why the big stink?
02-18-2009 | 07:17 PM
#27
Zoom Zoom
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
Before my writings i just want to say i am a very happy owner of an rx8. I love everything about it. i was just wondering why there is such a big stink about how well the car handles. I mean don't get me wrong it handles great in its stock form but not that great. Most of us on here would say we didn't buy an 8 for its straight line performance and then go on to sing it praises that we bought it soully for its handling. For our price range then why not go for a used evo, sti, cobalt SS, S2000, M3, 350z and the list gos on. Those cars constantly kick our *** it seems. They all post better skidpad numbers and similar if not faster lap times. 
With this being said maybe i am wrong and i'm sure i will hear it.....lol.....if i am. Just trying to make a point. As Dr. *** once said.........discuss.
With this being said maybe i am wrong and i'm sure i will hear it.....lol.....if i am. Just trying to make a point. As Dr. *** once said.........discuss.In my humble opinion, I think what needs to be said is:
"The Mazda RX8 handles it's power and handling - gracefully."
IMHO:
No, the RX8 does not have enough HP.
No, the RX8 stock suspension and tires are geared toward "Fun" over "Performance".
I've added large diameter sway bars and 275 wide tires on light forged rims. Yup, this is my personal winning ticket! What I like about the RX8 the most, is the size of the wheel wells. Had I known I could go to 10 inch wide forged rims at 43 offset... I would have!
The balance of the car is already working in your advantage, so (IMHO) upgrade your suspension and tire widths. Better yet, drive a buddy's RX8 that has this setup, and you should notice the difference: it is still "fun" and yet achieves much better handling.
I wish Mazda didn't give the RX8 such tiny tires. - again, just my opinion.
Last edited by Gyro_Bot; 02-18-2009 at 07:25 PM.
02-18-2009 | 07:19 PM
#28
ALFY = AWESOME!!!
OMG that was hilarious!
OP, it isn't how it handles well. The difference between a well handling car and one that communicates with it's driver is subtle, and 99.999% of people will never know the difference in their sad existence. If you don't recognize it from everyday driving, go borrow/rent one of those other cars and take it to the track and really push on it. Compare back to back. If you still can't tell, then trade in the 8. Most of us can sense the difference in everyday relaxed driving.
But then again, even so, most of us have more than just "handling" as a reason for buying the 8. Check out this thread for a clue:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/little-things-67045/
Seriously. Read the entire thing. That thread has probably sold more 8s than any 1 salesman.
OMG that was hilarious!
OP, it isn't how it handles well. The difference between a well handling car and one that communicates with it's driver is subtle, and 99.999% of people will never know the difference in their sad existence. If you don't recognize it from everyday driving, go borrow/rent one of those other cars and take it to the track and really push on it. Compare back to back. If you still can't tell, then trade in the 8. Most of us can sense the difference in everyday relaxed driving.
But then again, even so, most of us have more than just "handling" as a reason for buying the 8. Check out this thread for a clue:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/little-things-67045/
Seriously. Read the entire thing. That thread has probably sold more 8s than any 1 salesman.
02-18-2009 | 07:22 PM
#29
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<<breathe breathe>>
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<<breathe breathe>>
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02-18-2009 | 07:33 PM
#32
Baned
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 1
From: By a lake
Before my writings i just want to say i am a very UNhappy owner of an rx8. I Don't love everything about it. i was just wondering why there is such a big stink about how well the car handles. I mean don't get me wrong it handles great in its stock form, Especially for a 4 door sedan that it is insured as, but not that great. Most of us on here would say we didn't buy an 8 for its straight line performance and then go on to sing it praises that we bought it PARTIALLY for its handling. For our price range OF A BRAND NEW CAR, then why not go for a USED, BEAT UP, TEENAGER OWNED evo, sti, cobalt SS, S2000, M3, 350z that is still more expensive to insure than our wonderful 8, and the list gos on. Those cars Are in a completely different class. They all post very similiar skidpad numbers and similar times. With this being said maybe i am wrong and i'm sure i will hear it.....lol.....if i am. Just trying to make a point. As Dr. *** once said.........discuss.
