Well, I finally closed the deal and picked-up my 2006 GG Shinka last Friday. I had been suffering a kidney stone the week before and was beginning to think it just wasn't going to happen during my return trip home to Missouri this time. I had posted previously that I was teetering back and forth on getting the car ( previous post https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/closing-rx8-purchase-test-drive-observations-gear-heads-perspective-103031/ ), and after some deliberation made the commitment to the RX-8. The purchasing process was really quite painless and there was about $5800.00 of cash in the car between the dealership and the factory incentives. Not bad.

The other thing I enjoyed for the first time was the ability to actually buy a new car without my wife beating me about the head and shoulders. Granted this is my 52nd car, and I do buy and sell to many cars, but it is always usually a painful battle. This time was different though. Mainly because my wife has always loved the RX-8 since it was introduced. She put up a thinly veiled protest, but then as soon as I had the car in the garage she was wanting to take it for a drive. Her comments on the return were that I needed to leave the car in Missouri and fly back to NM. She laughed and said she was kidding, but I know better.... .

So far its been a blast, and I thought I would share some of my initial observations considering I immediately put 1200 miles on the car in short order, during my road trip back to New Mexico. I did get the opportunity to put 70-80 miles on twisty backroads, and that is where this jewel really shines. Oh yeah, you guys already know that ....right?

1) Road trip to NM indicated about 20 MPG overall.

2) The 1000 mile + road trip was pretty comfortable in the RX-8, but getting tired behind the wheel of the RX-8 is about like getting tired behind the wheel of a go-kart. Its a bad idea, and the ultra responsive steering is definitely demanding. Alternating speed on the highway to allow for better break-in is sensible, but somewhat painful. Overall, although the RX-8 can handle long cruises, it is really best suited to shorter distance runs on curvy roads (again no surprises there eh?)

3) Storage for my duffle/suitcase, a full clothes basket and laptop and case was tight. I also had a few choice jackets and things on the passenger rear floorboard and seat, and overall it was workable.

4) The car created lots of attention. Women at gas stations asking if they could have a ride, guys at the gas stations and restaurants looking the car over approvingly. Overall very similar appeal to folks as my BMW MCoupe.

5) Getting used to the oil checks and top-offs is no biggy, and kind of a unique situation for a unique car. Under-hood storage idea picked-up from the forum worked really well.

6) Sirius turn-up was a piece of cake and they acknowledged a full year of free subscription time.

7) Power band is going to take a little getting used to coming from a stage 2 Forester XT with gobs of torque available. I need to spend more time researching power mods, but the car seems very similar to my old E36 M3 which lacked torque, and was difficult to find any major gains with simple bolt-ons. Power is ample for tight twisty sections where you can kep the car pinned through the gears and have lots of fun. Like the E36 M3, the flywheel seems to be a good mod, and FI is of course the best bang for the buck, but kits (like the M3 Dinan SC kit) for the RX-8 are pretty pricey investment. All good fun though, and it seems like more options for power enhancements are being introduced as time goes on.


Overall? Awesome car, and glad I made the change-over. Also glad I did not go the MazdaSpeed 6 path as well.

Jeff

 

good to hear i wish women would ask me for a ride..lol enjoy

 

Congrats. The speed 6 is nice but there's def. no comparison. Enjoy!