Wow, you do know other cars exist besides the RX....I am impressed.

 

I see that you are going to test drive one. And it doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be a new one. when I went for a test drive, they gave me the demo which one of the managers drives and it was up there in terms of the number of miles

 

You know, if you want a different feeling car, the RX-8, in MY opinion isn't that much different than the RSX Type-S.

I absolutely adored my time with the RSX Type-S during my car search. It had fantastic steering feel, wonderful input response, and an engine to be enthusiastic about, as it LOVED to be wound out.

In everyday situations, the RX-8 and RSX feel very much alike. They're very tight, quick, and agile sports coupes. However, for comfort, the nod goes to the RX8 for quieter highway speeds, better driver position, less harsh suspension.

You WILL be disappointed by the horrible gas mileage. I average 280 miles to the tank, which is ABYSMAL compared to my 3.0L E36 M3, which had a similar size tank. But it's worth it to me. The RX8 is just as fun as my E36 M3 AND has a warranty. It was a win, and nearly win purchase with the RX-8.

I will say this much: had I purchased the RSX Type-S, I would've pined for the RX-8 still. The rotary is infinitely smoother, and less buzzy than the RSX's power plant. The whole experience in an RX-8 is less souped up economy car, and more, "this car is so smooth (although it has its fair share of rattles) I should've cross shopped it with a BMW 3 series."

I've had mine since Oct 2007, and now have nearly 11,000 miles on it

 

when i went for my test drive i sat in the passenger seat and let the salesguy
show me the car while i checked everything else 'felt' right, heated seats, gauges sound system etc.

well when he asked me was i a nervous passenger and planted it in 2nd, and the revs went up to 8000 rpm, it was one amazing feeling.

the smooth power, the whine of the rotary and the amazing handling in twisty country roads was all fantastic. it is a true sports car and all what everyone has said above.

i drove it back, but was mostly in 30-40mph traffic and it felt fine at those speeds.
i tend to drive in rush hour traffic too, but you learn to rev a little more because of the lesser torque at slower speeds, but it sounds great through the exhaust the previous owner put on lol.

i am also like yourself in that i don't care about fast take offs etc, and i find trying to redline an experience (heart in your mouth), i usually get to about 7-8000 rpm, which i find powerul enough. the engine loves it as it feels better after driving in slower traffic for a while.

i have a six speed manual, and its so smooth, clutch a little heavy, but its a sports car after all. economy is not bad, i can get 66miles out of £10, which is up the motorway to work and home. i tried driving at 50-55mph to see the economy, and then at 65-70mph motorway speeds and there is very little difference. i even think the higher the constant speed, ie cruising at 70mph on a motorway, the more efficient the rotary is? i will study this more lol.

as you get used to the car, you find yourself getting more confident driving it, but you have to use your gears, i am new to rotarys, so i am just learning too really and i am no expert, so won't pretend to be.

but after owning the car for just over a week i am starting to identify with what the guys on here are all saying, and they are a good bunch who know their stuff and know this car very well.

its a great car, practical too, gets lots of looks, great fun to drive and makes looking forward to the drive home more enjoyable!

just go drive one, and buy it!!! and make sure its a six speed.

mazda said it all when they said zoom zoom....

and you will see why.

good luck.

 

I disagree with this statement, and you seem to go on to contradict it in your own post. The engine alone gives this car a distinct, different feeling. The handling, engine and feel is noticeably different from the RSX. Considering the only thing different that you noticed with the RX8 is "quieter highway speeds, better driver position, less harsh suspension" - I would question if you know where to look.

 

Over the last 35 years I've owned a lot of cars - sports cars, touring cars, luxury cars and more.

I prefer a good touring car as a daily driver. My favorite touring car was a Porsche 928. That is until I first drove the RX8. Two years later I enjoy the RX8 today as much as the day I bought it. Its probably the first car I've owned I can say that about.

 

I spotted a used (blue) one at a Porsche/Bentley/Rolls dealership here in Jersey, and it's less than 10 minutes from work!

If I get a chance, I'll go during lunch to drive this thing.

 

WhoA! I'm actually starting to think about getting a Jetta to tide me over until the 16x comes out. I've heard they are pretty decent. Wish they came in two door though.

 

parkpy

You get 280miles to the tank ?

Thats 450km per tank.

Im happy when I go past 280km per tank.

My Rx8 must be on the very low end of the spectrum I guess

I seem to avg 15mpg.