A little advice on My new RX-8 please

[altspace]

It's called reliability. Turbocharged rotaries simply was not a viable and economic option for Mazda, thus they engineered the RENESIS. Wait for the 16x, then we shall see.

 

[xtrememps]

Congrats on the new purchase! I definitely dig the look and they are a hoot to drive (was lucky enough to try one out).

However I agree with the whole power thing. I love rotaries, don't get me wrong, but when I stomp my right foot in an RX-8 it's nowhere near as fun as say my friend's '08 Nissan 350Z. Granted the RX-8 feels a little more finesse than the 350Z but they are definitely no slouch on a track from what I've read. Interestingly in the latest Car and Driver they remarked at how awesome the R3's chassis/suspension was and that it could handle much much more power which is why it lost to the 370Z and a 135i which says something considering they usually lean towards more track oriented cars which the 135i is not.

Hopefully Mazda will be able to develop a viable direct injection/turbo rotary for future models so the numbers (i.e. mileage, horsepower, torque) match up with the wonderful feel and uniqueness of the rotary engine. If they don't I almost feel they should just quit altogether since even a 370Z returns better mileage.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

all you non-rotary owners be gone!!! shoosh!!

 

[xtrememps]

all you non-rotary owners be gone!!! shoosh!!

LOL I've driven plenty though (flame)

 

[Donas64]

It's called reliability. Turbocharged rotaries simply was not a viable and economic option for Mazda, thus they engineered the RENESIS. Wait for the 16x, then we shall see.

How long though. The RX-8 is a brilliant product but I'd venture to say they are losing a significant piece of the coupe pie to competitors.

Except for people who buy the RX-8 just for it's looks, the performance & handling crowd deserves some goodies too.

I LOVE the RX-8 but it anxiously needs a revamped motor. Not a monster motor. If the kept the current HP and bumped the torque up using a factory supercharger or turbo. They have had plenty of time to revamp the design.

Not knocking them, just waiting to the big guns. I want to see the RX-8 do well and I think a Torque bump is all thats missing to take it from very very good to GREAT!

 

[jmsj578]

all you non-rotary owners be gone!!! shoosh!!

Ah, a purist. (angel)

I'd be surprised if Mazda ever does come out with another rotary car like the RX-7 series. It was a great car; but, it sure had its problems. What else could they expect out of a car that had twin turbos driven buy those who just love to redline them regularly? I think the idea is to have a dependable family niche car that more can afford. Granted, it may seem pricey; but, the RX-7s were way out of my price range. My wife and I could more easily afford her RX-8. Used ones are dirt cheap, right now. I guess it's one way for those of us who wanted one to have one, at last. We just don't get the pizzaz with it. My wife wanted it for the styling, not the performance. It works for her. For power, I drive the other vehicles in our fleet.

Yeah, I'd like to see more power and better gas mileage. I can vaguely remember back in the early '70s that the rotary got 18mpg. My wife's RX-8 gets 18mpg on premium fuel. That's not much of an improvement over 30+ years. If gas prices go back up, and stay, the rotary car era will most likely end, except for the used ones that will be kept up by the purist collectors.

 

[Old Rotor]

Ah, a purist. (angel)

I'd be surprised if Mazda ever does come out with another rotary car like the RX-7 series. It was a great car; but, it sure had its problems. What else could they expect out of a car that had twin turbos driven buy those who just love to redline them regularly? I think the idea is to have a dependable family niche car that more can afford. Granted, it may seem pricey; but, the RX-7s were way out of my price range. My wife and I could more easily afford her RX-8. Used ones are dirt cheap, right now. I guess it's one way for those of us who wanted one to have one, at last. We just don't get the pizzaz with it. My wife wanted it for the styling, not the performance. It works for her. For power, I drive the other vehicles in our fleet.

Yeah, I'd like to see more power and better gas mileage. I can vaguely remember back in the early '70s that the rotary got 18mpg. My wife's RX-8 gets 18mpg on premium fuel. That's not much of an improvement over 30+ years. If gas prices go back up, and stay, the rotary car era will most likely end, except for the used ones that will be kept up by the purist collectors.

Yes but the HP has doubled!

 

[msp3pilot]

Love the car, congrats again! I go into the dealer on Saturday to see if they want to let MY Blue R3, go...on my terms.

 

[NCZ13]

How long though. The RX-8 is a brilliant product but I'd venture to say they are losing a significant piece of the coupe pie to competitors.

Except for people who buy the RX-8 just for it's looks, the performance & handling crowd deserves some goodies too.

I LOVE the RX-8 but it anxiously needs a revamped motor. Not a monster motor. If the kept the current HP and bumped the torque up using a factory supercharger or turbo. They have had plenty of time to revamp the design.

Not knocking them, just waiting to the big guns. I want to see the RX-8 do well and I think a Torque bump is all thats missing to take it from very very good to GREAT!

rotaries just arent known for torque. its just the nature of the motor. My s4 13b only has 140bhp, and i believe 136tq, however my car pulls from 3.5-7, there is no drop off in power, it just keeps going, 3500rpms in any gear gets my car moving.

driving in my friends rx8, flooring it felt similar to my p5, it didnt really shove you into your seat like a speed3 does, however it accelerates muuuch faster than a p5. why? because of the power delievery, the faster the engine spins, the more power it makes. The rx8 is a perfect example of balance. linear power delivery, combined with superb handling. Is my rx7 slow? yes. does it put a smile on my face when i take it for a drive? absolutely. you have to drive one to understand the engine.

 

[altspace]

^Exactly! May not be fast off the line, but once you get into the powerband look out! Remember, this is a small 1.3 liter engine that's pushing out some serious power for it's size naturally aspirated while remaining compliant with all of the federal emissions.

 

[Cue]

I had a second gen and absolutely loved driving that thing. Maybe the funnest car I've ever driven. Though it was only like 147hp or so, as mentioned above, there is no power drop off above 3500rpm. And sounds bad ass too!!

 

[lasermp5]

redline it daily

amen!

 

[altspace]

I had a second gen and absolutely loved driving that thing. Maybe the funnest car I've ever driven. Though it was only like 147hp or so, as mentioned above, there is no power drop off above 3500rpm. And sounds bad ass too!!

So very true, and such a unique sound too. I drive down a Main St. in my area that's packed with people doing about 15-20mph in first gear, mainly because there's no point in shifting or I loose power and there's a stop light every 50 yards or so, but also the engine/exhaust note at that level is simply unlike anything you would hear from a car (piston engine that is). It turns heads everywhere!

It's not winding out either, more like staying around 6K rpm for that extra boost when needed.

 

[NCZ13]

also going from a piston engine to a rotary is very different.

a rotary at 2.5k sounds like 4k in a piston engine. when i first got the car, i kept shifting way to early, just because i was used to shifting with the engine sound.

 

[altspace]

Haha...same here.

 

[RXL8ER]

is it a lot of work and money to maintain an rx8?

 

[NCZ13]

its not money thats the issue.

just check your oil more often, and change it in a shorter interval than you would a piston engine.

 

[RXL8ER]

like lately im lovin this car, but lots of ppl are talking bad about the car so im getting second doubts

 

[NCZ13]

its probably people who know nothing about rotaries.