Got a call from my dealer - your car is here! Drove my 1985 RX-7 down to check out the car and a test drive.

Test Drive:

I order the car back in Feb. The car was beautiful. I ordered the 6MT Titanium.

The RX-8 felt very light and nimble. It felt like I was driving an oversized go-kart with a turbine engine. This car is very fast and not that bad at lower RPM's. The ride was very harsh - like I said it felt like I was in an oversized go-kart. It handled like it was on rails.

The rx-8 did not have the sound of my 85 RX-7 "very disappointed" and for the feel - I like my 85 RX-7 better. The 85 RX-7 has a great sound to the engine "Hummmmm" and the shifting is great. The RX-8 has no feel to the car, too light, no road feel and the sound of the engine is very faint.

Bottom line - I'll keep my 85 RX-7 "more fun to drive".

The RX-8 is not for me, it's a great car if you want to take it to the track and race. Also it's a great looking car.

 

The ride is actually just on spot with the BMW 330, maybe a tad harsher but hey.. that's the price you pay for the advanced suspsension setup.

 

Trying to compare the 8 to the 1st generation RX-7 is kinda silly IMHO. The 1st Generation is loud, has poor sound insulation and unpowered steering. Those will definately contribute to 'road feel.' I know that I feel more connected in my '79 than I do in any other car, but that feeling comes at a price. My car is not nearly as agile as an 8, nor does it have the great steering box, slick 6 speed transmission, 250 horses, or room for four adults.

Different cars for different applications, but if you're really concerned about exhaust sound, get an aftermarket setup from Racing Beat, Yaw or Mazdatrix.

 

Thanks for your opinions. Yeah, it sounds like some people would be more interested in a more completely sports-devoted rotary like the fabled new RX-7. Although personally for a daily driver I would still prefer some street manners like low noise and not a completely jittery suspension (and it sounds like the 8 is balanced well for me, on paper) ala 350Z.

Some people go out of their way to make their maximas loud and more direct (intake/exhaust/fi/etc, disable power steering). What's cool is, that it's possible to take a factory car and tune it to your liking. If tunage isn't your thing and you want it from the floor though, which is understandable, you're kind of at the mercy of the market.

 

FYI - my 85 is all stock and original! 38K ::p

 

Sorry to hear that ACRX8 - now I won't have anybody in the neighborhood I know that also has one. I'm loving mine, which came in a week ago Friday.

 

The car is quieter, smoother, faster than the Rx7. It drives like it is on rails and is far more luxurious. Besides the rx7 being nostalgic and loud, I don't understand the disappointment with the test drive of the rx8.

 

Bottom line - I'll bet you $20 that the tire pressures were way too high, probably over 40 psi. Spec pressure is 32 psi. Many dealers never bother to lower them after the cars are delivered, and the tires are over-inflated at the factory to over 40 psi.

When I took delivery of my RX-8, tire pressure was 39 all around. Go back with your own tire pressure gauge, lower the tire pressure to 32psi, and drive it again.

Regards,
Gordon

 

ACRX8,
I decided not to get rid of my 1985 RX-7. Sure the RX-8 will totally replace it some day, but that day hasn't arrived yet. :D Some days I'll choose TREKN7; other days TREKN8.
I just have to avoid 6th gear in the RX-7.

Now I get the multi-car discount on insurance and a better rate on the RX-8 as a pleasure car!

 

I've gotten used to the difference between the two different incarnations (1st gen and 8) - for me, the steering in the 7 feels like you're doing absolutely everything (totally connected), and it's best driven completely wound out because of the low power (this is actually a good thing). The 8 on the other hand, is much easier to drive fast, manuver at speed, turn heads, or manuver in a parking lot.

But then again, they both seem to be cut from the same cloth. The two of mine sound remarkably similar, with the 7 having a slightly more noticiable engine/exhaust noise. The shifters, both with wildy different lengths of throw, feel very similar to the other.

I like them both, but the 8 is my favorite for its manners and ability to take on the twisties quickly.

 

...all these comments, most noticably about the ride "harshness", the "lack" of steering feel, the "too quiet" exhaust note, "doesn't need" to be wound up to go fast... where have i heard all of these things before??

OH!! i remember: in this thread, replace "1st gen RX-7" with "RX-8", and "RX-8" with any competing new product the RX-8 has been put up against... read it again. (i'm thinking the C+D 350Z, Cobra, RX-8 comparo)

it's all about preferences, and this thread is cool

 

wow, I just testdrove one and thought the smooth ride was remarkable. I guess it's just whatever you're used to...

 

no road feel - I disagree. They both feel differently, but you are comparing a recirculating ball steering box (pain to adjust I might add) to a modern rack-and-pinion. The 8 may be over-assisted compared to what you are used to, but you could probably resolve this by disabling your power steering. I did this on my 85 RX7 and once i was used to it, driving a car with power steering felt strange. You will find that you get used to the effort required by the 8's steering over time and will appreciate the accuracy of the rack-and-pinion.

sound of the engine - aftermarket muffler. Mind you, the exhaust gases on a rotary engine are so hot they will turn a mortal muffler into scrap metal. Get a quality one made specifically for the RX8 that provides more free-flow ... less baffling = more sound.

Some of the advantages to consider with the 8 over the first-gen 7:

fully independant rear suspension > live rear axle
safe, stiff chasis with airbags > steel unibody w/o airbags
six-speed > five-speed
18 inch wheels > 14 inch wheels
strong brakes w/ anti-lock > mediocre brakes w/o anti-lock
quality interior > bad, bad plastic and vinyl
supportive seats for hard turns > supportive door on your left and supportive arm-rest on your right

In the end, it is your money. If you love your 85 as much as I did, you may want to keep it around and drive both. Turn the 85 into a auto-x car and get the 8 for commuting.

