Latest issue of CR just came out -- compared rx8 to STi, EVO, 350Z and Crossfire. The 8 came in 2nd in overall score to STi, but didn't make the "recommended" list because it's new.

Highs -- Smooth-revving engine, handling, ride, shifter, braking, 4-passenger capacity
Lows -- fuel economy

As a point of comparison, since 350Z seems to be the most popular comparison car on this board:

350 Highs: Acceleration, braking, fuel economy
Lows: Ride, noise, visibility, trunk capacity

Other comparisons:
0-60: rx8 6.7, Z 5.4
Quarter mile: rx8 15.2, Z 14.0

Article also claims that 8 requires premium fuel.

 

The STi is such an ugly piece of crap and they don't handle as well as the RX-8, I can't believe they would chose the STi over the RX-8. The wing on the STi is useless and ugly unless you use it for having picnics on. Lastly, everyone knows AWD cars don't handle well and the interior in the STi is made of recycled milk cartons. I'm canceling my subscription to Consumer Reports!

That should about sum it up...

 

I can not beleive this is the IKE I know and love...bashing an sti?

My god, people CAN change

 

ike is using sacarsm

I think its a good review and pretty accourate

 

Not nearly! You missed the Blue350Z et al Z lovers replies about how there's no possible way the RX-8 could rank ahead of the 350Z, why just look at the 0-60 and 1/4 mi times, CR doesn't have a clue about testing sports cars, they should stick to washing machines, Mazda must have paid off CR big time!

Hey Ike, how about you and us go find a 350Z forum and brag about how our tarted-up economy cars and wimpy no-torque rotary cars beat the 350Z in that CR test? :P :D

Regards,
Gordon

 

What's it worth to you? And keep in mind I can be really annoying, and put up a pretty damn good fight when people try to shoot me down :p

 

Just got the December 2003 issue. They review the WRX STi, RX-8, Mitsubishi Evo, 350Z and the Crossfire.

They gave the WRX the highest score, but it appears to be because they don't have crash and reliability data on the RX-8.

CR's "Recommended" status evidently cannot be given to a car they haven't crashed and "long term tested".

Only significant bone I had with the article was the statement that rotary engines "emissions aren't as clean" [as piston engines].

I've been trying to find the actual emissions numbers for the RX-8, after reading a great thread authored by Buger. A Road & Track article states that the Renesis engine has "reduce[d] exhaust emmisions to one tenth the amount recorded by the previous generations of Mazda rotaries".

If CR is unfairly slamming the 8 on emissions, its time for some reader feedback!

 

By the way, did the Crossfire or Z finish last?

 

Crossfire finished last by a wide margin.

"Although a new model, the Crossfire relies on a 7-yr-old design and can't compete with newer sports-car designs."

Highs: Engine, acceleration, braking, fuel economy
Lows: Ride, steering feel and response, shifter, controls, visibility, interior room

 

The Crossfire is interesting, but not interesting enough, it appears. They aren't selling at all- there's something like an average 103-day inventory of them at dealers currently.

 

i thought that the 8 did under 6.0 seconds to 60mph, wat the hell

 

diff magazines get diff numbers...

anywho, i recall someone emissions testing their rx-8 at inspection and it had 0 emissions. now i dont know for sure, but i think 0 emissions is pretty clean
________
Vermont marijuana dispensaries

 

Those were pre production cars and also with a 8k clutch drop, perhaps CR wasn't as hard on it... there's also a lot of other factors that could be involved. But 5.9 is the best time I've ever seen and 6.2-6.4 seems fairly common as well.

 

You must not be a Consumer Reports reader....

They ALWAYS test starting at idle. They do 'real world' testing, not track testing. It is more like the 5 to 60 times the mags get.

 

The Australian MOTOR magazine did the Australian model at 6.99 sec for 0-100kmh - I did one later on but I am sure I will go under 6.5 as factory claim is 6.2

 

Consumer Reports probably didn't turn off traction control and they were probably very easy on the clutch.

Think of your grandma with a racing helmet driving a car; that's CR's style. They are 100% unbiased though. I don't 100% agree with their conclusions at times, but at least no Manufacturer persuades their views.

They tested a Montero and got it to rollover pretty easilly. CR made their views known and provided a tape to anyone who wanted a copy. Mitsubishi threatened to sue them, but CR don't take **** from nobody and stuck to their evaluation.

Gotta love 'em.

-Mr. Wigggles

 

I'd like to take a look at the new issue, do only subscribers have it so far or is it at the news stands already?

 

My copy came in the mail, yesterday. Their website doesn't show the December isssue, yet.

 

CR has no idea how to drive performance cars. I've subscribed for years, and have noticed this time and again.

 

I agree with Omicron that CR isn't really sensitive to reasons why people buy sports cars. These reviews are a little better than other CR reviews I've read in the past but their main criterion is still very much "practicality."

They don't award a "Recommendation" because they lack sufficient reliability and crash test data to make a decision. Fair enough.

But they also list the RX-8 second to the WRX STi on the basis of overall performance in the tests. This in spite of the fact that, after raving about the handling of the RX-8, they say this about the WRX:

"The Subaru WRX STi combines race-car-like acceleration and handling with the practicality of a four-door five passenger sedan... The trade-off is a stiff ride that is jittery but tolerable. There is also constant noise from the engine, drivetrain, and, particularly, the tires. For $6,500 less, you can buy the 227- hp Impreza WRX sedan or wagon. "

A wagon?

 

Yes, a wagon I LOVE the sound of the boxer engine, probably in the same way you guys love the sound of the rotary. With a nice exhaust it rivals the sound of some V8s IMO. and is certainly the sweetest sounding 4 banger I've ever heard.

 

In fact the current SCCA STX Solo2 and Prosolo champ drives a WRX in wagon form. But I shouldn't say that because everyone knows the the WRX doesn't do well in autox... :p

 

YEAH, a wagon! Aside from the WRX, think of the Legacy GT-B, or Audi S6 and RS-6, S4, etc. Sporty performance, room to haul your gear and a few of your family or friends. Performance wagons are the real sport utility vehicles - not those stupid dressed-up overpriced trucks that never go offroad anyways!

Regards,
Gordon

 

I really really wish Subaru would bring the STi wagon to the US, I would be all over that. The legacy B4 wagon may be a great alternative, we'll see what they finally decide to put in the US spec for an engine. A wagon in the 11s would be quite the sleeper and with an STi engine and turbo that's not all that much in mods. <drools> Though I think if I end up with an STi it will be prepped for the track with the ocassional trip to the strip. Seems the STi guys are starting to make some great impressions at the track as well.

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/showth...threadid=41274

Ike

 

I like the Sti alot. It's one heck of a car. If it was'nt for the dealer mark ups and demand, I'd have one instead of the RX-8. Hopefully next year if I save enough money.