*The WTF RX-8 Chronicles*
06-06-2008, 12:10 AM
#126
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OK, I have a new one.
I am signed up for the State Motorcycle License course, and my classes start in a few weeks. I am a total motorbike newbie. I haven't been on a motorbike in over fifteen years, and all of those were 175cc or smaller. I know nothing about bikes, but I always like learning new skills so my cousin and I are going together for the classes.
As part of this, I have been researching starter bikes. Most people are telling me that a 250cc is the way to go, although a couple of friends are saying that I am too big a guy for a 250, and I should move up to a 650cc. All that aside, I took the small amount of information that I have compiled down to a bike store that deals Yamahas and Suzukis to look at a 250 to see how small the thing is. I walk up to the counter, and tell the guy ... I have no idea what I'm doing; never really ridden; taking the stupid class; yeah, I'm an old guy in a mid-life crisis, or my wife beats me, or I am just a totally clueless loser who wants to try to look cool even though his hair is greying and kind of falling out, or whatever those words make bike store guys think.
Anyway, I made myself clear that I had no pretensions to being a "bike guy". Dude looks at me, and he can't decide whether to break out laughing or to roll his eyes to the ceiling or both, but he looks at me, and says, "250? come with me". He walks me down to this Yamaha, and says there is no way that I will fit on that bike. He just sold one to a 125 pound, 5 foot tall woman, and it fit her perfectly. It would not fit me at 6'2" 240. He suggested a 650. All the while he is sort of laughing his *** off at what a geek I am. No problem, he was actually very helpful and very nice.
Then as we are both walking out of the place, he does a double take at my Yellow 8, and asks in total shock, "is that yours?" I say yes. He says, "Wow, I really like your car. I mean I really like it. Wow!" All the sudden he had things to say to me. He showed me his bike, which was a pretty cool looking Japanese thing that I completely couldn't identify because I know nothing about bikes, but it looked neat. Then he just says, "Man, I really love that car."
All of this just goes to show that the RX8 can bring street cred to the biggest loser in the whole room; whatever room that might be.
I am signed up for the State Motorcycle License course, and my classes start in a few weeks. I am a total motorbike newbie. I haven't been on a motorbike in over fifteen years, and all of those were 175cc or smaller. I know nothing about bikes, but I always like learning new skills so my cousin and I are going together for the classes.
As part of this, I have been researching starter bikes. Most people are telling me that a 250cc is the way to go, although a couple of friends are saying that I am too big a guy for a 250, and I should move up to a 650cc. All that aside, I took the small amount of information that I have compiled down to a bike store that deals Yamahas and Suzukis to look at a 250 to see how small the thing is. I walk up to the counter, and tell the guy ... I have no idea what I'm doing; never really ridden; taking the stupid class; yeah, I'm an old guy in a mid-life crisis, or my wife beats me, or I am just a totally clueless loser who wants to try to look cool even though his hair is greying and kind of falling out, or whatever those words make bike store guys think.
Anyway, I made myself clear that I had no pretensions to being a "bike guy". Dude looks at me, and he can't decide whether to break out laughing or to roll his eyes to the ceiling or both, but he looks at me, and says, "250? come with me". He walks me down to this Yamaha, and says there is no way that I will fit on that bike. He just sold one to a 125 pound, 5 foot tall woman, and it fit her perfectly. It would not fit me at 6'2" 240. He suggested a 650. All the while he is sort of laughing his *** off at what a geek I am. No problem, he was actually very helpful and very nice.
Then as we are both walking out of the place, he does a double take at my Yellow 8, and asks in total shock, "is that yours?" I say yes. He says, "Wow, I really like your car. I mean I really like it. Wow!" All the sudden he had things to say to me. He showed me his bike, which was a pretty cool looking Japanese thing that I completely couldn't identify because I know nothing about bikes, but it looked neat. Then he just says, "Man, I really love that car."
All of this just goes to show that the RX8 can bring street cred to the biggest loser in the whole room; whatever room that might be.
06-06-2008, 12:36 AM
#127
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im a highschool student , but this was in the beginning of the year when i was in my first shinka.
i live in north county San diego , CA. and there are alot of "racing teams" out here of teenagers with hondas and integras.
im walking back to the parking lot with 3 of these kids who owns some ricers walking infront of me talking **** about how they have they're fantasy stories of "smoking an STI"with their b16 motor.
w/e.
now their by their cars and im walking by
i see them glancing over at my car.
i hear.
