^ this article put the RX-8 to the front simply for it's daily drivability...which we all agree is fantastic. However I can't help but get the impression that the driver didn't know how to treat a rotory right, and was shifting too early, leaving it in low RPM expecting torque. They called it a 'bad engine'. I have a hard time believing that anyone who knows what they are doing can call it 'bad'. Underpowered perhaps from their perspective, but not 'bad'.

The track must also have been alot of straights with few turns, since the other 3 do simply have more power for those straights.

Disappointing article, even though it won.

(I have also been annoyed that Car and Driver and Motor Trend seem to have the same vehicles for the same tests every month. Conclusions change, but come on... separate more and go where the other one isn't.)

 

Part two is up.

I won't spoil where the 8 was ranked in this test.

 

I thought considering the pack of cars that was in the comparo, I am surprised the S2000, Miata, Boxster, Cayman, Z was not included. I suppose they want a car from each mfg.

 

That was a complete 180.

I still think tires made a difference in part 1. Braking is a tell all. Brake fade does not come into the equation until multiple stops so on a skid pad you can gauge how much grip the tires have by taking a look at the results.

All that said, any AWD vehicle has a real, tangable, definite advantage when equipted with street tires. As soon as stickier rubber is introduced AWD becomes a giant weight with no benefit.

 

well thats cool 3rd.....makes me happy when the soul of a car can mean more than lap times.....

 

Yeah, that sounds about right. When I hear the word handling, I think 'Mustang' is probably one of the last words that pops into my head... just ahead of 'oil tanker' and behind 'hummer limo.'

Nice article though, I'm reminded why I bought this car in the first place

 

that's one hell of a lineup of cars. Nicely done MT, the RX-8 shows (once again) that it's one heck of a car.

 

Gotta love this quote

 

+1

Very very well said.

 

Now if only we had more powa !!!!!

 

WHERE IS THE CIVIC !!!!!!

CUZ ACCORDING TO THOSE RICER BOI OUT THERE, CIVICs IS DA SHITZ AND NOTHING COULD BEAT THEM ! AHHHHHHH !

 

Read both parts...gotta say that it was a VERY good read! Sending it to a friend with an 06 Mustang..just to rub some **** in his face a bit :P

 

wow ... now I feel better ... the RX-8 I know and love ... the sum is far far better than the sad test numbers suggest

 

Clearly these places reflect alot more than just the raw numbers. Nice job

 

Yeah and for a car that is so OLD and no "Enhanced Driving Characteristics",

It REALLY goes to show that the RX-8 IS ALL CLASS!..

Those of us in the know already knew that!

 

And thus, tis the reason I purchased an RX-8 and will keep one for life. It fuses and communicates with me in a way that no car I've driven has.

 

I still can't believe that the Cobalt was a few hundreths off of the EVo in Lap times. Damn, having been a former SS owner I knew they were good cars, but this turbo is fast (and ugly)

 

Look at ya, dissing your own car when you read a not-so-complimentary review, and spin 180 degrees to fanboi when something nice is said.

That's pretty bad guys. Doesn't show much confidence in your car.

 

And that's just directed to the haters... not to the rational folks.

 

Wow he ranked the RX8 third! That guy knows his stuff

 

The EVO in 6th!
NO Subaru WRX?

Where is IKE when you need him...

 

I just wish they would have put all the cars on comparable tires. The range of tires that these cars come equipped with is staggering (no pun intended). Simply put, the runflat equipped vehicles would have had significantly better instrumented testing if they were on regular, comparable, summer-only tires. I would love to see this set of testing done with one model of tire in the appropriate sizes for all the cars. Eliminate the manufacturers tire choice and lets see who can really grip the road.


BTW- This shot is simply awesome.

 

On the subject of Braking Distances this is what the New York Times said in 06..

From NY Times article "Stopping Short" , June 2006.


Braking (Stopping) distanced from a cruising speed of 60MPH (100KPH)

BEST

Aston Martin V-8 Vantage 107 ft.
Ferrari F430 Spider 107 ft.
Lotus Exige 107 ft.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 107 ft.
Porsche Boxster S 107 ft.
Porsche 911 Carrera S 108 ft.
Ferrari Enzo 109 ft.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 109 ft.
Maserati Quattroporte 109 ft.
Mazda RX-8 110 ft.

WORST

Ford Escape XLT 145 ft.
Volkswagen Passat 3.6 138 ft.
Volvo S60 T5 138 ft.
Cadillac CTS 138 ft.
Audi A3 2.0 T. 138 ft.
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 137 ft.
Toyota Camry Hybrid 136 ft.
Subaru Legacy GT Limited 135 ft.
Scion xB 134 ft.
Honda Civic EX 133 ft.

 

A lot of people in this world don't like thinking for themselves or at least desperately need the approval of others.

 

seemed to dissappear ages ago - he never could understand what was good about the 8