It does, wrong car lol. S2K is a lot more fun!

 

The editor of "Sports Car International" considers the 8 one of the five best-handling cars in the world—at any price:

"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."

The top five best-handling cars (in no particular order):
-Mazda RX-8
-Porsche Cayman
-Nissan Nismo 350Z
-Lotus Elise
-Audi R8

And, oh yes, musn't forget one of my favorite quotes, this one from edmunds.com:
"The Z may be faster, but the RX-8 is the better sports car"

The RX-8 is a sports car.

 

Disagree with "must". It's like saying Stanley "must" keep a steam-powered car in its lineup. Innovation marches on -- it didn't stop in 1968 or even 2008. Living in the past is what is killing GM, Ford, Chrysler. Wankel just isn't the engine upon which to base a 21st century car company. Even now, it's a boutique item. Some of us may look at RX-8 as the company's Flagship. But really it is not. Most consumers don't give a damn about the rotary, especially when they see the mileage.

As much as I like the RX-8, the future of cars is electric for a number of vital reasons, performance included! Within 20 years the conventional gasoline/piston powerplant will be dead, and the gasoline Wankel will be even deader.

 

+1

 

You must've not read about the die-hard critics on the RR format Carrera when Porsche first developed it. Not to mention the many critics on Porsche needs to ditch the flat-engine design for the 911 for decades.
The rotary engine will be a niche product. It is best suited for sports car application. In that paradigm, it will be fine.

 

You know "they" said that 30 years ago..and it is all still here.

You think Mazda are wrong with the Hydrogen Rotary?

 

Direct burn of hydrogen is not as efficient as fuel cell-electric systems. But the hydrogen rotary is a good stop gap, employing existing technologies.

 

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD POST THIS FOR THOSE WHO STILL THINK THE RX-8 IS NOT A SPORTS CAR...
FROM MOTOR TREND "AMERICA'S BEST HANDLING CAR", IT EVEN BEATS THE GTR..

"Already those of you who live and die by the numbers are aghast. Second-slowest lap time? Next to last in lateral grip and the figure eight? Yet a third-place ranking by Pobst? Above my beloved GT-R? Listen to Pobst: "In the purest sense of a sports car, the rear-drive RX-8 is the most satisfying through corners. I felt like it was a glove on my hand. I could put it right where I wanted. Extremely well balanced, easy to drift, unfettered by weight. The all-wheel-drive cars tend to understeer, and then when they do break loose it's a big event and a lot happens. In the RX-8, on the other hand, things happen a little bit at a time. It's just so much fun to drive." Pobst's words only reinforce our own: Big handling numbers are instructive and meaningful, but they often tell you nothing about the actual experience of driving a car, how it "feels." Though underpowered and under-tired compared with other entries here, the RX-8 has grace and fluidity and balance like few other sports cars on the market today. "The more powerful cars feel like riding a horse," Pobst says. "The RX-8 feels like wings bolted right to your arms.""

 

Yeah, now all the 8 needs is horsepower & torque on par with a, say, WRX & it will be an unbeatable value.

 

Some just don't get it do they..

 

He clearly doesn't get it.

His tagline is wrong as well. Miata = Japanese MG

 

I do get it. The reliability of the RX-8 is on par with the MG.

Pros:

The car looks hot, has a great interior, handles better than most.

Cons:

****** gas mileage. Low power. Worse torque.

One can make a reasonable argument that for FI, the Renesis is a step back from the REW. Why not do a turbo RX-8 with the REW and have cake + eat it too?

For those who are OK with NA, no problem. Keep the Renesis.

 

So, turbo a motor that already had a decent number of failures...? Also, getting worse gas mileage? Hmmm.

I can only imagine the **** storm that would have occurred with that one! Hell, let's pull another 3rd gen RX-7 and have the 8 stop being sold in the US at an early age.

It's fine the way it is, we'll see what they do with the 16x instead of whining about something that's already set in stone.

 

Sadly, most people dont get what the 8 is all about. It wasnt designed primarily to go fast on a straight line. Besides, we already know mazda could make cars that are quick on the straights (like for instance, the speed3) - but it doesnt mean its a better car.

The RX-8 is not or will ever be an RX-7. The 8 is a class all its own - and should be appreciated for what it is -

a no compromise sportscar that is ideal for daily driving and engineered for precision handling.

