They test everything for a Volvo S60 to an RX8 to a Boxster to a Noble. Image intensive.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...0&pagenumber=1

 

that's from august of 2003

 

I'm curious to know how the 8 doing in Britain in sales?

 

The British don't like anything that's non-British. The only reason the laud the Miata is because the think it's a modern take on a British roadster..."but it's still no E-type". Slap a Lotus badge on it and they'd be going crazy for the 8..."new heir to the throne...worthy sister to the Elise and Espirit" blah blah blah. You get the idea.

-Eric

 

I'm british and we are severely limited in our choice of "british" cars. I think only Noble, Lotus and Rover fit the bill. Everything else is either owned by VAG, BMW, or Ford.

TBH most british people won't buy british because the quality is awful. Most of us prefer German or Japanese.

The 8 is selling really well over here. A lot of people are selecting it as a small family car alternative. Where they would have bought a BMW 3 -Series before. Suits me fine. Far too many 3-Series on the road. Every other car you see is a flippin BMW.

Our only main concern is the awful gas milage. It's not too bad for you folk with your $1 gas but ours is about $8/gallon.

 

If it makes you feel any better, currently in California, 91 Octane gas is about $2.35. (I know, I know - still a bargain to you!)

 

Autocar's opinion, showing a picture of a silver Miata and a red RX-8:

"One of these two Mazdas handles beautifully (It's not the red one)"

 

I should also clarify that I was referring to the British automotive press...not the general populace. I love CAR magazine...great comparisons, pictures, etc. but I would never seek out an article for an objective review.

-Eric

 

It is interesting to read the article. Every other article I have read has praised the RX-8 for the handling experience. I myself have owned a 92' Miata and I now own a RX-8. My dad also has a 2001 Miata and I have driven it quite frequently. The Miata is a true roadster and is very nimble. I think the RX-8 is different enough that they resented having to compare it to quote unquote Roadsters. They are entitled to their opinion.

I miss my Miata, but enjoy my 8 even more, for some of the same reasons and some different ones also. Mazda wouldn't make two cars for the same purpose.


On a side note: I did drive the Mazda Speed Miata from the dealer. It was quite entertaining. Really made me appreciate the smoothness of Rotary that I enjoy though.

 

Great article. The "One of these two Mazdas handles beautifully (It's not the red one)" line doesn't bother me because:

1) The MX5 won the test, so of course it's not going to make the RX8 look good.
2) They thought of the RX8 highly enough to lump it in with the sports cars as opposed to the sedans.
3) The 8 has softer suspension than the almost all the other cars... the whole point of the 8 is to provide a unique combination of handling, utility, and comfortable ride in a fun-to-drive vehicle.

 

Actually, the article is quite complimentary to the RX-8 - despite Autocar's dislike for the RX-8 in other road tests! Read the text:
Who can argue that it's too soft to be ideal for track work? The stock suspension tune is a nearly ideal real-world compromise for day-to-day use, touring, twisties, fast curves, etc. That's what makes it a better car than, for example, a 350Z. But for lots of track work (the focus of that test), it needs a stiffer suspension. The Miata is smaller, lighter, and more nimble - in the test that focuses on handling, I can't argue that it handles better. Note that the Miata beat the Boxster, Elise, and That's a big reason why my RX-8 suspension will remain stock and driven on the street exclusively, and my Miata gets the shocks, sway bars, etc. and sees track use.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Also consider the fact that the traditional and popular RX-8 rivals (you know who they are) are not in the list...

 

I really don't get how the Miata can turn better track times than the RX-8. I mean I see the body roll in the corners but ....

Anyway my opinion of the stock suspenion is that I should buy some coil-overs.

Do the Brit's have a differant method of measuring lateral G's? The seem to have alot of cars pulling over 1 G.

 

Regarding Brits prefering British cars.

I'm a Brit who has been living in Texas for the past 2 years and here's my take on what cars we prefer.