Ricer1 : damn that ****'s sick.
ricer2 : "fu**ing rich a*s Old people pic*ing up their kids"
im at my car pressing the keyless botton on my door.
i look back now it looks like a comment or 2 was said.
i could already hear the "WTF's" in my mind.
i sit in the car, and smile.
i live in north county San diego , CA. and there are alot of "racing teams" out here of teenagers with hondas and integras.
im walking back to the parking lot with 3 of these kids who owns some ricers walking infront of me talking **** about how they have they're fantasy stories of "smoking an STI"with their b16 motor.
w/e.
now their by their cars and im walking by
i see them glancing over at my car.
i hear.
Ricer1 : damn that ****'s sick.
ricer2 : "fu**ing rich a*s Old people pic*ing up their kids"
im at my car pressing the keyless botton on my door.
i look back now it looks like a comment or 2 was said.
i could already hear the "WTF's" in my mind.
i sit in the car, and smile.
Last edited by ShinkaTeen; 06-06-2008 at 12:49 AM.
06-06-2008, 01:33 AM
#128
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haha, I'm from chile, mazdas are quite popular and they finally started offering the RX-8 down there a few years ago (the first rotary ever offered down there, there are no RX-7s in the country that I know of) it was a very rare sight last time I was down there and it's outrageously expensive (upwards of US$40,000 for a new one). Every time I tell anyone down there what car I have they always do the WTF.
I have ONE friend down there that knows it has a wankel engine, and two of my buddies have been looking at buying one, neither had any idea what kind of engine it had. I talked them out of it since there are NO rotary mechanics down there and I wouldn't even trust the dealership guys with one, I bet it's the same for Colombia and the reason they don't sell it.
06-08-2008, 07:41 PM
#129
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Ok, this is really a WTF moment. In my old car, young ladies (or older for that matter) NEVER gave me a second glance, in fact, if I was not married, my old car could be used to repel ladies.
Picture this. I am 40, half grey hair, married with two kids. I was running up to Home Depot to get some stuff and I am in my Stormy mica blue 07 with the windows down, sunroof open, jammin to some old school Van Halen on my radio. Two twenty something cuties pull up next to me in a Honda and wave at me. This NEVER happened in my old car, and I have not changed anything about my style or look.
It's the car!
It was at least a cheap thrill for me. Hell, at 40, you take it where you can get it!
Picture this. I am 40, half grey hair, married with two kids. I was running up to Home Depot to get some stuff and I am in my Stormy mica blue 07 with the windows down, sunroof open, jammin to some old school Van Halen on my radio. Two twenty something cuties pull up next to me in a Honda and wave at me. This NEVER happened in my old car, and I have not changed anything about my style or look.
It's the car!
It was at least a cheap thrill for me. Hell, at 40, you take it where you can get it!
06-09-2008, 08:59 AM
#130
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Ok, this is really a WTF moment. In my old car, young ladies (or older for that matter) NEVER gave me a second glance, in fact, if I was not married, my old car could be used to repel ladies.
Picture this. I am 40, half grey hair, married with two kids. I was running up to Home Depot to get some stuff and I am in my Stormy mica blue 07 with the windows down, sunroof open, jammin to some old school Van Halen on my radio. Two twenty something cuties pull up next to me in a Honda and wave at me. This NEVER happened in my old car, and I have not changed anything about my style or look.
It's the car!
It was at least a cheap thrill for me. Hell, at 40, you take it where you can get it!
Picture this. I am 40, half grey hair, married with two kids. I was running up to Home Depot to get some stuff and I am in my Stormy mica blue 07 with the windows down, sunroof open, jammin to some old school Van Halen on my radio. Two twenty something cuties pull up next to me in a Honda and wave at me. This NEVER happened in my old car, and I have not changed anything about my style or look.
It's the car!
It was at least a cheap thrill for me. Hell, at 40, you take it where you can get it!
I think the Van Halen blasting helped too
06-09-2008, 01:24 PM
#131
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Yeah, but the devil horn hand sign and the tounge guestures that soon followed their wave probably ruined my chances 
I now have "street cred" with the moms dropping kids off at the daycare. I know, you envy me.