Also, the rotary is just gravely misunderstood - hence the issue of engine failures.

I say, Mazda should continue working on the rotary - keep on improving it. I would like to think that someday soon, we'll have a beast that handles well and kick *** on the straights.

but for now if you're suicidal and really itching for that occasional power, you could just take the nitrous route ...

 

Of the 5 cars mentioned, the 8 is by far the less-expensive and the only one that could comfortably seat 4 people. A true sportscar (not glorified sedans like sti's or evos) with the most bang for the buck and well suited for everyday driving.

And for all of you that say the RX-8 is not a true sports car, get your facts straight. The 8 is a true innovative sports car. there's just no comparison because there is nothing quite like it.

again, performance is measured in many different ways, not just straight-line speeds. The 8 could certainly hold its own in the track against many of your so called "true sports cars". and just because mazda takes a different design approach doesnt mean the 8 isnt built for performance.

I recall someone saying if it has more than 2 seats, it is not a true sports car... the mc laren f1 has 3 seats, Ferrari's current most expensive model - the 612 scaglietti has 4. And the best example of those that you call "not a true sports car because it is livable and you can use it to haul your 3 kids to school with the groceries" is the porsche 911.

hahaha. i find it ridiculous for people not to call the RX-8 a real sports car just because they engineered it to have better seats and room in the back than the 911.

 

Everything you say is correct, but the whole "misunderstood" part...

These engines are gaining way too much Carbon Buildup *which from my understanding, is the main cause of failure* due to the side ports. Hell, they were experimenting with it back in the day, but figured for reliability/time sake, they went with peripheral port. It worked well, and this will work well when they work out the kinks. I'm not saying this engine is bad, far from it, but there have been quite a few people who have taken care of the car with a bad engine. **** happens, that's what the awesome warranty is for. 16x all the way

 

^Yeah, I wanted to be more specific with that, but I didnt want to make my post too long and boring.

I stated the rotary was GRAVELY misunderstood due to a number of things - but to keep things short and sweet, ill just cite the most important one - most consumers are still inadequately informed with the characteristics of the rotary engine. different characteristic - different needs... and this is where the problem starts because they didnt know how to address those needs from the get-go.

the rotary just NEEDS to be driven hard, with adequate warm-up, at least once everytime you take it for a spin - to avoid carbon build-up. that among a few other things to make the renny a happy camper (there's a whole thread dedicated to it). https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

yes it still has plenty of room for improvement, but far from unreliable. people just have to understand the needs of their rotary, that's all.

 

J Mackin, I agree with most of your speak.

Slideways,
Mazda have been improving the rotary engine for 40 years, as a gasoline engine only they can't go any further with the RENESIS.

The RENESIS does not produce any more Carbon than any other rotary, the engine failures have been due to insufficient OIL Lubrication on the Apex seals, this has been rectified on the 09 models with 2 extra nozzles that lube the centre of the Apex seal, a damaged apex seal will not seal combustions correctly resulting in blow by and poor compressions, hence the rebuilds.

This is a HIGH Performance, High Rev engine, so if any owner just nannies or drives under 3800 RPM all the time, yes they will choke the engine with Carbon, just like any other rotary.

The RENESIS was not and is not designed for a Turbo..full stop.. yes, there are after market turbo's but if your boost is too high you will crunch the internals.
Even if Mazda did put on a very low boost turbo, it then adds $9000+ onto the price.

Mazda can't use peripheral exhaust porting any longer and or a turbo because of emissions, it just can't be done to conform with the worlds CO2 laws.

As it is unless Mazda can perfect the DI in the 16X we wont see any new rotary, not until Hydrogen is mainstream, or this in either dual fuel or sole Hydro modes is the future of the rotary.

For memory I think Mazda has until 2012 to perfect DI and tougher Euro/US emission laws.

THE SIMPLE FACT IS IF YOU ASK WHY...IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO EMISSIONS.

 

Gas MPG for an 8 isn't that bad when you compare it to a Corvette, Lambo, or even something German made... sports cars are simply not designed for fuel starvation.... and I sure don't mind a Corvette being forced to beat me to the gas pump....

