My impressions on the Rx-8
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Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 499
From: Raleigh, NC
My impressions on the Rx-8
I already posted this in the lounge, but thought id post it here so you guys could read.
I was at the dealership today because they have a body shop which I took my Z to be repaired in. There were a few problems I had with the car so I took it back to be touched up. While waiting for my dad to come pick me up, I walked over to Mazda to look at the 6's and when I glanced into the showroom I saw the nose of the 8.
I have to say, I'm fairly impressed with that car. It looks WAAAAAAAAAAY better in person than it does in the magazines and sales brochure. When I tried to show my dad a pick of the car on the way home, the car just looked ugly again. Trust me, pictures do the car no justice at all.
The dimensions were small, a lot smaller than a F-body. The size was like somewhere inbetween a Rx-7 and a Supra I guess... if that makes any sense. The car is low to the ground and has a very slick appearnce. You can sort of see the old FD lines in it, but it is definately a evolutionary design.
The exterior was very sharp, the headlights and tail lights had a very slick, sophisticated design to them. The black slit on teh side, behind the front wheels isnt very pronounced at all. In pictures it looks as if it goes in a bit, but in reality its just a piece of trim. The front in which looks "fishy" in pictures doesnt really look fishy in real life. Pictures make the grill look like the car is puckering... as if its going to kiss something. In reality the nose doesnt quite stick out that far at all. The wheels also look very nice.
The interior was simply awsome. The seats were slick, the dash slick, the radio controls slick, and even the parking brake had a neat little touch to the handle. The shifter is very short, like on a 350Z and looked like it was in a good position. Now standing from teh outside, it didnt look like there was much room in the back, but when i looked into the windows I was impressed. There was plenty seat room in teh back for 2 adults.
Overall I would say I was very impressed with the car. I liked the overall impression a lot better than the 350Z. The dealer had $33,000 on the tag. If I had the money, I think I would defiantely choose this car over a 350Z and possibly a GTO (we'll see when the GTO comes out). The car just has a slick, sophsiticated persona about it. If only it had more torque... but I'm sure I could live with a rotary motor.
I left thinking, I would definately trade a F-body in for one of these. The car is just on another level. F-bodies are more rough around the edges and "young." In my opinion this car was slick and sophisticated. When GM builds its new cars, they really need to step quality up a few notches if they plan on competing with these new cars from Japan.
I was at the dealership today because they have a body shop which I took my Z to be repaired in. There were a few problems I had with the car so I took it back to be touched up. While waiting for my dad to come pick me up, I walked over to Mazda to look at the 6's and when I glanced into the showroom I saw the nose of the 8.
I have to say, I'm fairly impressed with that car. It looks WAAAAAAAAAAY better in person than it does in the magazines and sales brochure. When I tried to show my dad a pick of the car on the way home, the car just looked ugly again. Trust me, pictures do the car no justice at all.
The dimensions were small, a lot smaller than a F-body. The size was like somewhere inbetween a Rx-7 and a Supra I guess... if that makes any sense. The car is low to the ground and has a very slick appearnce. You can sort of see the old FD lines in it, but it is definately a evolutionary design.
The exterior was very sharp, the headlights and tail lights had a very slick, sophisticated design to them. The black slit on teh side, behind the front wheels isnt very pronounced at all. In pictures it looks as if it goes in a bit, but in reality its just a piece of trim. The front in which looks "fishy" in pictures doesnt really look fishy in real life. Pictures make the grill look like the car is puckering... as if its going to kiss something. In reality the nose doesnt quite stick out that far at all. The wheels also look very nice.
The interior was simply awsome. The seats were slick, the dash slick, the radio controls slick, and even the parking brake had a neat little touch to the handle. The shifter is very short, like on a 350Z and looked like it was in a good position. Now standing from teh outside, it didnt look like there was much room in the back, but when i looked into the windows I was impressed. There was plenty seat room in teh back for 2 adults.
Overall I would say I was very impressed with the car. I liked the overall impression a lot better than the 350Z. The dealer had $33,000 on the tag. If I had the money, I think I would defiantely choose this car over a 350Z and possibly a GTO (we'll see when the GTO comes out). The car just has a slick, sophsiticated persona about it. If only it had more torque... but I'm sure I could live with a rotary motor.
I left thinking, I would definately trade a F-body in for one of these. The car is just on another level. F-bodies are more rough around the edges and "young." In my opinion this car was slick and sophisticated. When GM builds its new cars, they really need to step quality up a few notches if they plan on competing with these new cars from Japan.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,698
From: USA
Re: My impressions on the Rx-8
Originally posted by bigsteve7
I already posted this in the lounge, but thought id post it here so you guys could read.
I was at the dealership today because they have a body shop which I took my Z to be repaired in. There were a few problems I had with the car so I took it back to be touched up. While waiting for my dad to come pick me up, I walked over to Mazda to look at the 6's and when I glanced into the showroom I saw the nose of the 8.
I have to say, I'm fairly impressed with that car. It looks WAAAAAAAAAAY better in person than it does in the magazines and sales brochure. When I tried to show my dad a pick of the car on the way home, the car just looked ugly again. Trust me, pictures do the car no justice at all.
The dimensions were small, a lot smaller than a F-body. The size was like somewhere inbetween a Rx-7 and a Supra I guess... if that makes any sense. The car is low to the ground and has a very slick appearnce. You can sort of see the old FD lines in it, but it is definately a evolutionary design.
The exterior was very sharp, the headlights and tail lights had a very slick, sophisticated design to them. The black slit on teh side, behind the front wheels isnt very pronounced at all. In pictures it looks as if it goes in a bit, but in reality its just a piece of trim. The front in which looks "fishy" in pictures doesnt really look fishy in real life. Pictures make the grill look like the car is puckering... as if its going to kiss something. In reality the nose doesnt quite stick out that far at all. The wheels also look very nice.