I now have "street cred" with the moms dropping kids off at the daycare. I know, you envy me.
06-09-2008, 03:10 PM
#132
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I'm not sure how many times I've had someone pull up to the line and give a little nod. Each and everytime I simple creep off the line, I love watching people make asses out of themselves. Lots of people have heard of the RX-8 but have no idea what its all about. So many different comments, so many wrong idea's. My most recent story was my own fault but totally legal in every way. I was on a street doing 35 onto an exit which entered a highway. There was a patrole car right behind me. Well I decided to see how fast he, and I could take the corner. I took it at around 50 and then off into the straight away. By the time he got around the corner I was already basically a 1/5 a mile away. He comes flying up behind me with his lights flashing. I pull over and he walks up to the car. in a joking matter "Car's pretty fast isn't it." I just simply smiled and handed him the papers. He asked me what I took the corners at and then the flat. I told him exactly the numbers I was doing. He simply made the comment that although he's sure the car can handle that just fine, that I should slow down. He then said to have a nice day and walked back to his car.
I've been followed by cops for miles. I get out of their way pulling into another lane and he just simply got in behind me again. I know, he knew I could see him so its not like I was simply going to burst out speeding at the drop of a hat. I've even had a cop car pull up beside me later at night, but only pull up so that the front end of his car could be seen out my side windows, and rev the engine. Trying to induce a drag race are we...my oh my isn't that illegal officer. Its been 10 years since I've been speeding and I'm not about to start again. I just love how everyone thinks you are going to.
Whats really nice is where I park everyday at work. I kid you not but myself, a blue 350z a new Mustang, and a corvette always park together. Its always fun watching people rubber neck when they drive by our cars. Then you'll have some beat up old truck park next to us. All of us cringe but its still kinda cute. One of these things is not like the other ones, one of these things is just not the same.
I've been followed by cops for miles. I get out of their way pulling into another lane and he just simply got in behind me again. I know, he knew I could see him so its not like I was simply going to burst out speeding at the drop of a hat. I've even had a cop car pull up beside me later at night, but only pull up so that the front end of his car could be seen out my side windows, and rev the engine. Trying to induce a drag race are we...my oh my isn't that illegal officer. Its been 10 years since I've been speeding and I'm not about to start again. I just love how everyone thinks you are going to.
Whats really nice is where I park everyday at work. I kid you not but myself, a blue 350z a new Mustang, and a corvette always park together. Its always fun watching people rubber neck when they drive by our cars. Then you'll have some beat up old truck park next to us. All of us cringe but its still kinda cute. One of these things is not like the other ones, one of these things is just not the same.
06-09-2008, 03:54 PM
#133
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Besides with his distorted vision of autoes exemplified by the purchase of the Phaeton, he probably either couldn't see your 8 because it was too small or he saw it and could only recognize it as a child's toy. He may also have been distracted by the other fine motorvehicle nearby, the red brick apartment building.
I'm betting he was distracted by the apartment building.
I'm betting he was distracted by the apartment building.
06-13-2008, 11:26 PM
#134
I was in College Station this past weekend for a driving school and was waiting for a friend to get out of summer school.
So I'm juggling a soccer ball in the apartment complex near my car and notice a big spot of pollen stuck to hand oils on the passenger side.
I go to the trunk and bust out the california duster...decided to do the whole car while I was at it....like I always end up doing
As I'm finishing up this good ol' boy walk up to me, "Hey man! How you keep your car so shiny, bud?"
"I wash wax and clay bar it regularly. Not to mention I use this duster when dirt accummulates."
"I always got scratches on muh ol' truck when I wash it at the spray washer."
"Do you use the scrubbing brush?"
"Hell yeah, man!"
"There's your problem..." --in college station many of the scrubber brushes are FULL of pebbles from the rednecks muddin'
the conversation continued along the lines of what products he should use for his month old white Avalanche that he hadn't washed yet because he was afraid of scratching it....and it definitely showed. That thing was almost brown.
As he was walking away and thanking me for my advice he stopped and said,"Oh hey man.. what kinda car is this even? I 'haint' never even seen one of these before!"
"Mazda rx8"
"Hmm, that's a badass car man. grumble grumble grumble"
also on the way down there we stopped in a small town about 30 miles outside of Bryan, Tx at a citgo and had some older country women gawking.
