OT:Impressions of the mazda rx-8

[hitnrun74]

Stopped in on the way home from work today, and drove the 2004 Mazda Rx-8. All I can say is WOW. 6-speed tranny was a dream with the short throw shifter on it. Lots of power, great handling. Plenty of legroom and headroom. Overall a very impressive ride. Stiff but smooth, great cornering. Had the dealership guy hangin on for dear life . If there's a mazda dealer near you, take one out for a spin.

[sveltax]

Did you sit in the rear seats? I'm replacing a Volvo s40 in January, the wife loves her Volvo! I suggested the Mazda 6 or the RX-8, she resigned to test more cars in January.

[IsuZOOM]

I've sat in the back, it's not bad for a sports car. My Integra seemed about half the size back there! I'd consider it but out here in Denver it's tough to rely on RWD!

[paultvx]

It's not a sports car. All of the journalists who have tested it say it is not. It's more of a sports touring car. Mazda even admits to it not being a direct replacement of the RX-7. Search the archives at Autoweek.com. Few articles there on the topic.

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Originally posted by paultvx
It's not a sports car. All of the journalists who have tested it say it is not. It's more of a sports touring car. Mazda even admits to it not being a direct replacement of the RX-7. Search the archives at Autoweek.com. Few articles there on the topic.

A lot of truth to the above statement - at least according to quite a few people over on the 350Z forums. Since I've had my Z, I've spent a lot of time in those boards and the RX-8 subject has come up a lot.

Of course, it's awful difficult to get 4 people in a Z so the RX-8 does offer some alternative choices for those looking for a "sporty" car that can hold more than just 2 people.

I'm sure it's a lot of fun to drive!

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[Joe_Black]

I wonder if the 20B three-rotor engine will drop right in as in most of the Mazda US vehicles. That would certainly make it sportier!

[paultvx]

To make up for not having a RX-7 replacement, Mazda will have a turbo Mazdaspeed Miata on the way to our shores. No idea what the power output will be... however, being a factory turbo'ed car, for those who know, it won't take much to get insane power out of the motor. Also, considering the lighter weight, it'll be one heck of a car.

There are already 400+ HP turbo'ed first generation Miatas out there... one of the projects I've considered for the near future. Lightweight, nimble handling, rear wheel drive, and lots of power. Can't complain about that.

IMHO, those who wish for a sports car that can hold 4 aren't really sports car drivers at heart. They just want to be seen driving one. If I were to build the ultimate sports car it'd be a one seater.

Nice Z, by the way. Have you heard anything about the GReddy TD05-18G kit for the 350? Or is it a TD06? I can't remember. Would be one heck of a bolt-on for that car, if GReddy has it figured out.

[Dallas4u]

I HATE all of this talk about new cars!!! It just makes me want to go out a start looking!!!

If I was to start "looking" at cars again, I would definitely have to take a serious look at the 350Z and the WRX STI. Of course there are a few more, but bang for the buck has gotta start there (new anyway). I probably wouldn't buy a new car, so I'd have to weigh stock price/performance with bolt on prices as well.

[paultvx]

I'd go for the Z. It's just a little more mature. If you know what I mean. There are just too many kids in the scoobies. The Z has a pretty quick 0-60... but the quarter is a bit slow... no slouch but slow for a car that does 0-60 in 5.4s. That leads me to believe the upper gears are long, perfect for turbocharging. I think Nissan may have had that in mind. It's the only explanation I can think of. The Z's powerplant should be more than capable of launching the car in the high 13s in the quarter.

I believe a independant company here in the states has a working turbo kit for it already. Granted it'd be more expensive to mod than a STi, but being a 6 cylinder mill, it has a lot more potential. Just like the 300zx and the Mistu 3000GT VR4 which are good affordable cars to mod by the way. With a 20K budget you can have a 600 WHP car. Couple grand more will get you in the 800 WHP range. Drooling yet?

Speaking of Mitsu, if I was in the market for a STi, I'd consider the EVO instead. Based on what I have seen shops do with theirs, it seems to be underrated at the factory and take on mods much more readily than the scoobies.

If things work out I'm thinking of building a 1st gen Eclipse/Talon AWD. 18k when it's all said and done inside out. 500 WHP. 10s-11s quarter mile and completely street legal.

[Dallas4u]

I've seen the Evo and the STi compared and, although pretty similar in performance, I thought the STi had a much nicer interior. The Mitsu looked kinda cheap and plastic-y.

I'm sure Nissan will come out with a turbo version of the Z. Didn't they make a 300Z twin-turbo model?

[Joe_Black]

I'd just buy another Merkur and watch all the confusion in the mirror. LOL!

Funky looks, incredibly fast, super comfortable, room for four, 50/50 weight distribution, capable of 200+ mph and 400+ hp. Woohoo!

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Here's some information on GReddy's Turbo for the 350Z.

More info.

I've heard it may be ready by late this year.

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[paultvx]

Problem with the Merkur is availability of parts. I wouldn't mind one either... acutally, the Cosworth Escort or RS2000 would be even cooler. There is a blue Cossie running around here in Portland. I see it once in a while during the summers. A true 300 HP pocket rocket.

I decided on the 1G Eclipse/Talon beacause there are tons of parts and tuners for the very flexible 4G63 motor. Horrible interior, but when driving a built performance car... I doubt the interior will be on my mind much as long as the shifter shifts nicely.

Looks like Power Enterprises of Japan is working on a twin turbo kit for the 350z as well. Been trying to find that state side shop with the working kit but can't find it. Oh well.

[Joe_Black]

Parts availability is part of the beauty of the XR4Ti, the US version shares the drivetrain with the Mustang SVO. And as with most Fords, it's a common parts bin vehicle with the exception of bodywork and some interior bits. But since it was produced in such large numbers in Europe there a good source for that stuff as well, and several specialist parts houses have sprung up here in the US of late. But, as with any older ride it is a tinkerer's toy. Albeit one that can't be touched by any street-legal ricer!:bgwg:

[Bantan]

How about the G35 coupe:


It addresses some of your concerns:
1. Its fast
2. Has room for 4
3. Has a stylish interior
4. Its Mature (not a ricer)
5. looks like a Z (infiniti/nissan same thing)
6. etc