There's been so much griping recently about the whole HP thing (which apparently was a problem to no one until people started dyno'ing their cars... think about it) we seem to have lost focus on what a cool car this is. Time to revive discussions along those lines.

What are some of the "little things" that make the '8 so enjoyable? meaning, things that aren't advertised or discussed, you just notice them after you've had the car awhile. Here's five that come to mind:

1. The power windows go up and down so fast.
2. The well in the trunk that keeps stuff from rolling around.
3. The gap between the front seat back and cushion so all your loose change and potato chip crumbs don't gather there. Detritus just slips through and ends up on the rear floor (at least with leather seats; don't know about fabric.)
4. Power seats move quickly on demand.
5. If you pull your key out just slightly when parked, it'll stay in the ignition and not ding with the door open (which is sooo annoying.)

Any other truly little things that haven't been mentioned elsewhere?

 

It's soo quiet on highways.

I agree about the windows.

It makes you feel like a superstar

I really like the radio audiopilot (even if others don't I enjoy not playing with the volume all the time).

I REALLY like the steering wheel controls.

The small doors (rather than 2 LONG doors)

I haven't had the car all that long yet so these are all I can think of right now.

 

Good ones, Wing. You made me think of one more (related to yours):

The wind noise is so quiet with the sunroof open. Even on the freeway, I'm not always sure it's open; I have to look.

 

It's nighttime. Just returned home. While driving, I was amazed (again) by the clarity of the xenon headlights (on low beam) and the brightness of the added halogens (high beam).

Drove into my carport, listened and watched as my '8' smoothly idled a while, turned off the A/C, turned off the ignition . . and presto . . the interior lights come on. Interior lights don't wait for the driver door to open before lighting. A really, really nice classy touch.

 

The back seat is really comfy. I took a nap back there last night and let my husband drive home from dinner.

The sunglasses case is actually pretty useful.

All the compartments in the center tunnel fit CDs really well.

The headrests are really comfortable.

I can't help but smile every time I hit the ignition.

 

The cool 'Altezza' look back lights.

The centre power outlet.

The neat hinges on the trunk, so it lifts WAY up out of your way, yet no 'gooseneck' hinges to maim luggage.

Those HUGE front discs......

I could go on,
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doc

 

Thank you 8_wannabe. The first 4 on your list were all missing on my previous car, and all things I love on the RX-8. We should keep a running list of 'little' items that make the car slightly better. It's easy to talk about power and braking and handling, but I don't get to experience those every day during my daily commute (if traffic is bad) - but I do notice the speedy windows and the audio-pilot and the quietness etc.

 

Please do! ... As some one who has yet to get his own (I was planing on geting one this fall but due to the road that is life - it hopefully will be in a couple of more years) I need to live through all of you that are driving one today!

 

Since you mentioned the headlights, do you notice how the beam is flat on top? Do you notice how that flat top of the beam shines right *below* the rear-view mirror of the car in front of you?

 

These are good.

I like the fact that after driving at highway speed with both windows down, I don't emerge looking like I've stood in a wind tunnel. It's the first car I've had that doesn't whip me around with the windows open. Nice.

 

how about these;

that thick steering wheel with the finger dents excactly where you want them


that chirpy whirrrr of the engine at idle......music really.


How the instrument cluster glows blue for like 15 seconds after you lock and alarm the car.


those pedals........come on! you know you love them!


the "clack clack" sound the tranny makes from outside the car. Sound like a bolt action rifle. mmmmmmmmmm bolt... action ....rifle.....


the way the car looks on refective glass on buildings as you drive by. I think yo myself...."holy crap look at that thing".

 

Here's one I just posted in another thread. A couple times I thought I was in reverse but actually was in sixth. Let out the clutch, give it a little gas, that would stall just about any other M/T car on the market. But this clutch/trannie/engine combo is so smooth that even in 6th at a dead stop the darn car tries to propel itself. Truly amazing. Needless to say, I quickly realize I'm in the wrong gear, put it in reverse, and get out of there without the embarrassment of stalling.

 

Something that came to my attention last night: It's small enough to parallel park easily! But bonus when you're in a crowded downtown area. :D

 

The power window switches are lit, always. When you turn on the lights, a little red light shines down from above, illuminating the power door/window controls on the door (very Audi).

The gauges also are cool every time I enter/exit the car.

 

Hey 8_wannabe, how dare you take us away from the fact that we've all been raped by Mazda!! And how this is the worst thing that could possibly happen in our lives!! Just kidding :D It's about time we get back to how great this car is.

Since I'm still waiting on mine, I went by my dealer today to see if I am eligible for the $500, and free maintenance, and yes I am!! Cool!!! :D

Anyway, I used this whole hp thing to take another test drive. Mainly because I never really rev'd it hard on my previous test drives. And since the one I took out today had close to 1000 miles on it, I felt comfortable revving the engine and seeing exactly how it felt. I must say, I love this car. I really don't have anything to add to y'alls list, but I just had to chime in. I've test driven just about every other car in it's class, and have no doubts at all that I'm getting the best car out there.

Thanks for getting us back on track. This is exactly what this forum needed.

 

Phewww!!!

This thread feels like a breeze of fresh air !