As i came out of the bathroom I saw them leaning over the counter staring at it and here them talk about how nice it was. Then one of them got close to the gas station door and say hay I wonder if those are back doors? (very observant of her since she had obviously never seen one)
I approach and she says "is that your car?... are those doors in the back?"
"sure are"
as I got in the car I pretended to get something out of the back just so she could see
So I'm juggling a soccer ball in the apartment complex near my car and notice a big spot of pollen stuck to hand oils on the passenger side.
I go to the trunk and bust out the california duster...decided to do the whole car while I was at it....like I always end up doing
As I'm finishing up this good ol' boy walk up to me, "Hey man! How you keep your car so shiny, bud?"
"I wash wax and clay bar it regularly. Not to mention I use this duster when dirt accummulates."
"I always got scratches on muh ol' truck when I wash it at the spray washer."
"Do you use the scrubbing brush?"
"Hell yeah, man!"
"There's your problem..." --in college station many of the scrubber brushes are FULL of pebbles from the rednecks muddin'
the conversation continued along the lines of what products he should use for his month old white Avalanche that he hadn't washed yet because he was afraid of scratching it....and it definitely showed. That thing was almost brown.
As he was walking away and thanking me for my advice he stopped and said,"Oh hey man.. what kinda car is this even? I 'haint' never even seen one of these before!"
"Mazda rx8"
"Hmm, that's a badass car man. grumble grumble grumble"
also on the way down there we stopped in a small town about 30 miles outside of Bryan, Tx at a citgo and had some older country women gawking.
As i came out of the bathroom I saw them leaning over the counter staring at it and here them talk about how nice it was. Then one of them got close to the gas station door and say hay I wonder if those are back doors? (very observant of her since she had obviously never seen one)
I approach and she says "is that your car?... are those doors in the back?"
"sure are"
as I got in the car I pretended to get something out of the back just so she could see
Last edited by Lord ET; 06-14-2008 at 12:01 AM.
06-14-2008, 12:14 AM
#135
"Autobots Roll-Out..!"
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^ Considering she didn't know what kind of car it was... it's surprising she even guessed it had doors in the back..
The majority of the people have no clue that it's a 4 door... "freestyle/suicide" at that...
The majority of the people have no clue that it's a 4 door... "freestyle/suicide" at that...
06-14-2008, 12:19 AM
#136
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06-14-2008, 02:18 AM
#138
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Surprised I haven't noticed this thread before....
I've got a story too. I got my 04 LY about 3 months ago, and the first day I got it I was pulled over by a cop. I had been driving a block without my lights on. I had to get gas and forgot to turn on the lights after leaving a restaurant. I stop at the pump and a cop car pulls up beside me. Cop says... "you didn't have your lights on." I apologize profusely and tell him it's my first day with it. He checks my licence, tells me to be careful, says nice car and drives off :D
I've got a story too. I got my 04 LY about 3 months ago, and the first day I got it I was pulled over by a cop. I had been driving a block without my lights on. I had to get gas and forgot to turn on the lights after leaving a restaurant. I stop at the pump and a cop car pulls up beside me. Cop says... "you didn't have your lights on." I apologize profusely and tell him it's my first day with it. He checks my licence, tells me to be careful, says nice car and drives off :D
06-14-2008, 01:26 PM
#140
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06-19-2008, 09:27 AM
#142
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This morning, I was getting on the shuttle bus, I sit down, and the driver asks me
"That Mazda, Toyota makes it, right?"
I said No Sir, it's built by Mazda.
I thought it was funny, at least.
"That Mazda, Toyota makes it, right?"
I said No Sir, it's built by Mazda.
I thought it was funny, at least.
06-19-2008, 08:26 PM
#144
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I was at the hair salon with my 04 RX-8 and some guy starts up a conversation and it goes something like this:
Him: "That is a beautiful car".
Me: "Thanks, I like it"
Him: "looks fast. Is that a V6?".
Me: "Well it really does not have cylinders it is a rotary"
Him: "So its a V8?"
Me: "No it has rotors, Two of them"
Him: "Two? (head tilted) Like a V-Twin?"
Me: "No its a different kind of engine"
Him: "How big?"
