Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

Hey everyone, i just wanted to let you know that i was at the fremont mazda dealership (bay area, ca) today and then ended up talking to a guest that was looking at the MS6. And then he told me that he saw the MS3, the dealership has only 1 (first one on the lot) and also are not letting anyone test drive it, if you want to test drive, you would have to buy it (so told by the dealer). The MS3 was silver, looked awesome, no options but was in excellet condition. looked freaking great IMO. Just thought i should let everyone know

I actually thought about trading in my 8. 263 hp and around 270+ lbs of torque i beleive. Man... really nice.

YaRiX8

It is an impressive car, but it's still a front wheel drive. In straight line of course it's faster than an RX8, but it will never handle as an RX8 in curves...

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

very true, but still gives impressive numbers on the track.

snizzle

So the RX8 pwns in the twisties?

do tell!

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

too bad most people that care about hosepower figures and 0-60 times can gives TWO ***** about 'the twisties'...since in everyday driving, those stoplight runs are on straightaways.

rodrigo67

I'm curious as this is a limited vehicle, what was the dealer asking for it?

How much over MSRP...

Tirminyl

My dealership has had a MS3-GT for a couple of weeks now. It is red, and priced at 24k. Im still not a hatch fan, and I hate the rear bumper. It is also fwd, which is not that big of a problem for me.

snizzle

Yeah, i've been saying this for a while. The twisties really are overrated for most people who live within 5 miles of another human being. The MS3 is probably more fun to drive and I hear it's even decent on the track *gasp*

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Unfortunately I've heard otherwise from someone who does suspension tuning for Mazda and has a business in California.

Paul.

snizzle

Which part of that statement is incorrect? Faster in a straightline or that the 8 handles better?

Tirminyl

I would tend to think he was speaking of handling.

Also, I love how people automatically think that FWD cars are incapable of handling the corners like RWD cars. The isn't the best thing since sliced bread.

USNRET P3 Flt Engnr

There was a True Red GT at City Motors, Greensboro, NC. Beautiful car. 24k ish. Wheel locks were the only option. Would love to trade up from my miata. Rick.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

uh, ok

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

yeah, the price of the ms3 is about 24k. ive heard a lot of good things about the ms3 so ill need to test drive it. hahaha, lets see if i can hassle the dealership to let me do it.

lshu

One thing I've noticed, at least with driving the MS6 at Zoom Zoom Live event, is that just because a car is fast and has competent handling doesn't mean it is very fun to drive. The relatively numb steering, shifting, heavy feel, duller engine noise of the MS6 honestly left me a little disappointed. I felt great stepping back into my slower, more driver-connected RX-8. I'm not saying the MS3 feels the same as the MS6, but with FWD and the same shifting feel, I would speculate it would have a marginally better feel than the MS6. I guess I will have to try it out before I really say much about it.

zoom44

hmmm the mind ponders...... O...

rodrigo67

an RSX beat 10 RX8's at the grand am cup in virginia this year and the cobalt SS turned in a 1 sec difference on a 3 minute 19 sec lap behind the RX8. It's getting obvious that todays FWD's are more then capable of keeping up with RWD's.

Note, both FWD cars are rated at less hp then the 8, making a even better showing...

Astral

Rodrigo, the cars racing at Grand Am do not have factory power ratings.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

MS3 is the fastest production Mazda available right now.

Astral

This is so true, and this is why I would never rule out an FWD car. My Mazda Protege had fantastic roadfeel: the steering screamed with feedback! Sure, my RX-8 would outhandle it all day long, but my Protege was still tons of fun to drive as a result. Since I don't really go to the track, the thing I most care about is the fun to drive factor.

In fact, the RX-8 has a more numb feel through the steering wheel that the Protege (of course, the RX-8 still communicates plenty of feedback). Unfortunately, it seems to be a direction that Mazda is going in: the customers want "more refined" steering, that is: more numb.

I was disappointed in driving the Mazda3: it was noticeably number than my Protege, which is why I was never going to buy one, despite a better engine and a fancier interior.

So I really really hope that the Mazdaspeed3 steps up the game and gives us that sharp Miata-like feedback. But my hopes are low.

(From what I've heard, the new 3rd gen NC Miata also has more muted feedback, compared to NA/NB Miatas, but I've never driven the NA/NB Miatas, so I can't compare.)

Tirminyl

FWD cars are getting so good these days, that the only difference I can tell between my old Mazdaspeed Protege and the RX8 is the color Talk about a well balanced car that rotates in the slalom I have yet to drive another car like it.

UFGator12

I'm so glad you said that. THAT STATEMENT CANNOT BE ANYMORE TRUE. I love my 8, but I would love for it to be able to smoke my friend's G35c too. It can't even compete and we will never be able to 'take it to the twisties.'

Disclaimer: I do not street race, have never street raced, and do not plan on street racing.

CarAndDriver

Dont really think one should judge the MS6 on the Zoom Zoom Live cars. Those things have been thrashed beyond recognition and were driving like crap.

CarAndDriver

I believe that the 8 has electric steering but the sensors are in the steering column right?

Astral

What sensors are you referring to? Yeah, I think part of it is that the electric steering filters out some minute feedback.