Just got my new Autoweek and found the long term test for the Rx-8. Although praising the cars strong points handling, 9k redline, shifter etc. , most of the article was spent complaining about the oil usage and mileage.
They contacted Mazda in regards to the mileage and were told to keep their foot off the gas pedal. Don't know if the unit they had was flashed as it was not brought up by Mazda or at the dealer when they had the routine oil change done.
All in all positive write up and would probably only scare off the people not up on the dynamics of the car.

What really got my attention in this issue was the info and pic on the upcoming Mazda6 MS. 276HP, 265lb ft , AWD coming from a twin turbo 2.3 4cyl.!!!!!!!!!!
Should be out in mid 2005.

 

Can you scan that for me? The Mazdaspeed 6 bit anyways... my cousin is dying for that car so any info I can give him he'd love me for

 

hey herc there are 2 threads in general atuo about the MS6. one has the spy pics

 

Here ya go. It has the same pictures as in the magazine:

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=07383418

 

Hey AutoWeek, exactly how much oil did you use?

It never states other than cleverly relating "an intern spent the entire weekend checking/filling the oil"

Others may want to take them up on: "If you own one of the following vehicles(RX-8), we'd like to hear from you:"

http://autoweek.com/search/search_di...65883&record=2

 

Damn I never thought Mazda would actually do this. Lancer and Evo had better watch out. It would appear that these 3 cars may have similar performance and IMHO the 6 will look bertter than the other 2. I wonder how much this car will weigh with AWD? Anyone know the weigh of the Evo & Lancer?

Another thing, I guess this answers the question that the MS 8 will be FI as well. Since the MS 6 will be modified to this extent(276 hp, 265lbs, AWD), there is no way Mazda can only get away with just suspension upgrades for the MS 8. With the 8 being the current flagship of the company, it will have to be the ultimate performer overall untill the next 7 comes out.

 

AutoWeek ordered a gray RX-8 for their long term test and they are publishing frequent full page articles on the car. Well, they reached the conclusion that all of us know very well already:

Cons:
1) Poor gas mileage
2) Burns oil

Pros:
1) Handles well
2) Silky engine, revs up 9K RPM
3) Good fit & finish


Please tell me something I don't know.