9291150

Ike, I already did man, many times! I think the last time it was the "fight the haters" thread. I think you responded by comparing the slowest RX8 ET times belonging to people on this site with the fastest times you found from other cars as tested in magazines from professionals. Typical Ike response. You may have noticed I didn't bother responding.

Thats about all the effort I'll put towards pointing out the obvious.

sti_eric

Please list for me the advantages of the RX-8 chassis over the Impreza chassis and how those advantages relate to the end product.

Yeah, you can keep telling yourself that the RX-8 is a real sports car while the STi is an econobox. Too bad the RX-8 is missing the "sport" part of the equation and the STi puts it to shame in all performance aspects. As for sports cars that I can afford...I feel I am a pretty good position with having an STi and RX-8 by the time I was 26. I know one thing is for sure, if I was 55, I wouldn't be driving around in a $25K entry-level sport coupe believing that it is the greatest car of all time. I would probably be in a Porsche 911, BMW M3, Lexus SC430, or MB CL-class.

It's not only the pushed back in your seat feeling. It's the ability to easily get around that huge SUV clogging the left, while in any gear. In the STi, just stomp the accelerator and you're past, and the SUV driver can't do anything about it. In the RX-8, you have to downshift 2 gears, floor the accelerator, and hope that the guy in the SUV doesn't speed up, because you will have a tough time passing him if he does.

It's hard to compete with the RX-8 in that price category, which is why we bought one. You get a lot for your $25K. But, you don't get nearly what you get in other cars such as the STi, Evo, S2000, Boxster, etc. Roaddemon claims that the RX-8 compares "favorably" to more expensive sports cars; I asked him to list the cars that is compares favorably to; he listed half a dozen cars, none of which - except for the 350Z - does the RX-8 come close to in terms of performance, handling, or prestige.

Roaddemon

Mazda does little continuous advertizing on all their models. That's good for us cause they always have discounted left overs and their cars are well built and fun to drive.

The rotary's refinement and performance qualities brings this sportscar up to premium sportscars status. It competes with much more expensive true sportcars. It's already priced right. The added discounts can only be good for you and me.

RX8_GT

Well balanced post - Thanks

But just wait for the response from the all-knowing ........

Roaddemon

Once again you bash. Why don't you show me, go ahead and compare it to those sportscars. I'll bet you'll base everything on 10ths of a second and quarter mile times. Your such a wussy ricer eric.

RX8_GT

Sounds like driving to me .... popping up to 7500 RPMs (..... and so smooth) is part of the RX-8 greatness IMO......But to each his own and this is the RX8Club forum.

DARKMAZ8

You must have an auto 8 cause I never have problems passing.

RX8_GT

Please give Eric a break ---- not his fault his parents named him RICE --- but transposed the E.

sti_eric

I had the 8 out last weekend. Stopped at this one red light on a 55 mph road. A Hyundai SUV next to me (not sure if it was the Tucson or Santa Fe). No cars in front, couldn't see any headlights behind, either. Took off normally, shifted into second at around 5000 rpm. At this point, I see the Hyundai leap forward in a challenge. I figure, why not. The RX-8 is supposed to be a sports car, let's have some fun with it. At this point, the Hyundai is about half a car length ahead. Slammed the accelerator to the floor at around 3000 rpm and...nothing happens. Wait - still not going anywhere, wait some more - still not going anywhere - wait yet some more, oh now we're above 7000 rpm, and we start INCHING by the Hyundai. Granted, I'm more used to driving a 340whp STi, where going WOT means instant turbo spool and being slammed back into the seat. But, I was a little disappointed in the throttle response and how long it took the engine to get the revs up.

sti_eric

You are the know-it-all who said that the RX-8 compares favorably to the S2000, Z4, and Boxster. I'll let you provide the info showing how the RX-8 compares favorably to these.

RX8_GT

[QUOTE=sti_eric].... Slammed the accelerator to the floor at around 3000 rpm and...nothing happens......../QUOTE]

Sell the RX-8 - it is not the car for you. And I've been flamed as knowing nothing about cars. PS There's this thing called a shifter ......

Roaddemon

Learn how to drive, your an embarassment to all of us. Or keep your auto 8 in the garage.

Mitch Strickler

Rotarygod:

Thanks for your technical explanations about comparative efficience of the Renesis and conventional engines. I don't know enough to be sure that you are right, but it makes a lot of sense and I trust you on these technical matters. Near the end of your post, though, you run off the road (see below).

The whole point of all of this is that these comparisons are all a waste of time. Usually by those who have limited knowledge on the subject with nothing better to do but with something to prove. Comparisons of the rotary engine to piston engines is a worthless things to talk about when determining if this car will keep selling well. All of these threads on total vehicle sales are a waste of time as well. These are all based on a person's opinion that the car should be selling more because other cars out there that they personally feel it is competition with have different sales numbers. The problem is that none of these people has any knowledge of what the car's projected sales are, none of them has any clue as to the vehicles profitability at those sales levels, and none of these people can be construed in any was as an expert or even a reliable consultant on the topic. It is always pure speculation and is almost always wrong.

