CD Article: 2006 Mazda RX-8 GT

[Railton]

Personally I would rather get this:



Bye bye RX-8 sales.

Until you need to install one or two of these. Bye bye Miata er MX5.
Weekend Redneck

[Snowman]

Exemplary handling aside I can't see how anyone would want to buy this thing.
It has no torque and sucks gas and burns oil like a 1970's Chevy Caprice with
two hundred thousand miles on the clock. Besides in my opinion it's just plain ugly.

 
Have you driven one?

Here are some of the reasons I like this SPORTS car.
•   A usable back seat for hauling kids and small adults.
•   Easy entry egress into the back seats
•   Intoxicating sound
•   The smoothest engine I have ever driven.
•   The best handling car I have ever driven
•   Beautiful styling inside and out
•   A bargain in the mid $30k range.
•   RWD
•   Mazda reliability and quality

I have yet to meet a RX-8 owner who is/was unhappy with their choice. If fuel consumption weighs in too much in a Sports car buying decision I suggest getting back to reality looking at a family cay or mini van.

[Howswedeitis]

Have you driven one?

Here are some of the reasons I like this SPORTS car.
•   A usable back seat for hauling kids and small adults.
•   Easy entry egress into the back seats
•   Intoxicating sound
•   The smoothest engine I have ever driven.
•   The best handling car I have ever driven
•   Beautiful styling inside and out
•   A bargain in the mid $30k range.
•   RWD
•   Mazda reliability and quality

I have yet to meet a RX-8 owner who is/was unhappy with their choice. If fuel consumption weighs in too much in a Sports car buying decision I suggest getting back to reality looking at a family cay or mini van.

Can't say that I have. It's probably all of those things but can't get past the "styling" and eventhough the rotary engine is smooth and revs forever it leaves me cold in light of it's lack of torque and questionable reliability.

[quadzilla]

it leaves me cold in light of it's lack of torque

Could you tell us what amount of tq would be enough then? 

So are you also saying the NSX, S2000 and Civic SI are not good choices either?

[mdxtasy]

Judging the car based on a spec sheet is misguided.  Numbers (hp or tq etc) sometimes do not reflect the true driving experience of any vehicle.  This RX8 is a hoot to drive.  The styling is questionable as I did not like it too much when it came out....especially after the RX7.  But it's a nice shape with unique styling.

[wing]

Torque is a function of gearing, so engine torque numbers can be misleading.

[ghost]

Until you need to install one or two of these. Bye bye Miata er MX5.
Weekend Redneck

Either I buy a true sports car or I don't. I hate compromises. 

[mdxtasy]

That's my car seat!  Good taste.

[AVToller]

That's my car seat!  Good taste.

Are you really that small? 

[mdxtasy]

Are you really that small? 

I like to be snug...helps in the cornering.  Besides, that's all that fits in the Miata. 

[safristi]

They USED ta call them "DICK'ey " seats.......

[initial_D]

We tested an RX-8 and an E46 330ci back-to-back. Thee 330ci was my brother in-laws, sport-package and all. The wife prefers the RX-8, and I agree with her. You have to drive the car relate to and within the best characteristics of the car.

Pound for pound, the Rx-8 is 

[84im]

Oh, oh Howswedeltis, now you've done it. You've bad mouthed the RX8 
To make amends you'd better say something nice about Subaru. 

[ovr50]

About a month ago, I had a 20 minutes (alone) test drive in the RX8 and the MX5 back to back. I preferred the MX5 of the two. The RX is a good machine, but I would have taken the MX5 over it.

[Railton]

"vive la différence".
Amazing that a car manufacturer would give us two lovely choices depending on your situation.
Railton

[Snowman]

Either I buy a true sports car or I don't. I hate compromises. 

I was more confident under extreme cornering exercises in the RX-8 I tested than in my buddies C5 Z06. There are no compromises in the handling ability of the RX-8. The RX-8 is an excellent solution for active people with children who want to enjoy Sports Car abilities.

[safristi]

Subarus SUCK !!!!!! ..............................fack I just realised  Pepe is really Dirty SNOWBALL Sanchez in disguise...WDF!!!.......pet ma bunny.................

[Oz]

Ugh.. where to start. I too have a love hate relationship with the RX8.

Looking to get out of my 6, I was seriously considering the 8. That is until I realised that the damn thing has the same quality that has started to annoy me in the 6. Lack of oompfh under the hood.

[mdxtasy]

The 8 has a lot more grunt than the 6 does.....but if it's low end pulling power you want, the 350Z has torque coming out the wazoo. 

[Oz]

The 8 has a lot more grunt than the 6 does.....but if it's low end pulling power you want, the 350Z has torque coming out the wazoo. 

That it does. But the difference wasnt drastically noticable in my test drives. I do admit, like almost all Mazdas, the RX8 was a hoot to drive. But i'f I decide to go upmarket so to say, I'd l

I'm looking at used 350Zs and G35 coupes. Actually test drove a Z, and also drove my friend's modded S2K (the one I posted). The latter made my hair stand up on end. To begin with its a very balanced and nimble car, and then mods he has strapped on it give it brilliant speed. I'd kill for the same car, but too much time and money to buy a new one and get to the same number of modifcations in.

The Z is nice, gobs of torque. But thats about it.. cheapish interior, not very appealing around corners, perhaps a notch above the Mustag GT I sampled. I'm sure the G35c isnt too different with the exception of the interior.

The Speed6 is another option, but i really want a two door while I still have my freedom.