Razz1

The RX8 is plenty fast with the correct mods and being NA

Potentiated

Ok fair enough. How about then after the numerous personal descriptions of what driving the RX8 is like, how about you then write your vicariously-gotten, imaginational driving "experience" as a direct (how punny!) result of those descriptions? Ok?

Allow me to vicarously drive the RX8 through your imaginational experience gotten from our actual driving experience.

hush...

one of the best decisions i've ever made is getting this car. pure driving joy.
if you even LIKE to drive a bit, this car will appeal to your soul. it's unique to its core and so so so smooth and quick.

ken said it best, "In fact, the problem is keeping the speed down. Think sport bike."

the digital speedo just goes up and up, i find myself definitely having to think about keeping the speed down but it's still as smooth and comfortable at 10 as it is at 30 as it is at 70 as it is at 100+. Amazing car.

alexisthemovie

you must either be a virgin or have had really terrible sex.

daisuke

I'm a month away from my first year of ownership, and I still look for every excuse I can find to drive my baby.

I came from driving a saturn SL2, the first rx8 I test drove had over 100k miles on it and it scared me to drive it, but you get used to the speed very quickly, and you also get very used to the unique feel of the rotary. If you drive it right it feels like it's just begging you to keep going, be smooth with it, and it'll respond smoothly. Floor the pedal at 4k rpms in second gear and it'll snap your neck backwards, few engines react that quickly.

Learn to drive before you try doing anything crazy. As in, take a performance driving clinic. Switching to RWD is confusing for some, and the way the layout handles is very very different. Learn how the *** wants to come out and play, and if you drive it wrong it will also understeer pretty bad.

The engine has little torque, and you'll notice that no matter what car you're coming from, but once you're in second gear you have a huge advantage because the gear is so tall, you hit 65 in second. I've beat evos from a rolling start to 60, after that it's pointless... but I'm just saying it can hold it's own, especially against some ricer.

The cars that this thing competes with have little to no storage space and only 2 seats (i.e. the S2000 and the 350z), it also cruises like a dream on the highway, you can go forever and not get tired. The only car that really compares with it is the G35 coupe, and in my oppinion, that car is prettier as well. Still... no rear doors tho, and no unique engine.

Chronisseur

Fair enough. Or come to think of it, that would probably be a waste of everyone's time, considering everyone here already owns one. I know it's impossible to know exactly how the car drives just by reading opinions and stats over the internet, but it's still useful information, and should tide me over until I actually get to test drive one. I made this thread in the hope that everyone's input would help me, and it has. There's no use making a thread (or replying to one) if you don't need to, right?

Also, as stated before, I'll be getting a manual transmission 8, most likely 2004 or 2005. I know about the higher likelihood of problems with the earlier models, but I'll make sure I try to gauge the condition of the car as thoroughly as possible. Narrowing down my choices, I find I like the velocity red, white, black, and silver/grey colors the best. I don't have a strong preference for any trim (base, sports, grand touring). I have seen some that are being sold as lemon law buybacks or salvage titles, which sounds like something I should stay away from, as I want the car to be durable and without previous problems if possible.

delhi

I had a JDM STi prior to this and had a Stage II 92x before. Both are faster on a straight line than the RX-8. But RX-8 is way more fun to drive. It has a certain unquantifiable quality about it that defies simple measurements of 0-60, skidpads, etc. You will receive the same conclusion from the many auto mag reviews about the rx-8 when pitted against higher hp cars like the EVO, R8, 350Z, 911, M3 etc....
You should go for a test drive. reading about other people's experience is one thing. Truly driving it will take you to the next level.

alexisthemovie

you have a weak neck then. the RX-8 has zero ***** under 7500, and even above that, it's just brisk. Plus there's a hesitation around 7700-7900 rpm that's really annoying.

Chronisseur

I like straight answers like this, which tell it like it is. I hope to find out as much about this car as possible before I start seriously researching and testing different vehicles out.

ryno_rx8

any ideas what might cause the hesitation at the higher rpm? I'm a new owner of an 04 auto and it is annoying. I have done some research and seen the recalls and bulletins and eben called the dealership to make sure all the work has been done. Didn't know3 if all were this way or if i may have a problem. Thanks

Gyro_Bot

(Although controversial) My non-rx8 friends stopped harassing me with that joke when they realized... I was smiling.

Most of my friends have RX8s now.

Fortunate Few

iTrader: (2)

unless ... its automatic

Razz1

Not to mention it will cost you 40k

inTEGrate89

just make sure you have the budget for it. I'm a new owner and I love driving the thing but it eats gas compared to my Integra.

Let me know if you have any questions... but everyone here has pretty much said what I've experienced.

some negs though:

1.) car vibrates alot after awhile; you don't notice it at first but after a long trip. it gets a bit annoying. small vibrations though; not really noticeable; at least during my test drives.

2.) my a/c / heater fan is actually audibly noticeable; something i didnt hear during its test drive.

other than that; car is fine, if it fits your budget and you can be prepared for a engine flooding/car problem, i think you'd be a happy 8 driver.

hirev8

WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GET OF THE WHOLE SLOW BULLSHIT ISSUE! References like it's got no *****. UNDERSTAND straight line power is BOREING...............power is pointless without CONTROLL! That is what this car is all about................maintaining it's momentum at high speeds, I'd like to get one of these clowns in the passenger seat next to me on some seriouse curves and enlighten them on how slow the 8 is!

Tim Tim Tim

Honestly, when you get in this car and take off, it will feel fast to you. no, its not a race car. I believe a 6spd will run a high 14 or so in the 1/4 which isnt bad. you will beat your average regular car on the road. Now if you want to really have fun, take the car to the turns. I never cared much about how a car turned and stopped untill I drove this car. It sill amazes me to this day, its deffinatly easy to make your passengers **** there pants. with that said, you will ABSOLUTELY love the car without a doubt.

As for the "issues". IMO they really have got most of them fixed. I have an auto 04 which this year and tranny had the most issues out of all. the fuel milage isnt that bad, I beat on the car alot and get around 17-18 100% city driving so I really cant complain. My car has never flooded, I have just pulled it out to the street and shut it off, drove to the grocery storey (litereally 100 feet from my drieway) and everything in between and never had an issue with flooding. maybe its just luck but i think they have helped fixed the issue with there 1209234908 reflashes they have done lol.

Also, the rotary, as you have probably read is a VERY nice and smooth motor. I absolutely love it, it actually sounds electric to me, which is wierd but cool haha

Kane

iTrader: (1)

The real acid test of street car - is how much fun can you have within the legal limits.

You can only test fate so often... but you can take a freeway on ramp at "merge" speed guilt free.

alexisthemovie

Quit acting like the RX-8 is the only sports car that can handle well. A sports car doesn't have to be slow. With the same driver in all cars, a g35, 350z, s2000, 135i, and so many more cars will outrun an RX-8 on a "serious road" or track simply with the extra speed and grip available...

The RX-8 is an easy to drive car that handles well, that's all.

daisuke

one downside to the 8 I can think of is that the manual gearbox isn't the smoothest out there. I have trouble going from 2nd to 3rd much more often than I'd like.

GaMEChld

That's gold

hirev8

Not trying to preach or praise the 8 being the "be all" "end all" of all spots cars..............of coarse there are better cars out there and I'll be the first to say that this car is lacking in torque but you have to consider what this car is able to accomplish out of a 1.3 liter engine which is quit remarkable as opposed to larger displacement engines..............I just wished people would consider the facts before making a "informed " decision. Sorry if I came across being "brash" It wasn't my intension.