I have had the RX8 for a bit over 6 months now. I came from a big American V8 with loads of torque, so that will influence some of my review.

I was a bit worried about fitting the wife with an 8 and 5 year old. No problems at all. this car is WAY smaller than what I had but for a family of four with small kids it is suprisingly comfortable and easy to live with

I used to have loads of hp and torque and didn't have to think if I wanted to go fast. The RX8 is a lot like riding a motorcycle - being in the right gear at the right time is crucial! I will probably loose my membership into the knuckle-dragging neanderthal club by saying this, but I don't really miss the tq so much.

The ipod integration is ehhhh....ummmm...it could be better, but none of my other cars even has that.

Younger people come up to me all the time in parking lots to tell me how cool my car is...for a 40 year old, that's kinda cool.

I almost NEVER use 5th gear.

The AC is marginal when you are in 102 degree weather, in a traffic jam returning from Galveston, in 95% humidity.

The secret arm-rest compartment is a perfect fit for my 357 revolver. I didn't even know it was there when I purchased the car!

Handling...geez, what can I say. ALL of my other cars handle like a supertanker compared to the RX8. This car wants to play, but when it gets serious, this car is no slouch. When you push it too far, it lets you go for a bit before it jumps in to correct...I like that.

The brakes are awesome. This car has larger brakes than my previous car (which weighed over two tons)

The interior at night looks like you are in a jet fighter.

The noise from the car is unique, and sounds the best hitting the shift beep. My car beeps alot...quite often really.

This car was my first non-American car and a complete change from anything I have ever owned. I really did not know how I would like it after 6 months, but I still look forward to getting into it and going anywhere. The kids like to "go zoomie" and "do twisties" (as does the Dad!)

Overall, I knew from the begining that this car would be a compromise considering the kids, but for a very solid sports car, it is also a very liveable family car. We have a Chevy Tahoe for all of the heavy kiddo needs anyway.

Oh...one last thing. I used to parallel park a 96 Chevy Impala SS. For the first two months of parking the RX8, I would end up 3 feet from the curb.

 

LandYatch: GREAT write-up!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your ownership experience and I'm really glad you're enjoying the car this much. Who would have thought this little car would be SO MUCH FUN to drive???

Also sounds like you're driving the car exactly the way it's meant to be driven, congrats on that. (just make sure you're checking the oil frequently). Can you imagine trying to take turns at 40 mph at 9,000 rpm in your previous car? can we say "BOOM"?

 

Sounds about right.... just remember power is easy to make. It is all the rest of the car that is hard to modify... so when the factory gets it right - makes the car so much better.

"I can always get more power; but ugly don't heal!" <- Me a while back.

HAHA; great review.

 

superb write up...!

 

... and that is why the Detroit 3 needs a bailout.

 

+1 on what jedi said

 

Thanks guys...oh, a few more things I forgot

Smaller cars are quicker to wash!

Who has sunglasses that actually fit in the sunglass holder?

American quality compared to Japanese quality is not even close. It pains me to say that, but it is true. (8 chevys, 5 fords, a Caddy, and an Edsel (1958)

 

I helped I helped!!!!

 

^^^ yup, that's what I've got in my sunglass holder!

 

my tire pressure gauge is in the sunglasses holder

 

i've got.. uh.. nothing in my sunglass holder. in fact I dont think i've ever opened it o.O

 

good write up glad u are still enjoying it....I and I think about everyone else here knows what u meanwhen ujust can'twaitto get in and drive!!!

 

Welcome and don't forget to read the stickies in the tech section.

Finally a real man that uses his car with kids instead of I'm selling my 8 and getting married with one kid.

I'm sick of those stupid threads.

 

my sunglasses sit in my cupholders

 

I'm in the military and I keep my express card in there to get in the gate quicker. lol

 

Great write up!!

I traded in my 2007 MX-5 Miata last July for a 40th AE RX-8, because I needed "family car" for the GF(now fiancee)+1.

5 months and 9000 miles later it just gets better and better. My only complaint is having to shut off the DSC/TCS every time I get in, because they stop all the fun.

 

Check the visor...

 

visor is partly broken for some reason, must have been that way when I bought it last May, so I can't bring it all the way down without it cracking more on the back part were the rod goes through it. Plus the visor doesnt have a little flap anyways

 

I have looked for that **** so many damn times...still cant find it

 

Mesh Center Mesh Right?


XXX[ ]XXXX

In the center platic piece; look at the right side where it meets the mesh.

 

^ is this when it is up or down

 

I keep my parking gate key there too lol

On-topic: Great write-up

 

Good write up... its funny because I came from much the same situation, all-American v8 muscle cars before the RX8 and its taken some getting used to, but I love it. Glad you are enjoying your 8 too!

 

Up I am 99.999999999999999% sure.

 

kane that was a question