I've done the same thing but all stock haha. Speed shifted clutch drop like a pro. I have never been able to do that again nor do I want to.

 

Getting back to the OP's concern for Winter driving, keep in mind that relatively low torque is a plus in that environment. Winter driving is about maintaining steady momentum. Low torque reduces the risk of the tires breaking free when you most need grip. As already mentioned the 50/50 weight balance and low center of gravity also contribute to more stabile Winter driving. Of course one of the most important components to Winter driving is quality dedicated snow tires. Many go with 17" steel rims (no sense sand/salting nice alloys and the 17" promotes taller tire sidewalls), and a narrower tire (to lessen the 'snowplow' effect, e.g. 215x50). Bridgestone Blizzak is a popular brand.

There, another fear dissipated.

 

I believe alnielsen knows exactly what he's talking about. He's being objective in an intellectual way that is beyond what the junior college brain is capable of considering. Unlike some people, alnielsen has nothing personal against the WRX.

You can tune all you want, add electronics and computers all you want, but the WRX and EVO X will always be fighting their inherent limitations from their platforms (which were designed as econoboxes). That's what they mean when they talk about bottom-up engineering. The RX8 platform doesn't have those inherent limitations. That's why it's called a top-down platform.

I'll just cite one article: http://www.autofiends.com/2008/09/20...iend-vs-fiend/

So let me finish with this: You need to check your fanboy attitude and learn to do a proper SEARCH before you start redundant threads.

 

Sigh.

ArXate:
I am not sure if you are intending to come off that harsh and confrontational, but most of your posts are certainly being taken that way.

If you are intending it, please relax a bit.
If you aren't, can you work on your posts a bit to tone it down?


We like that you love the same car that we all do, but quite a few of us are cringing more and more when you step into threads where prospective owners are asking questions and deliberately (apparently) inflame the situtation, turn it into a destructive arguement, and probably drive away someone that could become a valued member of the community.

I'll bash people right alongside you when it is called for, but these types of threads are not it. Constructive advise is far more effective in short and long term than internet flaming, even if it is fun sometimes. With the price point of the 8 continuing to drop, there is an increasing number of people able to afford it that might not otherwise, and when they come here for information and actually use that search button you are talking about, we want them to find threads of useful information, not threads filled with people bashing other people for not searching.


Thanks.

 

It seems I'm not the only one who feels the OP's response to alnielsen was unnecessarily harsh. My post is more direct and objective than confrontational. The vast majority of my posts don't have anything to do with people who didn't do searches but rather have to do with fixing issues, which has nothing to do with confrontation and is where I would rather focus my attention.

RIWWP, I have nothing against you and I'm not trying to stir up trouble with you but, just to be fair, I'm wondering why you didn't first ask the OP to tone down a bit. That would have made your comment to me more reasonable and equitable, right? I'm just being objective here.

Maybe nycgps has influenced me negatively!

 

Ok, what I wanted to say originally to the OP is he should try to buy a used or new '09 RX8 R3. If money is not an issue, I would feel safer with a used RX8 with very few miles on it, something like 10,000 or less miles.

 

Nothing against you either. I know very well how the interwebz can skew perception of a post quite a bit.

Just your posts do come off pretty harsh for the most part. Telling an outsider to back down, calm down, or straighten up never accomplishes anything, especially if they are advocating a different car (see the Mazda 6 thread for reference as to what happens), but members are a bit different. We have some success there

 

back to getting advice about the 8.

Are there common problems to these cars. Like they say american cars start need high maintenance after 100k miles. Does the rx8 do that as well. In other threads, i read that after 100k the engine starts crapping out?

 

Ok this is getting out of hand. I'm new to this forum and already I've seen a few hardcore fanatics (besides the two individuals that this post is aimed at) that have such biased views in favor of the Mazda RX-8 that they can't fathom another car in the 8's competition to be a better buy. I play fair. If someone has an opposing opinion I will consider their view, but if they say things that are purely their opinion as facts I will call them out on it.

My point about the WRX is that the car deserves respect. I agree that it might not be as refined as the RX-8 in style and looks but for some ppl the WRX is the smarter choice. To hate on a WRX because all you have owned are Mazdas all your life is fine if you state it as an opinion but you can't just say WRXs suck without sounding like you don't know what you are talking about.

