View Poll Results: Do you really care how fast the 8 goes in a straight line.
No, I don't care
99
55.62%
Yes, I care.
79
44.38%
Voters: 178. You may not vote on this poll
Do you give a crap, how fast is the RX8?
08-20-2007, 10:21 PM
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08-21-2007, 01:18 AM
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08-21-2007, 02:55 AM
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Destroying Threads
08-21-2007, 03:29 AM
#81
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I answered no because I really could care less. I'm not a street racer, I don't track my car, and I don't take it to the drag strip. I would like to take it to the track to learn some of those skills and whatnot. Don't get me wrong, if someone found a miracle way to add 50 horses to the car for 50-100 dollars, or free, I would jump all over it. Forced Induction is a dream of mine. Reading Mazdamaniac's posts, and watching mysql101's success (I know there are more, but he is the only one I've seen put videos up and I am constantly reading his posts about his setup) has made me want to go turbo. Pettit's SC is also very intriguing, and has kept my interest since I first read the posts about it, and being able to see it on the car and whatnot. Granted, it is very new and people have not had them long at all. However, no matter how much I want FI, I cannot justify that cost for the reasons stated earlier (don't streetrace, track, or drag). I get by just fine with how it is now.
I could also care less that those common mid-size and large sedans being faster than my car. They are common. I see maybe one 8 on the streets a month. That might even be exaggerating it. I love the car for what it is. It has four seats for practicality, it's fast enough for me, and it handles amazingly. I used to think the whole going fast in a straight line for a 1/4 mile was cool. I learned otherwise when I started watching the GT cars and such.
I would like to see Mazda give more power to the RX cars via FI or putting the rotary into the Kabura. That would be a quick little car. I would be very interested in it. But, for right now, I'm happy with the RX-8. I never get sick of driving it. Sometimes I go places just to drive it, because it's a fun car. Smooth revving, lots of feedback (you can tell when you're up in the RPMs and you let off the gas, it's not a tiny nudge.) Also, I completely agree with Kinetic Energy. He made very solid points.
I could also care less that those common mid-size and large sedans being faster than my car. They are common. I see maybe one 8 on the streets a month. That might even be exaggerating it. I love the car for what it is. It has four seats for practicality, it's fast enough for me, and it handles amazingly. I used to think the whole going fast in a straight line for a 1/4 mile was cool. I learned otherwise when I started watching the GT cars and such.
I would like to see Mazda give more power to the RX cars via FI or putting the rotary into the Kabura. That would be a quick little car. I would be very interested in it. But, for right now, I'm happy with the RX-8. I never get sick of driving it. Sometimes I go places just to drive it, because it's a fun car. Smooth revving, lots of feedback (you can tell when you're up in the RPMs and you let off the gas, it's not a tiny nudge.) Also, I completely agree with Kinetic Energy. He made very solid points.
08-21-2007, 03:30 AM
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I was refering to the RX-8 ownersthat come on here and are shocked to find out that their car could have some trouble keeping up with things like a V6 Accord/Camry/Altima. I know there are plenty of people that buy this car knowing full well how it compares to other cars when it comes to acceleration and love the RX-8 just the same. I don't blame them, it's a great car. There are still a startling amount that think they would be able to blow the doors off various cars that they can't.
08-21-2007, 03:34 AM
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Don't get me wrong, if someone found a miracle way to add 50 horses to the car for 50-100 dollars, or free, I would jump all over it. Forced Induction is a dream of mine. Reading Mazdamaniac's posts, and watching mysql101's success (I know there are more, but he is the only one I've seen put videos up and I am constantly reading his posts about his setup) has made me want to go turbo. Pettit's SC is also very intriguing, and has kept my interest since I first read the posts about it, and being able to see it on the car and whatnot. Granted, it is very new and people have not had them long at all. However, no matter how much I want FI, I cannot justify that cost for the reasons stated earlier (don't streetrace, track, or drag). I get by just fine with how it is now.
08-21-2007, 03:40 AM
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Okay, I care, but not to the extent to drop the money for FI that I can't even justify to myself. In my opinion, when it comes to this forum, there's two kinds of caring. One, the care is so strong that people have to complain about it, and two, the care is there, but they are not going to complain and complain and complain and have people say the same thing over and over. "Go FI." That is probably the most repeated statement on this forum besides "Search." Oh, and IMHO, using the "I just want to be able to pass people" isn't the best justification anyone can use.
08-21-2007, 10:57 AM
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I was refering to the RX-8 ownersthat come on here and are shocked to find out that their car could have some trouble keeping up with things like a V6 Accord/Camry/Altima. I know there are plenty of people that buy this car knowing full well how it compares to other cars when it comes to acceleration and love the RX-8 just the same. I don't blame them, it's a great car. There are still a startling amount that think they would be able to blow the doors off various cars that they can't.
Just who do you think you are to tell anyone that their car isn’t fast. Maybe it’s fast to them compared to what they’ve owned. Fact is, it’ll be faster than the majority of cars that they are surrounded by on their daily commutes. You can’t set their perspective, why is it even important to you? How many guys have really come on here thinking their 8's were Enzos - just like this thread, it you who always starts with “this family sedan or this SUV is faster..”
