You have your own personal preferences, but I'm just saying Motor Trends reasons aren't as cut and dry as you make it out to be. For what it's worth I don't believe that the Z is in the same league handling wise as the RX-8 and the S2000, while more responsive, does bite more.

 

S2k vs rx-8 vs 350z.

results here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

For the lazy: RX-8 > 350Z > S2000 as best overall sports car.

 

I received the print magazine with this test, and read through it without skipping ahead. I saw the test numbers first, and feared that they weren't going to give the RX-8 the recognition it deserves. Then I got to the subjective impressions...

I've been telling people for the last three years that the RX-8 is my favorite car for traveling an unfamiliar, challenging road. MT nailed my reasons why--the passages people have pasted here are some of the best writing I've seen in an American car magazine recently. And when you think that nearly new cars can be had for around $20,000...it's a steal.

 

To be 3rd or even 4th on that list says something, and that's with inferior rubber. To think back to all the debates on here about handling, everything we've said about the "feel" of the 8 was validated. That's something that only comes with an optimal layout, engine placement, weight etc. - witness the comments about the Evo.

Otherwise, surprised as hell about the 260hp Cobalt being so fast - good for GM! And the Audi has become my latest object of lust.

 

I like the Cobalt SS, too bad its wrapped in such a subpar package. I'm sure the engineers think the same thing. The next Cobalt should bet better. Wonder if a Malibu SS is in the works. Not that I'd drive one.

 

Yea the Cobalt would FLY off the "shelf" if it had a new and improved body style. If GM has any brains they will spend alot of energy on the next gen's styling. With all the outstanding real world performance numbers this thing has put up this year and with a price tag so low, there is no reason a nice looking, revised Cobalt wouldnt be a hit

 

Notice this in the review

"MazdaSpeed version a year or so away"

rofl !

 

I just got finished reading the article and the 8 got its *** kicked! The Cobalt did better, but the characteristics of the car stood out to Pobst.

 

FWD FTML!!!!! A Cobalt? Are they serious? The fit and finish is better in a Yugo. Seriously, I suffered through a Cobalt Rental and no mods would make up for the severe lack of comfort and fit and finish.

 

It's a little surprising to me that the 8's lap times and lateral g's are so bad. I know the car is underpwered considering what other vehicles they are comparing it to, but thats just surprising.

 

'09 R3 "may" be handle slightly better than the original, but I'd still wager it's not much work to make a significantly better behaving track vehicle.

Mazda's design is near perfect for the road, supple, soft yet precise but within relatively high limits, yet it's a bit off for best track results given it's power deficit. Even modified, handling can only make up for so much missing in the power dept, sadly.

But add.. Coilovers + HD swaybars + light 9" wheels + better 245/255 tires and you'd be amazed at the transformation. Many have done this or something similar and it really is a huge upgrade.

 

the chassis and the suspension of the 8 compares to the rest of the cars tested, but power wise it can't compete with most of these cars. the 8 is a great autocross vehicle, but when trying to stretch its legs out on a course like Laguna Seca where there's a lot of straights then it's a wrap!

 

Overall my Rx8 is an excellent pleasure to drive. It is very confidence inspiring. On the down side the rebound is too soft and the roll bars too soft.

I am coming from a perspective of a hard-as-rocks Subaru STI being my other ride, which errs in the other direction. The STI is not as forgiving in handling, meaning you make more and bigger mistakes because they are magnified.

The RX8 minimizes the drivers mistakes. RX8 makes you feel like a hero more often than an STI although the STI feels quite a bit faster when you finally nail the moves.

RX8 (6sp) also is plenty powerful for 95% of conditions actually encountered on public roads. The STI can hit a higher acceleration level at the top 5% of the time but then such a performance will get the quick disapproval of your policeman unless you are actually on a track. I am lucky there are some good tracks in NJ a quick day trip from my house.

 

Have you tried Lightening or Thunderbolt at NJMP? They're very nice, technical, and for the most part minimize the advantages of the higher horsepower cars running, which is a good thing for us! Lot's of fun and it's a brand spanking new facility as well.

 

Agreed.

Or really? No level of suspension mods is going to get an RX8 around the Ring in 8:22. How you like them apples?

 

damn i love that video of mt drifting the r3 around the corners. i bet pobst went off and bought a r3 as soon as he left MT haha..why hasnt anyone posted this on the z forums or anything?

 

Cuz they dont want to admit that their dream car in fact got pwned by a car thats has significantly less HP and TQ than theirs.

 

BlueEyes...best avatar ever!

 

Agreed. The only time I find the power wanting is when I'm in the wrong gear.





(Which is easy to do when you're not paying attention....but isn't paying attention and being involved the point? )

 

Orly? The Cayman S nor the S2000 can't either? Your point?

 

^ yeah, those cars are known trash and the Cobalt owns all..

 

Had a question about the RX-8's handling, so I bumped this...