Base MT's -- how important is DSC?
01-13-2006 | 03:16 PM
#26
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Umm, very very very twitchy where? In the snow with summer tires maybe. Other than that the 8 is pretty predictable. I've driven a number of cars far less forgiving, and predictable than the 8. The 8, in my experience, is a very easy car to drive.
01-13-2006 | 03:53 PM
#28
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From: Hayward, CA
Originally Posted by Papapump51
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??
01-13-2006 | 03:54 PM
#29
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From: Hayward, CA
Originally Posted by raspyrx7
didn't see it mentioned, but sorry if its a reiteration... another pro to the DSC is potentially lower insurance rates... that would be worth investigating depending on your situation.
01-13-2006 | 06:39 PM
#31
Rally Car Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 277
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From: Dallas, TX
Originally Posted by Chrisbert
Go test drive one without it in a parking lot. Make some abrupt manuevers and see if you can handle the tail.
But, seriously - it can be a great "life saver" when things get wet and slippery. Anyone who's driven a performance RWD car can attest to that. I spun out and wrecked an RX7 on a wet road - not even speeding. The 8 has DSC and is doing fine.
Besides, you can turn the DSC off if you want to live dangerously.
01-13-2006 | 07:04 PM
#32
In slow, out fast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 71
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From: Miami Beach
I've had mine on the track a few times, and I have dsc.
The first two times, I kept it on. What was interesting was what an amazing job it did covering for things that I botched. Its very fast to respond and very impressive.
That being said, once I got accustomed to the vehicle, it became clear that the system was intervening too heavily. In other words, it prevented me from getting to the true limit of adhesion. At that point, I turned it off.
My impression with it off was that the RX8 was plenty forgiving, but forgiving doesn't mean 100% infallable. No car can defy physics. With the DSC off, if I let off the throttle at the wrong time or crest a hill the wrong way or so on, there is no safety net to catch me. Its either save it or $$$$$$.
My point, I guess, is that until my 9th session on the track I didn't even feel it necessary to turn it off. There was so much to explore within the limits of the system that I had plenty to cope with (not to mention just getting the line down).
I haven't yet tracked it with the 7-second push (which apparantly turns off the traction control AND the ABS). When I do (god, I need the $ to get back to the track) I will give my impressions.
The beauty of the system is that you can turn it off. You also get HIDs, which you want. My night vision needs help, and these headlights worth every penny when its dark and rainy and there are deer and sasquaches running around out there.
The first two times, I kept it on. What was interesting was what an amazing job it did covering for things that I botched. Its very fast to respond and very impressive.
That being said, once I got accustomed to the vehicle, it became clear that the system was intervening too heavily. In other words, it prevented me from getting to the true limit of adhesion. At that point, I turned it off.
My impression with it off was that the RX8 was plenty forgiving, but forgiving doesn't mean 100% infallable. No car can defy physics. With the DSC off, if I let off the throttle at the wrong time or crest a hill the wrong way or so on, there is no safety net to catch me. Its either save it or $$$$$$.
My point, I guess, is that until my 9th session on the track I didn't even feel it necessary to turn it off. There was so much to explore within the limits of the system that I had plenty to cope with (not to mention just getting the line down).
I haven't yet tracked it with the 7-second push (which apparantly turns off the traction control AND the ABS). When I do (god, I need the $ to get back to the track) I will give my impressions.
The beauty of the system is that you can turn it off. You also get HIDs, which you want. My night vision needs help, and these headlights worth every penny when its dark and rainy and there are deer and sasquaches running around out there.
01-14-2006 | 10:43 AM
#33
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Posts: 286
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From: Michigan
Absolutely get DSC. I'm a big fan of the Sport Package car as lightest weight with DSC. DSC doesn't add a significant amount of weight, as it mostly uses the existing ABS hardware.
The gas mileage bit is BS. The only possible connection is that when the DSC is off people drive more conservatively (for good reason) which WILL boost fuel econ considerably in this car. In fact, to the extent there had been research I think there's a very good chance this is the reason for the outcome.
I've driven about 400 different cars. The RX-8 uses one of the least obtrusive DSC systems.
DSC is especially nice to have if you might do some travelling along unfamiliar back roads. I took my father's car on a round trip between VA and MI along some of the most challenging roads in the country (according to the car mags). You better believe I left the DSC on 95% of the time. And I did not feel it significantly dampened my driving enjoyment. I've driven cars where the DSC system kills the joy, and this isn't one of them. If anything it enhanced my enjoyment, because I did not have to worry about the tail coming around the few times I misjudged a turn and had to get on the brakes mid-turn. (The RX-8 is so smooth and quiet compared to other sports cars that it's way too easy to hit the third turn in a tight sequence going too fast. My #1 wish: a HUD.)
On a track, where the turns are known and you're less likely to hit something that will do damage, you can always turn the DSC off.
The gas mileage bit is BS. The only possible connection is that when the DSC is off people drive more conservatively (for good reason) which WILL boost fuel econ considerably in this car. In fact, to the extent there had been research I think there's a very good chance this is the reason for the outcome.
I've driven about 400 different cars. The RX-8 uses one of the least obtrusive DSC systems.
DSC is especially nice to have if you might do some travelling along unfamiliar back roads. I took my father's car on a round trip between VA and MI along some of the most challenging roads in the country (according to the car mags). You better believe I left the DSC on 95% of the time. And I did not feel it significantly dampened my driving enjoyment. I've driven cars where the DSC system kills the joy, and this isn't one of them. If anything it enhanced my enjoyment, because I did not have to worry about the tail coming around the few times I misjudged a turn and had to get on the brakes mid-turn. (The RX-8 is so smooth and quiet compared to other sports cars that it's way too easy to hit the third turn in a tight sequence going too fast. My #1 wish: a HUD.)
