Mazda RX8, any opinions?
Discussion
[quote=^Slider^]Hi,
I was wandering if anybody had had the change to test drive the RX8 or even if they are lucky enough to own one?
I am looking at test driving one and perhaps taking one on as a future company car.
So any opinions / comments would be appreciated.
Gareth[/quote]
Gareth,
There has already been a couple of previous threads on the RX8.....see this forum and also *Motoring News* forum......
I have an Rx8 on order having first pre-ordered and then 2 test drives......wonderful car superb handling ride.....
Steve
I was wandering if anybody had had the change to test drive the RX8 or even if they are lucky enough to own one?
I am looking at test driving one and perhaps taking one on as a future company car.
So any opinions / comments would be appreciated.
Gareth[/quote]
Gareth,
There has already been a couple of previous threads on the RX8.....see this forum and also *Motoring News* forum......
I have an Rx8 on order having first pre-ordered and then 2 test drives......wonderful car superb handling ride.....
Steve
Does anyone know if last night's Top Gear is repeated anytime? I missed the RX-8 report this week (Sky listings said prog was on late at 8.30 owing to Snooker!!!). Not amused - especially after I spent 2 weekends chasing around the North and Mids Mazda dealers to get a look at the 11 pre-launch demonstrators and got to see one for 5 mins before it was loaded on the back of a trailer bound for a SE dealership!
Agent006 put this on general gassing and says he should have it uploaded by this evening.
www.prior-chelt.co.uk/cars/videos/index.htm
The review was good - and it didnt do badly round the track with the stig.
Gareth
www.prior-chelt.co.uk/cars/videos/index.htm
The review was good - and it didnt do badly round the track with the stig.
Gareth
Cheers SB-1.
Just reminded me to post a review i did of the 8 last weekend.....
Well, had my test drive today, sunlight silver 231ps. Lots of rain here in kent!!!
All i can say is Bloomin heck what a car, power dropped off over 8000 but was very smooth and accelerated well up through the gears.
Because of the price, i was expecting it not to live up to the expectations, but i it is everything people have said and more. i dont think you can get the same package for the money, even maybe going upto 30K.
And the car looks soo much better in the flesh than in any picture i have seen. And the velocity red they had looks good but has to be in the right light.
I loved the acceleration, the way it braked (no nose dive at all) Very roomy interior (im 6ft3) and a comfortable drive for the hour i had it. The impression of speed was something else... i was doing illegal speeds but felt i was just crusing along at 70 and went into corners faster than i would have have done had i been looking at the speedo but the car just took it all in its stride and didnt bat an eyelid.
Yes i will be buying one!!!
Oh and the looks you get from others was great as well. the boy racers in their broken down RS Turbo seemed to think so too!!
I can honestly say i have not driven a better all round package. and on a pound by pound view there is not alot out there that could beat it.
So in short...
LOVED IT.
Gareth
Just reminded me to post a review i did of the 8 last weekend.....
Well, had my test drive today, sunlight silver 231ps. Lots of rain here in kent!!!
All i can say is Bloomin heck what a car, power dropped off over 8000 but was very smooth and accelerated well up through the gears.
Because of the price, i was expecting it not to live up to the expectations, but i it is everything people have said and more. i dont think you can get the same package for the money, even maybe going upto 30K.
And the car looks soo much better in the flesh than in any picture i have seen. And the velocity red they had looks good but has to be in the right light.
I loved the acceleration, the way it braked (no nose dive at all) Very roomy interior (im 6ft3) and a comfortable drive for the hour i had it. The impression of speed was something else... i was doing illegal speeds but felt i was just crusing along at 70 and went into corners faster than i would have have done had i been looking at the speedo but the car just took it all in its stride and didnt bat an eyelid.
Yes i will be buying one!!!
Oh and the looks you get from others was great as well. the boy racers in their broken down RS Turbo seemed to think so too!!
I can honestly say i have not driven a better all round package. and on a pound by pound view there is not alot out there that could beat it.
So in short...
