Perhaps the difference is that in SoCal people are SoCool that they don't share their feelings as openly.

The reactions I got here in Tejas were a daily experience. Guys challenging me at red lights. Women stopping in their tracks. Kids giving me a thumbs up and me returning it to their Big Wheels...

But things have simmered down quite a bit since last July when it was about the only 8 in the area (though it hasn't quite cooled off to the SoCal level). In some ways I miss the attention. But then again there's a lot to be said for anonymity.

 

i saw 4 separate RX-8s today driving around northern VA area....

no longer jaw dropping attention getters around here either now...

 

Heh i went into 7-11 the other week and saw 2 guys maybe in there late 20's staring at my car. And i went out and said hi and they didnt kno how i was and probably thought i was weird or something. When i walked up next to my car and got in they were so shocked that it was mine. (i'm 17 years old btw). It felt good tho

 

The "appreciation" effect hasn't simmered down yet here in the Detroit area. Last night I went out to a popular cruise spot, saw an Evo 8 and parked next to it. The Evo's owner and I spent a good 45 minutes admiring each other's cars. When he wanted to look at the rotary, of course I obliged. It was cool because when he opened his hood at my request about 30 young people in their late 'teens-early twenties surrounded our cars and we both began fielding questions about import tuning, rotary engines, and such. Turned out the Evo owner and his family live only a few miles from me. I hope to catch he and his car again sometime. I find myself meeting some very cool people everywhere thanks to the RX-8. The telling thing about the RX is that there is something about it everyone will like. Whether it's the rotary engine and its surrounding mystique, the body lines, the sound, the interior, the handling/braking, the four doors, the......

Charles

 

Having owned a couple of RX-7s (FC's) over the past two decades, I have a clear impression that the surge of appeal over the 8 is its distinctive styling.

My favorite compliment to date:

"That looks like a concept car!"

 

well it hasnt changed much from the concept, i dont think.

 

Not "full of ourselves." It is nice to be enthusiastic and excited about something; hobbies, interests, etc. Even nicer when others share that same enthusiasm. I dont' want to get all preachy, but in todays' world, it's great when people who don't know each other can talk and laugh about common interests. The world needs more of that.

 

Hey ROD..... saw your from fort myers.... i just came back from my honeymoon in sanibel .. i saw a blue rx-8 down in fort myeras also... maybe yours? lol

wish i coulda brought my 8 down thier... i had to drive the stupid rental

 

Two kids came by my car while parked in my driveway. After looking at the car for a bit, one turned to the other kid and asked,"What kind of car is that?" The other kid took a second look and answered, "That's a Viper".

 

While the comment could be taken literally, the person who said it seem to be saying "concept" as in... the car looks like it materialized straight off a designer's easel. Concept, as in create the most seductive lines with little concern as to how the engineers are going to make it reality.

Art on wheels.

 

When I brought my new 8 home for the first time, my 17 yo daughter was duly impressed. I have now been elevated to "cool" status in her eyes. Also, she has suddenly developed an interest in learning to drive a 6sp.

 

So has my 9 year old...

 

Oops. Better wait til 17.

 

My 10 yr old is very excited about the 8. When I drive with him, I clutch and let him shift. He loves it. He's getting pretty good. If he winds up in Europe, he'll be able to drive right hand drive.....

 

My niece and nephew wanted to take a spin in the new car. Picked them up for a ride in Richmond. My sister asked that I not drive too fast. Wife cranks tunes, opens sunroof and windows, kids buckled in back seat, blast off. Driving speed limit ... kids smiling ear to ear.... making faces at other kids in vans... well they're kids that's their job ... they loved going around corners .... Hey you don't slow down ... cool ... They want me to take them to school ... so they can get ouf of the rear doors in front of their friends.

Sor far not may 8s in my area ... S-class pulls along side on 95s rolls down window ... asks what I'm driving .... how much ... how big is V-8 engine ?
Getting gas ... Guy gets out of Acura ... end up showing him the car ... he can't get over how small the engine is.
95n 911 turbo pulls along side give me a thumbs up.
Have only seen one other 8 in my local shopping center.