clarkson lied to you guys !!
RickB
Sure the track is tight and twisty which will suit lower weight cars, and not give all the advantage to higher BHP cars, but thats the test track they have, same for all.
Oh and have a look at the AutoX threads in the US racing part of this forum. The RX-8 is plenty competative in autox (stock) against porsche boxters, s2000's, m3's evo's and STi's.
Because the suspension is relativly soft in comparison does not mean it'll be bad round a track. Yes it might have a lot of travel, and sometimes a touch to much, but overall its a great setup. And the RX-8's lower weigth over the M3 and 350z realy showes.
Originally posted by tpryor
We had our autocross shakedown run(s) Saturday and Sunday. We took a guess at the alignment settings, mounted the Hoosiers (roadrace compound), and went to see what she has....
The car slaloms REALLY well (way better than we thought it would), but sets up a push in a steady state corner. It turns in initially, then goes "pushy", so we think its "sitting down" on the bump stop, spring rate goes to infinity, and the push starts. We think this can be overcome by a significant front bar (higher spring rate), and a tad more tweaking on the alignment.
Overall, we think this is going to be a nationally competitive car in BS with a little more development.
By the way, two BS trophy winners from Nationals are in our region, so we feel like we have a good yardstick.
Saturdays Results: Houston Region SCCA Results Page
We had our autocross shakedown run(s) Saturday and Sunday. We took a guess at the alignment settings, mounted the Hoosiers (roadrace compound), and went to see what she has....
The car slaloms REALLY well (way better than we thought it would), but sets up a push in a steady state corner. It turns in initially, then goes "pushy", so we think its "sitting down" on the bump stop, spring rate goes to infinity, and the push starts. We think this can be overcome by a significant front bar (higher spring rate), and a tad more tweaking on the alignment.
Overall, we think this is going to be a nationally competitive car in BS with a little more development.
By the way, two BS trophy winners from Nationals are in our region, so we feel like we have a good yardstick.
Saturdays Results: Houston Region SCCA Results Page
#44
Originally posted by RickB
Guys,
I would step back from believing the topgear hype if I where you.
The 350Z tested was either a slower JDM car (with old stig) or a UK car in the wet for starters.
Guys,
I would step back from believing the topgear hype if I where you.
The 350Z tested was either a slower JDM car (with old stig) or a UK car in the wet for starters.
The 350Z, of whatever spec did NOT get that time in the wet. You can tell this by looking a couple of places up the Top Gear board - there is a Porsche 911 Turbo which got a time just 0.8 seconds faster in the wet. You're surely not claiming that the Z is within a second of the Porsche (4 wheel drive and all) in the wet?
Secondly - the new stig is considerably faster than the old stig - look at the Lamborghini Murcielago times a couple of weeks ago.
I wont even mention that Clarkson is trying to get on to the order books for a Ford car that is already sold out....whoops.
More importantly though - the RX8 is too softly sprung for track work - its more suited to fast road use - Clarkson lied to you guys !!
The irony is that while most of us over here are surprised and delighted at the time the RX-8 got, we wouldn't have been bothered if it was slower. As you say, it's designed for fast road use and it does that job very well thankyou.
#46
Originally posted by ChrisW
The irony is that while most of us over here are surprised and delighted at the time the RX-8 got, we wouldn't have been bothered if it was slower. As you say, it's designed for fast road use and it does that job very well thankyou.
The irony is that while most of us over here are surprised and delighted at the time the RX-8 got, we wouldn't have been bothered if it was slower. As you say, it's designed for fast road use and it does that job very well thankyou.
I was honsestly expecting it to be up to a second slower, but had it been two seconds, I wouldn't have started throwing my toys out of the pram, and crying fix.
Over on the uk350Z forum, the conspiracy theories have even eclipsed 40 years of paranoia from the Kennady assination.
350Z fan boys: Get over it! It was a good car before TopGear, and still is after.
Cheers
---Dave
#47
Chris,
The JDM cars have 11bhp less than the US cars - being 276bhp. The UK car is supposed to have the same 276bhp - however it has been supplied with the US exhaust as opposed to the JDM market one. The JDM market one being much more restrictive. Feel free to test drive both cars - the UK one is convincingly quicker - and please dont take my word for it - try it for yourself or ask any of the other guys over at the 350Z forum who have driven both.
Australian magazine times where pretty consistent with times owners where getting at the strip. 1/4 mile times where 1/2 second slower than US cars.
The UK car actually has increased damper rates over the JDM car - this eliminates the pogo effect present on japanese and US cars. The fix has been deemed so succesful in improving handling (and strangely ride) that it has now become standard fit on all market 350Z's. The Euro 350Z doesnt have softer suspension - just much better damping. The suspension was designed during sessions at the Nurburgring.
Never said the 350Z posted the time in the wet - read the post - I said it was one of two choices - the slower JDM car or a UK car in the wet - I said it was the JDM car hence no footage.
