Well I just finished testdriving a new yellow rx-8 fully loaded. The look of the car is great. The interior is absolute top notch, including the guages. The only turnoff was the lack of power. It's possible that personal expectations were too high, but the car didn't feel any faster than the 98 prelude I currently own. I know the "power" ports are suppost to kick in around 6700 rp or so, but the power band felt very linear. The dealer said the black one they had received in had to be worked on for soe reason and possibly the yellow one was experiencing the identical prob. The engine sounded great and the handling is superb. I was equally ipresses with the turn radius, way better than the prelude.

Overall I was happy with the drive, I think the car could do with a bit higher power, but I can't knock it. They were asking $36,000 in Cathedral City, Ca. I laughed when they said what they were charging. Anyhow I look forward towards seeing any future rotary vehicle on the road.

 

I didn't really like the interior, not exactly top notch IMO. I hated the "rubber" seats. Too much big plastic. Oh and $36k is a decent price. Over here the markup is $9k, which ended up with a sticker price of $42K......

That is all.

-Dan

 

I thought the interior looked kinda cheap. If anyone in CA is interested in buying one go to Cerritos Mazda, they have no markup and have them for sticker ... 26k. I think you could probably negotiate the price too.

 

Just found a link to an RX-8 video. Short & sweet but good to see it get pushed hard.


RX-8 video link

Click above to start the download

 

i seen a sliver one in persone tonight at belmer nj . damn its fu8king sick looks so good in person . im gona test drive one sometime soon and when u were gettin ont he car was the motor brokin in ?

 

i had the chance to drive a minimally loaded silver 6spd... and to be honest it was betteer handling then i thought... my only real qualm was with the lack of power (but then again the stuff i'm comparing it to distorts my opinion i guess)... but whatever..power will come when the tuners get their hands on it

P.S.. since this thing is selling like nuts... is mazda gonna keep good on it promise and bring back the 7

 

Hummm... i hate this car... the seats looks like cheap plastic .. But it sounds cool!

 

I went for a ride in one and was suprised by the room in the back. There is NO headroom, though. I'm about 6'2" with shoes on and my head brushing the roof, I wouldn't be able to fit in it if I had a helmet on. No, I didn't have the seat at a 90* angle either, I was sitting in a comfortable position, like I always sit. I would rather an STi or Evo, personally. I love the rotary, but I can have a faster rotary for $2000 and I can have a really fast car for the price of an RX-8. Just my opinions. LAter.

 

At 5' 10" I thought there was plenty of headroom, I didn't like the legroom. I just hope they will come out with another rx7 because I won't buy an rx8.

 

they have 10 at El cajon mazda down in San Diego, we got ours for $27,000 for the 6-speed w/ 18", gotta love the 10,200 redline.

 

They had 6 at the Mazda dealership I was at. Two greys, a silver, a red, a black, and a green. I really liked the red, green and black.

 

yes I agree it lacks of power but on the high end I though it was pretty good. That thing just want to be reved too. Handling was good for a 3000+ lbs car. I pull up in my FD and the selasman said the the 8 was faster than the 7. All he wanted was a ride so I took him around, he loved it and made me an offer, but I wouldn't sell the 7. I'm thinking of getting one next year as the family car.

 

He said the 8 was faster? Hahahaha

 

The price gouging on the RX8 reminds me of the shellacking people took when the Miata first came out. Wait one year and you'll save thousands.
Personally, I do not care for the styling. If someone GAVE me one, I'd sell it and buy a really first-rate RX4.

 

I just bought a black RX-8 6spd. I absolutely love the thing. Agree on the "leather" seats though- so I went with the black/grey cloth and they are FAR nicer.
It is true that there are definitely faster cars in the price range, but when you combine good speed, amazing handling (I don't think you will find anything in this price range that handles like the 8), great looks (I get people turning heads and pointing everywhere I go), and pure fun-to-drive pleasure, I think it is a very successful package. Besides, it's different- I feel sorry for all those guys who bought 350Zs and no one looks twice because they are almost as numerous as damned Mustangs (I like something a little out of the mainstream).
Just my humble opinion.

 

Oh yeah, I paid sticker- they would not bend on that, but at least they didn't mark up.
Also, if you haven't seen one or two in person, check it out. I've been following the development of the RX-8 for over a year now, and I have yet to see a picture that really does justice to this gorgeous car.