What’s ironic is that you don’t get this perspective thing. You said on this thread that your Evo will never feel slow. To who? Two weeks ago I saw civics pulling sub 10 second times, ask them how fast your car is. I been riding and tracking litrebikes for over 10 years now so trust me, your car would feel slow.
Don’t even know why you’re on this site. Will it take another 8000 posts for you to realize that most here could have bought an Evo, but really preferred not to?
08-21-2007, 11:45 AM
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State of Denial
Well, Ike is just telling the facts. The Rx8 is not fast... It's rather slow to today's sport car standars (whatever that is..)
The fact is most people in this forum are in denial (usually the noobs) about how fast (or shall I say SLOW) the car is....
They are dissapointed at the fact that the car looks awesome, handdles like a dream BUT IT IS SLOW>...
....ever wonder why there are no "kills section" in this forum... (besides it's dangerous and childish)?..
The Rx7 club has it.....
The fact is most people in this forum are in denial (usually the noobs) about how fast (or shall I say SLOW) the car is....
They are dissapointed at the fact that the car looks awesome, handdles like a dream BUT IT IS SLOW>...
....ever wonder why there are no "kills section" in this forum... (besides it's dangerous and childish)?..
The Rx7 club has it.....
08-21-2007, 12:22 PM
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The fools that come here to bash the 8 don't realize that going fastest is always important. The RX8 is a great looking car, that handles fantastic, plus it has rear seats. There are no other car that fit those criteria. So go back to your own cars forum and flame the RX8, we don't care what you all think.
Mods, why are these smashers allowed on this forum, anyway?
Mods, why are these smashers allowed on this forum, anyway?
08-21-2007, 01:36 PM
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…as annoying as ever. Guess the banning didn’t do ****.
Just who do you think you are to tell anyone that their car isn’t fast. Maybe it’s fast to them compared to what they’ve owned. Fact is, it’ll be faster than the majority of cars that they are surrounded by on their daily commutes. You can’t set their perspective, why is it even important to you? How many guys have really come on here thinking their 8's were Enzos - just like this thread, it you who always starts with “this family sedan or this SUV is faster..”
What’s ironic is that you don’t get this perspective thing. You said on this thread that your Evo will never feel slow. To who? Two weeks ago I saw civics pulling sub 10 second times, ask them how fast your car is. I been riding and tracking litrebikes for over 10 years now so trust me, your car would feel slow.
Don’t even know why you’re on this site. Will it take another 8000 posts for you to realize that most here could have bought an Evo, but really preferred not to?
Just who do you think you are to tell anyone that their car isn’t fast. Maybe it’s fast to them compared to what they’ve owned. Fact is, it’ll be faster than the majority of cars that they are surrounded by on their daily commutes. You can’t set their perspective, why is it even important to you? How many guys have really come on here thinking their 8's were Enzos - just like this thread, it you who always starts with “this family sedan or this SUV is faster..”
What’s ironic is that you don’t get this perspective thing. You said on this thread that your Evo will never feel slow. To who? Two weeks ago I saw civics pulling sub 10 second times, ask them how fast your car is. I been riding and tracking litrebikes for over 10 years now so trust me, your car would feel slow.
Don’t even know why you’re on this site. Will it take another 8000 posts for you to realize that most here could have bought an Evo, but really preferred not to?
Yeah, I don't get the perspective thing.
Here's a direct quote from the post you're refering to..."I'm not saying everyone should think their RX-8 is underpowered (it's largely perspective)"
08-21-2007, 02:03 PM
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Guys - calm the **** down. Seriously. This thread is going to get locked, and it shouldn't have to. It was a good discussion question.
The RX8 is a clique car. Most cars can be summed up in one word. Fast, light, economical, comfortable, luxurious, big, spacious, etc. The RX8 cannot - it appeals to a very uncommon buyer.
Everyone likes exotic looks, but most people want exotic speed with it. The RX8 offers half that. Most people are fine with slow, torqueless, low hp cars as long as the payoff is a high mpg. The RX8 has the tiny engine, but not the fuel economy - instead, it offers handling. If people are going to buy a tiny, gas guzzler, they're looking for little more than a cheap go kart, but the RX8 is a 4 door, 4 seater with a full loadout of creature comforts. Unfortunately, all of this comes a price that no longer qualifies it as a "cheap" car.
Not very many people want these features in a car.
In fact, many people look at the car and just plain don't get how anyone could want that. Their train of thought goes like this:
It's slow? Why? Oh - tiny engine. Must get good gas mileage. No? Oh, it makes the car turn really well - then it's a little roadster like the MX5, right? Not that either? FOUR SEATER?? Why? So wait - the engine is weak, but they didn't make it a 2 seater so it could still be fast? WTF?? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT THIS CAR??
Also, the RX8 is not slow. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're fast, but I'd never call the 8 a "slow" car. It just happened to be released at the wrong point in time. The STI, Evo, S2k, 'stang, and 350z are fast. Unfortunate for the RX8, they all happened to be released/remade/retuned right when RX8 made it's debute. By comparison, the RX8 is a slug.