LOVED IT.
Gareth
Are you sure you were driving the new RX8, as the car you discribe as little in common with the 231bhp one I drove a couple of weeks ago. No mid-range power,no torque (the 190bhp model as more torque than the 231 !!!)overtaking slower traffic on winding country roads takes more commitment than it should in a car with close to 240 horses( maybe thats ponies).
It could be I've being spoilt by the power delivery of big turbo diesels and my 5.0litre Griff.
On the positive side it does handle very well and look the part, it's well built with the right equipment and I'm sure it will prove reliable.
I drove a Seat Leon Cupra 'R' the same day as the Mazda which it betters in most dynamic areas the only problem is the 3-4 month wait for the Leon to arrive, my advice would be test the Seat before you splash the cash, you my be surprised.
As for me I think it will a BMW330d for the weekly grind and keep the TVR for the weekends.
>> Edited by budd on Thursday 4th December 23:51
>> Edited by budd on Thursday 4th December 23:55
It could be I've being spoilt by the power delivery of big turbo diesels and my 5.0litre Griff.
On the positive side it does handle very well and look the part, it's well built with the right equipment and I'm sure it will prove reliable.
I drove a Seat Leon Cupra 'R' the same day as the Mazda which it betters in most dynamic areas the only problem is the 3-4 month wait for the Leon to arrive, my advice would be test the Seat before you splash the cash, you my be surprised.
As for me I think it will a BMW330d for the weekly grind and keep the TVR for the weekends.
>> Edited by budd on Thursday 4th December 23:51
>> Edited by budd on Thursday 4th December 23:55
budd said:Those were my thoughts, I must admit - so much so that I'm going to check in fact that they let me drive the 231BHP one, not the 190. I guess I also may have been spoilt by V8 & turbo power deliveries.
No mid-range power,no torque (the 190bhp model as more torque than the 231 !!!)overtaking slower traffic on winding country roads takes more commitment than it should in a car with close to 240 horses( maybe thats ponies).
I *want* to like it, but it didn't set my heart pumping...
CraigAlsop said:
No mid-range power,no torque (the 190bhp model as more torque than the 231 !!!)overtaking slower traffic on winding country roads takes more commitment than it should in a car with close to 240 horses( maybe thats ponies).
Those were my thoughts, I must admit - so much so that I'm going to check in fact that they let me drive the 231BHP one, not the 190. I guess I also may have been spoilt by V8 & turbo power deliveries.
I *want* to like it, but it didn't set my heart pumping...
I agree, we had mazda among other manufacturers turn up here at work for a fleet day. I wasnt that impressed with the RX-8. There is no doubt it was quick. But fast...
Certainly didn't feel like 230 bhp! Because I could, and with no intention of buying or leasing one. I also took the new Audi TT V6 for a spin. Previously uninspired by the 1.8T (225) flagship. Dare I say it, was VERY impressed with the V6!
If you look at the car for what it is, it is the best package for the money. It has never been sold as a high Torque engine and i agree it will never be, but remember it is a rotory engined naturally asperated car. It does make the power if you use the gears. (and you do have to rag it to have fun on twisty country roads)
It doesnt have the kick in the balls of most cars but it does have a very smooth power delivery. And IMO i would have more fun on country roads by having to use the gears rather than just stick it in one gear and use the torque.
Like SB-1 said, it is never going to have the feel of a V8 or the kick of a TVR, but for what it is and what you are actually paying for you do get one of the best handling, stopping and all round package cars in this class that there are. The High Power version is only 22K on base trim spec, and you get alot for your money.
Gareth
It doesnt have the kick in the balls of most cars but it does have a very smooth power delivery. And IMO i would have more fun on country roads by having to use the gears rather than just stick it in one gear and use the torque.
Like SB-1 said, it is never going to have the feel of a V8 or the kick of a TVR, but for what it is and what you are actually paying for you do get one of the best handling, stopping and all round package cars in this class that there are. The High Power version is only 22K on base trim spec, and you get alot for your money.
Gareth
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