Interesting new tonite guys...i went to drive an rx8, just for fun (weve all been there) and funny thing is...i liked it. It gets better, after i came back they let me drive the new miata.. i liked it even more. Anyone else out there with me. What do ya'll know wbout them both?

 

I test drove the RX8 on Zoom Zoom event and that was the most incredible car i ever driven. Just like driving a go cart on track. You do not have to use any brake.

 

Only Mazda I've driven recently was the Protege, and that was a few years ago when I was looking for a new car in college. Even then you could feel the zoom zoom difference between it and other cars in its class.

 

rx8 manual > auto (depressing the amount of HP lost) hope you drove MT. I think the Rx8 is really sexy but terrible gas mileage and should definitely be a 2nd car.

I never liked the Miata... never drove it, but never had the desire....

 

I like the RX8 except for the fact that the drivetrain is still an unknown in terms of long term reliability and the real world gas mileage is hard on the wallet.

As for the Miata, I drove a few at the Mazda Zoom Zoom live and thought it was a huge improvement over the previous gen car in terms of liveability. Still wouldn't buy one though.

 

The wife has a 2005 6i and loves it!

 

The Miata is one of the most undervalued sports cars out there, just like the EXCELLENT Boxster, both dissed as "chic cars" but both are serious driving machines. The RX8 just hasn't been my cup of tea, I like the handling but not the power plant.

Neither is a good 1 car household type car, needs to be a second car, though in the minority I would pick the MX5!

 

I really like mazda now. very reasonable prices for what you're getting. I REALLY like the mazda 6 and the RX-8

 

I would have bought the RX-8 if (1) the motor made the advertised power and (2) it acheived the MPG on the sticker.

The HP started rated at 250, then it was 247 and now it's 238. They dyno in the 166 - 173 range so it's more like 210. I remember the initial cars were delayed at the port for an ECU reflash to assure the cats survive 100K miles - this apparently killed the engine power. I understand all the magazines tested the "full power" non-US ECU cars.

Plus checkout www.rx8club.com and you will see MPG figures range from about 12 to 17 with a few people getting 20 during highway runs.

I really liked the way the car drove and the motor was fine, just not much torque.

 

rx8 is pretty nice

 

Definitely a manual i drove at the event, driver instructor sat beside you, launch the car around 4K, shoot it up to 7k and shift to 2nd at around 50 mph, apply slight brake and turn 180 degree. It was the most incredible feeling ever.

I tried the MX-5 as well, excellent power and brake as well but still like RX-8. I myself have a Mazda 3 as second car. IMO, excellent lineup with Mazda car.

 

My brother has an RX-* with down pipe, full exhaust, intake and tune. His car is pretty quick and pops flames on shifts and revs. It handles like a dream and gets compliments everywhere he goes with it. I like it, but i need lotsa torque in my diet.

 

<-----waiting for local dealer to get the MS6. Stay tuned for a personal review on that one.

On the 8, my best friend has one and loves it. His only complaint (besides its driveability in inclement weather) is that affordable performance mods are few and far between and do little to enhance performance much.