NEWSBREAK: Revised 'official' RX-8 HP ratings!!!

[big_ben]

I think the new HP numbers have more or less taken the RX-8 out of that class of cars, and dropped it a notch to the level of IS300 and G35 Sedan.

if compared to these 2 cars, the RX-8 is STILL a very respectable performing car. They're even priced very similarly!

I commend you and admiting that.(thumb) Now that the RX8 is in that class, yes, it cleans house.

This is what I would do in this situation. I would sell back my RX8 if I had one, then a month or two later after the prices drop on the "buy backs", I'd buy one of those for up to $4000 less. But that's only if I were in love with the RX8, which I'm not. I love the rear end(k), but I hate the front.(puke)

It is inevitable that Mazda will lower the MSRP by at least $500 to $1000. Then there will be plenty of RX8's on the lots with less than 5000 miles that will be even further discounted. This is a chance of a lifetime if you are a rotary nut.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

they don't have to drop the MSRP. Dealers will just start selling them below it, like most of the cars on the market today

buyback RX-8s will be offered to MNAO employees first before getting shipped off to used car auctions.

I will pull a price comparison chart I posted on rx7club and post it here, so people can see the price difference between the G35 sedan, IS300, and RX-8.

 

[cortez]

I didn't know that the S2000 and the 350Z had rear seats, but anyway...

The point is that it doesn't matter what the actual hp is on the car. What matters is how the car performs. That has not changed. It was the same before people bought the car and it is still the same car. If you lose 2 inches because your car really doesn't have as much power as you thought even though it is not any slower than you thought, then you have other issues...

 

[big_ben]

I think smolten is the reason the rx-8 has less power. If he wasn't such a dumb turd I believe the rx-8 would put out more power. It's just that his gayness weakened the car.

(rofl)
Could be. But do you all realize that you all have done exactly what he wanted? You have all gotten all worked up over his comments, most of you have gotten down right in a rage over him. He is very witty I'll have to admit. My favorite post from him was when he posted the screen shot of the Best Motoring video and pointed to the RX8 in the back corner as the other cars were crossing the finish line.

In all reality, the RX8 is not underpowered at all. It was placed in the wrong class to begin with. It would be like me trying to play for the NFL. The RX8 should be with the IS300 and the G35sedan like ZoomZoomH said.

 

[Kenetix]

All this smack coming from a guy that bought the S2000 instaed of the M-edition Z3. My 85' RX-7 could spank the hell outta that S2000. Does the 'S' stand for slow or stupid?

 

[1sty]

I thouhgt it stood for SO GAY.
Something just overly homosexual about the S2000

 

[big_ben]

I didn't know that the S2000 and the 350Z had rear seats, but anyway...

Who needs rear seats? Not me. I'd rather have the reduced weight. If you need the rear seats then the RX8 is a great car, but if you don't need rear seats and you bought the RX8 as a performer, you bought the wrong car for the amount of money spent. This is my whole point.

I'll be the first to say the S2000 has ZERO comforts to it.(though the seats are comfortable) It's all about power and performance. The stereo is good in my book, but not anywhere near that of the RX8, the ride is much more harsh than the RX8's, the cabin noise is MUCH louder than the RX8. This is one of the reasons I bought the S2000. The engineers were not thinking of wooing the buyers with comforts. They were thinking of how to scare the s*** out of the people driving it with power that pins you the the seat and cornering that is insane with just a hint of the tail coming out. If this is what people wanted from the RX8, they bought the wrong car.

 

[EXA4DRIVER]

I think the S2000 is a great car. If you haven't driven one, go test drive one. Great track car. I would take an S2000 over an RX-8 any day.

edit in: And yes, I have test driven the RX-8 and I was not impressed.

 

[FrigginGLI]

How does the S-2000 pin you to the seat with the 120 lbs of Tq at the wheels at like 6k rpm.

 

[EXA4DRIVER]

How does the S-2000 pin you to the seat with the 120 lbs of Tq at the wheels at like 6k rpm.

Go test drive one and you will see how well balanced the car is

 

[big_ben]

All this smack coming from a guy that bought the S2000 instaed of the M-edition Z3. My 85' RX-7 could spank the hell outta that S2000. Does the 'S' stand for slow or stupid?

First, I'll start by saying that you are just stupid and ignorant.

You are comparing apples with oranges if your car is not stock. If your RX7 is the turbo version then yes, your RX7 will beat an S2000. But it takes the turbo to accomplish that. How sad is that.
If you want to be fair, add the Vortec supercharger to the S2000 and it will then have 300hp to the ground on a completely stock S2000 with only the supercharger. Then you can just say goodbye to the S2000 because it will eat your lunch any day of the week.

Now, give me your pathetic response.

FLAME ON!!!

 

[ZoomZoomH]

they don't have to drop the MSRP. Dealers will just start selling them below it, like most of the cars on the market today

buyback RX-8s will be offered to MNAO employees first before getting shipped off to used car auctions.

I will pull a price comparison chart I posted on rx7club and post it here, so people can see the price difference between the G35 sedan, IS300, and RX-8.

yes I am quoting myself, here's the post of the price comparison I made on rx7club.

