The other day I went to play golf with one of the Managers at my work, and I followed him to the course. He was in a pretty new 911, I in my 8. We went through some really curvey back roads and I stuck with him the whole way.

When we got to the course he couldn't believe how well I hung with him. He gave the RX8 props for a well designed package, and called it a lot of car for the money!

Obviously, had we been on the highway he would have walked (run) away from me but not in the twistys.

Sweeeet.

 

My RX-8 is faster than my 1967 911's Porsche Targa is, doesn't feel lot faster but it is. RX-8 0-60 6.23 Porsche 0-60 6.67. Rx-8 so much smoother though.

 

I've driven a few vintage 356s and older 911s, and the RX-8 is a whole 'nother world better in every attribute except (arguably) styling and, of course, that raw, gnarly old-sports-car feel.

I know a few people with 993s and 996s, but I have yet to drive one or even get a ride in one. (Well, I was in a 993 years ago but I forget how it felt.) I would like very much to compare the feel of my RX-8 to a 996 or 997 or 993. I suspect somehow that, acceleration aside, they have similar feelings of solidity, poise, and smoothness. I also suspect that the RX-8 even tops them in some respects, like maybe steering feel or a general sense of agility. Anyone care to comment?

 

Everytime I see a Porche owner on the highway they stare at the car alot. I even had one in a 944 Turbo or something I guess, race me, he blew out his engine in a big puff of white smoke. I just think that for the Porche to still be hard to beat by a newer sports car is a testament of how well the old school Porches are designed. Even compoared to the new ones the RX-8 keeps its own.

 

Dont get me wrong. This is not a case of the sour grapes but...

911 msrp $68,600
8 msrp $26,875

Is the 911 2.55 times the car my 8 is, I dont think so.

But if I could afford one, well I'd have to add it!

 

I owned a 944 before getting the Rx8. Now, 944's aren't the quickest cars on the road but they do something very few others can do, They whip around corners and handle better then anything I have ever driven. I have left much faster cars in the dust on back roads. They are considered one of the best handling cars ever made, due to a 50/50 wieght distribution. The 944 has a 2.5 engine up front and the tranny mounted in the rear pushing both rear tires. I swore I would never get rid of it. The car was totally awesome on the twisties. So, when I heard that Mazda's rx8 also had a 50/50 wieght distribution I figured I would take a look into it and take one out for a ride. I figured there was no way this 8 would be able to match the handling on the 944, so I took one out for an extended test drive.


I wasn't looking for earth biting power ( but it was faster then my 944), but I was looking at how well the 8 pushed and pulled around corners. This car handles just as good as the 944, but took each turn with much more confidence. It felt just as quick as my 944 around the twisties but didn't seem to be straining when doing it. I would credit the stability control system for this easy going attitude that the car has when throwing it into a hard curve. I was very impressed. After a hour driving this car I was so impressed that I decided right there that I was getting one. The interior was the clincher ( four doors and real rear seats). :D

A week later I sold my porsche and bought an 8. After 3 months I simply love this car. It is not the fastest car on the road , but what is? Anyone can pretty much buy any half decent car and turn it into a rocket (ex. neon srt), but in the end it's still a neon, and no mods in the world are ever gonna make a neon 50/50 wieght and handle like this 8. Going fast is exciting, no doubt, but going fast around curving twisties is much much better...

 

911,911,911...... I have a 1981 Ferrari 308 GTS-i and my '8 out preforms it in every way

 

I feel I can comment on this one having owned a 1973 911s (awesome car) and I currently own a 1976 911S. I bought my RX-8 because of how similar it feels to a 911. When you drive a 911, and now an RX-8, you know you're operating a special piece of machinery. The combination of acceleration, braking and handling balance is unmatched. Th RX-8 is also an insane value. I'm selling my 76 911 with absolutely no regrets because of my RX-8. They feel so similar to drive other than my RX-8 is slightly faster, handles better, brakes comparably but with ABS, has usable rear seats, airbags etc etc. I'm really getting tired of the complaints from people about the cars power, torque etc. Drive the mother and enjoy!!

 

This is what I'm saying. Amen, Steve.

 

Please don't forget about resale value on a 911. Just look over on ebay motors. I just saw a few 1978 911's for sale up to $17,000. The resale value for my RX8 will be at $17,000 in a little over two years.

 

Agreed. The RX8 has so much more to offer then that half a second 0-60 or 1/4 mile advantage that most other sports car's give you. But in the end, who's going to notice unless you drive with a stopwatch. The handling and connection you feel with the car is unique, and it's a lot easier to make a car faster then to get it to handle like the RX8 and yet maintain it's driveability. I can't compare with the Porches that you lucky few have, because I never driven one, but it's nice to know the Rx8 is comparable with such exotic cars as these and liked by experienced and knowledgeable driving enthusiasts.

 

Guy's stop it, you all going to make me cry with those stories... my 8 is presently in storage for winter and I'm in the middle of installing the Racing Beat Suspension Package.... i heard good comments about it.. i won't be able to test it until spring... driving crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please winter go away.. go.

