March '08, Sports Car International
#1
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March '08, Sports Car International
Nice letter from the editor (Eric Gustafson) in the new SCI. It opens like this:
"The Gustafson Five
Mazda hasn't updated its RX-8 model since its debut five years ago, so until a few weeks back, it had been roughly that long since I'd driven one. While its distinctively smooth and ultra-high revving rotary engine left a lasting impression, I'd forgotten what a great-handling car it is. The RX-8 has all the classic traits: It is exceedingly well-balanced, with virtually no understeer; the steering is responsive, quick and feelsome; it's light on its feet, instilling this Mazda with an eagerness that makes me want to keep driving and wish the road never unwinds. The RX-8 is, by my estimation, one of the best-handling sports cars currently available."
He then goes on to talk about his top five best-handling cars (in no particular order):
-Mazda RX-8
-Porsche Cayman
-Nissan Nismo 350Z
-Lotus Elise
-Audi R8
Nice company. And a good read.
"The Gustafson Five
Mazda hasn't updated its RX-8 model since its debut five years ago, so until a few weeks back, it had been roughly that long since I'd driven one. While its distinctively smooth and ultra-high revving rotary engine left a lasting impression, I'd forgotten what a great-handling car it is. The RX-8 has all the classic traits: It is exceedingly well-balanced, with virtually no understeer; the steering is responsive, quick and feelsome; it's light on its feet, instilling this Mazda with an eagerness that makes me want to keep driving and wish the road never unwinds. The RX-8 is, by my estimation, one of the best-handling sports cars currently available."
He then goes on to talk about his top five best-handling cars (in no particular order):
-Mazda RX-8
-Porsche Cayman
-Nissan Nismo 350Z
-Lotus Elise
-Audi R8
Nice company. And a good read.
#2
Row faster, I hear banjos
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I agree with all of his choices except one - the Audi R8 which weighs a whopping 3,700lbs. I would have thought a Ferrari F430 or even 911 GT3 RS would have made the list before that car.
#3
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Hahaha... poor fellow. Only took him this long to realise something we already knew for so long.
The only car that I cannot agree is the Nismo 350Z. too punishing of a ride to improve on the Z's handling.
The only car that I cannot agree is the Nismo 350Z. too punishing of a ride to improve on the Z's handling.
#4
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"The Porsche Cayman shares many of the RX-8's handling qualities—balance, agility, responsiveness—but adds effortlessness to the mix. It's just so darn easy to drive a Cayman fast down a backroad. The way it seamlessly flows through bends is uncanny, it's almost as if it can read your mind. Thanks to its mid-engine layout, there's none of the weight-transfer uneasiness that makes its 911 big brother more difficult to drive. Yet the Cayman is still brimming with feedback, ensuring that a hard run is never boring. All these traits apply to the Boxster, as well, but the slightly stiffer Cayman has a sharper, more satisfying edge."—SCI, 3/08
#6
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#11
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The Z is not very hard in my opinion, its stiffer than the 8, but not by much. Even my buddies Z-06 is stiffer than the Z, but its still drivable on long trips or scoots to the grocery store. The only time you will feel like your rib cage is going to come through your body is if your on a ruff road.
To me nothing compares to a touch and go go-cart, now those are back breaking after a few laps around a track.
#12
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Isn't that the truth.....
The Z is not very hard in my opinion, its stiffer than the 8, but not by much. Even my buddies Z-06 is stiffer than the Z, but its still drivable on long trips or scoots to the grocery store. The only time you will feel like your rib cage is going to come through your body is if your on a ruff road.
To me nothing compares to a touch and go go-cart, now those are back breaking after a few laps around a track.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
The Z is not very hard in my opinion, its stiffer than the 8, but not by much. Even my buddies Z-06 is stiffer than the Z, but its still drivable on long trips or scoots to the grocery store. The only time you will feel like your rib cage is going to come through your body is if your on a ruff road.
To me nothing compares to a touch and go go-cart, now those are back breaking after a few laps around a track.
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I like the realization from a media guy that just because a car isn't current, it doesn't mean it can't remain a benchmark. Too often the media pitches the manufacturers "new and improved" arguments, and the buying public just laps it up, i.e. having driven a new 3 series I think the old seems much more responsive and composed.
Otherwise, just one guy's opinion, though atleast it's from a respected scribe.
Otherwise, just one guy's opinion, though atleast it's from a respected scribe.
#14
I like the realization from a media guy that just because a car isn't current, it doesn't mean it can't remain a benchmark. Too often the media pitches the manufacturers "new and improved" arguments, and the buying public just laps it up, i.e. having driven a new 3 series I think the old seems much more responsive and composed.
Otherwise, just one guy's opinion, though atleast it's from a respected scribe.
Otherwise, just one guy's opinion, though atleast it's from a respected scribe.
You gotta respect these guys.
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