AC TL

Guys im still stuck on a car to pick because waiting for the tsx is frustrating me and i want a car bad.Now,im considering the RX-8...my local dealer had 2 in..silver and red..the red had black and red leather..4 spd auto i think..with paddle shifters..it looked soooo good.Anyways What do you guys think.RX-8-Grand touring package....or Milano red tsx navi 5sp auto...The RX-8 is only a few thousand more than the tsx.



pics

OUfan

It's really hard to compare the two.....not in the same class. If you want a 4-door sports sedan, TSX is the best choice IMO...if you want a sports car, RX-8 may be a choice, but not high on my list...

Raheel

What about the New 2004 TL coming out

James

that rx-8 is sweet (dont get the auto though)!!! so iz the 350z... depends on your mood.. sport luxury the tsx vs. REAL sport 350z, rx-8

Santacruz

I agree with OUfan. It's like comparing an Acura MDX with a Ford F150.

Jaeger

You'd really get an RX8 with an auto tranny ?

Like others have said, it's apples and oranges with these two.

Cheers,

Jaeger

PS - are you sure that it's a 4 sp. auto? And you're still considering it?

ClutchPerformer

If it's a sports car you want, I'd get a 350z for that kinda money (unless you need four seats).

Count Blah

The automatic RX-8 also comes with a less powerful engine (210hp vs 250hp, though 5 more ft-lbs of torque). That rotary engine is a high-revving one that begs for a manual tranny.

Jaeger

What??!!?? Anyone willing to trade 40 hp for 5 ft-lb of torque needs to contact me right away for a once-in-a-lifetime Florida swampland investment opportunity.

Get a stick or get something else.

Jaeger

wiz

Go drive both and see which one you like more. However, these two cars are like apples to oranges of one another.

fjtorres

On the surface, the two cars are somewhat comparable.
(See below for a head to head comparo.)

That said, the two cars are very different in target audience; the RX-8 is meant to be a sports car with *some* of the rough edges smoothed, while the TSX is a well-rounded, polished car car that also goes fast and handles well.

The thing is, if you are finding the TSX hard to get ahold of, you're headed in the wrong direction in looking at the RX-8, which won't start to arrive in quantity til august and which will be sold by a network of dealers notorious for "market price adjustments".
(Anybody remember the games they played with the Miata? Expect more of the same; you'll be lucky to get a stripped RX-8 for $30K before december.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicle 2004 Acura TSX 2004 Mazda RX-8
Trim 5-speed AT Automatic
Base Price (MSRP) $26,490 $25,180
Driver Airbag Standard Standard
Passenger Airbag Standard Standard
Side Airbag Standard Standard
ABS Brakes Standard Standard
Traction Control Standard Not available
Child Safety Locks Standard Not available
Air Conditioning Standard Standard
Power Windows Standard Standard
Power Door Locks Standard Standard
Tilt Steering Wheel Standard Standard
Cruise Control Standard Standard
Leather Seats Standard Not available
Power Seats Standard Not available
FM Radio Standard Standard
Cassette Player Optional Optional
CD Player Standard Standard
Sunroof Standard Not available
Tachometer Standard Standard
Rear Window Defroster Standard Standard
Alloy Wheels Standard Standard
Base Engine 2.4L 200hp 4 1.3L 210 hp Rotary
Horsepower 200 @6800RPM 210 @7200RPM
Torque 166 lb/ft. 164 lb/ft.
Displacement 2354 CC 1308 CC
Fuel Economy City 22 mpg 21 mpg
Fuel Economy Hwy 31 mpg 23 mpg
Curb Weight 3318 lb 3051 lb
Wheelbase 105.1 in. 106.4 in.
Track Front 59.6 in. 59.1 in.
Track Rear 59.6 in. 59.3 in.
Length 183.3 in. 174.3 in.
Width 69.4 in. 69.7 in.
Height 57.3 in. 52.8 in.
Front Headroom 37.8 in. 37.8 in.
Rear Headroom 37.3 in. 36.2 in.
Front Legroom 42.4 in. 42.7 in.
Rear Legroom 34.2 in. 32.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room 55.4 in. 54.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room 53.5 in. 53.2 in.
MFR Passenger Volume 91 cu.ft 90 cu.ft
MFR Cargo Volume 13 cu.ft 8 cu.ft
Tires 215/50R17 225/55R16
Basic Warranty 48 mos. 48 mos.
50000 miles 50000 miles
Powertrain Warranty 48 mos. 48 mos.
50000 miles 50000 miles
Rust Warranty 60 mos. 60 mos.
Unlimited Miles Unlimited Miles

AC TL

The cars are already at the dealerships..They have a red and a silver one.The red 1 has the grand touring package..and the red and black leather interior....The rx-8 stick has gotten 0-60 times of 5.9..i cant remember if it was motortrend or car and driver that got that but anyways i would expect the auto to be as fast or faster then the 6 spd tsx.HP isnt everything,if the car has 210 hp,but is geared right...it could be pretty quick.where i live having a stick is a pain because of all the hills and traffic and a lot of lights and stop signs.Also theres no straight roads unless you go on the parkway to test out the manuals true capabilities.The whole thing about stick vs auto....tell a guy with a automatic Vette that his car sucks because its a auto.......and watch him smoke you....... in 3rd gear

Count Blah

Speaking of hard to get a hold of, I was almost ready to buy a Mazda6 earlier this spring. The V6 with MT was (and still is?) hard to find. Even harder with all the options I wanted. If the dealer had it available at the time I'd probably still be in the Mazda6club forums. Boy am I glad I waited for the TSX.