With this being said maybe i am wrong and i'm sure i will hear it.....lol.....if i am. Just trying to make a point. As Dr. *** once said.........discuss.Fixed
02-18-2009 | 07:39 PM
#35
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Well setup so far is bilstein pss9's. i have the damping set to 7 in rear 5 in front. Agency power sways, GT spec front and rear strut towers. Setup for street is awesome but i won't get track impressions until spring obviously. Hopefully by then i will have my lightweight rims and better tires. I do agree with taking driving instructions. If anyone is from the PA area and recommends any schools let me know. discuss.
02-18-2009 | 08:34 PM
#40
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From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
more cowbell indeed............like i said just wanted some input. With all that being said i read an article in car and driver about if its not broke don't fix it, referring to the 8. Will doing suspension mods really effect the 8 in a negative way. I realize making a car as stiff as possible does not mean it will handle great. How do you find a compromise without spending tons of money trying every setup out there. I realize in trying to research this that most people have only tried one or two setups and don't have much input other than that. I checked some threads on here and most of the information will go like hey what setup do you recommend? Response: "teins they are the best." that really dosen't help but if anyone knows a certain thread to read please send me a link. thanks. discuss.
These are just some of the things that the autocrossers (in stock class) do to improve the handling of the car. No one has a better review of the car than Jeremy Clarkson in the show Top Gear (2003 episode). You should be able to find it on Youtube.
Last edited by alnielsen; 02-18-2009 at 08:38 PM.
02-18-2009 | 08:40 PM
#41
The RX8 won #4 best handling car in Motor Trend, search google and read that article.
It had the second slowest lap time but got #4 (over cars such as 911 turbo, cobalt ss, etc) becuase the car is such a joy to drive and is incredibly easy to drive and accurate.
Its not all about numbers dude. I used to concetrate on numbers when I was like 15, all that matters now is how big of a smile I get when Im going down a curvy road. Honestly, I can live with the fact that Im paying 370 bucks a month for a car that posts .90G's on a skidpad and does 0-60 in 6 seconds.
It had the second slowest lap time but got #4 (over cars such as 911 turbo, cobalt ss, etc) becuase the car is such a joy to drive and is incredibly easy to drive and accurate.
Its not all about numbers dude. I used to concetrate on numbers when I was like 15, all that matters now is how big of a smile I get when Im going down a curvy road. Honestly, I can live with the fact that Im paying 370 bucks a month for a car that posts .90G's on a skidpad and does 0-60 in 6 seconds.
02-18-2009 | 09:11 PM
#45
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 215
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From: San Francisco, CA
+ 1 million... oh man, you should have seen me trying to fit 5 tipsy girls in the car. Hifreakinglarious, not to mention that they all went 'oooh ahhh, when they find out that the car is stick'
That was a good night.
Oh, by the way... with an Evo or STI the only type of people you will be attracting are 17 year old boys with a car fixation... I know because I was this | | close to buying an Evo 8 before I got the RX-8. Evo had all the power, RX-8 had all the grace.
02-18-2009 | 09:23 PM
#46
+ 1 million... oh man, you should have seen me trying to fit 5 tipsy girls in the car. Hifreakinglarious, not to mention that they all went 'oooh ahhh, when they find out that the car is stick'
That was a good night.
Oh, by the way... with an Evo or STI the only type of people you will be attracting are 17 year old boys with a car fixation... I know because I was this | | close to buying an Evo 8 before I got the RX-8. Evo had all the power, RX-8 had all the grace.
That was a good night.
Oh, by the way... with an Evo or STI the only type of people you will be attracting are 17 year old boys with a car fixation... I know because I was this | | close to buying an Evo 8 before I got the RX-8. Evo had all the power, RX-8 had all the grace.
02-18-2009 | 09:30 PM
#48
is looking for his torque
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 841
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OP just exploded btw...
my input: i've driven every vehicle possible (not really) but trucks cars suvs, everything, daily and hard. the rx8 just simply feels the best behind the wheel.
compared to the rx8, other sports cars are just blobs. (g8, mustang, 3 series, etc...)
the rx8 dances around the track.
my input: i've driven every vehicle possible (not really) but trucks cars suvs, everything, daily and hard. the rx8 just simply feels the best behind the wheel.
compared to the rx8, other sports cars are just blobs. (g8, mustang, 3 series, etc...)
the rx8 dances around the track.
02-18-2009 | 09:40 PM
#49
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<<breathe breathe>>
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<<breathe breathe>>
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<<breathe breathe>>
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