rx-8 vs. MS3

[konvex1]

Which is faster? Which handles better? Which would you get?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

the MS3 is definitely faster in straightline. But comparing the 2 as in "which would you get" is a hard comparisson, they are completely different cars in different categories. 1 is a 4 door sedan and the other is a RWD sports car powered by a rotary...

 

[BlackCherry06]

Faster in a straight-line race: MS3
Faster around a track: RX-8

Even though I'm not that fond of the body style of the MS3 (was really hoping for a sedan when they came out) I would be happier without all the quirks the RX-8 brings to the table. I'm sure there are plenty of success stories that remain untold, but the horror stories I've read about that car are more than enough to keep me from even looking at one. IMO, I don't think an RX-8 is happy being a commuter or grocery getter. It wants to be on a track having the crap revved out of it, eating apexes for lunch. The kind of driving it will see in an average day puttering around town is actually worse for the engine than a track day.

If you want a great-handling, reasonably powerful car that can transport 4 people in a pinch, and you don't mind winding an engine to 8K to get any real power out of it, get the 8.

The MS3, IMO is far more user friendly and quite a kick to drive. Room for 4, or 5 if you're desperate or a whole lot of 'stuff' with the seats folded down. Show it love with premium unleaded and use good quality fluids and it'll love you back.

It really depends on what you need a car to do for you.

 

[TRSpeed3]

Faster in a straight-line race: MS3
Faster around a track: RX-8

and your basing this on???I drove an RX-8 around the track...I did two laps when the zoom zoom live tour came to miami and let me tell you there is no way in hell that the RX-8 is faster than an MS3 around the track...The RX-8 was lacking power and had to hold the revs high to try and get some power....And the RX-8 has very little aftermarket...I raced a local RX-8 around here with a turbo kit and it was still slow as a snail....Imop the MS3 is by far a supperior car and out classes the RX-8 in any category....

 

[numbnuts22715]

and your basing this on???I drove an RX-8 around the track...I did two laps when the zoom zoom live tour came to miami and let me tell you there is no way in hell that the RX-8 is faster than an MS3 around the track...The RX-8 was lacking power and had to hold the revs high to try and get some power....And the RX-8 has very little aftermarket...I raced a local RX-8 around here with a turbo kit and it was still slow as a snail....Imop the MS3 is by far a supperior car and out classes the RX-8 in any category....

I think I'm going to agree with you...
Didn't the mazdaspeed3 come within seconds of tying for the record of the fastest lap around the nurburgring?
Thats one hell of a test, and for it to perform that well, thats amazing. I've never heard anything about the rx8 being amazing or anything..

it handles prettty well, its just not amazing.

 

[SwampAss]

what record around Nurburgring? Not a record for street cars.

 

[Mocoso]

I think I'm going to agree with you...
Didn't the mazdaspeed3 come within seconds of tying for the record of the fastest lap around the nurburgring?
Thats one hell of a test, and for it to perform that well, thats amazing. I've never heard anything about the rx8 being amazing or anything..

it handles prettty well, its just not amazing.

While it handles well and has a lot of power for the class I would have to say the MS3 coming close to a record at the ring is a "Maybe" but the "record" in question was prob. for a specific car category... no way in hell the MS3 is even coming close to the fastest overall lap around the nurburg ring - just NOT going to happen no matter how many mods you throw at it.....

And IMHO the MS3 is faster in a straight line and on the track... the RX-8 rotary just doesnt have the enough power/weight ratio.... assuming it could take a turn at a higher entry speed it would quickly lose that advantage as it accelerated up to speed towards the next turn

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Power doesnt equal handling...

 

[Mocoso]

Power doesnt equal handling...

If you were refering to my post... I agree with you that is why I said assuming the Rx-8 can enter a turn at a higher speed - Im giving the Rx-8 the benefit of better handling... I just dont think the handling differences will outweight the power/weight penalty even on the track

 

[BlackCherry06]

MS3 0-to-60-mph time: 5.8 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.4 sec @ 99 mph
Power (SAE net): 263 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Curb weight: 3200 lb

RX-8 0-to-60-mph time: 5.9 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.6 sec @ 96mph.
Power (SAE net): 238 bhp @ 8500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
Curb weight 3067 lb

I don't see these specs putting the RX-8 behind the MS3 on a track.

 

[jred321]

i looked to try to find times for the same tracks for each. the only one i found was http://www.fastestlaps.com/track7.html which puts the 3 MPS at 1:19.6 and the rx8 at 1:19.8. pretty much the same. the nordschleife time for the 3 MPS is 8:39 http://www.fastestlaps.com/track2.html which is definitely not anything near a record so it must have been a specific category if it was true. those times of course are not all inclusive but they give at least some ballpark figures

i would say they're neck and neck with the RX8 making up its time in the corners and the MS3 making up the time on the straights

 

[clos561]

drivers race...on a track

 

[altspace]

Way to many pros/cons of each vehicle to list here and the fact it all boils down to personal needs and desires. I owned a P5 before my 8 and loved everything about it but the lack in power. I then test drove the MS3 and for me in terms of power, sure it's a fast car. Alas my heart had always yearned for the 8. Especially after driving it in 2005 and 2006 Zoom Zoom Live events. I no longer needed a 5 door vehicle.

I read all the information regarding recalls and found my perfect pre-owned 2004 RX-8. Purchased February and has been a blast to drive with not a single issue. Turns heads all over because lets face it, it is quite unique in every aspect of design and technology. It may not be "faster" in some ways than a MS3, but it hauls me around town just fine.

So if you want a vehicle to go fast, be able to mod like crazy and haul a bunch of stuff....go for a MS3.

Just my .02

 

[SwampAss]

Solid post altspace.

 

[sanblaster]

Solid post altspace.

Like usual.

 

[MS3ICA]

on youtube the ms3 ran nurigburg in 8min 39 sec

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Hi! And welcome to post #11

(2thumbs)

on youtube the ms3 ran nurigburg in 8min 39 sec

 

[MS3ICA]

oh whoops..lol

 

[TRSpeed3]

hate to sound like an ass but didnt a Mag like motor trend or something like that have an article saying that the HP that mazda claimed for the RX-8 wasnt the real numbers...and the real numbers were drasticly lower...

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

that was when the RX8 first came out...the HP numbers listed are the actual hp numbers.