On a track, where the turns are known and you're less likely to hit something that will do damage, you can always turn the DSC off.
Last edited by mkaresh; 01-14-2006 at 10:47 AM.
01-14-2006 | 03:58 PM
#34
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 51
From: Hayward, CA
Originally Posted by mkaresh
Absolutely get DSC. I'm a big fan of the Sport Package car as lightest weight with DSC. DSC doesn't add a significant amount of weight, as it mostly uses the existing ABS hardware.
The gas mileage bit is BS. The only possible connection is that when the DSC is off people drive more conservatively (for good reason) which WILL boost fuel econ considerably in this car. In fact, to the extent there had been research I think there's a very good chance this is the reason for the outcome.
I've driven about 400 different cars. The RX-8 uses one of the least obtrusive DSC systems.
DSC is especially nice to have if you might do some travelling along unfamiliar back roads. I took my father's car on a round trip between VA and MI along some of the most challenging roads in the country (according to the car mags). You better believe I left the DSC on 95% of the time. And I did not feel it significantly dampened my driving enjoyment. I've driven cars where the DSC system kills the joy, and this isn't one of them. If anything it enhanced my enjoyment, because I did not have to worry about the tail coming around the few times I misjudged a turn and had to get on the brakes mid-turn. (The RX-8 is so smooth and quiet compared to other sports cars that it's way too easy to hit the third turn in a tight sequence going too fast. My #1 wish: a HUD.)
On a track, where the turns are known and you're less likely to hit something that will do damage, you can always turn the DSC off.
The gas mileage bit is BS. The only possible connection is that when the DSC is off people drive more conservatively (for good reason) which WILL boost fuel econ considerably in this car. In fact, to the extent there had been research I think there's a very good chance this is the reason for the outcome.
I've driven about 400 different cars. The RX-8 uses one of the least obtrusive DSC systems.
DSC is especially nice to have if you might do some travelling along unfamiliar back roads. I took my father's car on a round trip between VA and MI along some of the most challenging roads in the country (according to the car mags). You better believe I left the DSC on 95% of the time. And I did not feel it significantly dampened my driving enjoyment. I've driven cars where the DSC system kills the joy, and this isn't one of them. If anything it enhanced my enjoyment, because I did not have to worry about the tail coming around the few times I misjudged a turn and had to get on the brakes mid-turn. (The RX-8 is so smooth and quiet compared to other sports cars that it's way too easy to hit the third turn in a tight sequence going too fast. My #1 wish: a HUD.)
On a track, where the turns are known and you're less likely to hit something that will do damage, you can always turn the DSC off.
Sorry for that post everyone, it was really premature for me to put that turning it off saves gas. Just want to apologize for that everyone.
Last edited by Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2; 01-14-2006 at 04:01 PM.
01-14-2006 | 04:42 PM
#35
The burninator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 410
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I will say that I got an MT without DSC, and I've been surprised at how well it handles in the rain and snow (with snow tires).
It's been really solid, and the weight distribution is excellent. I'd highly recommend people get DSC, but I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker if you can get a good price on one without it.
It's been really solid, and the weight distribution is excellent. I'd highly recommend people get DSC, but I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker if you can get a good price on one without it.
Last edited by alcimedes; 01-14-2006 at 05:26 PM.
01-14-2006 | 04:44 PM
#36
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Posts: 286
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From: Michigan
No need to apologize.
If I'd been driving WV16 and OH26 with the DSC off, my MPG would have jumped a lot more than 2 MPG. I got 15 on the two tanks I burned on the backroads. Seems that's what happens when you spend most of the time between 5000 RPM and the redline.
Have I mentioned before how wonderful it feels to be accelerating full throttle at 7000+ RPM through a steep uphill curve in this car? I suppose I have. Sorry, couldn't help myself.
If I'd been driving WV16 and OH26 with the DSC off, my MPG would have jumped a lot more than 2 MPG. I got 15 on the two tanks I burned on the backroads. Seems that's what happens when you spend most of the time between 5000 RPM and the redline.
Have I mentioned before how wonderful it feels to be accelerating full throttle at 7000+ RPM through a steep uphill curve in this car? I suppose I have. Sorry, couldn't help myself.
01-14-2006 | 08:50 PM
#37
Pretty important. Dont leave home without it
"The prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety later issued their own study that concluded the widespread application of ESC could save 7,000 lives a year."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_stability_control
"The prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety later issued their own study that concluded the widespread application of ESC could save 7,000 lives a year."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_stability_control
01-14-2006 | 09:08 PM
#38
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 132
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this one time at the beach i was driving with this hot a chick im my car so i turned it off(all the way) so at like 60mph i broke all four tires loose around this curve (out of pure dumb luck i had been talking to my friend who always drove muscle cars, currently a 1983 Hurst olds, and he told me to up shift rev and drop when you lost traction). i did it almost instinctively and thank god it worked. the chick was a little scared but thought it was pretty cool. me, i was just cool cause i meant to do that. we stopped at the next place i could find so i could change my boxers.
01-14-2006 | 10:52 PM
#39
n00b
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by BlueEyes
Umm, very very very twitchy where? In the snow with summer tires maybe. Other than that the 8 is pretty predictable. I've driven a number of cars far less forgiving, and predictable than the 8. The 8, in my experience, is a very easy car to drive.
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