2009 RX-8 on Mazda website
#126
HIDs back in business!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Probably @ work
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A sports car should be superior all-around transportation. The 8 loses on acceleration, fuel economy, stock speaker quality and heavy wheel feel with the stockies, but wins by miles everywhere else for my needs. A 996 under warranty is still my first choice to drive for any distance on paved roads with up to one other person. Put the auto climate control at 69 and leave it there, and it stays perfectly comfortable in all conditions. It's not just about going fast, it's about being great at everything, including magic handling.
I totally see your point and aside from the semantics, I completely agree. That's why so many people buy the 911's. Navi, dual zone climate control, heated seats- the works. Oh and it's one hell of a "sports car".
I can't wait to see the new 8 in person. I think it's incredibly ugly in the photos- but I thought the same thing about the original 8 when I saw it in the mags years ago. I was absolutely appalled at what had happened to the RX-7. When I saw it in person I did a 180 (or as Bush would say a "360"). It was love at first sight. Now, 5 years later, I bought one. Who knows, I could feel the same way about the rev 2. I just doubt it...but it has auto climate control DAMNIT.
#127
road warrior
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Whoever said "who cares about climate control in a sports car" must not care about things like decent stereo's, power windows or heated seats either. Although somehow the 350Z and corvette manage these features. Oh and the RX8 has climate control in Europe. So, I feel this is on topic because the NEW 8 has it and we don't.
Of course, there are some people that only seem to set their AC to full hot or full cold and I supposed for their climate control is a godsend. However, I use the full range of adjustment on the **** and find it to work much better than any automatic system I've been in, be they Lexus, BMW, Mazda, or otherwise. Granted in the RX-8, the adjustment is not as linear as some other cars out there, but it still suffices. I will say of the cars I've tried, Acura and Lexus had the best automatic climate system; BMW's was horrendous.
#128
road warrior
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I'm not entirely sure a sports car is about superior all-around transportation. It really depends on ones needs. For some a Jeep is superior all-around transportation. Subjectively I agree with you though. For *ME* a sports car is about superior all around transportation- with tons of features while also being a "drivers" car, but my friend who races Porsches on the pro circuit, thinks sports cars are about being track capable, like the new S2000 CR I guess, and he doesn't care about creature comforts.
I totally see your point and aside from the semantics, I completely agree. That's why so many people buy the 911's. Navi, dual zone climate control, heated seats- the works. Oh and it's one hell of a "sports car".
I can't wait to see the new 8 in person. I think it's incredibly ugly in the photos- but I thought the same thing about the original 8 when I saw it in the mags years ago. I was absolutely appalled at what had happened to the RX-7. When I saw it in person I did a 180 (or as Bush would say a "360"). It was love at first sight. Now, 5 years later, I bought one. Who knows, I could feel the same way about the rev 2. I just doubt it...but it has auto climate control DAMNIT.
I totally see your point and aside from the semantics, I completely agree. That's why so many people buy the 911's. Navi, dual zone climate control, heated seats- the works. Oh and it's one hell of a "sports car".
I can't wait to see the new 8 in person. I think it's incredibly ugly in the photos- but I thought the same thing about the original 8 when I saw it in the mags years ago. I was absolutely appalled at what had happened to the RX-7. When I saw it in person I did a 180 (or as Bush would say a "360"). It was love at first sight. Now, 5 years later, I bought one. Who knows, I could feel the same way about the rev 2. I just doubt it...but it has auto climate control DAMNIT.
As for me, I want my sports car to be a well handling machine that has the minimum of creature comforts I need; basically AC and a sound system. I don't need satnav or heated and powered seats as they're just extra weight to me, but I know some people would like them. More power to them, but I know what I want.
#129
Huge hole is huge
I don't see any need for climate control. Have humans became too lazy to..."Oh, it's too cold in here, lets turn the heater on." or "Oh, it's too hot in here, lets turn the AC on."...?
#130
HIDs back in business!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Probably @ work
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Acura had the ability to completely override the auto climate control so it became exactly like what we have in the 8. I could turn it off and just use the ****. The G35 is the same way- except the auto climate control sucks. BUT it can be turned off. I'd just like the option- that's all I'm saying. And the new 8 has it. Cool.
#132
umm no it shouldn't, if I wanted all that I'll go buy an Accord/Camry/whatever or some other generic, boring commuter car that has no soul..
