Road and Track reviewed the RX8 in this month's issue. It was generally a very positive article, but they did mention some body roll as a result of making a softer suspension for ride quality. Some other items of interest:

0-60 5.9
0-70 8.0
0-80 10.0
0-90 12.8
0-100 15.9
1/4 mile 14.5 @ 95.6

Skidpad .88g R&T Comment: Moderate Understeer
Slalom 65.4 MPH R&T Comment: Mild Oversteer
Estimated EPA Fuel Economy: 18/24 MPG
Estimated Actual: 19 MPG
Curb Weight: 3,000 lbs. (I think it was the fully loaded Grand Touring?)
Test Weight: 3,180 lbs.
Weight Distribution: 52% Front, 48% Rear (Not sure if this was based on curb or test weight).
Speed at Redline for Each Gear:

1st: 39 MPH
2nd: 65 MPH
3rd: 89 MPH
4th: 124 MPH
5th: 147 MPH
6th: 148 MPH

 

Did they say with TCS off or on? Care to share the article or at least copy/paste the text?

 

I don't have the article. I took a quick look at it and jotted down a few things since I was already late! Maybe someone can scan and send it to Hercules??

They didn't mention if the traction control system was on or not? What is the normal testing procedure for sports/sporty cars with it (Z, G35,etc)?

 

damn now i have to buy 3 mags at once! couldn't they space them out a little!

 

:o forgot about Autoweek:o

 

I've never read a single issue of Autoweek but I know some people that swear that it is by far the best of them all.

 

Road & Track 12/97:
McLaren F1
Skidpad, g: 0.86
Slalom, mph: 64.5

Wow, I guess the RX-8 would also be faster around a track than a McLaren F1 by the same (flawed) logic.

 

dam m477 u beat me to it! :p

Here's other specs from Road and Track:

Nissan 350Z
0-60 mph 5.8 sec.
0-1/4 mile 14.4 sec.
Skidpad 0.88g
Slalom 67.3 mph
Braking 80-0 mph 213 ft.
Lap time: 01:40.06

BMW M3 SMG II
0-60 mph 4.9 sec.
0-1/4 mile 13.5 sec.
Skidpad 0.89g
Slalom 68.8 mph
Braking, 80-0 mph 213 ft.
Lap time: 01:40.09

Porsche 911 Targa
0-60 mph 5.0 sec.
0-1/4 mile 13.5 sec.
Skidpad 0.92g
Slalom 65.5 mph
Braking, 80-0 mph 208 ft.
Lap time: 01:40.79

gee, what happened to the M3 and 911 Targa? just goes to show specs can be deceiving. (note: just an example, not actually saying 350Z is faster than M3 or 911)

 

Road and Track
Mazda RX8: 0-1/4 mile 14.5 @ 95.6 mph. Skidpad 0.88g
Nissan 350Z: 0-1/4 mile 14.4 sec @ 99.7 mph. Skidpad 0.88g.
very competitive! :D :p

 

Porsche 911 Targa: Slalom: 65.5 MPH.

 

Don't forget to rev it to 8K! :p

 

the hard part is going to be remembering not to go over 9k! but luckily they gave us a chime to remind us:p

 

Nobody said that. They did say that the RX-8 being RWD and the Evo being AWD would be more fun to drive

 

Thank you Herc, you just saved me nearly $30,000!!!!!!!:D

I was contemplating buying an EVO 8, but now I can buy that 1978 RWD Ford Fairmont Station Wagon in the used car lot down the street for $500 since its more "fun"!!!!! :D

 

Or spend another $500 and get a Mustang since its the same.:D
1978

 

ZoomZoom slaps revhappy with a tuna.

 

AWD is generally more limiting than RWD, that's all.

If you want to be a smartass nobody's stoppin ya but it really doesn't bolster any type of dialogue.

 

Limiting (i.e. not "fun") for things YOU enjoy. AWD may be less limiting for what other enthusiasts enjoy. The misrepresentation of personal opinion as objective fact destroys any attempt at constructive dialogue.

 

Make it five (5): gotta add Sports Car International to the list.

 

My apologies.

I'll make sure to clarify that the platform almost all car magazines prefer for 'fun' is merely an unbased opinion. Thanks.

 

Also I'm curious... how can an AWD car *not* limit you? As opposed to how an RWD *could* limit you? Please elaborate on this.

It's easier to drive no doubt about that...safer too. but it *does* put more physical limits on the car as well (to the best of my knowledge, which I'll admit I'm wrong on if you can show me how). That's all I was saying.