Enjoy your 8 and be careful

Simon.

 

Resale value is for people wanting to sell their vehicles. Cars are not investments..

 

I agree with what's said about the 944 vs RX8. I drove a 944S2 briefly a few years ago and was most impressed with the flat attitude it took the twisties. In contrast the one unsatisfactory aspect of my RX8 is the more than expected amount of body roll for a sports car. I am thinking of ungrading the anti-rollbars. Anyone here has changed theirs, any feedback re improvement and any negative impact on ride quality?

-Ringer-

 

People, people, do you hear yourselfs? You are comparing a brand new car, engine of the year, 50/50 weight dist. 6 speeds, to cars 20 years (944) and 25 to 30 (911) years old!
I thank you for your complements. :D

 

With all due respect 911sc, the Porsche 911 remained basically unchanged for decades. A late 80's 911 is very simialr in feel to an early 70's. Just more power and more grip because of wider rims and tires. My point was that we really do have something special with the RX-8. It is very similar to drive. Both have peaky powerplants, amazing agility and brakes. Even the view out the front is similar with the 911 and RX-8 having those "bulges" in the front fenders. I absolutely loved my 73 911S. 190hp. 2300 lbs. No power until 5000 RPM. Sound familiar?? Now I have a warranty. A Bose 6 CD changer. Safety galore. A usable backseat for my kids and I drive it all year. I can't believe I paid 37K Cdn for this thrill!!

 

Glad your not my financial advisor. Resale value is important, try buying a house with that principal.

A car is a investment, whether you choose to sell it, or keep it till the wheels fall off. Try getting into a car accident, or your car get stolen with a car that has a crappy resale/blue book value and if you don't have gap insurance protection, be ready to pay.

 

I've driven a friend's Carrera, I believe it was an '02. I think the Carrera's steering had much more feel to it, and obviously was much more powerful. I like the 8's gearbox more and thought the car felt lighter in the corners and much more tossable.

Also, the suspension geometry of both the 8 and the 911 look pretty near identical to me. And I'd read at one point that Mazda couldn't go with the rear double-wishbone because of the back seats and shape of the chassis. And likewise, the 911 can't go with rear double-wishbone because of the rear engine layout. This sound right to anyone?

Point being, I've said on this site a few times before that I believe Mazda must have had the 911 in the back of their minds for inspiration when designing the 8. They modeled the FC RX-7 to be a poor man's 944. Look at the old ads, they directly compare the FC Turbo to the 944S.

 

Actually, Mazda designers and engineers are probably more likely long-time Lotus car fans. Their cars, starting with the Miata are very much in the vein of Lotus styling and performance. From the front the RX8 reminds me a lot of a futuristic Lotus Super 7. And the Miata was a flat-out poor man's Lotus Elan. They don't stop there either; they clearly borrow Colin Chapman's famous "good damping, soft springing" suspension philosophy. The RX8 feels a lot like a Lotus Europa in handling, which was an absolute blast to drive....very confidence-inspiring.

You drove a Lotus with finesse; not muscle, which is exactly the same type of style that the RX8 favors. Of all the cars I've owned, driven, had the privilege to drive (including a Ferrari 250 GTO) over the last 35 years, the RX8 is the best car I've ever experienced. It has the best overall balance of features of any sports car I've ever been in. I absolutely love mine. When I die, they'll probably have to bury me in it because the smile will still be on my face. :D

 

That's interesting about the Lotus comparison. Never driven one, so I couldn't say from personal experience.

 

The guy who gave my 8 props drives an 03 model 911. :D

 

Hey look, one of my best friends owns a ti-grey, 6sp. RX-8. I've never driven it but i've been a passenger several times. It's a very nice car don't get me wrong. My sister owned an 83 rx-7 that I drove more than she did, so I'm familiar with the whole RX thing. I now have a 1980 911 targa. It's a beast compared to the RX-8. but it just feels great to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything, well maybe a '79 930. But anyway, it really is a complement to have you compare the two. Enjoy your cars.

 

Now if I can just get him to let me drive his 911! He may; he's a pretty cool Brit. I'll get him liquored up on the golf course and then have to drive him home. That's the plan...

 

This should be etched into a stone on a mountain somewhere for all the 8 vs. 'xx hot car' thread originators to take note of.

Great comment JimW!

 

Just got off a 39 month lease from my 01' 911 (with sport suspension, I/H/E & ECU chip). While the Porsche is substantially more powerful & torquey, the handling, braking, balance of the RX8 is very close to the 911, without being as stiff. Though I have the RB suspension package (F/R swat bars, springs) & front sway bar endlinks. I can honestly say that the shifter is better in the RX8, not to mention the added space (back seats). The trunk (especially with the spare tire kit) in the RX8 is a joke (and not well designed), but I just throw my stuff in the back seat. Overall, the RX8 is a great car. I think I will be keeping this car for a while. Chassis is excellent, fun car to drive, 9K redline.