Let me put emphasis on the word "comparison" there. Let's look back in time before any of these cars were on the market and see what "fast" was in the sports car world...
RSX Type S
Integra Type R
Civic SI
Mustang V6
Neon SRT-4
Eclipse GSR
Celica GTS
I don't know about you, but I look at this list and I just cry. With the exception of the Mustang, it's a lineup of FWD pseudo-sports cars. **THIS** was the market that the RX8 was meant to dominate. Small engined, 4 seater, zippy little sports cars. The only actual "competator" in this list is the Type R, but it replaced by the infinately less-impressive Type S before the RX8 came out, so it wasn't really even a real "competetor."
In terms of handling, none of these come close to the 8.
In the 0-60 range, the only cars that can beat the 8 need the help of 2 additional cylinders or a turbo.
In the 60-90 range, even the Mustang & SRT struggle to get away from the 9k redline. The Celica's VVTI puts up a fight as well, but just can't keep up with Honda's VTEC or Mazda's multi-side ports.
In the 90+ range, every one of these cars will fall flat on it's face while the 8 just screams through 4th gear. "A rotary in motion tends to stay in motion."
On the drag strip the "cheaters" come out on top, followed by photo-finishes between the 8, the Type S, and maybe the GTS & SI.
(Oh, and don't forget, people did - AND STILL DO - consider these cars to be "FAST." )
Now let's throw a turn in the mix and see what we get....
*sound of tires screeching, metal bending, glass breaking*
...Well, it looks like every car that tried to keep up with the 8 around the first turn skided their sorry FWD *** into the wall. The type R is still out there, but the morons at Acura/Honda didn't think it worth keeping in production in the states so it doesn't matter.
Now let's take a gander at the interiors...
All of them are 2 door cars with back seats that are a pain to get in to and squish any average-sized human.
The 8 has easy-access suicide doors, and a suprizingly intelligent contour design in the rear seats to make sure leg room doesn't feel squished, and headroom is plentiful.
All of the competators offer little beyond what you'll find on any other car in the market. The RSX is slightly more comfortable, as it does have the luxurious Acura name to uphold, but none of these cars have 'true' bucket seats.
The Rx8 on the other hand has 'true' bucket seats that keep you in place when cornering, but don't feel like hard plastic wrapped in cloth/leather when sitting in traffic. Oh, and just to show up Acura, Mazda offers all the "luxury" comforts from the Type S like seat warmers, auto-tinting mirrors w/defrosters, and navigation.
The reason no one ever bothers to compare the RX-8 to it's actual competators is because it dominates it so comically, it doesn't even seem fair. So, rather than compare it to similar small engined sports cars in it's class, people feel the need to pit it up against the "no-holds-bared" monsters that were released around the same time.
The 350z is a 2-seater sports beast. It's called the Japanese corvette because it was built with raw performance in mind and was meant to tower over imports in the same way the vette towers over domestics. I'm sure if Mazda were to have made the RX8 with the same "take no prisoners" attitude, it would probably have gone right past "the japanese corvette" benchmark and into "the new corvette" area.
But the 8 wasn't built to be the biggest badass on the block. It's got 4 seats. It's got places to put ****. It's got a decent trunk. It's got creature comforts out the ***. What fecking moron initially thought it fair to compare these two? What's next, Mazda 3 vs. Mugen Civic SI?
Now the Mustang is closer to a real competator. I chose the V6 and not the GT because the GT is blatently in a different league. You cannot pit two naturally aspirated motors up against one another and call it "fair" if one motor can fit inside the other 2½ times. Hell, even the V6 is kinda an unfair fight.
Regardless, the RX8 is a better overall car. Mustangs are unrefined, raw, straightline, cheap fun. They're useless for much else. +1 for the Mustang for speed. Ah, what the hell, let's say +3 just because speed is a big attraction for most sports car buyers. Cornering? +1 RX8. Passenger comfort? +1 RX8. General drivability (fun-to-drive factor)? +2 RX8. Mustang loses.
Now, how the hell the S2000 got into the comparison game with the RX8 I'll never know. First of all - it's a 2 seater roadster. Different car class already. It's like people saw the 9k redlines, the low torques, and the skidpad scores, and thought "wow - they're kinda alike... let's consider them competition!"
Uhhh... no.
Much like the 350z, the S2K is an all-out car. When you think about it, it's actually sad that the RX8 still pulls higher skidpad figures in some comparos. If anything, it just goes to show what a mechanical marvel Mazda has on their hands (I'm refering to the Renisis). Imagine if the RX8 were more like the non-turbo FCs; tiny little 2 seaters. If the 8 is only a few carlengths behind the S2000 with all that extra frame and seating, they would probably be neck-and-neck if the 8 were an old-style RX 2 seater. It would also run circles around the S2K in the twisties.
Kinda sad when you think about how much work had to go into the S2K to achieve the 9k redline, while the Renisis shifts comfortably 3000RPMs away from the engine's 'true' redline.
