So there are a number of base manual transmission rx-8's in my area (truly base...no options at all) that could probably be had for cheap.

The question I have is how important is the DSC/traction control for someone who isn't an agressive driver?

I'm not going to be pushing the car to its limits, plus in some threads people are saying they get better mileage and even more power with the dsc/traction turned off..

so what's the verdict?

 

DSC makes me feel like Superman. I throw the car into stuff that would give a Viper driver nightmares. The right hand uphill turn onto the down hill street. Like a little angel on your shoulder.

There are some weird roads where I live, and this is a lifesaver.

 

not very important at all, i say you save the money and get the RX-8 that is in its *purest* form

 

absolutely get it

 

unless its 80 to 90 degrees everyday, i would get it. it has saved my *** countless times in the rain.

 

DSC makes sense for all kinds of drivers imho. It catches the car and it catches it quick in situations that have high potential to lead to an accident. The only problem I see with DSC that drivers may get used to it too much and push the car near the edge more often than they would otherwise.

Altough I dislike being ruled over by computers in general I have to say that DSC is a pretty useful and mature system.

 

If you have bad weather snow/ice LOTS of rain then I would spring for it. Personally I opted not to get it.

 

I live in Vancouver Canada that has lots of rain and I do just fine without it.

 

its almost a must unless you are an extremely skilled driver. worth every penny

 

Alright, i'll give you pros and cons.
Pros: -Saves lives like everyone said, especially in the rain (only time i keep mine on)
-Prevents oversteering and understeering and fishtailing and many other things
-Gives you the feeling of having an angel watching over you
Cons: -Cant drive aggressive (doesnt apply to you because you're not going to)
-Don't feel the full potential of the rx8
-If turned off, you can save 2mpg (personal experience and from reserach)
The cons are not really that important unless you are track racing except for the last one.

An alternative, you can turn off the DSC but the TCS (traction control system) will still be active. You can save gas turning the DSC off and still have some protection from the elements and other drivers.

- Jon

 

I drive an s2k and I don't mind being in full control at all times. I feel lucky as newer cars are coming out with a type of vechicle computer saftey control standard.

Learn how to drive within your limits. Auto X is a good example of this and being sans DSC will not be a problem if you use common sense, esp in the rain. Good tires will also help.

There were a lot of RWD cars back in teh muscle era and no type of DSC. They learned how to drive.

 

ABS & DSC is insurance for the average driver. But they begin to lean on this as a crutch. You can read a news article about this at this link.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...50#post1197850

 

Weird. I have a base, drive aggressive all the time and think I get more out of my car than those who have DSC turned on? Have you ever been to a track? DSC can cause massive understeer. It is not designed to give neutral handling. It is designed to not let you get happy with your car.

What did you guys do before cars had DSC? Did you all just drive into the ditch at every corner? Cars can be built to stay on the road without computers.

 

OK stupid question here... I guess I never did the research on it , I have the DSC switch, if I understand correctly, that turns on by itself each time you start the car, also from another post I read on here, the TCS stays on even with DSC off, and the way you would turn it off is to hold the DSC button for 7 seconds??

 

I'd get one with DSC/TSC especially if your not an aggressive driver and especially if your not used to rear wheel drive.

 

The DSC off = better MPG is total BS.
The longer this fable continues to chance of more wrecked RX-8’s grows. DSC / traction control has zero interaction with your car during normal day-to-day operation. When DSC does sense the need to step in it does so via the ABS braking system. Traction Control does have interaction with the fuel system ONLY WHEN THE REAR WHEELS ARE ABOUT TO LOSE TRACTION. So how is it possible for your mpg to improve with DSC/ TC off when DSC/TC does nothing during normal operation? Has for the original posters question the option package that has DSC also has larger brakes and HID. DSC / TC can be turned off. Getting DSC is good thing that doesn't take any fun away from this car.

 

I got the base 6spd because it came with everything I "needed" and it was at my max budget too, but if you can afford some of the extra stuff go right ahead. There is nothing wrong in making your RX8 even safer then it is already.

It's just your personal choice...as easy as that...

 

Go test drive one without it in a parking lot. Make some abrupt manuevers and see if you can handle the tail. It will want to come out, but you can catch it with the wheel...if you are quick.

If you can find one with it for a few $$ more, get it. The life you save may be your own.

 

I had DSC/TCS turned off because I heard it saved gas...(I now know that's retarded)

It was raining, I hydroplaned and lost control on a turn...did a 180 into a cement barrier. I wasn't even speeding.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think traction control would have saved my ***.

 

the better mpg bs has already been addressed by others. as for making the car less fun, that's complete bs too. it is a safety feature, much like abs, airbags, and seatbelts. sure, earlier model cars didn't have all (if any) of these things, and they were definately not as safe. some of them protect you in an accident, and other help prevent you from getting in an accident in the first place.

there are several people here, who have a good bit of track time in their cars with dsc turned off, and are extremely competent drivers, who decided to drive without dsc on the streets and ended up loosing control of their cars and ended up in accidents.

on streets in daily driving, there are just too many variables that aren't there in track conditions. there are are many more vehicles around than in track conditions.

if you are on the track, sure, turn dsc off and have fun. but when driving on the street, there is no reason that you should be doing anything that would require you to turn it off. i'm sure some one will pop in with an reason why its better in a single situation, but the majority of the time, its a good thing to have.

is it possible to drive without it? sure. doesn't mean its better. are there cars out there without it? sure. new ones even. doesn't mean they are better cars.

dsc is a safety system that's designed to reduce the probability of accidents due to out of control situations.

 

WRONG, in the US market, even the base 6MT has the bigger brakes, the only RX-8 with the small brakes is the base model AT's

however, HID is indeed a nice option to have, makes night driving a lot easier (and safer?)

 

I have the base without DSC and I think that makes me a better driver because I have to be more aware of situations that I can spin out.

That being said, I still wish I had the DSC for those times that the road conditions are not the best. Especially since it's defeatable in the 8.

 

I am familiar with your part of Jersey and I would like to have all the help I could get when driving down county RT 528 @ 65 when a bunch of deer run out on the road. Also with all the building going on in Jackson the roads will never be in good condition With all the things to distract you on the road plus cell phones & your stereo it is very hard to concentrate on driving 100% these days.

 

Damn, I drive a 240SX RWD with no DSC and it is **** scary esp. during heavy rains. I have once on a major intersection skidded the car and went into the lane backwards !!!! but luckily it was early in the morning and no one was around or I would probably have been dead. Love driving cars with DSC when its raining and you can always switch it off when its not.

I'm still driving the 240sx and in Seattle its been raining for about 25 days straight. Can't wait for the RX-8.

 

THe rx8 is very very very twitchy.

I have a feeling in the next year or two they will make dsc a standard feature.