I finally drove the RX-8 today. I want to get my impressions down while I remember them.

First off, let me begin by saying I specifically asked the salesman about the flooding "issue." He seemed dimly aware of it, but as the dealership had sold 17 of the cars since they came out, they had not encountered the problem - bottom line: I only got a vague acknowledgement of any problem. He did say that it's recommended in the manual that one warm the engine properly before either spirited driving or shut down. He then - and this is significant - started a cold car, shut it right now, started it again (no problems), let it run for a minute, shut it down for 30 seconds, and then started it again. At no time did the engine hesitate to turn over. And the temperature here in Vancouver this afternoon was about 49 degrees Fahrenheit with 70% humidity and drizzling rain.

Impressions from my test drive:

Car feels extremely solid and "planted" to the road. As oft-reported, handling seems precise and reassuring. I didn't want to push too hard because the roads were a little slick and the traffic was heavy, but suffice to say it goes where you point it like it's on rails.

Engine power is not going to compete with a V8 - don't expect a rocketship ride. That said, power is certainly adequate for this class of car, and rpms come on with a seamlessness that seems to build about 1.5X faster than a conventional piston engine. Translation: getting the revs up (a la VTEC engines) seems to be the best way to extract the most from the engine's power band; you need to work this baby, which is part of the design...and part of the fun.

Though the RX-8 did not have stump-pulling torque, we drove up the windy Capilano roads towards Grouse Mountain in third gear at 2000 rpms, and the car executed the climb without complaint. I never felt like I HAD to downshift. Bottom line, torque may be low, but it's quite useable across the powerband. And what accleration this car gives up to SOME vehicles (it's certainly not a SLOW car) at the stoplight, it would more than make up for in the S-bends.

Many have talked about how the engine has such a unique sound. Personally, though I listened carefully to the engine's audio note, I didn't find it THAT different than a conventional engine. It's a little more turbine-like, to be sure, and definitely smoother. No "lumpy-cam" V8 sound, that's for certain! It's a pleasing sound, actually, and when inside the car, the engine is relatively quiet.

Steering is wonderful. One of the most precise, solid steering feels I have experienced in any car at any price. Assist is electric, not hydraulic, for those who didn't know - that means no power steering fluid to ever change! Wheel is comfortable too.

M6 shift action is smooth and precise - again, about the shortest throw shifter I've ever experienced.

This car offers an impressive array of creature comforts for a sports car, much like Toyota did with the '87-'90 Supras - and I like that a lot. Materials and finish, while not Audi-level, are above average, and everything works organically. I absolutely LOVE the white and red (and blue, if you like) electroluminescent guages. Digital speedo didn't bother me at all. [Question: Can you switch the speedo between kilometers and miles? The sales guy said "no.") The NAV screen is high, up on the dash and close to the windshield, which means you don't have to change your line of sight or focus as abruptly as you do with lower console mounted NAVs. I'd bet that once you got the feel of the center console NAV controls' position, you could probably learn to operate them without glancing down.

Downsides? A few:

Don't be fooled, the back seats are for short hops only (or children). While head and shoulder room is adequate, my knees were pushing against the back of the front seat (and I'm only 5'11").

When you shut the rear doors, they don't sound as precise or solid as the front doors.

The position of the forward cup holder is awkward, right back about where your elbow is while shifting. I can picture one constantly slamming their elbow into the top of their latte during 1st to 2nd gear changes.

Accessories like the aero pieces are very, very expensive - $400 to $800 CDN per each set. The entire aero kit (air dam, front side, rear side, rear wheel, spoiler) is probably going to set one back about $3500 CDN. Also, the chrome wheels will set you back an additional $3600 CDN, which is outrageous! By the time you add in all the extras, the car is upwards of $50,000 CDN!

Horrific fuel economy - discussed here ad infinitum, I'm sure.

The potential flooding problem.
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I learned a few things I didn't know, and hadn't seen on these forums. First off is that Mazda does indeed (at least in Canada) offer roadside assist across North America as part of the 3-year warranty. You can also extend that warranty up to six years. A good idea, especially if you like to go on road trips.

Also, did you guys know that (again, at least in Canada), the RX-8 uses run-flat tire technology - just like the C5 and C6 Corvettes - with a tire-monitor display on the dash? So a spare isn't really necessary. However, to continue the privilege, expect to pay $400 (again, CDN) per tire every three to four years, which is very expensive.

Anyway, a nice car with spectacular handling dynamics that is probably targeted towards a niche market looking for exclusivity and something a little different to drive. Would I buy one? Maybe. The car is certainly worthy of consideration. Assuming the flooding controversy is addressed and rectified by Mazda, and one can live with reduced fuel economy, and doesn't mind the price of entry (which quickly climbs when you start to option the car out), it's a truly rewarding ride.

Robert

 

I'm glad you test drove the car. It sounds like you drove it like a piston engine. You have to drive the RX-8 like a motorcycle. There is limited torque at 2000 RPM's. By design, the torque comes on much higher. On a climb through the twists of a mountain road, I can't imagine an RPM lower than 4500. Most of the time, I'd be in the 5000 to 7000 range. You may not have felt you had to downshift... but, if you want it to perform, you must use the gears. Otherwise, go for the automatic.