Nice to know we really are not running out of gas and the price mess was mostly scam... now we can get back to perfecting gasoline engines instead of trying for a better battery powered moped...

 

They are, the fruits of their current labors to be the 16X, which along with more power, will be better gas efficiency.

 

Here's from an evo owner to shed some light:
Why argue whether the 8 is a sports car or not? It is what it is and you guys have the tests from a myriad of magazines and shops to prove it. There isn't a need anymore to debate of what it is and what it is not. Coming from an "overglorified evo", I already know what the reasons are for why people buy the rx-8 over this and that car. Frankly, I'm not amused, it's just the same reason as one would buy my car. All preferences and no bias aside, hp/tq lacks but the feel of being planted with limited slippage is a nice feeling. You would need to slide around a corner in an evo 8/9 to handle one like the 8, but I wouldn't go as far as comparing it to something that has twice as much power. The issue with a lot of people who buy a evo, sti, turbo, etc... is the potetial and functionality. I like the looks of the evo much more than the base rx8, but that always goes with what I wanted to do and that was power/handling. I would rather have the means than the looks of things. Much like having a hot supermodel, but she can't do much of anything. With the 8 you get handling, but power is the only gripe. More of a starter car to learn on and then you hit a ceiling because little can be made out of it. Look at the JIC time attack car. That isn't a Renesis in there is it? Correct me if I'm wrong about that, but it looks like an REW. The money to do all of that is nearly twice as much(compared to an evo) because the market isn't as big and neither is the availability of the parts. Performance/Dollar ratio is what my aim is and that's how I proportioned out my decision. Different strokes for different folks. The 8 is a good car nonetheless, but not for me. Cheers.

 

Did you read this (below) from Motor Trend?, there the RX-8 came in 3rd, over ALL the other competition, some cars 3 times or more the price of an 8?..

I can point you to many reviews from ALL over the world that come to the same/similar conclusions.

"More of a starter car to learn on", must be why the RX-8 was preferred over the latest EVO in this test also.

Mate, to call the RX-8 a 'starter car' shows your ignorance.

Post here in this forum by all means but don't even suggest the EVO is all that because it ain't.


Already those of you who live and die by the numbers are aghast. Second-slowest lap time? Next to last in lateral grip and the figure eight? Yet a third-place ranking by Pobst? Above my beloved GT-R? Listen to Pobst: "In the purest sense of a sports car, the rear-drive RX-8 is the most satisfying through corners. I felt like it was a glove on my hand. I could put it right where I wanted. Extremely well balanced, easy to drift, unfettered by weight. The all-wheel-drive cars tend to understeer, and then when they do break loose it's a big event and a lot happens. In the RX-8, on the other hand, things happen a little bit at a time. It's just so much fun to drive." Pobst's words only reinforce our own: Big handling numbers are instructive and meaningful, but they often tell you nothing about the actual experience of driving a car, how it "feels." Though underpowered and under-tired compared with other entries here, the RX-8 has grace and fluidity and balance like few other sports cars on the market today. "The more powerful cars feel like riding a horse," Pobst says. "The RX-8 feels like wings bolted right to your arms.""

 

Yeah, the 238HP (as if) Renesis gets slightly worse gas mileage than the 7 liter V-8 505 HP (at least) Corvette:

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...107535#trimsel

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/sp...mid=-1#trimsel

 

I'm not bashing on the rx-8 if you read it carefully. I don't care what those testers and professional drivers say because it's US driving it on the street and not them. Our driving capabilities span a great margin. For me, a RWD sports car? I'll say and everyone else will go along with the unison of "corvette" or some other rwd car with power. The problem I see is not having enough power to lose control. You tell me the rx8 is a great car, I'll agree with you, but put 400hp/400tq on it and run it at the track and then tell me if it's still the same. I doubt that part very much. That's why I call it a starter. My evo is my evo. Regardless of what test on performance or any curve you put it through, everyone knows the results. As I see it, the rx-8 is a compromise between luxury and performance. More refined as one would say, so comparing it to my car is pointless. I was hoping you'd be smarter by reading the inputs from another car and driver but obviously something is missing with comprehension.

 

The 8 is a good car nonetheless, but not for me. Cheers.
Comprehend this one dick, why are you here then?
This is a forum for RX-8 Owners..?