miata2rx8

comeon Bern- at least post a paragraph!

bern

OK, just for you guys... the intro!

FROM ROTARYNEWS:

Mazda went ahead and did it. They invited RotaryNews.Com back for a second round of test-and-evaluation of the all-new RX-8. But unlike our first round with pre-production test cars, this time we drove the real deal final production model. And we are happy to say: they actually did it.
Gone this time, were the smooth track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and the scenic beauty of California’s Highyway-1. No, this time we unleashed the RX-8 into the real world. You all know the one, urban freeway drudgery and stop light grand prix’. Yes, this time we drove the RX-8 on our turf, and it impressed. Actually, we also did an hour or so on a auto-x course prior.
-----

I made so many observations that I'm battling to get them all down in something that might actaully read half-way decently!


-Bern

akrx8

bern,how long till full report?getting anxious.

santino

Bern

when you have the time....what other magazines were at the event? just curious on what mags to look out for in the coming months.

thank you

santino

bern

The real funny and ironic thing is:

I own a daily driven '01 Nissan Altima. How great is that?!?!

Bought it because the Mazda-6 wasn't out yet.

-Bern

bern

Sorry guys, but it should be up later this morning. I finally completed it and I sent it over to Dan, but he was out tonight.

-Bern

bern

Well the day RN attended, and if I remember correctly, the following were there:

-Import Racer Magazine
-HCI import Magazine
-Edmunds.com
-speedoptions.com
-overboost.com
- Ventura Gazette

the previous day, the more traditional press were on hand

-Car and Driver
-Road adn Track
-Sport Compact
-etc..etc..

-Bern

bern

It's up guys! Again, thanks all for the patience!

part -3

http://rotarynews.com

-Bern

Puppy1

Great article.

Let the "lack of torque" concerns be put to rest. It seems our testers were having way too much fun drifting in and out of the real world to care about the navi system or nit pick the interior.

---which is exactly the way it should be!!!!!!!!:D :D :D LET THE FUN BEGIN.

Lensman

Yes, a very informative and welcome article, thanks very much. I'm concerned about the comments regarding the slightly lower quality interior plastics compared to pre production cars though. I've seen a pre production car and the plastics were something we all thought they'd IMPROVE not degrade. Otherwise I can't wait. Nice to see you chose a Titanium coloured car too, good choice.

Puppy1

"Interior panel materials differed some from the pre-production model though. The very nice lacquered center console and accents remain pretty much intact, but there did seem to be a shift to a lighter plastic material on the dash and assorted panels. Fortunately, the stylistic appeal and feel of the cabin remain. Satisfied that we had explored enough of the cabin, we mounted up and headed out."

I interpreted "lighter" to mean in weight, but not in quality. Maybe we need Berny to elaborate. Maybe he even means lighter in color???

P00Man

excellent write up, its good to hear that the quality is high and the comfort levels are also fairly high. but more importantly that driving the car int he real world is an absolute blast (when you ignore the rules, of course) and that the lack of torque issues with rotaries have been vaporized due to the perfect and seemingly seemless integration of the gearbox, tranny and engine.

excellent write up and....YOU LUCKY BASTARD!!!!
________
**** live

rxeightr

Looks like the RX-8 might be even a BETTER vehicle than I had thought when I decided to pre-order.

I'm starting to get excited.....

Thanks for the report Rotary News !

Hercules

In the end, even with POSITIVE reviews... you have to drive the car to know for sure.

Bern, quick Q... how would you say this stacked up to the FD?

Just curious, seeing as I'm not an RX-7 owner it's nice to get some comparisons in that regard.

Cheers!

RotorGeek

What an awesome review. I am starting to get real antsy. I can't wait.

bbertha37

Seeing that most of the magazines were present, do they intend to review the production models?

commentator

Thank You!!!!!!! Rotary News,

Great article, I was beginning to wonder if I wanted to wait any longer but this article helped a good bit. I am good for another 3 or 4 weeks at least. After that well, who knows. The video of the off-loading at the port helped as well. I was hoping for more info about the room in the back seat. I wonder if RN would follow up with additional comments about the leg room, and getting in and out of the back seat. Any time you get some information like this it always leaves room for questions but it sounds like the production models are all we expected and maybe even a bit more.:D

bern

Guys:
If you wouldn't mind leaving comments and follow-up questions at the following RotaryNews link:

RotaryNews RX-8 Review follow-ups and questions


Please feel free to comment or ask anything you'd like and we'll try to answer it as best we can.

Thanks,

-Bern

bern

Puppy1:
I answered your questions at RotaryNews.Com Comments

-Bern

bern

Actually, our reference to pre-prod car goes to the ones we drove at Laguna a few months ago, which were actually quite good in the interior department. The plastics on those cars seemed production ready.

Please don't mistake our comments to mean pre-prod car as in the show cars which we remember as being a step below the cars we last reviewed at Laguna. Just wanted to clear up our comments.

Titanium.. you can thank Dan for that!

-Bern

bern

Thank you, we resemble this remark! :D

This is a real world car, more so than our beloved RX-7. Don't get us wrong, the 8 is torque challenged in the motor, but Mazda has done an excelent job with the tranny and final gear combo. Where the RENESIS really shines is in it's incredible rev range and, although low, very flat torque curve.

Boost would still be cool though!

-Bern

P00Man

blahahahahhaha lol
so what do you guys plan to do to your project rx-8?
________
STARCRAFT 2 PRO REPLAYS

compaddict

Nice choice of color also!


Vince

bern

Hercules:
You are absolutely right about it being up to each individual to decide if this car is for them or not. One really needs to drive the car to decide.

What we can do and did for the folks out there, is flog the car like no one will be able to on a dealer test drive. The optimal test would be for a buddy to let you borrow their car and let you at!! I doubt anyone will allow this.

As far as the FD comparison, this is tough. This is not really a fair comparison.. the cars are really different. Both were designed with different goals in mind.

The RX-8 is definitely a better daily driver and commuter. The FD is a better ULTIMATE sports car and track weapon, but requires a higher driving skill to master. The RX-8 has a chassis that is at least equal to or better than the 1st gen FD available in the US and is easier to drive at the limit. The brakes on the RX-8 are a step above, for sure, the US available FD. The FD is definitely a sexier and sleeker looking ride though.

In a straightline battle, the FD is a hands down winner, you can't argue with the power and weight advantage. On the road race track with equal drivers, the FD will prevail, but introduce some differing skill levels and the RX-8 is right there.

Like I said, this is a real hard comparison, but all you have to do is watch that video comparison of the Spirit-R-vs-RX-8 at the track in Japan, to appreciate its skills... maybe someone has a link to it.

These are just MY observations.

-Bern

bern

Stay tuned... but I hear MazdaSpeed!

-Bern