I love the excellent elecric power steering the RX8 uses. I am surprised there have been on other comments on it. The low speed assist, without the resulting drag on the engine, along with the great feel at speed and quick response. What do other think?

 

Hmm ... I guess it works so well and is so unobtrusive that I never noticed it before.

 

my family has owned mazdas for over 22 years and they have always used Rack and Pinion steering in all there cars (not so sure about the Ford based cars like the Tribute or MPV)

they have always had them tuned for the perfect amount of control for performance while the perfect amount of assistance to make the ride comfortable (so your arms aren't fatigued when you just want to drive to work)

 

Well, apparently your family never had a first-generation RX-7 - recirculating ball steering without POWER - was precise for the first 5000 miles and by 50,000 miles, had more "center slop" than a Ryder truck. And always stiffer than hell - I had some big "guns" in those days from driving that beast.

 

sweet! I did not know that, thanks...I always wanted an RX7 but it was out of my budget...now that I actually make money it is an honor to have joined the RX family :D

 

Mine was a graduation gift to myself in 1985 after college - between extra savings during working during college, some great luck in landing a good job with a signing bonus in 1985 (albiet only $2000, still ...), and gifts, I manage to buy the car for cash then.

Here's a picture of my first RX-7, being driven at an autocross in May 1985. My Avatar is my current car.

Stew

 

BMW's E36 3-series had the best steering feel I've ever encountered. The current E-46's had their boost levels increased too much and then backed off when drivers complained. BMW dials in a lot of caster in their steering systems. That seems to add "feel".

I think the 8 has a precise rack but it could use a little more feedback. In the 8 I don't feel as accurately what the front tires are doing as adhesion levels change. With my E-36 325is I could very specifically sense the grip level changing at the front wheels as G's and traction varied. I still think the Germans do steering the best.

 

totally agree with you... have you driven a 350Z? you should feel the diff. the Z feels so sluggish and heavy...

 

the steering is truly awesome and accurate, but before I put nitrogen in the tires, personally I thought it was light. Now with the N2, it's just a bit heavier and as it was supposed to be...

 

I dunno, I like the steering feel, but my E36 M3's steering was way too slow. I much prefer the steering in the rx-8/s2000, I can sense grip changes but the steering is a LOT quicker.

 

The RX7 version one steering could be adjusted. Different with the real early years. These just had a screew in the top that you adjusted in to tighten the steering. The later versions also had a screew, but you turned it the opposit direction as it loaded a tapered bearing - then use a spanner to loosen the large lock nut and turned the whole top assembly down to tighten the steering. I had 180K miles on my 84 GSL and its steering was real tight, just hard to park. Never worked on a two or 3 version.

I agree there could be a little more feel. My 7 was easier to drift as all rthe steering feel, but now that I am use to the 8 I love it.

 

The steering is light and responsive. But it doesn't give the user much feedback. Compared to the 8, the 350Z is a chore to steer! I think the weight distribution and superb engineering make the 8 steer like a racing bicycle...not much feedback, but very, very light touch.

 

I am a 1996 miata owner who test drive the rx-8 the other day. I agree with the previous post. RX-8's steering, while quick (providing immediate turn in), appears to lack road feel compared with the Miata. Steering weight was just right, maybe a touch too light on the highway. I don't know if the dealers demo car was properly aligned or not. That's my take on a 30 min. test drive.

The Honda S2000 seems to have better steering feel. (I hope I don't have to put up my firesuit).

Question to the rx-8, honda s2000 and miata owners: how would you compare the steering or rx-8 versus the other ones?

I am curious as I may have driven a poorly aligned demo car.

 

I think the keen steering abilities of the 8 is what sets itself apart from the crowd. On the track you may be under powered, but you still may have the advantage with its great steering and responce!

that's my 2 cents

 

My previous ride was a 2000 Miata. Comparing the Miata steering to that of my 2005 RX-8 is like comparing most other qualities of the two cars. Miata was more responsive, RX-8 is more refined. Love the 8 but sometimes miss the Miata.

 

I'm obsessed with this topic, because IMHO the steering feel in the average car is AWFUL. Steering should be a very mature area, yet even after decades of experience with it most manufacturers botch it.

I'm with the person who praised the quick turn-in (quicker than an S2000, way quicker than 350Z) and good weighting, but wasn't as happy with the level of feedback. Somehow the rest of the steering and chassis is so good that the feedback isn't terribly missed.

It's hard to beat the feedback in the Miata and last MR2. I think the latter used an electric system. Second-gen MR2 power steering was totally numb.

Slow, numb steering is my #1 complaint by far with the C6 Corvette.

Among front-drive cars I like the steering in the Protege5 I currently drive, the Ford Focus SVT/ST, and the Mitsubishi Evo/Lancer Ralliart.

I like the steering in the E90 much more than that in the E46. Been too long since I drove an E36 to compare it, but think it's more subtle, speaks well but quietly.

Of the 400 or so cars I've driven, the easiest to drive quickly on an unfamiliar challenging road are the E90 and the RX-8.

One things that harms steering feel in many cars is an overly padded steering wheel. Mazda does this right, doesn't use much padding.

 

You may (or may not) think the Germans do steering "best", but in a recent issue, the testers at Consumer Reports said their ideal car would have "....the steering from the RX-8!"

S

 

The RX8 chassis has very quick response to steering inputs but there is an artificial drag you can feel just lagging your inputs at some speeds. Overall the steering is very good for power assist. My favorite for feel was my 1984 Jetta GLI with manual R&P.

 

Wow, over a year ago, Stew captured my exact feelings reading this thread today. Thanks, Stew!