The interior was simply awsome. The seats were slick, the dash slick, the radio controls slick, and even the parking brake had a neat little touch to the handle. The shifter is very short, like on a 350Z and looked like it was in a good position. Now standing from teh outside, it didnt look like there was much room in the back, but when i looked into the windows I was impressed. There was plenty seat room in teh back for 2 adults.
Overall I would say I was very impressed with the car. I liked the overall impression a lot better than the 350Z. The dealer had $33,000 on the tag. If I had the money, I think I would defiantely choose this car over a 350Z and possibly a GTO (we'll see when the GTO comes out). The car just has a slick, sophsiticated persona about it. If only it had more torque... but I'm sure I could live with a rotary motor.
I left thinking, I would definately trade a F-body in for one of these. The car is just on another level. F-bodies are more rough around the edges and "young." In my opinion this car was slick and sophisticated. When GM builds its new cars, they really need to step quality up a few notches if they plan on competing with these new cars from Japan.
I already posted this in the lounge, but thought id post it here so you guys could read.
I was at the dealership today because they have a body shop which I took my Z to be repaired in. There were a few problems I had with the car so I took it back to be touched up. While waiting for my dad to come pick me up, I walked over to Mazda to look at the 6's and when I glanced into the showroom I saw the nose of the 8.
I have to say, I'm fairly impressed with that car. It looks WAAAAAAAAAAY better in person than it does in the magazines and sales brochure. When I tried to show my dad a pick of the car on the way home, the car just looked ugly again. Trust me, pictures do the car no justice at all.
The dimensions were small, a lot smaller than a F-body. The size was like somewhere inbetween a Rx-7 and a Supra I guess... if that makes any sense. The car is low to the ground and has a very slick appearnce. You can sort of see the old FD lines in it, but it is definately a evolutionary design.
The exterior was very sharp, the headlights and tail lights had a very slick, sophisticated design to them. The black slit on teh side, behind the front wheels isnt very pronounced at all. In pictures it looks as if it goes in a bit, but in reality its just a piece of trim. The front in which looks "fishy" in pictures doesnt really look fishy in real life. Pictures make the grill look like the car is puckering... as if its going to kiss something. In reality the nose doesnt quite stick out that far at all. The wheels also look very nice.
The interior was simply awsome. The seats were slick, the dash slick, the radio controls slick, and even the parking brake had a neat little touch to the handle. The shifter is very short, like on a 350Z and looked like it was in a good position. Now standing from teh outside, it didnt look like there was much room in the back, but when i looked into the windows I was impressed. There was plenty seat room in teh back for 2 adults.
Overall I would say I was very impressed with the car. I liked the overall impression a lot better than the 350Z. The dealer had $33,000 on the tag. If I had the money, I think I would defiantely choose this car over a 350Z and possibly a GTO (we'll see when the GTO comes out). The car just has a slick, sophsiticated persona about it. If only it had more torque... but I'm sure I could live with a rotary motor.
I left thinking, I would definately trade a F-body in for one of these. The car is just on another level. F-bodies are more rough around the edges and "young." In my opinion this car was slick and sophisticated. When GM builds its new cars, they really need to step quality up a few notches if they plan on competing with these new cars from Japan.
Either way the RX8 really isn't on my radar screen, so I haven;t researched it. I like teh 350Z, but it is overpriced. If the GTO can come in at $33K it will easily give you the best performance/quality for your money.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,072
From: Lilburn, GA, USA
Yeah, the RX-8 does nothing for me. I wouldn't even consider it. The car looks so odd with the strange profile and rear-end. Those extra doors break up the lines of the car and make it look worse.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 681
From: Houston, TX USA
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 499
From: Raleigh, NC
I agree that it definately needs more power. If Mazda had like the same package with a +250hp V6 I think theyd have much more of a winner on their hands. The overall package was still impressive though, espeically when you consider the cars base price of $27k.
Compared to what else is on the market for that price right now and is relatively sporty (350Z, Mach 1, Evo) Id say that this car definately held its ground. Each one of those cars has its advantage and disadvantages may they be inteior, power etc. With styling being subjective, this car just lacks power.
Hopefully the GTO will up the notch a bit when it comes out and redefine how much automobile $30k shoudl get you.
Compared to what else is on the market for that price right now and is relatively sporty (350Z, Mach 1, Evo) Id say that this car definately held its ground. Each one of those cars has its advantage and disadvantages may they be inteior, power etc. With styling being subjective, this car just lacks power.
Hopefully the GTO will up the notch a bit when it comes out and redefine how much automobile $30k shoudl get you.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 1,547
From: Panhandle of West Virginia
Originally posted by Magnum Force
There's a thread over at ls1.com's et al forum that said the RX-8 spun the dyno to the tune of 173 HP!!!
There's a thread over at ls1.com's et al forum that said the RX-8 spun the dyno to the tune of 173 HP!!!
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
I haven't seen one on the street...but I had a chance to check out the RX8 at the Chicago Auto Show.
I agree with bigsteve...it is one slick piece with an awesome interior.
I know I'm gonna catch some flak here....but the production RX8, impressed me more than the similarly styled Chevy SS concept.
I agree with bigsteve...it is one slick piece with an awesome interior.
I know I'm gonna catch some flak here....but the production RX8, impressed me more than the similarly styled Chevy SS concept.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,610
From: Cincinnati, OH
Originally posted by Ken S
actually, reading up, the 200 hp ver is the auto.. the manual is 247 hp with a 9000 rpm redline.
ah, now it sounds better.
actually, reading up, the 200 hp ver is the auto.. the manual is 247 hp with a 9000 rpm redline.
ah, now it sounds better.