 

I got back in my 2nd gen RX-7 to run a lunch errand (I leave it in the parking lot at work) after about a week in the RX-8. I thought there was something wrong with it! The brakes, clutch, all felt horrible! I have no regrets about the 8, although I'm still keeping the 7 for now.

 

I originally started with an '80 RX-7. Went to an '84 GSL-SE (which was the same as the '85), and what a difference. I'll never forget feeling like I was driving a Cadillac. It felt that different between the '80 and the '84. The '84 GSL-SE was a great car. It had more power, better steering, larger wheels, and was loaded. It had just rolled over 100k when I bought her, and she still ran like a champ. It was the best of the 1st Generation. Boy do I miss that car. I sold it to follow my wife... Now the '84 is sitting in a garage waiting for a friend of mine to restore her. She's up at 200k, needs a lot of work, but she still starts up.

But, I can imagine what it must be like to drive the RX-8, a new and improved version of that old car. The RX-8 has all of the modern features that I wish the old one had. I really look forward to buying one.

 

I have to agree with some of the above comments. For reference, I've owned 4 1st gens, 2 of those being GSL-SEs. The biggest thing is suspension. Even the heavier GLS-SE would lose composure over bumps especially if in a turn. Then there's power. Not even a close one there. The RX-8 has power where the SE ran out of tach. I believe the 84 GSL-SE were a great car for their time and I'd still enjoy owning one ( I found an 85 for sale recently near here w/7xK miles, but they wanted $5000/obo - red if anyone is interested ) again as a 2nd or 3rd car. The materials were not expensive and besides the center console and stereo controls looked inexpensive.
But - each person has their own requirements and expectations. FWIW - my car had 50lbs of air in each tire at delivery. I'd say take a test drive again - and floor it at about 6000-7000 and then listen to the otherwise quiet Renesis take on a new sound and energy! Of course I wouldn't do that in yours if you were to buy it and it's got less than 600 miles on it!
I'm still debating on whether to keep my 90 Miata - each day it seems to lose a little to the RX-8. But even that car pales compared to the features found in the new RX when you consider so many aspects. THe Miata still wins on being able to go topless and will always be a very tossable and safe car to drive hard. falling asleep-good luck if you drive an 8 again - give it a chance to grow on you!

 

Nobody else seems to think that ACRX-8's test drive car simply had a problem with tire pressures being way too high? It would account for all his complaints about harsh ride, no feel and too light steering, etc. ...

Regards,
Gordon

 

Yep ,sounds like a likely suspect to me.

 

Hey Guys

I'm not downing the RX-8, the ride is not what I expected.
I love everything else about the car. I waited 7 months for the car and the ride was not what I thought it would be.

 

This is a minor point, but if you have 38K on an 85, that's about 2200 miles a year. I have about 2450 on my RX-8 in 14 days and I'm not done with this day. IF you were thinking of the RX-8 as a replacement for the 7 and selling the 7 it may make a little sense. But if you were planning to keep the 7 and the 8, then it probably makes sense to instead keep the 7 and pass on the 8 - maybe wait for the new 7 in a year or two. The 8 will certainly by modifiable to make it a harder ride or louder. I'm not sure how it could be quieter unless you get narrower rubber and / or keep it under 5000RPM.

 

The RX-8 won't beat my 1st gen! Well at least not in terms of speed. Everywhere else it probably will.

I drove one of the prototypes back in January. I thought it handled great and was very smooth. I had no problems with the suspension. In fact I probably would stiffen it up. Acceleration wasn't neck snapping by any means but fun never the less. It was too quiet for me but thats an easy fix. Remember that Mazda didn't design the RX-8 to feel like the pure sports car RX-7. They wanted a 4 door sports car that was tame enough for a family. It doesn't mean that it can't handle like a sports car though.

 

My car had almost 50psi in the tires when it was dropped off the truck. The sales manager checked and adjusted the tires to 32 before our test drive. So Yes it is possible. It is also possible that ACRX8 is wrong :D

 

I passed on the RX-8 yesterday as well. However, I found the ride to be firm but the cornering ability quite soft. Lots of body roll and dive that I'm not willing to "overcome" with aftermarket parts. The power was adequate but the overall experience felt too numb or isolated. I currently own a 1988 M3 and I've owned several Porsche 911s. I prefer the more "raw" driving experience--more akin to the FD RX-7. In my opinion, Mazda made too many compromises to satisfy my taste in "sports cars".

 

Coming from someone who owns a FD (3rd gen RX-7) I was not overwelmed with the look of the 8, either the exterior or interior. Believe me when I say I was hoping my jaw would drop after seeing it. I am selling my RX-7 tomorrow to get into a new car with 4 seats (have 2 young kids). I was hoping the RX-8 would be the best of both world (sports car and carry the family when need be). But the looks didn't do it for me plus I didn't really care for the whole rear door/seat set-up. In my opinion it is a pain to get in and out of, especially if you're going to use the rear seats a lot like I would with the kids. Looks like I will be going with the G-35 sedan. Fast, sporty with a little bit of luxury mixed in.

 

But no rotary engine which, for many of us, is the main reason we considered the 8 in the first place.

I honestly don't think I would have given the 8 a second look if it had a piston engine under the hood...