As far as the 2009 goes, I agree with rotarygod 100%, this car got exactly what it needed styling wise, it's just too bad they couldn't have yanked a tad more power out of the engine as well as that would have made it even more amazing. (I can live with the steering wheel too)
As far as the 2009 goes, I agree with rotarygod 100%, this car got exactly what it needed styling wise, it's just too bad they couldn't have yanked a tad more power out of the engine as well as that would have made it even more amazing. (I can live with the steering wheel too)
#136
GoSpoddyGo!!!
is that hot air only chancejat??? lol
the uk models for auto climate control, its handy on a warm day (a rare thing) here in ireland to have the air con/heater come on and off according to the set temp, and not have to muck about switching the fan on and off, or raise/lower temp.
the uk models for auto climate control, its handy on a warm day (a rare thing) here in ireland to have the air con/heater come on and off according to the set temp, and not have to muck about switching the fan on and off, or raise/lower temp.
#139
Frankly, the rear treatment is the ONLY "improvement" in design that I see. When I first saw the '09 at the NY Auto Show, I was kind of relieved it didn't look as bad as it did in the photos. But in my eyes, the proportions of the new grille are way oversized, and they should have left well enough alone with the side vents. They look tacky and tacked on.
The problem with Japanese styling, in the main, is that they sacrifice proportion and line for sheer modernity. Same with the new Mitsubishis. No one can call them "beautiful" or "graceful." Europe still "gets" this better than almost anyone.
As far as the automatic climate control, it's a good thing. I would even call it a safety feature- no need to fiddle while you drive.
#140
Here is a slight PS of the 09 version compared to the Audi R8. They look really identical in the front, even the fenders look the same! Even the name is almost the same RX8 & R8.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![](http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6803/p1cad9lpbsmk2.jpg)
#142
The Photoshop RX-8 looks better than the present facelifted 09 RX-8 one because it has a more symmetrical and clean look. The plastic "mustache" across the grille still looks nasty.
The Photoshop RX-8 looks like a nice reference point for an aftermarket front for the 09 RX-8.
The Photoshop RX-8 looks like a nice reference point for an aftermarket front for the 09 RX-8.
#143
The Photoshop RX-8 looks better than the present facelifted 09 RX-8 one because it has a more symmetrical and clean look. The plastic "mustache" across the grille still looks nasty.
The Photoshop RX-8 looks like a nice reference point for an aftermarket front for the 09 RX-8.
The Photoshop RX-8 looks like a nice reference point for an aftermarket front for the 09 RX-8.
#146
Sorry im a late chiming in here, but i was looking at picking up a RX-8 today. just figured i would see what the 09 was supposed to look like, and i would have to agree with RG. I like the new body style, but i think that blue makes it look a little off. well maybe a lot off. seeing something in a picture and in real life can be totally different.
So why is everyone so pissed about their fuel economy? It is a sports car after all.
One more thing, has anyone seen any update to the 16X rotary? All the info i can find was published in mid 2007. Maybe put it in the 2010 RX-8? It is new emissions year an all.
(sorry i had this all typed out better, but i killed the wrong tab and had to retype)
So why is everyone so pissed about their fuel economy? It is a sports car after all.
One more thing, has anyone seen any update to the 16X rotary? All the info i can find was published in mid 2007. Maybe put it in the 2010 RX-8? It is new emissions year an all.
(sorry i had this all typed out better, but i killed the wrong tab and had to retype)
Last edited by OpTiCaL; 05-21-2008 at 08:06 PM.
#147
Originally Posted by Autoblog.com
The 16X may show up in a special version of the current RX-8, or Mazda may hold off until a new RX-8 bows in 2011.
(hmmmm, i quoted myself... thats gotta be illegal in 7 different countries)
#148
Wheels, not rims!!
iTrader: (8)
A sports car should be superior all-around transportation. The 8 loses on acceleration, fuel economy, stock speaker quality and heavy wheel feel with the stockies, but wins by miles everywhere else for my needs. A 996 under warranty is still my first choice to drive for any distance on paved roads with up to one other person. Put the auto climate control at 69 and leave it there, and it stays perfectly comfortable in all conditions. It's not just about going fast, it's about being great at everything, including magic handling.
#149
I'd say an absence of nonsense is my definition of "pure". The sport part is obvious.
Last edited by jayk; 05-23-2008 at 10:35 AM.
#150
Registered
I'm not sure "pure sports cars" need to be defined as lightweight. I'd consider old camaros, firebirds, corvettes, or even most ferraris (and many other cars) pure sports cars and they are not lightweight. Lightweight is just one path to a pure sports car.
I'd say an absence of nonsense is my definition of "pure". The sport part is obvious.
I'd say an absence of nonsense is my definition of "pure". The sport part is obvious.