Well I just got back from a quick test drive at almaden mazda. I drove both the speed3 and a rx8.

The Speed3.

I get in, seat all the back, all the way down, I am cramped. Start it up, sounds pretty good. The clutch grabs very late in the throw, but you can get used to that. It has very short gears. Even just crusing, to get anywhere I was going up tp 4k. The saleswomen encouraged me to open it up once. You fly through first and second and third. The shifts come up way too fast. Driving my contour home, I didnt get my normal feel oh this is slow, that I got after driving a wrx.

The RX8

Get the keys, and the shift **** (they keep them inside, I guess they are stolen often) Start it up, the engine was not flooded, hooray! Have the seat go all the way back. But my hair is brushing the top of the celing. I will see if I can find a postion where that wont happen. Got it off the lot onto the main strip. Shifting at 3 or 4k seems enough for puttering around, more than enough power to get going. I found it easy to rev match the engine, for downshifting around a u-turn. I am loving the rx8 so far, I need to get my financing squared away, and see how much I need to bend over for the insurance. I also need to do a long freeway cruise to see how much I get bounced around in it.


-HLN

 

Good luck! I know someone on the forum who's about to trade his 8 for another car because headroom is really an issue for him. He thought he could deal with it, but over time (he bought it in March this year) it became too uncomfortable. I hope it works out for you though!

 

Wow, so you didn't care too much for the speed3? I'm a lil surprised frankly.

If you get an 8 without a sunroof, it'll easily knock off almost 2 inches of head clearance. I personally don't mind the brushing hair for the added bonus of a sunroof.

Get that financing in order and keep us posted!

 

Yeah I was surprised that I did not like the speedd3, but I was just offened by the gearing, and the limited tourqe in 1st and 2nd, didnt have much more tourqe than my contour (168) I couldnt get the tires to even slip or squeal.

The rx8 I drove at zzl had a sunroof, and I wasnt brushing my hair on that one so I think I was just sitting too straight up. I would really want to get a sunroof, since this would be my "fun" car, gotta have a sunroof at some point in my life.

 

Check the seat adjustment too. If it has the electric leather seats, you can lower them with the control on the left side of the seat. That's what I do - the only time I have an issue with the sun roof is when earing a helmet for autox or track - it's a snug fit.

 

That is what I am figuring, I'll have to go back and check the adjustments for the seat. Oh by the way I am 6'3.

 

Then I am a good bit taller than you then. With the seat reclined and lowered as far as I could go and still reach the wheel and shifter my head was hitting the sunroof. I had the hair tickle with the non sunroof version.

 

I'm 6'4"...it's all about playing with the seating controls and finding the right spot. I have it in the perfect spot now, and never let anyone touch the controls for fear of losing it! haha

If the steering wheel were telescopic, it would be MUCH easier to get comfortable, but alas, we don't get that option.

Oh yeah, and I have a sunroof too.

 

That is all very good news for me! I have spikey hair in the front too so I have another inch or two in hair, but its time for a hair cut though. My choices for color are, gray, gray, or red. I think I am going with gray.

 

Sounds like you need an extended test drive. One of the dealers here allowed overnight test drives. I finessed that into a weekend test drive - see this thread -
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3&page=3&pp=15 (post # 38 describes how I did it.) I think the fact that I am obviously an "older adult" probably helped to convince them to let me have the car for the weekend. If you are under 30, that may not happen. Anyway, even though I initially felt it was a tight fit, the extended test drive convinced me I could live with it , and I haven't regretted it for one minute for the 20 months I have had the '8!

Zoom, Zoom!

 

Yeah I am 21... We'll see though, they were must more trusting than any other dealer I went to. Most dealers want my license and insurance, she said oh the keys are in, lets go! And I drove very safely.

You think theyd let me do a 1 day test drive so I can drive it work and back? its only 80 miles... naw I wouldnt do that to them.

 

just don't get one in silver...

 

Haha yeah, I've read about their accidents. Luckily it is not an option for me. Just grey, or is it gray? I dont know, but a gray gt is in my future. They are trying to get me on the 26900 invoice + rebates, +ttl. I am hoping to get it 26k otd. Hopefully I can pull it off.