Regarding the Stig - could you please answer how the new stig was able to suddenly improve the laptime of the Lamborghini Murcielago by a number of seconds if he wasn't a better driver?
Clarkson has a habit of doing this - why is he so far out of step with every other motoring journalist / TV program about the Z? Even his own magazine (TopGear) prefers the Z - as does Autocar and 5th Gear. You give me a reasonable explanation?
Clarkson runs the television show and has done this numerous times before - he insisted on having overall control before agreeing to do the series.
Never said he falsified the RX8 time - its a damn good time and driven right on the edge but I see no reason to question it.
The problem - whilst you guys are surprised and delighted - everyone else is baffled - not about the laptime - more about his attacks on the 350Z.
The RX8 is a great car - hopefully have my order in for one shortly - but the Z is faster and better handling and is capable at cornering at higher speeds than the 8
Dont believe me? Okay - Road and Track magazine - slalom speeds for both cars - RX8 - 65.4mph - 350Z - 67.3mph.
Regards,
RickB
The JDM cars have 11bhp less than the US cars - being 276bhp. The UK car is supposed to have the same 276bhp - however it has been supplied with the US exhaust as opposed to the JDM market one. The JDM market one being much more restrictive. Feel free to test drive both cars - the UK one is convincingly quicker - and please dont take my word for it - try it for yourself or ask any of the other guys over at the 350Z forum who have driven both.
Australian magazine times where pretty consistent with times owners where getting at the strip. 1/4 mile times where 1/2 second slower than US cars.
The UK car actually has increased damper rates over the JDM car - this eliminates the pogo effect present on japanese and US cars. The fix has been deemed so succesful in improving handling (and strangely ride) that it has now become standard fit on all market 350Z's. The Euro 350Z doesnt have softer suspension - just much better damping. The suspension was designed during sessions at the Nurburgring.
Never said the 350Z posted the time in the wet - read the post - I said it was one of two choices - the slower JDM car or a UK car in the wet - I said it was the JDM car hence no footage.
Regarding the Stig - could you please answer how the new stig was able to suddenly improve the laptime of the Lamborghini Murcielago by a number of seconds if he wasn't a better driver?
Clarkson has a habit of doing this - why is he so far out of step with every other motoring journalist / TV program about the Z? Even his own magazine (TopGear) prefers the Z - as does Autocar and 5th Gear. You give me a reasonable explanation?
Clarkson runs the television show and has done this numerous times before - he insisted on having overall control before agreeing to do the series.
Never said he falsified the RX8 time - its a damn good time and driven right on the edge but I see no reason to question it.
The problem - whilst you guys are surprised and delighted - everyone else is baffled - not about the laptime - more about his attacks on the 350Z.
The RX8 is a great car - hopefully have my order in for one shortly - but the Z is faster and better handling and is capable at cornering at higher speeds than the 8
Dont believe me? Okay - Road and Track magazine - slalom speeds for both cars - RX8 - 65.4mph - 350Z - 67.3mph.
Regards,
RickB
#48
Druck,
Sadly the conspiracy theories are known fact - we have 'insider' knowledge :D
You guys seriously need to relax - im not slating the RX8 - far from it - im buying one !! All I am pointing out is that for some reason Clarkson has one on him about the Z !!
RickB
Sadly the conspiracy theories are known fact - we have 'insider' knowledge :D
You guys seriously need to relax - im not slating the RX8 - far from it - im buying one !! All I am pointing out is that for some reason Clarkson has one on him about the Z !!
RickB
Last edited by RickB; 11-26-2003 at 12:14 PM.
#49
Originally posted by RickB
Regarding the Stig - could you please answer how the new stig was able to suddenly improve the laptime of the Lamborghini Murcielago by a number of seconds if he wasn't a better driver?
Regarding the Stig - could you please answer how the new stig was able to suddenly improve the laptime of the Lamborghini Murcielago by a number of seconds if he wasn't a better driver?
The original time in the Lambo was done in the wet. The reason the new stig got to drive it was because they wanted to see what kind of dry time they would get.
#50
The one thing struck me about the Top Gear RX-8 review was that it was similar to the Lotus Elise review a few months back in several respects. At that time JC drove a new Elise around the track, and complained that it wasn’t as good as the earlier versions and had more understeer. Lotus responded that this was deliberate to make the car less prone to break away quickly at the limit and was due to standard fitting of narrower front tyres. They also countered that the car was quicker if you drove it right. TG took them up on this, and the Lotus test driver came in to do a few laps. It was the manner in which he drove the lap that I was reminded of last week, i.e. fairly manic with oversteer being deliberately provoked to counter the understeer. But is was very quick. And then JC says the RX-8 is twitchy in the wet and it’s due to the tyres.
So there you have it. RX-8 handles like an Elise, only with 4 seats and a better engine. QED. ;-)
So there you have it. RX-8 handles like an Elise, only with 4 seats and a better engine. QED. ;-)