Yesterday (Wed) I dropped my beloved baby Rx-8 off at my local Mazda dealership. Seems she was getting some age spots between her rear doors and the weather stripping on the bottom half of her. Theweek before the Dealership told me they could fix this lil rust problem for me under warrenty and would have to take it for a few days. I asked about a rental and they said they'd provide one, part of me was happy another part cringed.

See last rental I got from Enterprise through Mazda was a Cobalt it was horrificly bad in every aspect and before my Rx-8 I was driving a Chevy W/T. So come yesterday I went in with my head hung slightly low and handed them the keys. The rep pointed me in the direction of the Enterprise worker so he could get me my rental. To my surprise he wasnt a older gentleman oh no, he was about my age if that (I'm 27). He looked at me and then my paper work then commented "You dont want a Chevy Aveo do you?" I grinned right at him and said "If you can help it I would like to avoid that." He said alright and went about finding me a Stratus. I knew the Stratus wasnt my 8 but it sure the hell beats that Chevy right? Well he couldnt get me the Stratus so he called up his buddies down the street and asked them to send something "Comparable" up to him A.S.A.P.! I wait a few minutes while he handles another customer and my car finaly shows up. The Enterprise guy looks at me and gives me a faint -shrug- and tells me its a Ford Fusion. I return his shrug and tell him its better than that Aveo or a Cobalt he laughs and hands me the keys.

Now I've been driving it for the past two days and Oh My GOD! I have realized to the fullest extent how good the Rx-8 is in handling. On the highway I've realized I dont have that tight of control over the car. In taking corners I can no longer take them as fast or as tight as I would like. The acceleration isnt as smooth in the Fusion as it is in the 8, sure the torque of it pulls me up (very damn little I might add) but its ruff as hell. The seats are not as comfortable or forgiven also to my bad back (grr damn car accident!) and the size of my 8 is perfect for my driving style. I know there is more I've taken for granted so far but oi I miss my baby sooo much.

So remember if you complain about your 8 just try to remember why you bought her.. or get a small slap in the face like I did these two days by driving another car that is to some/most a "Reasonable" car.