Leaving the Rx-8 behind
09-13-2007, 01:06 PM
#26
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I think the Z4 BMW is an definite upgrade from a RX-8 though the Mazda is a nice innovative package it doesn't have the curb style view of a top down BMW Z4 or Z4 coupe. Good choice and I hope you enjoy driving your Bimmer.
The Rx-8 club will live on but do come back to give your past knowledge and points of view of owning a RX-8 compared to now driving your BMW. I liek comparitive input, not which is better but whats better about each or whats missed?
The Rx-8 club will live on but do come back to give your past knowledge and points of view of owning a RX-8 compared to now driving your BMW. I liek comparitive input, not which is better but whats better about each or whats missed?
09-13-2007, 01:54 PM
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Too funny. I actually owned two different Z4's - the 2.5 and then the 3.0i. I went from the 3.0i Z4 to an RX-8!
I do miss the torque that the Z4 has compared to the RX-8 but in the end, small body repairs and tires just ended up costing way too much for me (I did have the extended warranty and service plan). The tires cost me about 2000 per year and any kind of body work is generally more expensive for a BMW especially if you have certified BMW body repair done.
So, my switch was purely from a maintenance cost perspective. But I do miss my Z4 but I like the uniqueness of the RX-8 and its RPM range. True, the Z4 has more low-end torque but once you get it moving the RX-8 is pretty darn close.
Good luck and have fun with the Z4!
Cheers!
I do miss the torque that the Z4 has compared to the RX-8 but in the end, small body repairs and tires just ended up costing way too much for me (I did have the extended warranty and service plan). The tires cost me about 2000 per year and any kind of body work is generally more expensive for a BMW especially if you have certified BMW body repair done.
So, my switch was purely from a maintenance cost perspective. But I do miss my Z4 but I like the uniqueness of the RX-8 and its RPM range. True, the Z4 has more low-end torque but once you get it moving the RX-8 is pretty darn close.
Good luck and have fun with the Z4!
Cheers!
09-13-2007, 02:05 PM
#29
and significantly lower total cost as well.
this concept is quite popular with the cpu overclocking crowd. buy cheap, make it run better than expensive cpus. you might have to spend more on cooling (in this case, FI) but in the end, you are still ahead by far.
this concept is quite popular with the cpu overclocking crowd. buy cheap, make it run better than expensive cpus. you might have to spend more on cooling (in this case, FI) but in the end, you are still ahead by far.
09-13-2007, 02:16 PM
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My 2004 RX8 6 sp. received new summer tires in April a year ago. Tire Rack recommended Goodyear F1/G3 245 x 40Z x 18. They were fine last summer. I reinstalled rotated front/back in April, 2007. Increasingly this summer the howling noise has increased from both rears Mileage on the tires is no more than 12000. Has anyone had this experience? Any solutions other than buying new tires (maybe non directional this time)? Any help will be appreciated. Love the car otherwise.
09-13-2007, 05:37 PM
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Not everyone wants to buy a vehicle, turbocharge it, and go out bragging to Z4 owners that they make more power for cheaper. Some people just want to buy the Z4 to have that additional level of refinement and know that they own a BMW.
The RX-8 is a cool car, but it's by no means the top dog in it's class and other cars do have things that are better than what the RX-8 offers. There are things the RX-8 offers that are better than the competition, but it's all down to personal preference at the end of the day and obviously this guy thought that the Z4 was the better vehicle for him.
09-13-2007, 05:38 PM
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My 2004 RX8 6 sp. received new summer tires in April a year ago. Tire Rack recommended Goodyear F1/G3 245 x 40Z x 18. They were fine last summer. I reinstalled rotated front/back in April, 2007. Increasingly this summer the howling noise has increased from both rears Mileage on the tires is no more than 12000. Has anyone had this experience? Any solutions other than buying new tires (maybe non directional this time)? Any help will be appreciated. Love the car otherwise.
09-13-2007, 09:14 PM
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09-14-2007, 01:53 PM
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Here's my standpoint on it:
Take a back and look at how bad piston engines were at the start. High displacement, low power, terrible reliability engines just like the Rotary. At the same time, however, everyone adopted the piston engine and have worked hard to develop it. Outside of some weak outside efforts, the design and development of the Rotary has basically been left to Mazda. Considering the piston had one heck of a head start, I don't think Mazda has done all that bad considering how much time they've had. They've improved the engine quite a bit since the first ones, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for it (as Mazda has stated that they want to keep the Rotary).