As for the transmission.. if the auto RX-8 does everything you want, go for it.

AC TL

Around here the 350 is well over $35,000.I checked it out and they would have to order me the car i want.They only have the base versions.If i was getting a 350 I'd get the track one with the brembos and all that.And the ones they have at the dealerships are mostly silver.

fjtorres

And what are they asking for them?
Inquiring minds and all that...

ClutchPerformer

$35k is "only a few thousand more than the TSX". I didn't think you'd go for the top-of-the-line track model b/c you can't get it with an auto (it's only availible on enthusiast and touring). Enthusiast/touring might be more in the price range of an RX-8.

ClutchPerformer

That's a bad analogy. Of course he would smoke *us* in our puny TSXes. But he would NOT smoke a 6MT corvette.

Jaeger

I'm not sure I follow this. Let's see - if you're getting the RX8 you're getting the neutered de-tuned auto tranny version, but if you're getting the 350Z it's gotta be the full bore track model with brembo brakes that only comes with a 6 sp. manual transmission?

As for your observation that where you live there are no straight roads - most automotive enthusiasts would say that's a reason to get a manual transmission in a sports car or sport sedan. On long staight highways there's not much to choose between the two as you're cruising in top gear either way. But in the twisties - that's where the joy of a tight suspension and a short-throw shift lever come to light.

Hey - you like automatics - that's fine. It's your money and you should buy what makes you happy. I just don't follow your reasoning all that clearly.

Cheers,

Jaeger

briny319

Acura or mazda???????

Why even ask such a question. Just take a look at this.

http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2003050b.gif

ClutchPerformer

Ouch. Plus the rotary engines are particularly finicky. Just say the words "apex seal" to any RX-7 owner and watch him shudder

AC TL

According to the magazine reviews...they arn't considering the RX-8 as a full blown sports car like the 350 Z is considered.They said its sort of in its own category because its the first 4 seater "sports car" they've seen.With the 350 Z....its $35,000 before taxes...and i said i'd get the best one because the 350Z is a car thats been known for performance and handling for years with the 300z and so on.Many people would think the RX-8 is a fast car because of the RX-7,but the car isn't meant to compete with or be better than the RX-7,thats why in a few years a new RX-7 is comming out.The car is meant to be a fast,small,agile,good looking car for someone that cant afford the sticker price on a vette or they're favorite real sports car and wants back seats to be able to pack a few friends.

AC TL

True,but supposedly the new Renesis engine has been improved apon greatly.Also thats not really fair to say because any one of us can turn around and say "Tranny" to a CL or TL owner and watch them shudder

fjtorres

To be fair to Mazda, their average is dragged down big time by the FORD Duratec V6 in the Tribute SUV...
...the same engine on which the Mazda6 V6 is based...

The japan-built cars and engines seem to do better...

Sarlacc

Thats great, but in the end i know my manual is still more fun to drive

I live in LA with some of the worst traffic and i wont go auto till im physically unable.

Sarlacc

PS wait on the RX-8 because i bet youll see a turbo sometime in the future. Also i would wait see what happens with those cars, a new generation of engine and all. Would be worth holding off to see how they hold up in a year.

7eighteen

Welcome to nissan-350z.com

dez

I went by the Mazda dealership last night, and THREE new RX-8's were coming off the truck .. a bunch of us waited around to see these puppies. VERY BEAUTIFUL CAR !!! I was waiting to see this in person, and was even considering it as my next purchase, but I have to say, I wasn't ALL that impressed with it, after sitting inside it. Also, I now know that it would NOT be economical. I liked the idea of it having the 'freestyle' doors and the back seat, but it is rather cramped, and those doors are pretty useless anyway.

They had 2 silver's and a black -- one was an automatic (which only produces 210 HP) and 2 manuals (which produce 247 HP) ... They say if you are going to get this car, it ONLY pays to get the manual, not the auto.

However, there were a few quirky things that I just didn't like about the car, and then there's all the option packages which just confuse things even more -- so my mind is made up, I went down and test drove the TSX again, just to be sure it will be my next car .. and .. it will !

95 Legend LS

For my first post over here, I'll say the same thing as I did over on that "other site." Mazdas are junk. I had 5 Acuras in a row, then got this "Millemona." It's tinny metal, has had numerous electrical and mechanical issues, and the truck still flies open when going over a speed hump. There's a folder 3/4" thick with repair orders. Even if it is under warranty, it's a pain to take it in all the time. My lease is up in October but this thing is getting parked next month and I'm going back to Acura.

Sarlacc

Hehe the millenia is mazdas WORST production ever. You can literally steal those off the lot for almost nothing, dealers want nothing to do with them. I'll agree im not huge on mazdas, my friends 626 turned into a dud (course he tinkered with it a lot.) and the first gen miatas were known nightmares. then you have the turbo burnout on the RX-7 as well as the apex seal.

My friend now has a newer miata and has had no problems. I do suggest waiting to see how the new rensis rotary will handle after a year on the market.

Sometimes you just gotta pay to play.

Kidd

best Idea...

GET BOTH!!!


Whatever your going to get, I think you'll like it =D Best of luck



Peter

Count Blah

There's risk with any first year model, but I'd say the TSX is much more of a sure thing, than such a new model like the RX-8. (It's the first rotary engine Mazda's made for a few years, all new door/body design, etc.)

Sarlacc

Agreed 100%