Then there's the Evo & STI. I'll ask once again - what f**king moron decided these were competition for the 8? THEY'RE FREAKIN RALLY CARS!!! Econo-boxes with large turbos and suspension mods out of every oraphace plus a few more! Let's see how the Lancer or the Imprezza holds up to 8 when it's not compeltely doped up on steriods.
The only time anyone should ever think to put these cars head-to-head with the 8 is when they see one rolling out of a top secret assembly plant that has a "MazdaSpeed" emblem on the trunk. I will guarantee you that if Mazda ever decides to construct an MSRX8 - the chariot of God herself - it will dominate these cars with such ferocity that you'll start seeing "MazdaSpeed" stickers all over Civics and Accords.
...or the world will go stupid again and compare it to the Z07 Corvette, Ford GT, Ferrari F360, and Lamborghini Gallardo, and bitch about how much slower it is in a straight line, and how it only handles better than 1 or 2 of its competators...
The RX8 is a clique car. Most cars can be summed up in one word. Fast, light, economical, comfortable, luxurious, big, spacious, etc. The RX8 cannot - it appeals to a very uncommon buyer.
Everyone likes exotic looks, but most people want exotic speed with it. The RX8 offers half that. Most people are fine with slow, torqueless, low hp cars as long as the payoff is a high mpg. The RX8 has the tiny engine, but not the fuel economy - instead, it offers handling. If people are going to buy a tiny, gas guzzler, they're looking for little more than a cheap go kart, but the RX8 is a 4 door, 4 seater with a full loadout of creature comforts. Unfortunately, all of this comes a price that no longer qualifies it as a "cheap" car.
Not very many people want these features in a car.
In fact, many people look at the car and just plain don't get how anyone could want that. Their train of thought goes like this:
It's slow? Why? Oh - tiny engine. Must get good gas mileage. No? Oh, it makes the car turn really well - then it's a little roadster like the MX5, right? Not that either? FOUR SEATER?? Why? So wait - the engine is weak, but they didn't make it a 2 seater so it could still be fast? WTF?? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT THIS CAR??
Also, the RX8 is not slow. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're fast, but I'd never call the 8 a "slow" car. It just happened to be released at the wrong point in time. The STI, Evo, S2k, 'stang, and 350z are fast. Unfortunate for the RX8, they all happened to be released/remade/retuned right when RX8 made it's debute. By comparison, the RX8 is a slug.
Let me put emphasis on the word "comparison" there. Let's look back in time before any of these cars were on the market and see what "fast" was in the sports car world...
RSX Type S
Integra Type R
Civic SI
Mustang V6
Neon SRT-4
Eclipse GSR
Celica GTS
I don't know about you, but I look at this list and I just cry. With the exception of the Mustang, it's a lineup of FWD pseudo-sports cars. **THIS** was the market that the RX8 was meant to dominate. Small engined, 4 seater, zippy little sports cars. The only actual "competator" in this list is the Type R, but it replaced by the infinately less-impressive Type S before the RX8 came out, so it wasn't really even a real "competetor."
In terms of handling, none of these come close to the 8.
In the 0-60 range, the only cars that can beat the 8 need the help of 2 additional cylinders or a turbo.
In the 60-90 range, even the Mustang & SRT struggle to get away from the 9k redline. The Celica's VVTI puts up a fight as well, but just can't keep up with Honda's VTEC or Mazda's multi-side ports.
In the 90+ range, every one of these cars will fall flat on it's face while the 8 just screams through 4th gear. "A rotary in motion tends to stay in motion."
On the drag strip the "cheaters" come out on top, followed by photo-finishes between the 8, the Type S, and maybe the GTS & SI.
(Oh, and don't forget, people did - AND STILL DO - consider these cars to be "FAST." )
Now let's throw a turn in the mix and see what we get....
*sound of tires screeching, metal bending, glass breaking*
...Well, it looks like every car that tried to keep up with the 8 around the first turn skided their sorry FWD *** into the wall. The type R is still out there, but the morons at Acura/Honda didn't think it worth keeping in production in the states so it doesn't matter.
Now let's take a gander at the interiors...
All of them are 2 door cars with back seats that are a pain to get in to and squish any average-sized human.
The 8 has easy-access suicide doors, and a suprizingly intelligent contour design in the rear seats to make sure leg room doesn't feel squished, and headroom is plentiful.
All of the competators offer little beyond what you'll find on any other car in the market. The RSX is slightly more comfortable, as it does have the luxurious Acura name to uphold, but none of these cars have 'true' bucket seats.
The Rx8 on the other hand has 'true' bucket seats that keep you in place when cornering, but don't feel like hard plastic wrapped in cloth/leather when sitting in traffic. Oh, and just to show up Acura, Mazda offers all the "luxury" comforts from the Type S like seat warmers, auto-tinting mirrors w/defrosters, and navigation.
The reason no one ever bothers to compare the RX-8 to it's actual competators is because it dominates it so comically, it doesn't even seem fair. So, rather than compare it to similar small engined sports cars in it's class, people feel the need to pit it up against the "no-holds-bared" monsters that were released around the same time.