I agree that a facelift, more standard options, or things of that nature would have been nice instead of offering that brochure with everything in it, but the RX-8 isn't that high of a seller to begin with so I think Mazda is just milking the car along until a new design comes out.
I find the RX-8 to be a fantastic car, and magazines STILL agree with that. The ride is fantastic, and the performance that comes out of this chassis is incredible. It's sad that it's major flaw, the Rotary, is also one of the things that makes the car so unique and fun to drive. The car would be even more fun if it TRULEY had the power that Mazda claimed it had, IMO, and maybe then people wouldn't complain about power issues as much.
Take a back and look at how bad piston engines were at the start. High displacement, low power, terrible reliability engines just like the Rotary. At the same time, however, everyone adopted the piston engine and have worked hard to develop it. Outside of some weak outside efforts, the design and development of the Rotary has basically been left to Mazda. Considering the piston had one heck of a head start, I don't think Mazda has done all that bad considering how much time they've had. They've improved the engine quite a bit since the first ones, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for it (as Mazda has stated that they want to keep the Rotary).
I agree that a facelift, more standard options, or things of that nature would have been nice instead of offering that brochure with everything in it, but the RX-8 isn't that high of a seller to begin with so I think Mazda is just milking the car along until a new design comes out.
I find the RX-8 to be a fantastic car, and magazines STILL agree with that. The ride is fantastic, and the performance that comes out of this chassis is incredible. It's sad that it's major flaw, the Rotary, is also one of the things that makes the car so unique and fun to drive. The car would be even more fun if it TRULEY had the power that Mazda claimed it had, IMO, and maybe then people wouldn't complain about power issues as much.
09-15-2007, 12:40 PM
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Hijacked
Man, you guys really hijacked his thread. He was saying goodbye to RX-8 and hello to the Z4 and you guys turned it into a discussion on rotary vs pistons. 
09-16-2007, 08:44 PM
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Son't think I'll be back
Don't think so.
Have had the Z4 si for a few days now, a few initial thoughts -- better acceleration, similar handling, much better exhaust note, much higher quality materials (should be since it $15k more expensive), much more solid feeling, better stereo, the list goes on...
RX-8 is a great car no doubt and I really enjoyed owning it -- the Z4si definitely feels more like a real sports car though and is superior to my 200 M Roadster in every way...
Have had the Z4 si for a few days now, a few initial thoughts -- better acceleration, similar handling, much better exhaust note, much higher quality materials (should be since it $15k more expensive), much more solid feeling, better stereo, the list goes on...
RX-8 is a great car no doubt and I really enjoyed owning it -- the Z4si definitely feels more like a real sports car though and is superior to my 200 M Roadster in every way...
09-16-2007, 08:46 PM
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I don't like the lines on the roadster.
From when the Z4 launched in 2003 until maybe a year or so ago, I agreed with you 100%.
As a former 200 M Roadster owner, I just couldn't convince myself to like the Z4 when it came out.
After about 4 years however, the car started to grow on me and now I love it -- if it's in the right color,
As a former 200 M Roadster owner, I just couldn't convince myself to like the Z4 when it came out.
After about 4 years however, the car started to grow on me and now I love it -- if it's in the right color,
09-16-2007, 08:52 PM
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I agree mostly
Hey speak for yourself! Many 8 owners here and around the world think the 8's balance of power, feel, handling, utility and cost is right on target. Mazda got this one right right outta the box, and many of us are quite happy with the car the way it is. The 8 is Mazda's halo car because it represents the company's dedication to innovative engineering, design and just plain thinking "outside the box"—not because it was the fastest car in their lineup! Knowing that the original Ford Thunderbird, VW GTI and Nissan 240Z—to name just a few—were made worse with each "new and improved" (i.e. heavier and more powerful) model, I for one, am glad the 8 hasn't been messed up.
I'm not saying the car can't be improved—obviously it can. I'm just saying the car is really good now, and that making it faster won't automatically make it better—and might make it worse. I certainly wouldn't want it to be faster if it meant making the car feel less nimble, less agile, less light on its feet.
I'm not saying the car can't be improved—obviously it can. I'm just saying the car is really good now, and that making it faster won't automatically make it better—and might make it worse. I certainly wouldn't want it to be faster if it meant making the car feel less nimble, less agile, less light on its feet.
All I'm saying is you would think that if Mazda had time to build a Mazdaspeed6, a Mazdaspeed3 and two crossovers, they would invest a little time in making a Mazdaspeed RX-8, just common sense.
