I got through all of the signing today (with rubbery feeling fingers), and I got my red 6MT home in one piece. One of the things I was obsessing about was having to pull out onto the busy, fast moving street where everybody parks right up to the driveway apron so you can't really see who's approaching at 50mph. Without me even having to ask, my salesman went out there and waited for an opening, and then walked out into the right lane to wave me into traffic. I was so greatful. I was going to ask, but he didn't make me do that.

I drove all the way home on one butt cheek. I didn't want to relax and stall it in front of a semi or have someone cut me off and I spaz out and hit the wrong pedal or something.

I'm pleasantly surpised that the car is such a jump in performance that even while sticking to the break-in suggestions, it doesn't make me feel like I'm driving like a granny. I noticed in the manual they say 7000 RPM, not 4000. I think it is Racing Beat's 4000 RPM suggestion that gets bounced around a lot on the forum? Anyway, seeing the higher number Mazda put out there made me relax a bit about that. I still try to spend as little time above 4K as possible, but I let it run up to 5K if the situation calls for it, without any guilt.

I was running through tight esses on my way home at what felt like a prudent pace, and I looked down to see I was going only slightly slower than I took those curves in my Fiero Formula at 9 tenths. I know, the name Fiero is not synonomous with performance for most of you, but the Formula felt and sounded more like a race car than the RX-8.

I've said before that I totally plan to buy this car at the end of the lease (when finance payments will be doable), but I also want to stick to the rules in case the car turns out to be a nightmare and I want to turn it in. I asked about having Mazdaspeed parts installed (it's a lease), and my salesman told me I could do that, but I wouldn't get anything back if I turned it in. I also asked about third-party performance parts, and he said I could return the car modified without any penalty. The example I threw out there was a Racing Beat exhaust, and he said I wouldn't get anything back for the parts, and I could put it back to stock if I wanted to keep my parts, but I won't be in trouble in any case. Luckily, I think it'll take me some time to get bored and start looking for more performance. I'd read on the forum here about too much body roll, and I was sure I wanted to do sway bars as soon as I could afford them, but it didn't lean much tonight. Maybe when I push the envelope more.

The way they have the interior and dashboard lights rigged up is so cool. I'd read about it here, but it still was a kick to see it all for the first time.

I took it by my parents house and I think my father is seriously trying to figure out some way he can get one past my mom. I was going to take some pictures down at the beach so I could post some, but they had me stay for dinner and it was dark when I left. Maybe Friday.

 

Congrats.Post some pics when you can. The only problem I am haveing with my car is removeing the silly grin from my face whenever I drive it.

 

Ellar,

Congrats. Welcome to our little shindig!!! Post some pic's.

- Irish

 

Welcome. I've had "Lilith" since 9/18 and can not get the smile off my face. This club was very helpful in my decision to buy the 8 and I've enjoyed the reading and posting since.

I hope you will sahre the same favor!

:D

 

I'm just hoping I'll be able to get myself under control now as far as reading this forum. I'm spending way too much time here. hehe

Oh, yeah - my salesman asked me to fill out a questionnaire while he was putting the plates on my car. They were basically fishing for information on where they should advertise. What radio stations do you listen to? What paper do you read? Stuff like that. They asked about what web sites I frequent, and this one was the only one I listed. I hope they'll look and see that we've got a pretty lively, enthusiastic community based around these cars, and they'll want to cater to that community.

 

Congrats! I did keep mine under 4K for the first 600 miles. Maybe not necessary but wasn't a bother. I smile everytime I think about getting to drive it. Like a teenager just starting to drive when Mom needed something from the store, now its the same. Wife needs something?? I'll go!!

 

LOL. Cute post, is this your first sports car?