The average Brit would have a German or Japanese car, American and British cars just don't have the build quality, unless you go for the really high end type of cars.

If I was still in the UK, I'd be driving a Audi or Volkswagen, turbo diesel, which gives performance and economy.

Another important fact is:

My RX8 cost me 18,000 pounds in the US, compared to about 26,000 pounds in the US, thats a $14,500 saving.

Gas is a lot cheaper in the US $2.00, compared to $8.00.

Radar detectors are legal in Texas, and there's no speed cameras I know of.

There's a lot more road in the USA.

Therefore an RX8 in the USA, is more affordable and enjoyable.

Americans are definitley the winners, when it comes to enjoying motoring.

 

Nope. Lotus is owned by Proton which is Malaysian I think.

 

Speaking as a Welshman over here, we love powerful cars on this side of the pond, but the killer is the fuel prices.

The reason we whinge so much about the bad MPG on the 8 is due to the fuel prices. If I was paying 1-2 dollars for fuel then I would go out and buy the biggest baddass V12 I can find and go full throttle where possible. (although there are waaay too many speed traps over here).

I usually buy Jap as they tend to try to make cars which are not designed from a bar of soap. People always comment on the looks of my 8 just because everything else on the road looks like it came from the same designer.

We do have less of a selection of cars over here as standard. If they reduced the fuel prices (never happen) then we might see more power on the roads.

We want more power and more radical looks but people "assume" we are stuck up so dont give the general punter in the street the choice.
(good ole communist government "know" whats best for you ... so we are told)

Mike (diving for cover before the government get him)

 

I can't believe anyone would think the British are biased towards British cars. After all, there are so few British cars left anyway. Go to France and you'll see loads of Renaults, Peugeots and Citroens on the road, in Germany it's all Volkswagens, Opels, BMW's and Mercs. Whereas even when we had a significant car industry we didn't have the same kind of bias towards our domestically produced cars (that's probably one of the reasons the industry largely died).

We sometimes kid ourselves that Fords and Vauxhalls (GM) are "British" cars even though they are US owned and the cars are designed and produced on the continent (they used to be made in this country years ago). But I don't think you could say there's a Pro-Ford/Vauxhall bias in the British motoring Press either (especially not Vauxhall - they're deeply unfashionable).

Honestly, we are famous for preferring foreign cars and other goods and for not making things in this country anymore. Thats why we have a huge trade deficit.

In fact if there's any way that Britain stands out from the rest of Europe it's in our enthusiasm for Japanese cars, especially high performance ones. Imprezzas and Evos are very popular both with buyers and with the magazines and the RX-8 has been a big success here - all the magazines except Autocar love it and there are waiting lists if you want to buy one.

 

i used to be stationed in England. i was there 4 1/2 years at RAF Lakenheath and i just left the UK a couple weeks ago (for good). one of the big things car companies have in the UK are rusting cars due to the weather. i saw a ton of old beat up rovers and vauxhauls just rusting away after many years. i should know cuz my wife's 89 Carlton was turning into a major rust bucket and i had to get it fixed for MOT inspections every year. i went to Santa Pod a couple times and saw most of the cars there were from other countries. I own an 89 Mustang GT 5.0 and it was an intimidator there at the time due to my exhaust system. I had alot of people back down from a race with me cuz of my car LOL!
In the end, the british are spirited people and are always looking for good competition in anything.
I hope the RX8 is selling well there. The car is built to handle british seasons in my opinion

 

as regards to that autocar review, did u notice who they had driving it? Takuma Sato is a Formula 1 driver, so of course he's gonna think the 8 is crap.
How can someone who drives a car capable of hitting 125mph in 5 sec's be considered objective when faced with a car that'll take 6.something seconds to reach 60?
Im a student in Southampton here in good old Bighty, and i can tell you, that the first thing i buy when i've paid off the sizable student loan i have, will be an RX8.
I love it, the point of madness - gorgeouse car, good handling (apparently) 4 seats and the coolest rear doors ever!