Me: "Well actually it is only 1.3 litre"
Him: "Oh so it is an economy car. But still looks fast."
Me: "Not at all. Real pure sports car with 238 Horse power and lousy gas mileage"
Him: "How you gonna get 240 out of 1300 engine. You sure it is only 1300?"
Me: "Rotary engine. very different from traditional reciprocating engine"
Him: "Can you show me engine?"
Me: "No, Just think of it as a 3 litre V6. I have to go"
I so rarely meet people who have any idea about rotary engines and have had many similar conversations when I tell people it is a 1.3 litre engine that produces (reportedly 238 HP)
Cuzzin
Stock MT 04 RX-8 Titanium
Him: "That is a beautiful car".
Me: "Thanks, I like it"
Him: "looks fast. Is that a V6?".
Me: "Well it really does not have cylinders it is a rotary"
Him: "So its a V8?"
Me: "No it has rotors, Two of them"
Him: "Two? (head tilted) Like a V-Twin?"
Me: "No its a different kind of engine"
Him: "How big?"
Me: "Well actually it is only 1.3 litre"
Him: "Oh so it is an economy car. But still looks fast."
Me: "Not at all. Real pure sports car with 238 Horse power and lousy gas mileage"
Him: "How you gonna get 240 out of 1300 engine. You sure it is only 1300?"
Me: "Rotary engine. very different from traditional reciprocating engine"
Him: "Can you show me engine?"
Me: "No, Just think of it as a 3 litre V6. I have to go"
I so rarely meet people who have any idea about rotary engines and have had many similar conversations when I tell people it is a 1.3 litre engine that produces (reportedly 238 HP)
Cuzzin
Stock MT 04 RX-8 Titanium
06-19-2008, 08:38 PM
#145
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I was at the hair salon with my 04 RX-8 and some guy starts up a conversation and it goes something like this:
Him: "That is a beautiful car".
Me: "Thanks, I like it"
Him: "looks fast. Is that a V6?".
Me: "Well it really does not have cylinders it is a rotary"
Him: "So its a V8?"
Me: "No it has rotors, Two of them"
Him: "Two? (head tilted) Like a V-Twin?"
Me: "No its a different kind of engine"
Him: "How big?"
Me: "Well actually it is only 1.3 litre"
Him: "Oh so it is an economy car. But still looks fast."
Me: "Not at all. Real pure sports car with 238 Horse power and lousy gas mileage"
Him: "How you gonna get 240 out of 1300 engine. You sure it is only 1300?"
Me: "Rotary engine. very different from traditional reciprocating engine"
Him: "Can you show me engine?"
Me: "No, Just think of it as a 3 litre V6. I have to go"
I so rarely meet people who have any idea about rotary engines and have had many similar conversations when I tell people it is a 1.3 litre engine that produces (reportedly 238 HP)
Cuzzin
Stock MT 04 RX-8 Titanium
Him: "That is a beautiful car".
Me: "Thanks, I like it"
Him: "looks fast. Is that a V6?".
Me: "Well it really does not have cylinders it is a rotary"
Him: "So its a V8?"
Me: "No it has rotors, Two of them"
Him: "Two? (head tilted) Like a V-Twin?"
Me: "No its a different kind of engine"
Him: "How big?"
Me: "Well actually it is only 1.3 litre"
Him: "Oh so it is an economy car. But still looks fast."
Me: "Not at all. Real pure sports car with 238 Horse power and lousy gas mileage"
Him: "How you gonna get 240 out of 1300 engine. You sure it is only 1300?"
Me: "Rotary engine. very different from traditional reciprocating engine"
Him: "Can you show me engine?"
Me: "No, Just think of it as a 3 litre V6. I have to go"
I so rarely meet people who have any idea about rotary engines and have had many similar conversations when I tell people it is a 1.3 litre engine that produces (reportedly 238 HP)
Cuzzin
Stock MT 04 RX-8 Titanium
06-20-2008, 06:28 AM
#149
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He probally thought you wern't getting enough "lift", since you don't have a spoiler that's five feet tall.
I'm sure he was just trying to let you know of the danger you are putting yourself in when you are travelling at highway speed.
I'm sure he was just trying to let you know of the danger you are putting yourself in when you are travelling at highway speed.
"Did mommy and daddy buy you that car?" No, actually, they didnt.