Another thing that turned me off -- I have two Mazda leases expitring in September (RX-8 and MPV). Do you think I received any calls, e-mails or direct mail or anything from Mazda asking me to buy another car? No, nothing, not a word.
A really stupid way to run their business. With a little effort they could have convinced me to get a new RX-8 GT and CX-9 to replace my current cars. But not a word. Sadd...
09-16-2007, 09:00 PM
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so basically your leaving the rx-8 for something that merely
so basically your leaving the rx-8 for something that merely about 20 more horsepower and bout 60 more torque? and sells for about 10k more in price. If you want to feel torque i would advise something much more powerful then the z4.
another thing is who cares too much about the sales figures? a car is a car, whether it be a car that only sold 10 cars to match someone else's 500, i'd much rather have a car i really wanted that only sold 10 cars to a car i really didn't want that sold 500.
another thing is who cares too much about the sales figures? a car is a car, whether it be a car that only sold 10 cars to match someone else's 500, i'd much rather have a car i really wanted that only sold 10 cars to a car i really didn't want that sold 500.
And it should be, given the cost. On the plus side, it has free scheduled maintenance and free wear and tear, meaning I only have to buy gas and that's it.
As for more torque, I get that every day -- I work for Ferrari Maserati North America, so I'm lucky enough to drive some fairly torque-rich cars...
09-16-2007, 09:04 PM
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This has always been my stance
This has always been my stance when talking about it. My friend always like to talk trash about how much better the piston engine is over the rotary. Which by all means he doesn't really know much about the rotary but, as i told him the same thing that you just pretty much summed up. That given the opportunity the rotary engine would far surpass that of the piston engine by any means. Yes much work would have to be done, but i as you would give mazda a lot of credit for what they have done with it since they started.
Frankly I couldn't care less about whether the engine powering my car is a rotary or piston. Yes, the small light weight rotary allows Mazda to better position the engine in the car for optimal handling (mission accomplished), I don't really feel much difference compared to the Z4 si, other than the Z4 accelerates much more quickly... Both cars are very well balanced...
09-16-2007, 09:08 PM
#43
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Too funny. I actually owned two different Z4's
Too funny. I actually owned two different Z4's - the 2.5 and then the 3.0i. I went from the 3.0i Z4 to an RX-8!
I do miss the torque that the Z4 has compared to the RX-8 but in the end, small body repairs and tires just ended up costing way too much for me (I did have the extended warranty and service plan). The tires cost me about 2000 per year and any kind of body work is generally more expensive for a BMW especially if you have certified BMW body repair done.
So, my switch was purely from a maintenance cost perspective. But I do miss my Z4 but I like the uniqueness of the RX-8 and its RPM range. True, the Z4 has more low-end torque but once you get it moving the RX-8 is pretty darn close.
Good luck and have fun with the Z4!
Cheers!
I do miss the torque that the Z4 has compared to the RX-8 but in the end, small body repairs and tires just ended up costing way too much for me (I did have the extended warranty and service plan). The tires cost me about 2000 per year and any kind of body work is generally more expensive for a BMW especially if you have certified BMW body repair done.
So, my switch was purely from a maintenance cost perspective. But I do miss my Z4 but I like the uniqueness of the RX-8 and its RPM range. True, the Z4 has more low-end torque but once you get it moving the RX-8 is pretty darn close.
Good luck and have fun with the Z4!
Cheers!
09-16-2007, 09:12 PM
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The car would be even more fun if it TRULEY had the power that Mazda claimed it had
Here's my standpoint on it:
Take a back and look at how bad piston engines were at the start. High displacement, low power, terrible reliability engines just like the Rotary. At the same time, however, everyone adopted the piston engine and have worked hard to develop it. Outside of some weak outside efforts, the design and development of the Rotary has basically been left to Mazda. Considering the piston had one heck of a head start, I don't think Mazda has done all that bad considering how much time they've had. They've improved the engine quite a bit since the first ones, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for it (as Mazda has stated that they want to keep the Rotary).
I agree that a facelift, more standard options, or things of that nature would have been nice instead of offering that brochure with everything in it, but the RX-8 isn't that high of a seller to begin with so I think Mazda is just milking the car along until a new design comes out.
I find the RX-8 to be a fantastic car, and magazines STILL agree with that. The ride is fantastic, and the performance that comes out of this chassis is incredible. It's sad that it's major flaw, the Rotary, is also one of the things that makes the car so unique and fun to drive. The car would be even more fun if it TRULEY had the power that Mazda claimed it had, IMO, and maybe then people wouldn't complain about power issues as much.
