Mazda RX-8
Mazda RX-8
I got to drive my good friends brand new RX-8 this weekend. We took it to a family gathering in Mt. Charleston about 30 min away (off the I-95). The road is ideal for testing a car- being a highway; with strait-a-ways, lots of turns, & hills.
RX-8 info: $26,680 1.3L Rotary engine (2 rotors): 239hp at 8,500rpm /159trq at 5,500rpm - 9,000rpm redline (6 speed). 0-60 - low 6’s & 1/4 - high 14’s. Weight: 3,029lbs, 50/50 weight balancing… and a 4 door! With 18-25 mpg. Fully independent suspension. (Also comes in a 198hp 4 speed trip-tronic - $25,180.)
The RX-8 felt a slow in the low RPM’s, but picked up pretty good in higher RPM’s (definitely not the low end power of an f-bod), but made for a quick little ride… even though I didn’t get to open her up all the way (too many police out on the 4th) I found myself over the speed limit pretty quick. Getting into the turns I left it really hugging the road, and the paddle shifting really helped for coming in and out of turns. Steering was really tight, and very responsive. Seats conformed to my body and were very comfortable. Inside the car felt a little cramped (width wise), it’s definitely not as roomy as my Z… but the back seats could actually be used by adults comfortably! Not to mention the luggage space in the trunk. It was a nice little ride, I’ve been in a few cars... and this one was actually a lot of fun to drive.
For supposedly being in the high 14's, it didnt feel nearly as quick as my Z. I was really
for the 'kick in the butt' like being thrown back into my seat... but it never came. The higher end, you could feel it... just not the same as the Z shifting into second!! Exterior - i dont really like the look of the front fenders, but the rest isnt too bad.
-- Im not a big import guy... Especially Mazda... but it was a fun ride.
I got to drive my good friends brand new RX-8 this weekend. We took it to a family gathering in Mt. Charleston about 30 min away (off the I-95). The road is ideal for testing a car- being a highway; with strait-a-ways, lots of turns, & hills.
RX-8 info: $26,680 1.3L Rotary engine (2 rotors): 239hp at 8,500rpm /159trq at 5,500rpm - 9,000rpm redline (6 speed). 0-60 - low 6’s & 1/4 - high 14’s. Weight: 3,029lbs, 50/50 weight balancing… and a 4 door! With 18-25 mpg. Fully independent suspension. (Also comes in a 198hp 4 speed trip-tronic - $25,180.)
The RX-8 felt a slow in the low RPM’s, but picked up pretty good in higher RPM’s (definitely not the low end power of an f-bod), but made for a quick little ride… even though I didn’t get to open her up all the way (too many police out on the 4th) I found myself over the speed limit pretty quick. Getting into the turns I left it really hugging the road, and the paddle shifting really helped for coming in and out of turns. Steering was really tight, and very responsive. Seats conformed to my body and were very comfortable. Inside the car felt a little cramped (width wise), it’s definitely not as roomy as my Z… but the back seats could actually be used by adults comfortably! Not to mention the luggage space in the trunk. It was a nice little ride, I’ve been in a few cars... and this one was actually a lot of fun to drive.
For supposedly being in the high 14's, it didnt feel nearly as quick as my Z. I was really
for the 'kick in the butt' like being thrown back into my seat... but it never came. The higher end, you could feel it... just not the same as the Z shifting into second!! Exterior - i dont really like the look of the front fenders, but the rest isnt too bad.-- Im not a big import guy... Especially Mazda... but it was a fun ride.
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