******

hmm, IS300 and G35 sedan eh?

ok, I went to edmunds.com, optioned out these 2 cars with items I want, and I come up with these numbers:

All prices listed here are Edmund's 'TMV' price (supposedly what the 'market' price actually is)

Infiniti G35 Sedan w/ Manual
TMV of Vehicle $27,828
Options for Vehicle
- Sunroof $936
- Bose Audio System $842
- Aero Package $515
Total TMV for Vehicle Options $2,293
Destination Charge $545
Color Adjustment $42

Total New Vehicle Price $30,708

----------------------

Lexus IS300 w/ Manual
TMV of Vehicle $26,112
Options for Vehicle
- Power and Leather Package $1,001
- Rear Spoiler $357
- Limited Slip Differential $317
Total TMV for Vehicle Options $1,675
Destination Charge $545
Color Adjustment $43
Total New Vehicle Price $28,375

----------------------

Mazda RX-8 w/ Manual
TMV of Vehicle $26,571
Options for Vehicle
- MT Sport Package $1,092
- Appearance Package $959
- Rear Wing Spoiler $351
Total TMV for Vehicle Options $2,402
Destination Charge $520
Color Adjustment $0
Total New Vehicle Price $29,493


note that both the TMV prices for the G35 and the IS300 are at least $2000 off of MSRP, while the RX-8 TMV is pretty much sticker.

but yeah, I stand corrected, I didn't realize Lexus is almost GIVING away the IS300, and the G35 sedan is selling that cheap as well *shrug*

BUT, both of those cars have been on the market for at least couple years already. If I hold on to my wallet for a couple more years the RX-8 will almost definitely be selling WELL below sticker

of course, I'm just comparing these cars purely in dollar terms, the subjective and intangible 'how it drives' will often make people do non-sensible purchase decisions

 

[FrigginGLI]

I forgot the s-2000 weighs just as much as the p5. 50/50 weight balance makes for some fun handling. But doesnt it take long to get to that power band?

 

[cortez]

My 2 year old needs the rear seat. That's the reason I drive a Protege and not a Miata.

I would take the reduced weight also.

I think we both agree that the RX8 and the S2000 are not in the same class of cars and it makes little sense to compare them.

 

[big_ben]

How does the S-2000 pin you to the seat with the 120 lbs of Tq at the wheels at like 6k rpm.

I don't blame you for not knowing facts about the S2000, you don't own one so why would you care.

But, FYI:

S2000 Specs
In-Line 4-Cylinder
Engine Block/Cylinder Head Aluminum-Alloy
Fiber-Reinforced (FRM) Cylinder WallsVery good, no other car anywhere near it's class has this!
Displacement (cc) 1997
Horsepower @ rpm (SAE net) 240 @ 8300
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) 153 @ 7500
Redline (rpm) 9000
Bore and Stroke (mm) 87 x 84
Compression Ratio 11.0:1
Valve Train 16-Valve DOHC VTEC
Multi-Point Fuel Injection
Rear-Wheel Drive
Emissions Rating LEV
Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer


Transmission
Close-Ratio 6-Speed Manual Transmission
Torque-Sensing Limited-Slip Differential

Body & Suspension
High X-Bone Monocoque FrameVery good!
Independent In-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension with Coil Springs(Formula one inspired, no other car in it's class has this)
Stabilizer Bar (mm, front/rear) 27.2/28.6
Coaxial Electric Power Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Steering Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock 2.4
Steering Ratio 13.9
Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.) 35.4
Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes (in.) 11.8 / 11.1Big!
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Alloy Wheels (front/rear) 16 x 6.5 / 16 X 7.5
Bridgestone Potenza S-02 Tires (front/rear) P205/55 R16 89W / P225/50 R16 92W

Exterior Dimensions S2000
Wheelbase (in.) 94.5
Length (in.) 162.2
Height (in.) 50.6
Width (in.) 68.9
Track (in.) 57.9 / 59.4
Curb Weight (lbs.) 2810
Weight Distribution (%, front/rear) 49 / 51

Mileage Estimates S2000
City/Highway 20 / 26
Crankcase (qt.) 5.9
Coolant System (qt.) 8.0
Fuel (gal.) 13.2
Required Fuel Premium Unleaded


Now, lets hear some stupid false comments now.

 

[big_ben]

I forgot the s-2000 weighs just as much as the p5. 50/50 weight balance makes for some fun handling. But doesnt it take long to get to that power band?

Yes, sometimes it seems like an eternity if you do not keep it in Vtec range(above 6000rpm). On a track though, it is easy to stay in vtec, then the lack of torque is non-existant and you never notice it.

 

[FrigginGLI]

So if me and you both shifted at 6k rpm every gear to 4th gear , who would be in front?

 

[big_ben]

So if me and you both shifted at 6k rpm every gear to 4th gear , who would be in front?

The S2000 would but it would be closer. Mainly because the S2000 is just a little lighter and the S2000 has about 150hp at the rear wheels stock. After 1/4 mile, the difference might only be a car length or two. The close ratio 6 speed also plays a big role.

 

[FrigginGLI]

So you can get a s2000 for about 28k then add the vortech supercharger for about 4k , and just about destroy everything on the road.

 

[big_ben]

I think the S2000 is a great car. If you haven't driven one, go test drive one. Great track car. I would take an S2000 over an RX-8 any day.

edit in: And yes, I have test driven the RX-8 and I was not impressed.

Thank you, I think people lose the fact that I am not putting down the RX8 or the Protege. I owned the MP3 and I have even said that the MP3 handled a little better(more predictable) than the S2000. The MP3, MSP, and Pro5 are, in my opinion, the best in their respective classes.

Mazda mistakenly put the RX8 in the class of the S2000, Porsche Boxter, BMW Z4 & Z3. It does not belong there because it doesn't compare with them.

The only car in the S2000's catagory that beats it is the Boxter S and the M Edition Z3. But only because both of those cars or modified versions of their original. The S2000 beat the pants off the Boxter, so they came out with the Boxter S.