Stock for stock the WRX is considerably faster than the RX-8. It also handles very well. As far the EVO and WRX being econo boxes so what? They are designed to be affordable high performance cars. As far as both of these cars having trouble overcoming their design limitations, I beg to differ. Check out the Top Gear heavily modified EVO 8 vs Lamborgini Murcielago race on youtube. Also search for Ken Block regarding the handling of an upgraded WRX STi. Then you will see the true potential of these two amazing cars.

One final clarification I am going to make to everyone else is that I don't have die-hard preferences for either of these three cars I've mentioned. I think they are all great, and am just trying to decide whether I want to buy a 2004-05 RX-8 or a 2004-05 WRX.

------------------------

Getting back on topic, how hard is it to burn out in a RX-8, and can you turn off the traction control?

 

About as easy as a Mazda3, or other ~159ftlb of torque car. Not as easy as a V8.

Yes, you can turn it off.







See what I mean ArXate? Your post didn't accomplish much....

 

what versions come with the navigation system?

 

I have nothing against Subaru's. I've had 3 of them. The WRX-STI makes good horsepower. But, rally driving isn't road or track driving. In your area of Wisconsin, I haven't seen too many gravel roads. Buy a WRX, I don't care. You asked for a opinion, I gave you mine.

 

I'm pretty sure it's always an option, but I don't know at which trim levels it's available. You mentioned test driving a 2010, but I didn't see if you were looking to buy new or used. If new, it would be worth going to mazda's web site and playing with the "build one" page. Check out when you can get other goodies like heated seats, etc.

Do you currently have a GPS? If so, you know what you want. If not, think hard about spending $2000 for a hard-wired GPS that may be hard pressed to navigate as well as a $200 portable...and will certainly be behind in a couple of years. Also, Mazda has only updated maps once since '04.

Ken

 

the S2 GT version comes with NAV standard I think

 

hope youre not a troll who comes here and start a WRX vs RX8 thread cuz youll be flamed.
with money you can tune anything as fast as supercars. as long it makes you happy fine.
buying a car is to make you happy. I like RX8 so I bought one. I hope you try both before putting down money on an RX8 cuz we dont want to hear you blaming us giving you a wrong choice.

 

I picked my new-to-me 8 up last night. I wasn't too worried about the engine (know about the warranty), but now this quote has me a little worried:

Plugs and wires were replaced 20,000 kms (12,500 mi) ago. I do notice though when idling at the light that there is this "rumbling" for lack of a better word, and the idle isn't perfectly smooth. There's the occasional very minor drop in rpm. Is this an early sign of a problem?

 

is it starting smoothly?

 

This thread has turned into an after school special

 

It's possible. It isn't something to 'worry' about, but rather something to pay attention to. You WILL need to replace plugs about every 30,000 miles, and if you stay OEM, then coils and plug wires too. If you upgrade, the coils and wires will last quite a bit longer. It's just a matter of paying attention to the slow changes and how your 8 speaks to you to know when, and not put off doing the replacements.

A vibration at idle could be ignition degrading, e-shaft sensor out of sync, dirty MAF sensor, or motor mounts. There will always be some gearshift vibration, 8th IS a direct connection after all, and any time the ECU has to change, idle instability is one of the clearer symptoms.

How is the rest of the rpm range, gas mileage, and startup speed?

 

I believe he's talking about the tiny little backfires from the exhaust at idle and the rpm dips that accompany that. Totally normal for the car. Those aren't the misfires that people have when the ignition coils are shot.

 

ok here is another general question. kbb displays the pricing of the 05 RX8 differently for private sellers compared to dealerships. the difference i'm assuming is just tax on the car when you buy from a dealership. you don't have to pay tax when buying from a private seller correct?

 

That has nothing to do with the 8. Every car is like that.

Simply, you are going to pay more buying from a dealer than a private seller (on average), since the dealer is trying to make a profit, and has other items that they have to pay for to get the car 'ready for sale'. A private party doesn't aways do that, and is generally just looking to get rid of the car.

That being said, selling to a dealer is always lower value than selling yourself, since again, that dealer needs to make a profit.


This has nothing to do with the RX-8.

 

Uh no, the price difference is because the dealer needs to make money too. Tax is completely different.

You always have to pay sales tax. Buy privately and you pay when you register your car. Buy at the dealer and pay it there.

 

do you by any chance know what the tax rate is? Is it based on the purchase price of the car?

 

what are the "ready for sale" items?