I can't believe you guys tried to keep this to yourself. I had my test drive today and it was different than any cars I have driven and I have driven quite a few cars.

It felt like I was in a Ferrari, but the price tag said otherwise. I am getting a hell of a deal on this car and that is in the area of $24,000 (05 GT red 6spd). I have owned 2 Mustang GTs and 5.0, Camaro, 2006 Eclipse GT, etc. but never have I felt in control. I was being pushed around. I felt in control today in this car.

Shifting was weird through the whole experience, and I can see that I would need to practice that. When am I suppose to shift? And when do I change gear back down to match speed? My mind was sending alarms after 5000rpm but everything was just fine.

It fits so well and it does everything I tell it to do without pushing/pulling me around with power. I didn't know I was going 50mph in 35 zone until I looked down.

I am buying this car and nothing will stop me from picking it up Monday. Wow...what a car.

 

Have you driven a Ferrari?

 

Yes, it is weird in two ways. You need to give it higher revs (due to low torque) for starting and for shift points, but OTOH, higher revs don't sound right as they are way too quiet.

You will get used to it!

 

Yes I have and I wouldn't compare it unless I have. It was 355 (my grandpa's)

I have been reading post after post here and my eyeballs are burning. can you guys answer some questions just straight out.

So break-in period and not going above 4000rpm right away. I have to drive 3 1/2 hours home, how I do I go on the highway?

What should I expect while driving this home long distance?

What do I ask the dealer to do special before I take delivery of this new car.
Thx in adavance

 

Have you? Overpriced in my opinion. You're paying to look like a douche with a lot of money.

Anyhoo, congrats on finding the rx8 solid. Hope you have a lot of fun with it.

 

That's all it takes...

I to went from an Eclipse ('95 DSM) to an RX-8.

Now you just need to repace the Diamond Monarch (or what ever its called) with a rotar on the crotch shot...

PS... I'd trade my left nut for a 355...

 

I must admit I did feel the loss of power, but did not miss it at all. the dyno on my 06 Eclipse GT is at 286BHP and ~240 WHP.
Maybe I am not used to this car yet (obviously after 15 minutes of driving it) but couldn't launch the car. I revved the engine to 3500rpm and then tried to launch it but nothing....I had the traction control all the way off (held it) but it just didn't happen....I will have to work on that.

 

I haven't had the pleasure of doing so yet, I mean, just since a few days ago it's legal for me to buy cigarettes. I wouldn't say overpriced, those things are nearing perfection as sports cars. You know you want one.

The 8 is very special in itself too, especially the first time you get in and press the accelerator. The best all-around car for the money, imo. (here comes Ike to say otherwise)

 

The 8 is different compared to other cars in launching technique, from what I hear.

 

Quick question....
Silver or Red.....I really can't decide.

Winter tires or stock? I have to pay extra, but I figured I could buy tires when May rolls around.

 

Red. No question.

Where do you live?

 

I'm able to change gears all the way up to 6th without going over 3500 rpm at any point, so you're probably ok on the highway. The only concern is keeping the engine going at the same rpms for long times during the break-in period. Manual says that's a bad thing (don't know the reason why though).

 

IIRC you're in the northern midwest area, in which case get snow tires or you'll die.

I'm not kidding about that either.

 

Agree....snow tires or get pwned on the road later lol stock ones are crap in snowy weather.

P.S. Might need to photoshop that avatar and put the Mazda logo on there

 

Road & Track Magazine got the best acceleration from a 7500 rpm clutch drop (lots of wheel spin involved) according to their road test in '04 but I'm sure they were on a warm sticky track because it seems this would obliterate my Potenzas.

Different road surfaces vary (especially here) but it seems I get the best launch at around 5000 to 6000 rpm with some clutch slippage, which puts the 2nd gear upshift right in the sweet spot of the rev range. Wheels are slipping but I'm still thrusting foward.

 

I live in Fargo and I don't like to die so I will definitely take your recommendation on winter tires to avoid death.
I guess I can keep it under 4000rpm, but I don't know who is going to watch the road. This is going to be an exciting drive back. Can't wait until Monday morning.

 

ok, congrats on your choice. Go with the red, as some unknown force in the universe seems to hate silver as they have been in more accidents then any other color. Commonly referred too as cursed silver.

On the serious side, launches will definitely feel different. Coming from 250 hpo and tons of torque this is going to feel weak. The car was never made to be a street dragger, but once it get rolling and you keep it in the sweet spot, then you won't question if you can live without the launch. Nothing better in the world then taking a sharp corner with a mustang on your ***, then a wide smile on your face as the 8 takes the corner without a complaint and the mustang is nose diving for the curb in your rear view mirror.

The 8 will get you 75 mph under 4K rpm in 6th gear, so the highway drive home shouldn't be an issue. Definitely get winter tires as stock are strictly 3 season tires. I couldn't get my 8 out of the garage with 1/4 in. of snow on the ground. Tires are a must. Check your oil level every 1500 miles, and don't shut the engine off cold ( this is where you get flooding issues). Breakin is recommended for the first 600 miles, but some here have done it for the first 1K. After that enjoy the addiction.

The engines rev's so smoothly that sometimes you don't even know how high you let it climb. If you don't know, Mazda put in a beeper at 8500 rpm to remind you to shift, however it is pretty low and many don't hear it. In that case there is a rev limiter that kicks in at 9400 rpm, so no worries about blowing it. Hit the 9K limit every once in a while as it clears out carbon buildup in the engine. The car loves to rev and it's good for the engine.


Other then that, enjoy the car and welcome to the club...

 

Hehe. I can think of a multitude of other sports car I would rather own instead of a ferrari.

S7, Veyron, Gallardo ( love those lines, could be considered overpriced as well :-P ), Ford GT

: back to thread :
It's been interesting reading about launching. Thanks for the tutorials!

mmmmm, I like black. (it's the color of mine)

 

Why wouldn't you pick an Enzo over those? None of them would come close on a track. The S7 and Gallardo don't handle or perform as well, and the Bugatti is just a straight line rocket.

 

S7 because it's unique.

Gallardo because of the looks

Veyron because of it's collectibility / exclusivity. Oh, and it goes 253mph.

I agree, the enzo is a performance monster, but with the exception of the modena, ferrari just doesn't "do it" for me.