The 350z is a 2-seater sports beast. It's called the Japanese corvette because it was built with raw performance in mind and was meant to tower over imports in the same way the vette towers over domestics. I'm sure if Mazda were to have made the RX8 with the same "take no prisoners" attitude, it would probably have gone right past "the japanese corvette" benchmark and into "the new corvette" area.
But the 8 wasn't built to be the biggest badass on the block. It's got 4 seats. It's got places to put ****. It's got a decent trunk. It's got creature comforts out the ***. What fecking moron initially thought it fair to compare these two? What's next, Mazda 3 vs. Mugen Civic SI?
Now the Mustang is closer to a real competator. I chose the V6 and not the GT because the GT is blatently in a different league. You cannot pit two naturally aspirated motors up against one another and call it "fair" if one motor can fit inside the other 2½ times. Hell, even the V6 is kinda an unfair fight.
Regardless, the RX8 is a better overall car. Mustangs are unrefined, raw, straightline, cheap fun. They're useless for much else. +1 for the Mustang for speed. Ah, what the hell, let's say +3 just because speed is a big attraction for most sports car buyers. Cornering? +1 RX8. Passenger comfort? +1 RX8. General drivability (fun-to-drive factor)? +2 RX8. Mustang loses.
Now, how the hell the S2000 got into the comparison game with the RX8 I'll never know. First of all - it's a 2 seater roadster. Different car class already. It's like people saw the 9k redlines, the low torques, and the skidpad scores, and thought "wow - they're kinda alike... let's consider them competition!"
Uhhh... no.
Much like the 350z, the S2K is an all-out car. When you think about it, it's actually sad that the RX8 still pulls higher skidpad figures in some comparos. If anything, it just goes to show what a mechanical marvel Mazda has on their hands (I'm refering to the Renisis). Imagine if the RX8 were more like the non-turbo FCs; tiny little 2 seaters. If the 8 is only a few carlengths behind the S2000 with all that extra frame and seating, they would probably be neck-and-neck if the 8 were an old-style RX 2 seater. It would also run circles around the S2K in the twisties.
Kinda sad when you think about how much work had to go into the S2K to achieve the 9k redline, while the Renisis shifts comfortably 3000RPMs away from the engine's 'true' redline.
Then there's the Evo & STI. I'll ask once again - what f**king moron decided these were competition for the 8? THEY'RE FREAKIN RALLY CARS!!! Econo-boxes with large turbos and suspension mods out of every oraphace plus a few more! Let's see how the Lancer or the Imprezza holds up to 8 when it's not compeltely doped up on steriods.
The only time anyone should ever think to put these cars head-to-head with the 8 is when they see one rolling out of a top secret assembly plant that has a "MazdaSpeed" emblem on the trunk. I will guarantee you that if Mazda ever decides to construct an MSRX8 - the chariot of God herself - it will dominate these cars with such ferocity that you'll start seeing "MazdaSpeed" stickers all over Civics and Accords.
...or the world will go stupid again and compare it to the Z07 Corvette, Ford GT, Ferrari F360, and Lamborghini Gallardo, and bitch about how much slower it is in a straight line, and how it only handles better than 1 or 2 of its competators...
08-21-2007, 02:48 PM
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08-21-2007, 03:08 PM
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Guys - calm the **** down. Seriously. This thread is going to get locked, and it shouldn't have to. It was a good discussion question.
The RX8 is a clique car. Most cars can be summed up in one word. Fast, light, economical, comfortable, luxurious, big, spacious, etc. The RX8 cannot - it appeals to a very uncommon buyer.
Everyone likes exotic looks, but most people want exotic speed with it. The RX8 offers half that. Most people are fine with slow, torqueless, low hp cars as long as the payoff is a high mpg. The RX8 has the tiny engine, but not the fuel economy - instead, it offers handling. If people are going to buy a tiny, gas guzzler, they're looking for little more than a cheap go kart, but the RX8 is a 4 door, 4 seater with a full loadout of creature comforts. Unfortunately, all of this comes a price that no longer qualifies it as a "cheap" car.
Not very many people want these features in a car.
In fact, many people look at the car and just plain don't get how anyone could want that. Their train of thought goes like this:
It's slow? Why? Oh - tiny engine. Must get good gas mileage. No? Oh, it makes the car turn really well - then it's a little roadster like the MX5, right? Not that either? FOUR SEATER?? Why? So wait - the engine is weak, but they didn't make it a 2 seater so it could still be fast? WTF?? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT THIS CAR??
Also, the RX8 is not slow. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're fast, but I'd never call the 8 a "slow" car. It just happened to be released at the wrong point in time. The STI, Evo, S2k, 'stang, and 350z are fast. Unfortunate for the RX8, they all happened to be released/remade/retuned right when RX8 made it's debute. By comparison, the RX8 is a slug.
Let me put emphasis on the word "comparison" there. Let's look back in time before any of these cars were on the market and see what "fast" was in the sports car world...
