Ike

And where the hell are the slips they promised. I think I'll go run a 14.1 in my stock RX-8 tomorrow, do you think they'll make a new sticky when I post about it? :p

Velocity-8

I did say he drives like a magazine test driver!

brothervoodoo

Velocity-8

Rotor envy, maybe???


:D :D :D

sferrett

Ditto exactly - when I bought my FC in 1998, the owner said it would probably take me a couple of weeks to get used to driving the rotary. Previously I had been driving a 5.0 '91 Mustang. While I nodded and 'uh-huh'd him, I didn't really get what he was talking about. But after a couple of weeks I completely understood - it takes a bit of a different driving style to drive a rotary (or I suppose any high-revving low-torque engine) powered car. Now I'm completely used to it, so much so that when I got in another sports car (a MazdaSpeed Miata) and took it for a test drive, the absolute first thing I did was bounce hard off the rev limiter in 1st gear - damn 7500 RPM redline.

To get the most out of the engine you really need to drive it up in the rpm ranges, it becomes second nature after a while - and a lot of fun.

Simon.

KrustyKlown

Eh, my crappy handling Mustang GT with the 17's on them helped me get over my love of torque. The Miata made me love being able to take the corners without fear of sliding off the road into a ditch.

I'll take handling over torque any day.

Roaddemon

Are you trying to say unless the car has huge hp it does not qualify as a sportscar. Your statements are very general without any reasoning. I doubt you know what a sportscar is.

Funny how all the mags classify it as a sportscar but you think it is'nt. You just don't get it. Dah

flatso

oh boy Bad *** Bill with 2 posts doesn't think the car is a sports car...how can I sleep at nite knowing this.

8_is_enuf

You guys are giving this guy way too much credit.

Let's see, Car and Driver calls it a sportscar (Top 10), Road and Track calls it a sportscar, and numerous others. Each of which it did well in the tests and won shootouts.

So this guy knows better??

flatso

I think Bad *** Bill should be Kerry's VP choice.

badassbill

Ok...I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers here. I keep complimenting your car, but it just isn't for me. Yet, that's not enough for some people...for you...get over yourselves. We all have different needs and wants out of a car. What I may want may not be important to you. For me, handling is just as important as speed...but we are in the real world...who doesn't like that feeling of your neck being pulled back by the pull of a car. Either you have never experienced it...or handling is more important. Different strokes...right?
I'm clearly not the first or the last person to bring up the power, and I still believe Mazda has made the typical errors of a new generation car. That doesn't mean its a bad car...or that it's not worthy of buying. However, in looking at Mazda's marketing...the car does not live up to the hype. I understand high RPM shifting, I drove the thing as hard as I could with a salesman in the car. Those of you that think the RX8 is fast have never experienced fast.
Are stock miatas sports cars? Not in my estimation. I have seen plenty of them become sports cars that handle like they are on rails and have power to boot. However, handling alone does not make a sports car either. If you put a kick *** suspension in a stock Civic...is it a sports car? The case can be made both ways. Everyone has chosen their poisen, I just choose to pick a different one.
I know Mazda can make the speed out of the rotary, and I'm not educated on the reason they held back. However, if they are talking of an RX7 replacement...maybe they are listening.
As for my selection of a corvette, I will agree whole heartedly with you that they are cheap. I've owned a Vette before and when the salesman sold it to me...he said "Remember one thing...it's just a Chevy". 2005 will be the first time Corvettes will have an interior that is not "Pontiac" cheap on the inside and is worthy of a world class "sports car". Same thing goes with the Mustangs. In this sense, the American cars are lacking in quality and style that the RX8 has.
The bottom line here is that it's a personal preference and opinion, nothing more. The numbers produced by the magazines are rediculous. It's been stated before that these are clutch dumps that we would (hopefully) never do to our own cars. I have more respect for the guys that say "You know what...it may not be much power, but it's plenty for me." or "If you don't like the power, don't buy the car...but I'm plenty happy". I have way too many hobies and am in way too many forums...my number of posts is in no way an indication of anything other than new to this "forum".
Enjoy your cars...

flatso

Bill says "handling is just as important as speed"....shocking! Hmmmm I think Car and Driver Aug 2001 page 69 second paragraph contradicts that statement thank you very much.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

badassbill, this was a very level-headed post and I fully agree with what you said.
Good luck with whatever decision you're gonna make... enjoy your future car.

Velocity-8

Umm, no, revolutions actually. :D :D

Enjoy your Vette and stroke away!