While I haven't done a lot of research on RX-8 sales, I've seen enough to say that your unsubstantiated assertions are not convincing. Maybe the people who wrote posts on this subject didn't demonstrate knowledge about the car's projected sales and whether actual sales are disappointing, but neither do you. (Yes, I know your next paragraph talked about Miata sales, but that doesn't add anything to these RX-8 questions. You know, logically.)

I have seen statements, early on, that Mazda's goal for US sales was 30,000 a year. Recent months have been running at a rate not much more than a third of that. And the deep discounts and slow disposal of end-of-year models is very consistent with disappointing sales. The current Road & Track, a source welll plugged into industry info -- and sympathetic to the 8 -- says the sales are disappointing.

Slow RX-8 sales in the US are just part of the bigger picture. The successful chassis is being adapted for the Miata, and will be used elsewhere -- Kabura, RX-7 if they ever get around to it, etc. The RX-8 (apart from engine) is built at a plant that turns out other models, including 3s. Sales in other parts of the world may meet goals (I have no idea whether this is so, but it's possible).

Bottom line: I sure hope Mazda continues the 8, and expect they will. I think the lack of money that follows from slow sales makes it harder to get Ford approval for R&D to improve the car, starting obviously with engine efficiency (new injectors, 3 plugs?). As for changing what is fine, especially the exterior styling, I don't much care because I keep cars for a long time, and will enjoy the looks of mine even more in comparison to a successor that looks like a Kabura.

Mitch Strickler

Roaddemon

Lots of professional drivers have already done that but you ignore that to bash. So you show me and I'll bash you.

sti_eric

[QUOTE=RX8_GT]Wow, you guys are just amazing. AMAZING! Reading comprehension much? I get flamed in one post for saying that you need to downshift twice to get the RX-8 moving, then I get told in this post that I don't know how to drive because I didn't downshift into first gear. GET YOUR STORIES STRAIGHT!

Point is, it's the 8 that is embarrassing. The STi is much more driveable on the street in these situations.

DARKMAZ8

I'm willing to bet a paypal dollar that you own an auto 8 or you have big problems with your 8.

ps. learn how to drive.....I guess tis the reason you enjoy AWD soooo much.

sti_eric

Links?

Roaddemon

Find them yourself, they're all over this site. Try to be helpful for a change.

Roaddemon

He's got an 8 automatic. It's his wifes car. Bet she never drives his Sti. No class.

RX8_GT

Yes - finally something we can agree on. In your hands - the 8 is clearly embarrassing .... the STI is more drivable with you in the driver's seat. So now go off to the STI forums - and lament your embarrassing and undrivable RX-8.

maikelnait

Eric,

I own an Impreza GT Turbo and a Mazda rx8 (231 Hp). Sure having more than 30 Kg/m at 4000 Rpm is nice. I kinda know how both of them behave.

Maybe you don't like using the gears and love mid-range turbo-torque istead of reaching 9K several times thru several shifts.

Maybe you love racing others in a straight line while others enjoy driving through a winding road.

The STi and the 8 are not comparable. They do not excel in the same things and are meant for different purposes.

Rumboo

sti_eric... you obviously know each car has to be driven the way it's made to be driven. If you drive the 8 the way you do just to make a point, and refuse to drive it differently from a FI piston, you're not being fair.

Anyway, just declaring that you're fair-minded doesn't make you so. If you react with extreme statements in retaliation to roaddemon's vitriol, you relinquish any claim you might have to being objective, and confer upon yourself an equal lack of credibility as him. Ditto for you, roaddemon.

Of course, if you guys are actually having great fun having a go at each other's cars, carry on, then!

DARKMAZ8

fixed

DARKMAZ8

It must be,, cause the 8 might not be fast but it's quicker then a hyundai.......I wonder what story he'll concock next

sti_eric

Guilty! She DOES NOT like driving the STi. Too raw and too much power!

It's not an auto. In fact, it's not even an 8. I don't own either an RX-8 or STi. I actually own a 1986 Chevy Nova with 62hp. I am just so jealous of RX-8 owners that it makes me feel good to come on here and act like I own one. Don't worry, I do the same thing on NASIOC, too. They think I actually own an STi!

Of course I realize that the cars have to be driven differently. Actually, that is the point of my story. In the STi, I am used to mashing the accelerator and taking off in any gear. In the RX-8, you can't do this if you don't want to be embarrassed by every moderately powered SUV on the road. It all goes to the point that the power in the STi is more useable than the power in the RX-8.