RSX Type S
Integra Type R
Civic SI
Mustang V6
Neon SRT-4
Eclipse GSR
Celica GTS
I don't know about you, but I look at this list and I just cry. With the exception of the Mustang, it's a lineup of FWD pseudo-sports cars. **THIS** was the market that the RX8 was meant to dominate. Small engined, 4 seater, zippy little sports cars. The only actual "competator" in this list is the Type R, but it replaced by the infinately less-impressive Type S before the RX8 came out, so it wasn't really even a real "competetor."
In terms of handling, none of these come close to the 8.
In the 0-60 range, the only cars that can beat the 8 need the help of 2 additional cylinders or a turbo.
In the 60-90 range, even the Mustang & SRT struggle to get away from the 9k redline. The Celica's VVTI puts up a fight as well, but just can't keep up with Honda's VTEC or Mazda's multi-side ports.
In the 90+ range, every one of these cars will fall flat on it's face while the 8 just screams through 4th gear. "A rotary in motion tends to stay in motion."
On the drag strip the "cheaters" come out on top, followed by photo-finishes between the 8, the Type S, and maybe the GTS & SI.
(Oh, and don't forget, people did - AND STILL DO - consider these cars to be "FAST." )
Now let's throw a turn in the mix and see what we get....
*sound of tires screeching, metal bending, glass breaking*
...Well, it looks like every car that tried to keep up with the 8 around the first turn skided their sorry FWD *** into the wall. The type R is still out there, but the morons at Acura/Honda didn't think it worth keeping in production in the states so it doesn't matter.
Now let's take a gander at the interiors...
All of them are 2 door cars with back seats that are a pain to get in to and squish any average-sized human.
The 8 has easy-access suicide doors, and a suprizingly intelligent contour design in the rear seats to make sure leg room doesn't feel squished, and headroom is plentiful.
All of the competators offer little beyond what you'll find on any other car in the market. The RSX is slightly more comfortable, as it does have the luxurious Acura name to uphold, but none of these cars have 'true' bucket seats.
The Rx8 on the other hand has 'true' bucket seats that keep you in place when cornering, but don't feel like hard plastic wrapped in cloth/leather when sitting in traffic. Oh, and just to show up Acura, Mazda offers all the "luxury" comforts from the Type S like seat warmers, auto-tinting mirrors w/defrosters, and navigation.
The reason no one ever bothers to compare the RX-8 to it's actual competators is because it dominates it so comically, it doesn't even seem fair. So, rather than compare it to similar small engined sports cars in it's class, people feel the need to pit it up against the "no-holds-bared" monsters that were released around the same time.
The 350z is a 2-seater sports beast. It's called the Japanese corvette because it was built with raw performance in mind and was meant to tower over imports in the same way the vette towers over domestics. I'm sure if Mazda were to have made the RX8 with the same "take no prisoners" attitude, it would probably have gone right past "the japanese corvette" benchmark and into "the new corvette" area.
But the 8 wasn't built to be the biggest badass on the block. It's got 4 seats. It's got places to put ****. It's got a decent trunk. It's got creature comforts out the ***. What fecking moron initially thought it fair to compare these two? What's next, Mazda 3 vs. Mugen Civic SI?
Now the Mustang is closer to a real competator. I chose the V6 and not the GT because the GT is blatently in a different league. You cannot pit two naturally aspirated motors up against one another and call it "fair" if one motor can fit inside the other 2½ times. Hell, even the V6 is kinda an unfair fight.
Regardless, the RX8 is a better overall car. Mustangs are unrefined, raw, straightline, cheap fun. They're useless for much else. +1 for the Mustang for speed. Ah, what the hell, let's say +3 just because speed is a big attraction for most sports car buyers. Cornering? +1 RX8. Passenger comfort? +1 RX8. General drivability (fun-to-drive factor)? +2 RX8. Mustang loses.
Now, how the hell the S2000 got into the comparison game with the RX8 I'll never know. First of all - it's a 2 seater roadster. Different car class already. It's like people saw the 9k redlines, the low torques, and the skidpad scores, and thought "wow - they're kinda alike... let's consider them competition!"
Uhhh... no.
Much like the 350z, the S2K is an all-out car. When you think about it, it's actually sad that the RX8 still pulls higher skidpad figures in some comparos. If anything, it just goes to show what a mechanical marvel Mazda has on their hands (I'm refering to the Renisis). Imagine if the RX8 were more like the non-turbo FCs; tiny little 2 seaters. If the 8 is only a few carlengths behind the S2000 with all that extra frame and seating, they would probably be neck-and-neck if the 8 were an old-style RX 2 seater. It would also run circles around the S2K in the twisties.
Kinda sad when you think about how much work had to go into the S2K to achieve the 9k redline, while the Renisis shifts comfortably 3000RPMs away from the engine's 'true' redline.
Then there's the Evo & STI. I'll ask once again - what f**king moron decided these were competition for the 8? THEY'RE FREAKIN RALLY CARS!!! Econo-boxes with large turbos and suspension mods out of every oraphace plus a few more! Let's see how the Lancer or the Imprezza holds up to 8 when it's not compeltely doped up on steriods.