Take a back and look at how bad piston engines were at the start. High displacement, low power, terrible reliability engines just like the Rotary. At the same time, however, everyone adopted the piston engine and have worked hard to develop it. Outside of some weak outside efforts, the design and development of the Rotary has basically been left to Mazda. Considering the piston had one heck of a head start, I don't think Mazda has done all that bad considering how much time they've had. They've improved the engine quite a bit since the first ones, and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for it (as Mazda has stated that they want to keep the Rotary).
I agree that a facelift, more standard options, or things of that nature would have been nice instead of offering that brochure with everything in it, but the RX-8 isn't that high of a seller to begin with so I think Mazda is just milking the car along until a new design comes out.
I find the RX-8 to be a fantastic car, and magazines STILL agree with that. The ride is fantastic, and the performance that comes out of this chassis is incredible. It's sad that it's major flaw, the Rotary, is also one of the things that makes the car so unique and fun to drive. The car would be even more fun if it TRULEY had the power that Mazda claimed it had, IMO, and maybe then people wouldn't complain about power issues as much.
However, the critics like magazine journalists still rank the RX-8 best in class -- not bad for a 4-year-old car!
09-17-2007, 12:22 AM
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I think the Z4 BMW
I think the Z4 BMW is an definite upgrade from a RX-8 though the Mazda is a nice innovative package it doesn't have the curb style view of a top down BMW Z4 or Z4 coupe. Good choice and I hope you enjoy driving your Bimmer.
The Rx-8 club will live on but do come back to give your past knowledge and points of view of owning a RX-8 compared to now driving your BMW. I liek comparitive input, not which is better but whats better about each or whats missed?
The Rx-8 club will live on but do come back to give your past knowledge and points of view of owning a RX-8 compared to now driving your BMW. I liek comparitive input, not which is better but whats better about each or whats missed?
For the money I thought it was the best choice <$50k. Boxster is pretty weak in the performance and quality of materials areas; SLK can't even be considered; TT's just an overweight Golf; S2000 was interesting and likely my second choice -- essentially a 2-seat RX-8... 350Z roadster also not in the running -- too heavy and a little on the fugly side...
09-17-2007, 12:54 AM
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I currently own a Z3 Coupe and an 07 MX-5 Miata (PRHT). I'm looking to move from the Z3 to an '05 or '06 RX-8. Although refined and torquey, I'm attracted more to the styling and handling of the RX-8 and the unique aspects of the rotary. The BMW has been reliable but not quite up to Miatas or Hondas. I also can't justify two 2 seaters.. the RX-8 gives me that occasional room when I need it. The Z3 is also not a super winter car where both the Miata and the RX-8 do fine with snow shoes.
The Z4 and Z4 Coupe are fine rides and have their unique style. You will enjoy the Z!
Now.. back to looking for the RX-8.....
The Z4 and Z4 Coupe are fine rides and have their unique style. You will enjoy the Z!
Now.. back to looking for the RX-8.....
02-06-2008, 09:39 PM
#47
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Of course you like the Z4 better.
Its a BMW.
Mazda has light years to go before they can offer that kind of poor cabin space.
Or a car with enough design time and quality in it to match.
But who can blame Mazda for putting the rotary on hold when the consumer is screaming for more MPG this day and age (premium obviously doesn't appeal to these kinds of people).
In time I suppose (hope/pray).
The rotary is too good to just let sit like this.
If its time for a change, then to each their own.
Its a BMW.
Mazda has light years to go before they can offer that kind of poor cabin space.
Or a car with enough design time and quality in it to match.
But who can blame Mazda for putting the rotary on hold when the consumer is screaming for more MPG this day and age (premium obviously doesn't appeal to these kinds of people).
In time I suppose (hope/pray).
The rotary is too good to just let sit like this.
If its time for a change, then to each their own.
Last edited by Skitzerz; 02-06-2008 at 09:41 PM. Reason: I drank one too many??
02-07-2008, 12:30 PM
#48
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holy thread resurrection batman!
I like the Z4. It has nice lines to me. Too bad the interior reminds me of Home Depot hack job. Must be a union thing - to never make nice interiors. Really disappointed considering the premium price of this car. An M Coupe would make for a worthy replacement for my RX-8 someday. Although the Cayman is likely the better car in terms of balance.
I like the Z4. It has nice lines to me. Too bad the interior reminds me of Home Depot hack job. Must be a union thing - to never make nice interiors. Really disappointed considering the premium price of this car. An M Coupe would make for a worthy replacement for my RX-8 someday. Although the Cayman is likely the better car in terms of balance.
