I am considering buying an RX8 and would like to know the impressions of any owners out there. Perfomance, etc.

 

Bought the six-speed RX-8 about three weeks ago, and am VERY pleased. Can't compare it to previous generations as I was/am a BMW guy.

Would be happy to answer any specific questions, or at least try.

 

My friend just bought an RX8 for his wife about 2 weeks ago for an anniversary gift. They both love it and have no complaints so far. He drives a 2003 911 turbo and still thinks the rx8 handles great, that is saying something about how well the 8 suspension was designed it I think. It isnt the fastest straight line performer as evidenced by me racing her in my FD and blowing the doors off, but it is fast enough to hang with most cars out there.

 

I was impressed when I road tested one. The handling was super. I might wait to see if the engine holds up. Being a new design I'd fell better when it proves itself.

 

I have a 8 too. So far the only complaint I have is that the shift buzzer is to quite. I love the way the car feels and handles. Its sooo smooth, its amazing. I'd buy it all over again.. CJ

 

I own one.

Yeah that shift buzzer is too quiet. Plus it's not quite the same tone as my previous 1st and 2nd gen RX7's. All in all, this car is bad-***. I've never owned any turbo rotaries, but have owned 12A 1st gens, a modded streetported 1st gen and a bunch of FC's. The car is awesome. Gets lots of looks. Power is awesome(for a NA, 4 seat rotary). Don't compare it to an FD and you'd be fine. I am very very happy with my RX8.

BTW, mine is a black 6speed with the sport package.

 

I don't have the new rx 8 but as I read in Motor Trend and Car & Driver, Mazda claim that the current Renesis with a manual trans produce 250 ponnies and with the auto about 237. Then it's result that the real output is 224 for the manual shiffter and merely 197 lousy ponnies for the automatic. This is not the first time Mazda put up enhance numbers because the Miata as well as most rotaries from the 3rd generation era were inflated. I'm a rotary entusiast but the rx 8 is a true sport car but is not the best performer in his class!

 

2 things here, from whose *** did you pull the thing about 3rd gen numbers being inflated? Yes, Mazda did have a similar problem with the Miata but there was never anything like this with the 3rd generation rx7. And what is the best performer in the rx8's class? The RX8 is hands down the best handling car in its price range, I cant think of many cars that would officially be in its class though.

 

You're a little too new.

 

Who's the best in the class?, hard to know, since everyone have a diferent taste and sometimes loyalty goes above reality. I would love to say that for the $30k range the rx8 is the best all around car out there, but I will lying to myself. Cars such as the Evo, 350z, SRi, and even the Neon srt-4 is worth a shot. Mazda needs to put some serious ponnies on that Renesis and then we can say is the best in class, until then is a close race.

 

I own an FB and just bought my FE in October.

I like them both for different reasons, but prefer the 8.

The 8 is (currently) unique on the road and gets tons of looks. It handles very well, has a super interior, and can actually fit real-live adults in the back seats

I guess if you're going for raw HP above everything else, you might want to look at the cars posted above. 238hp is enough for me.