The only time anyone should ever think to put these cars head-to-head with the 8 is when they see one rolling out of a top secret assembly plant that has a "MazdaSpeed" emblem on the trunk. I will guarantee you that if Mazda ever decides to construct an MSRX8 - the chariot of God herself - it will dominate these cars with such ferocity that you'll start seeing "MazdaSpeed" stickers all over Civics and Accords.
...or the world will go stupid again and compare it to the Z07 Corvette, Ford GT, Ferrari F360, and Lamborghini Gallardo, and bitch about how much slower it is in a straight line, and how it only handles better than 1 or 2 of its competators...
The RX8 is a clique car. Most cars can be summed up in one word. Fast, light, economical, comfortable, luxurious, big, spacious, etc. The RX8 cannot - it appeals to a very uncommon buyer.
Everyone likes exotic looks, but most people want exotic speed with it. The RX8 offers half that. Most people are fine with slow, torqueless, low hp cars as long as the payoff is a high mpg. The RX8 has the tiny engine, but not the fuel economy - instead, it offers handling. If people are going to buy a tiny, gas guzzler, they're looking for little more than a cheap go kart, but the RX8 is a 4 door, 4 seater with a full loadout of creature comforts. Unfortunately, all of this comes a price that no longer qualifies it as a "cheap" car.
Not very many people want these features in a car.
In fact, many people look at the car and just plain don't get how anyone could want that. Their train of thought goes like this:
It's slow? Why? Oh - tiny engine. Must get good gas mileage. No? Oh, it makes the car turn really well - then it's a little roadster like the MX5, right? Not that either? FOUR SEATER?? Why? So wait - the engine is weak, but they didn't make it a 2 seater so it could still be fast? WTF?? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT THIS CAR??
Also, the RX8 is not slow. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're fast, but I'd never call the 8 a "slow" car. It just happened to be released at the wrong point in time. The STI, Evo, S2k, 'stang, and 350z are fast. Unfortunate for the RX8, they all happened to be released/remade/retuned right when RX8 made it's debute. By comparison, the RX8 is a slug.
Let me put emphasis on the word "comparison" there. Let's look back in time before any of these cars were on the market and see what "fast" was in the sports car world...
RSX Type S
Integra Type R
Civic SI
Mustang V6
Neon SRT-4
Eclipse GSR
Celica GTS
I don't know about you, but I look at this list and I just cry. With the exception of the Mustang, it's a lineup of FWD pseudo-sports cars. **THIS** was the market that the RX8 was meant to dominate. Small engined, 4 seater, zippy little sports cars. The only actual "competator" in this list is the Type R, but it replaced by the infinately less-impressive Type S before the RX8 came out, so it wasn't really even a real "competetor."
In terms of handling, none of these come close to the 8.
In the 0-60 range, the only cars that can beat the 8 need the help of 2 additional cylinders or a turbo.
In the 60-90 range, even the Mustang & SRT struggle to get away from the 9k redline. The Celica's VVTI puts up a fight as well, but just can't keep up with Honda's VTEC or Mazda's multi-side ports.
In the 90+ range, every one of these cars will fall flat on it's face while the 8 just screams through 4th gear. "A rotary in motion tends to stay in motion."
On the drag strip the "cheaters" come out on top, followed by photo-finishes between the 8, the Type S, and maybe the GTS & SI.
(Oh, and don't forget, people did - AND STILL DO - consider these cars to be "FAST." )
Now let's throw a turn in the mix and see what we get....
*sound of tires screeching, metal bending, glass breaking*
...Well, it looks like every car that tried to keep up with the 8 around the first turn skided their sorry FWD *** into the wall. The type R is still out there, but the morons at Acura/Honda didn't think it worth keeping in production in the states so it doesn't matter.
Now let's take a gander at the interiors...
All of them are 2 door cars with back seats that are a pain to get in to and squish any average-sized human.
The 8 has easy-access suicide doors, and a suprizingly intelligent contour design in the rear seats to make sure leg room doesn't feel squished, and headroom is plentiful.
All of the competators offer little beyond what you'll find on any other car in the market. The RSX is slightly more comfortable, as it does have the luxurious Acura name to uphold, but none of these cars have 'true' bucket seats.
The Rx8 on the other hand has 'true' bucket seats that keep you in place when cornering, but don't feel like hard plastic wrapped in cloth/leather when sitting in traffic. Oh, and just to show up Acura, Mazda offers all the "luxury" comforts from the Type S like seat warmers, auto-tinting mirrors w/defrosters, and navigation.
The reason no one ever bothers to compare the RX-8 to it's actual competators is because it dominates it so comically, it doesn't even seem fair. So, rather than compare it to similar small engined sports cars in it's class, people feel the need to pit it up against the "no-holds-bared" monsters that were released around the same time.
The 350z is a 2-seater sports beast. It's called the Japanese corvette because it was built with raw performance in mind and was meant to tower over imports in the same way the vette towers over domestics. I'm sure if Mazda were to have made the RX8 with the same "take no prisoners" attitude, it would probably have gone right past "the japanese corvette" benchmark and into "the new corvette" area.
