7to8

so far:
The sun/moon roof when open.
The lack of "any" spare tire.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel.

RXhusker

For me so far:

People complaining about little things
The fact they even made an automatic much less shift paddles
Waiting
Waiting
Waiting
Waiting

jonalan

The sun/moonroof I could give or take. Unfortunately, it comes in a package.

Do we want a spare tire or trunk space? I'm a little apprehensive about this one, but this is when AAA comes in handy.

If you don't want shift paddles, buy a manual tranny. If you want an automatic, don't use the shift paddles.

My $.02

JTek_55

Well, the lack of a spare tire kind of worries me, but they do give you a tire repair kit and it comes with run flat tires so I guess it's not too bad. The only thing that really has bugged me at this point is the parking brake handle. Whoever came up with that idea at Mazda should be covered with t-bones and thrown to a pack of hungry wolves... whoa, got carried away there...

MattZ

I agree...the only thing I really dislike as far as I can see is the E-brake...a nice simple, small leather covered brake would have been nice...thats it, I don't want it anymore !!! :D :D

zoom44

get the sport or base package then you don't have the moonroof. and it opens the same as in the pic you posted, do you not like that one also?

buy youself a wheel and mount a tire on it and throw it in the trunk. or take advantage of the 24 hr roadside assisstance that is included for the life of the warrenty.

get the 6-speed. 6-speed = no paddles

StephenF

Yeah, I don't like the e-brake either. I wish it was one of those pedal types on the far left of the foot well. :D

If the e-brake is all I can think of to complain about, I'm happy.

I may be bashed for not being a true manual fan, but I think a SMG or F1 style tranny would be a perfect match for the smooth, high revving Renesis.

-Stephen

justinm2

why would you want the e-brake in the footwell, and not between the seats?

StephenF

I was just kidding.
-Stephen

justinm2

oh ok. I was racking by brain, and couldn't think of any logical reason one would want it down there.

inittab

digital speedo - YUCK!

zoom44

that's where they always used to be and still are in some vehicles (like my wife's truck-bench seat ya see) of course it's more fun for power slides in icy parking lots and 180's and such if it's a hand brake.:D

personally i'd like to see a return of the floor mounted dimmer switch for the headlights. i always found it easier to click that thing with my toe rather than remembering which way to push/pull whichever wand that function is on.:D

Hercules

Who needs a handbrake for a 180 when you have a 250hp RWD car with a LSD :D

rotory_it_up

I too miss the days of the floor mounted high beam switch. It was the only thing I liked and miss about my first car....the widely heralded 1979 Chevy Monza.:D

inittab

The very car, BTW, that was originally slated for the GM Wankel engine.

rotarynews.com

Having driven it... This is my list of what I don't like:

Digital Speedo... Plust the fact that it updates relativly slowly.. IE skipping numbers as you go fast.

Stereo... well, it actually kicks butt, but I'd like to see it a standard DIN, for upgradability in the future. I guess Mazda accessories are OK, but what happens in 10-15 years when they don't carry the parts anymore?

Passenger side bulge in the footrest area... but what the hell do I care, I'll always be driving it.

Under-hood plastic. I haven't confirmed if it serves a purpose like air direction/deflection.

ABS/DSC lines in the way of changing spark plugs. Although I was told it may be possible to change them through the driver's side wheel well.

Too Quiet. This is the boy racer in me talking here.. (even though I've been out of high school for nearly 10 years) I'm quite used to loud rotaries... I supposed for the older-set it is OK. And I can always put a cat-back on.

Trunk release on the dash, gas release on the floor. I'd like to have seen them both in one place.

No numbers on the temp gauge. I couldn't confirm if it was a true gauge, or a dumb dumb gauge like the FD.

Lack of White in the US. That white looked really good on the track. True, it didn't photograph well, but in person it looked sharp.


Now, that entire list goes out the window because it did bring a grin to my face when I smashed the gas, hopped the wheels and rowed the gears.

A number of the issues above I know Mazda is aware of, and may address with future releases of the 8. All in all, I can't wait to get my car, as my daily driver FD is showing its age. (build date of 3/92)

MrWigggles

Amen, that is the only thing I don't like.

I don't mind the big centermount Tach ala Porsche with 8000 RPM at the 12 o'clock position (as good as a shift light in my opinion )

But I would wish one of the other dials was a true analog speedo.

-Mr. Wigggles

rx8daniel

That is the first I've heard of run-flat tires - anyone else heard this before?

CraziFuzzy

yeah, they are actually becoming more and more common, they basically have enough sidewall strength to support the weight of the car and keep it off the rims... the speed is limited, and the tire usually is unrepairable, but at least it saves the rims!

pelucidor

Having finally had a chance to hear a rotary (got to blip the throttle a bit on a stationary FD at my dealership) I am glad the RX-8 is quieter. As a member of the 'older-set' the FD might be too noisy for me as my daily driver.

Having different locations for trunk and dash release might be good - in my current car they are both on the floor overlapping each other and I 'fat-finger' the lever and open both sometimes when filling up.

I just don't like the ugly handbrake (what's wrong with the standard handbrake that cars have used for over 70 years) and I am unsure about the digital speedo (but adding a 4th dial for an analog speedo would ruin the look of the dash). Not keen on the ribbed leather for the seats either - looks ugly and definitely will collect food and drink stains from the baby - I doubt it helps to prevents sliding as other vehicles have never needed it.

pelucidor

I am pretty sure the RX-8 wil have regular tyres. I thought it was going to be either Bridgestone RE040s or Michelin Pilot Sports (most people would prefer Bridgestone Potenza S-03). Run-flats are not preferred (unless you have a flat of course) due to negative impact on handling, grip, noise, comfort etc - see reviews of recent BMWs with run-flats as standard.

m477

I'm guessing it had an aftermarket exhaust on it? A stock FD is actually very quiet, and most aftermarket exhausts are MUCH louder than stock.

pelucidor

You are probably right - the engine was not too loud but the exhaust was definitely too much. The car is owned by Jeff Haas of Jeff Haas Mazda in Houston - a pristine '95 in silver that is now for sale.

zoom44

sorry p-diddy, it's bridgestone RE040 runflats all the way around at least in the states. i have asked mazda several times and that is the answer i got every time.

pelucidor

I am sure you are correct - but why include a can of fix-a-flat with the car if it has run-flats? Also the show cars had RE040 and S-03 non-run-flats on them (but I realize these are not production vehicles).

BTW the Lexus SC430 has Bridgestone RE040 245/40ZR18 run-flats as standard and it apparently provides a noisy and hard ride.