 

One neat little thing I noticed while sitting at a long red light today, the sun visors each have small slot on one side so you can tuck a toll booth ticket or something in there to keep safe. I'm not sure if that's the intended use, but it works for me.

 

how about the fact that the tip of the tach needle glows cool blue when you hit 9k in night mode?


or the totally sick little "mazda rx-8" message at startup?
________
Free victorias secret gift card

 

Taking a hairpin corner on the way to work at 50 that I used to take at 35, and not hearing a tire squeal.

The big volume **** on the radio. So many radios are difficult to use that it's nice to find one that does everything how you would expect it to. Also that it's possible to adjust the radio to get exactly the volume you want, rather than have the gap between volumes be so large that you're stuck with choosing between "too soft" and "too loud." How fast the CD-eject button works [ looks sternly at PowerBook laptop ]. The display strip for stereo information (hopefully soon to be enhanced with the MP3 tag information... I hope).

The front center storage compartment. I love how it slides and flips open to store the hands-free cellphone headset and battery charger.

The indent on the turn signal/brightness lever makes it fall to grasp easily. I know this is silly, but I loved it in the MX-6 and I'm glad it's not gone in the RX-8.

The papperazzi effect when you first turn on your headlights. Actually, I'm still trying to make up my mind on this one.

The hint of a view of the side fenders when looking out the front windshield.

 

• The rear cup holders.
• The reat passenger footwell VHAC vents.
• The tap-up/tap-down cruise control.
• The fact that it effortless cruises at 90-100 on back roads that were uncomfortable at anything over 80 in my Miata.
• Third gear which pulls strongly all the way from 50 to 90mph - just great for passing manoeuvers.

Though I have to dissent on the "no-crumb-catching" gap between the seat base and back - I often want to put a sheet or two of paper on the pax seat - a set of driving directions, for example - and I find it a PITA that they keep sliding through the gap onto the rear floor. IMHO it would be better if the two cushions at least touched each other so that there wasn't an actual gap but still allowed you to sweep crumbs, etc, through onto the floor.

 

1) The mesh in the sun visor allows the view of a traffic signal while still filtering much of the blinding sun (when heading dead east or west depending on the time of day).

2) The trunk has a handle indent inside to aid in closing.

3) The small console between the rear seatbacks, it removes to allow access to the trunk but also has a small compartment to store stuff. It can be locked too to prevent access during Valet parking.

 

the BIG dead pedal

the "foot warmer" bulge, as i call it, thats so nice and toasty yet not uncomfortably warm (yeah, ive ridden as a passenger a few times...)

the way all the controls are exactly where they should be

the mute button on the steering wheel

the "double bubble" roof

the way the needles in the gauges seem to "float"

the sweet jet-like sound of the engine

the way the shifter fits so perfectly in the palm of your hand

...
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Weed

 

I thought I would get a dissenting opinion on that one. Here's why I like it. First, I have nav so I don't need to put a map on the seat.

Secondly, I've resolved -- unlike with all prior cars -- to keep this one CLEAN! I know people are looking in the window when I'm not around so NOTHING stays in this car to clutter it up. The odd seatback thing helps enforce that rule: It makes it inconvenient to store small objects on the seat, so I just learn not to do it. I know this is backward logic, but it works for me. Anytime I get out of that car, nothing remains adrift in the cabin. Five weeks now, and it's still showroom neat.

 

my favorites:

1. the fingertip reach of the volume or A/C controls while your hand is still on the shifter..

2. the brake handle- it juts out and acts as a place for my girlfriend to place her hand (she likes that). For me, I particularly think it is great because it is so accessible during emergency situations.. most brake handles are not within easy position to reach and pull quickly.

3. cup holders are completely contained and will prevent spillage from going down to the carpet or anywhere else for that matter.

4. Shifter is very short and quick. I can rest my wrist on the center console while still holding onto the shifter in case I need a quick shift.

5. auto-dimming day/night rear view mirror is great! No more mucking around with the rearview mirror while driving. Keeps your attention where it's important - in front of you.

6. Trunk is amazingly spacious!!

7. Super-glad I got the NAV system. It was totally worth the it! Seriously, I bought it for the "cool factor" but I realize now that it has saved me so many times now. Normally my girlfriend tells me where to go, but she's not always with me, so now I have "The Lady" (as she calls it) to help me. The thing ROCKS...

8. controls on the steering wheel.. I didn't get that on my TT, so it was a nice change. But even if there wasn't any on the wheel, the controls are so close to the shifter it's practically at your finger tips already (probably more so most of the time).

9. Wheels are very easy to clean. Nice and large with huge spoke openings big enough for me to reach in and clean them thoroughly.

10. Digital speedometer actually relays the information to me faster than analog. A personal preference.

11. (this one's rather trivial but I find myself using it lately): Ability to switch to km/h setting.. I'm an automotive enthusiast that reads lots of import mags, and being of our imperialist yank mindset, this gets me more in touch with the rest of the world when I read foreign articles...

 

If you need to move anything of real size, obviously the trunk is not going to cut it, but the passenger seat will slide forward TO THE WINDSHIELD! It can actually touch the visor! Loads of room...

Ask those S2000 pilots if THEIR driveshaft is carbon fiber......

Those gauges deserve some kind of award......

You can read the trip/odometer even with the key out - faint, but it's there......
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doc