But the 8 wasn't built to be the biggest badass on the block. It's got 4 seats. It's got places to put ****. It's got a decent trunk. It's got creature comforts out the ***. What fecking moron initially thought it fair to compare these two? What's next, Mazda 3 vs. Mugen Civic SI?
Now the Mustang is closer to a real competator. I chose the V6 and not the GT because the GT is blatently in a different league. You cannot pit two naturally aspirated motors up against one another and call it "fair" if one motor can fit inside the other 2½ times. Hell, even the V6 is kinda an unfair fight.
Regardless, the RX8 is a better overall car. Mustangs are unrefined, raw, straightline, cheap fun. They're useless for much else. +1 for the Mustang for speed. Ah, what the hell, let's say +3 just because speed is a big attraction for most sports car buyers. Cornering? +1 RX8. Passenger comfort? +1 RX8. General drivability (fun-to-drive factor)? +2 RX8. Mustang loses.
Now, how the hell the S2000 got into the comparison game with the RX8 I'll never know. First of all - it's a 2 seater roadster. Different car class already. It's like people saw the 9k redlines, the low torques, and the skidpad scores, and thought "wow - they're kinda alike... let's consider them competition!"
Uhhh... no.
Much like the 350z, the S2K is an all-out car. When you think about it, it's actually sad that the RX8 still pulls higher skidpad figures in some comparos. If anything, it just goes to show what a mechanical marvel Mazda has on their hands (I'm refering to the Renisis). Imagine if the RX8 were more like the non-turbo FCs; tiny little 2 seaters. If the 8 is only a few carlengths behind the S2000 with all that extra frame and seating, they would probably be neck-and-neck if the 8 were an old-style RX 2 seater. It would also run circles around the S2K in the twisties.
Kinda sad when you think about how much work had to go into the S2K to achieve the 9k redline, while the Renisis shifts comfortably 3000RPMs away from the engine's 'true' redline.
Then there's the Evo & STI. I'll ask once again - what f**king moron decided these were competition for the 8? THEY'RE FREAKIN RALLY CARS!!! Econo-boxes with large turbos and suspension mods out of every oraphace plus a few more! Let's see how the Lancer or the Imprezza holds up to 8 when it's not compeltely doped up on steriods.
The only time anyone should ever think to put these cars head-to-head with the 8 is when they see one rolling out of a top secret assembly plant that has a "MazdaSpeed" emblem on the trunk. I will guarantee you that if Mazda ever decides to construct an MSRX8 - the chariot of God herself - it will dominate these cars with such ferocity that you'll start seeing "MazdaSpeed" stickers all over Civics and Accords.
...or the world will go stupid again and compare it to the Z07 Corvette, Ford GT, Ferrari F360, and Lamborghini Gallardo, and bitch about how much slower it is in a straight line, and how it only handles better than 1 or 2 of its competators...
08-21-2007, 03:29 PM
#98
Blue By You
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Yes, but I'm multitasking right now. C'mon man you don't actually believe all the nonsense about cheating turbos and comparing RX-8s to V6 Mustangs because the V8 isn't a fair comparison. How about how imaginary cars will run circles around the S2K and how another imaginary car (the super duper fast Mazdaspeed 8) will dominate a whole bunch of other cars?
C'mon man you don't actually believe all the nonsense about cheating turbos and comparing RX-8s to V6 Mustangs because the V8 isn't a fair comparison. How about how imaginary cars will run circles around the S2K and how another imaginary car (the super duper fast Mazdaspeed 8) will dominate a whole bunch of other cars?
08-21-2007, 03:49 PM
#100
Blue By You
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Point out where I've ever really bashed the RX-8 or said anything untrue about the RX-8 in a serious manner. I've said many times on here how much I like the 8, I wouldn't be here if I didn't. However, because I don't have some undying loyalty to it or delusions of how fast it is I need to be reported? 
The RX-8 isn't fast, and it's not slow either, and how emotional people such as yourself get about my posts in threads like this shows that you care a whole hell of a lot about how fast the RX-8 is or isn't.
I've been here far longer than you have and I've helped out for more people on this forum that you probably ever will. I came here for the same reason everyone else did, because I liked the car. I like the community so I stuck around after I decided it wasn't the car for me. Some people appreciate my views, others don't, but to say I'm going around blindly bashing the RX-8 is dead wrong. Blindly bashing a car would look more like this... https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=202
The RX-8 isn't fast, and it's not slow either, and how emotional people such as yourself get about my posts in threads like this shows that you care a whole hell of a lot about how fast the RX-8 is or isn't.I've been here far longer than you have and I've helped out for more people on this forum that you probably ever will. I came here for the same reason everyone else did, because I liked the car. I like the community so I stuck around after I decided it wasn't the car for me. Some people appreciate my views, others don't, but to say I'm going around blindly bashing the RX-8 is dead wrong. Blindly bashing a car would look more like this... https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=202