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Coupes & Convertibles Mazda RX-8 Mazda RX-8
3616 messages, Last post on Apr 22, 2009 at 5:06 AM
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Based on what I have read, the RX-8 has roughly the same engine torque curve as my S2000 and Prelude. Based on my experience, plus the positioning of the car, I'd be a little concerned if the RX-8 really is a $30k car. The reasoning is that while my cars are quick, they lose most of their punch with passengers. Both become considerably less response with a passenger, and the Prelude becomes a dog if I ever have two people squeezed into the back seat. Now here comes the Mazda RX-8, same torque characteristics but with that comfortable and accessible back seat that encourages people to get in there. (Unlike my Prelude where only contortionists can get in and fit.) That means that we'll see a fair number of 4-passenger RX-8 situations, and I've got to wonder how the car is going to manage that. In that sense, and with this price, I start to question the value of the rotary in a world of 240+ hp V6 sedans at the same price point. That said, none of those V6 sedans look as hot as the RX-8. |
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I've been thinking the same thing. My guess is that the performance will come in somewhere between the Prelude and the S2000. Fast enough to be entertaining, but probably not serious competition for the 350Z. Still, the more I look at the RX-8, the more I like it, and the more I like it better than the 350Z. In my opinion, the RX-8 has the Z beat on both exterior and interior styling, despite having four doors and four seats (both minuses in my book). Personally, I hope the RX-8 is a runaway success -- so that we'll be seeing the new RX-7 soon. The rumors tell of a naturally-aspirated 300 HP Renesis, bored to a larger displacement. Put that engine on a two-door RX-8 platform; make it lighter, shorter, and sleeker; and price it around $32K -- and that's the car I want to buy. |
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| I think we'll be seeing a whole lot of Accord V6 Coupe vs. Mazda RX-8 flamefests in the coming year. There's also a Lexus IS300 coupe variant coming along this year, right? Let the Japanese Coupe Wars begin... | |
| is that even fair? hahahahahahahahahahahahaha | |
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from Auto Express in UK
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?previews/previews_story.php?id=25630
of which contains this little snippet: "Maximum power is at a heady 8,500rpm, just shy of the 9,000rpm red line, while a torque figure of 216Nm is developed at 7,500rpm. It's easy to imagine that the RX-8 is slow to respond at low revs, but it obviously loves being pushed – some 90 per cent of the torque is available from only 3,250rpm, so the engine feels strong in the mid-range." |
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In any other year, a $26K 240HP sports coupe with 212 ft-lbs of torque and four-wheel independent suspension would be an amazing performance value. The fact that Nissan and Mazda are offering RWD sports cars with even more power for about the same price is less a criticism of Honda than a statement about how far the bar has risen -- just in the last year. Bad timing for Honda, but good times for enthusiast buyers... |
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but see, for 26k you get a pretty much LOADED v6 accord coupe, whereas the RX-8 will START at around 26k, and well equipped at around 30k. but of course, you get what you pay for. Like the Z, the RX-8 will be track-capable right off the lot, while the Accord will just understeer at every turn due to its heavy weight and FWD. |
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Yes, if the RX-8 truly is track-worthy (we won't know until it shows up) then it'll sit in a different category amongst some shoppers. For most, though, the RX-8 falls squarely into the "entry level sporty performance coupe" category. Right now that category has two groups of players. One group consists of the the upscale rockets (RSX-S, Celica GTS, GTI GLX, Mustang GT, etc.) while the other coupe consists of the entry level lux/sport coupes (Accord V6 MT, CL-S, 325Ci, G35c, maybe the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP). The first group supplies the attitude, spunkiness, muscle or lithe handling, but shoppers of these cars might have difficulty affording a RX-8. The second group tends to have much more upscale trappings and draw in older, non-racer types, who may not be comfortable with a "track-ready" suspension or a high-revving engine. As such, I expect the RX-8 to be (like most coupes that take the "performance" angle a little too seriously) a high priced, low volume seller that isn't as important to Mazda as, say, the Miata or the Mazda 6, and may not do as well against volume heavyweights like an Accord. The more interesting cars, in my opinion, are the potential descendents of the RX-8. Specifically, the rotary two-seat sports car that some have alluded to here, and the convertible version of the RX-8 that many mags have been speculating about. I'd have a tough time paying upper $20s for a RX-8 in its first year out, but the same price for a convertible version? Against Solaras and Sebrings, a topless 2+2 Mazda would have no trouble finding my dollars. If you think about it, nothing short of a $40k 3-series convertible would touch a convertible RX-8. |
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the only one that MAY match the RX-8 in terms of total driving performance would be the G35c (aka the civilized Z), all the other ones are either too heavy or driving the wrong wheels. The RX-8, for the time being, will be Mazda's 'halo' car in its lineup, representing the epitome of Mazda engineering (led by the one and only RENESIS Wankel). As such it will never be the volume leader like the Accord, and it will be priced like a low-volume car. I'm not sure how many Z's Nissan are projecting to sell, but I'd say Mazda is hoping for similar numbers from the RX-8, or even more since it's got 2 more seats. a Convertible RX-8? never! what are they gonna do, take out the little quad-cab rear doors and make it a true coupe? heck, while we're at it why don't we shorten the wheelbase and take out the rear seats and call it the RX-7?!?!? |
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| If the RX-8 has such a flat power curve from 3250 to redline what is the big advantage in a 6 speed over a 5 speed? It seems to me that the only reason to shift gears is keep your rpms in the optimum power range. If this range is so large, as is being suggested, it seems you could get by with even a 4 speed. I personally like manuals but I see no benefit in a configuration that forces you to shift more than is necessary. I suspect a lot of people will end up going straight from 1st to 3rd or 2nd to 4th. | |
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