With all the talk about more horsepower, I just want to give props to the great brakes on the 8. I was going about 90 on a favorite back road of mine when bambi pops out of no where, I slam on the brakes and the car just stops, I dont even remember the tires squealing. The car stayed straight and stopped pretty effortlessly as if being pulled from behind by a big magnet. The more I drive this car the more I appreciate the engineering that went into it.

 

Yeha, I've had that with deer and dogs, and then a minivan that decided to back up 10 ft in front of me in our apartment complex. Stopped instantly every time. I *LOVE* the brakes on this car.

 

The first week I had the 8 I was driving through a residential area at about 40 mph and a Golden retriever ran out in front of me, I mean he was so close the left fender was blocking my view of him. As soon as I saw the yellow blur I stomped the breaks and the ABS kicked on for a second - the car stopped on a dime. I got out thinking the dog was under the car but he ran off without being touched.

The sound of the ABS surprised me and the tires did squeel briefly.

 

Posted for my Dad... cause is account is stilll hosed (Twin 8s!)
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Ya, I think the brakes are great....

I was running 87 in a 55 when I saw a state trooper and a speed trap as I entered an off ramp.

I jumped on the brakes and shut it down so fast that I stopped besided the policeman. He got out... looked at my car, stated that he clocked me at 80... and then let me go because I was the first RX-8 he had seen.

Great brakes....

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Back to normal broadcasting....

 

i was always impressed with the FD's brakes...then along came the 8. whenever i jumped into the FD, i feel like i am braking a little to late. when i go back to the 8, i feel like i am braking way too early.

i am trying to imagine how much those big brake kits will really improve the stock ones.

santino

 

The brakes are, indeed, great!

 

I've had two close calls with cars cutting me off and I was able to avoid accidents easily with these brakes and the suspension is great

 

Switching back and forth between almost any other car and the 8 is a very strange experience. I feel like the 8's controls just need a light caress in comparison. I'm finding that I'm cornering a lot faster and braking later than I ever could have in my other cars. On Sunday I took my Miata out and got it sideways just driving out of my drive - ooops! I guess the 8 is just a lot stickier! Must be all that caressing Woah, no, I didn't say that!

 

I had a similar experience with a deer. It was morning driving in to work and was still dark out. I could see the deer approaching from the right with those awesome Xenons. I began to break heavily expecting it to jump right out in the road, when strangely enough, it turned back and went back the way it came! I've never seen one do that.

Anyway, the brakes were strong. I have no doubt I'd have been able to stop in time had the deer continued into the road. Unfortunately, the person behind me wasn't driving an RX-8, so I'm glad things turned out the way they did.