There's also no question the sound is much different. I haven't had a passenger yet that isn't startled and a bit awed by the sound of the engine. So I disagree with you here. However, I strongly agree with the CAM feel that is missing. But, that's actually a good thing. The power has a more linear feel than that of a piston engine that needs to be "on cam" to perform.

 

I think the button on the top to the left of A/B mileage reset button ajusts to KM or MPH.

And the back doors will sound different because they have less mass to them when closing that is why they don't sound as "solid".

 

The back doors are aluminum so yes they definitely sound different then the front ones. We have roadside assistance in the states, the tires have pressure monitor system, but are not run flats. I never use cup holders, since I don't drink, eat, shave, read the newspaper, check my PDA or trim nose hairs when I drive - lol (I've seen all that here in Fl). Actually the fuel mileage while not very good, is about on par with other cars in this class.

as for the flooding issue: How many times in your others cars have you started it up and then shut it down? If you do this often, then don't get the RX-8. If you are going to run the car for a while, then the flooding problem shouldn't be an issue. I think some people were caught off guard because they never read the
owners manual, because if they had, some of them never would have had the flooding issue. And some might be novices with a stick and won't admit to stalling.

There are so many great things about message boards, but there is ONE very bad thing and that is every issue no matter how significant gets magnified tremendously. And it seems problems always take center stage.

 

Robert:

Great to see you had a test drive - although probably a tame one. My one test drive - I had been planning on the RX-8 once I saw it at the 2002 Detroit show - had me up to 90mph in 4th. Clear road - no traffic - and beautiful weather. The salesman - a rotary head himself - said it is the fastest test drive he had had but that it was safe.

Driven as a rotary - the RX8 is a rocket - redlining at 9 K. The VTECs drive somewhat like rotarys - not the other way around. (Accords and Preludes since 1980). Their power curve is not as flat and smooth as a rotary.

Your test drive is probably similar to many other's - a solid and impressive car with unique features. All production cars - save the super cars - are full of compromises.

Best rear seat in on the passenger side with the front seat up a little.

Headroom in the car is much better if you do not buy one with the moonroof - unlike the USA - Canada and the rest of the world can buy a GT without one.

The Aero is much less expensive than aftermarket in the US. About $1500 US - vs about $3000 plus. Less impressive - but I like mine.

Actually in the US the warranty can be extended to 10 years and 120,000 miles - for about $3500. It can be added after up to 47 months or 20000 miles whichever comes first with a surcharge of $100. Plan on that one myself at about 19000 miles.

? A RX-8 in your future

John

Winning Blue GT (note license plate) Nav, Aero package, front and rear accents, NAV, 6 CD changer

 

i disagree
when we got our car a couple of weeks ago, two average sized woman rode in back and us two average sized men drove up front on a one hour each way dinner trip. it is the first car ive had where i did not have to move my seat up to accomidate a rear passenger and she sat behind me in comfort. same on the passenger side.
granted, its not huge but very useable for most people.
rudy

 

I agree- my sister spent 9 hours back there at Thanksgiving when we drove to Rochester to pick her up and bring her back to VA. She had no problems, and actually slept most of the way- she also insisted on sitting behind the driver the entire time, even when my husband was driving. I've also spent several 2+ hour trips back there, and we've made several 1+ hour trips with 4+ adults in the car. There's a lot more useable space back there than you think


And after a while, the engine sounds really grows on you- I agree that it sounds like a turbine. I will, however, never mistake a rotary buzz for anything else on the road now.

 

No, I didn't know that. In fact it's most definitely not true on my RX-8 which I got last August in Ottawa. The tires that came on my car are Bridgestone RE-040's which are not run-flat. And I know there's no tire pressure monitor, because it didn't go haywire when I put different wheels and tires on for the winter.

So has this changed, or is it just an example of salesman BS?

 

There's a real good reason right there to question any technical info the sales guy told you (more later) - as mentioned, the button on the top left of the gauge pod switches the speedometer and odometers between statute and metric units.

Quote:

Don't be fooled, the back seats are for short hops only (or children). While head and shoulder room is adequate, my knees were pushing against the back of the front seat (and I'm only 5'11").

I'd also disagree here - I'm 5'10", and my 6'0" son sits comfortably behind me. I can sit behind the drivers seat (set for me) without my knees touching the seatback.

Quote:

Also, did you guys know that (again, at least in Canada), the RX-8 uses run-flat tire technology - just like the C5 and C6 Corvettes - with a tire-monitor display on the dash?

Unless they've made very significant changes since I bought mine, the above is simply not true. The Bridgestone RE-040s that Mazda uses are NOT the run-flat variety, and Canada does NOT get the US-spec tire pressure monitoring system at all. Even if they did, there is NO tire-monitor display on the dash in the US cars, just a single idiot warning light. Your test drive car might have had the recently available Dunlop tires, but AFAIK those are not run-flats either.

Otherwise , good report! Did you order yet?

Regards,
Gordon