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Mazda RX8

Posted by: NB on 14 November 2003

I am thinking of selling my Toyota Supra and buying the new Mazda RX8.

Has anyone had the pleasure of driving one yet? and are they as good looking as the new advert suggests?


Regards

NB
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Not For Me
I got the brochure in the post today.

Nice!

Are there any in the UK yet?

I want one with all the lovely trimmings!

DS

OTD - Invexis - Deux et Machina
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by count.d
Why don't you spend £6,000 on a X/Y 1.8 16v Vectra that's done 13,000 miles, then with the £16,000 left over, go and buy a proper racing car to race around a proper racing track to feel what a properly set-up car can do and properly enjoy yourself.

Don't follow the boring masses.

Plus, the Vectra will only cost you £250 to insure.

I generally hate road cars.
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Former member
quote:
Originally posted by David Slater:
Are there any in the UK yet?

There's a boat load due in in 2 or 3 weeks' time, then another in March. Most Mazda dealers have a demo car now.

nick.lees at btinternet.com
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Johns Naim
Heh, great car, lots of them here now as well, also the 350Z Nissan - another BMW basher :-)

Mind you, IMHO, the new BMW's deserve to be bashed on style and quality grounds sadly.

Things ain't what they used to be!

Cheers

John... Wink

Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary
Posted on: 15 November 2003 by NB
and the new Audi TT v6 is on its way soon!

I will be trying both the Mazda and the Audi TT V6 and seeing which I prefer.

I might also try the new Chrysler crossfire!

Regards


NB
Posted on: 15 November 2003 by NB
and maybe even the Z4!

So many to choose from!


NB
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by Johns Naim
quote:
and maybe even the Z4!



Heh, yeah, but it is a BMW Eek

Cheers

John... Big Grin

Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Top Cat
Buyer beware - I long lusted after the RX-7 (predecessor to the RX-8) and was actually talked out of buying one by a surprisingly honest dealer, who claimed that should I ever need any major work done, to be prepared with a second mortgage, as very few dealers are qualified to work on the rotary engines.

Dunno if that's true or not, but there's logic there...

Also, the RX-8 came off poorly in the Autocar 'racing around a track' magazine I bought the other week. They rated the MX-5 above it, despite lack of practicality.

Saying that, they rated the MCS Works lower than I'd have expected too, so I'm taking their tests with a pinch of salt...

John (who wants a Mini Cooper M Big Grin )

TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Former member
I don't know whether or not the RX8 has been on Top Gear, but Clarkson said this:

"one of the best handling cars I have ever driven.....the styling is chintzier than a pair of council house curtains"

(buried in December's copy of Top Gear Magazine).

Other notable mentions in Clarkson's timely article on Coupe's are:

- Merc SLK (it's a Merc)
- Chrysler Crossfire (looks like a dog doing a shit)
- Nissan 350Z (looks good, hard to drive)
- Celica T-Sport (girly)
- Alfa GTV (looks like Leslie Ash)
- Peugeot 406 (!!!!)
- Hyundai Coupe (the winner of Clarksons subjective test).

ag
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by JeremyD
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:
I don't know whether or not the RX8 has been on Top Gear, but Clarkson said this:

"one of the best handling cars I have ever driven.....the styling is chintzier than a pair of council house curtains"

(buried in December's copy of Top Gear Magazine).
In the Sunday Times before last, he described the RX8 as having "suspect handling" in the wet. Hmmm...

--J
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by NB
Jeremy

You would be surprised what a pair of Bridgestone S02's would make! MY Supra has more grip in the wet than most have in the dry!


Regards


NB
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by NB
Does anyone know the website as advertised in the TV ad for the Mazda RX8?

Regards

NB
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by MichaelC
I saw the RX8 advert last night - good looking vehicle. Along with the 350Z it appears that the Japanese have finally learnt that efficiency isn't the be it and end all of car design.

Regards

Mike (the former owner of the most unreliable car everto come from Japan.
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Former member
Yeah ! But did you see the 260bhp mini cooper s on top gear last night !!

I need one !

Mark
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Former member
I came across two RX8's on the road yesterday.

I played with them a little, but the owners didn't want to know.

I am assuming:

A)They were running their cars in.
B)They were afraid of spanking it
C)They are infact, driven by coffin dodgers

"Hi-fi is ok, but its nothing like the real thing..."
Posted on: 17 November 2003 by Mike Sae
D) They are responsible motorists and didn't want to end up in a heap of flaming wreckage or worse.

Liquidken with a driving attitude like that, I'm surprised you haven't lived up to your namesake. Razz
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by Johns Naim
And now for something totally different... Big Grin

Heheh, read a review today in the English 'CAR' mag, of the to be Vauxhall Monaro. Of course this is pretty much US/AUS technology, designed and built in AUS, and now being exported to the US as a Pontiac GTO, and to dear old Blighty as a Vauxhall Monaro.

As the review said, what it gave away in sophistication, it made up for in looks, get up and go, and a fun, fun drive.

Had to laugh though at the description of it being 'big' Wink In the US, they're complaining that it's 'small', and not butch enough. Big Grin Here of course, it's just right Wink

Still, a gorgeous looker, and with a 5.7 litre bent eight with 235kw it ain't to be sneezed at.

Just a thought. Heheh, a real mans car DBig Grin

Cheers

John... Wink



Populist thinking exalts the simplistic and the ordinary
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by NB
Quote:-

Mike (the former owner of the most unreliable car everto come from Japan
--------------------------------------------------------------


I bet its not as unreliable as my Supra, I have never claimed my RAC non call out bonus!


Regards


NB
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by Top Cat
quote:
did you see the 260bhp mini cooper s on top gear last night


It was 275bhp, actually. Bonkers, but how much fun would that be!!! I actually know someone who drove that very same car (it's the tuner's own personal wheels) when it was at 240bhp and was impressed enough to have her car modded to 220bhp (spoiled, sadly, by a _very unsuitable_ boy-racer-style bodykit. Yuk!)

I'm sure BMW will at some point retaliate, perhaps with a 3.2 Cooper M. Can't see why they shouldn't; a V6 with that supercharger, and a bit of stiffening here and there, should be good for about 290bhp...

But I'm dreaming again. Back in the real world, I recently moved to the S from a Cooper and I'm having lots of fun. It's nippy, handles impeccably and everyone loves it...

Big Grin

John

TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by NB
I have just been into my local Mazda dealer, picked up the brocure and seen one in the flesh.

They really are a beautiful car.

I also went into my local Chrysler dealer to drop my jeep off for its MOT and I have to say its a good looking car from the outside but inside its really tacky, I am still tempted to take one out for a test drive.


Regards


NB
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
everyone loves it...



Sorry TC. I think the New Mini is an ill-proportioned, badly packaged, unoriginal pastiche, frequently sold in daft colour/stripey roof/wheel combinations and with an interior that looks like a german bordello.

I should point out that the last comparison is not from experience.

I have no doubt it is a good drive but I'm totally unconvinced about the image.

Bruce
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by Top Cat
OK, fair enough. Everyone but Bruce loves it Smile

John

TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by BLT
Er no, everyone but Bruce and BLT loves it! I accept that it is a very good car (apart from the dreadful packaging) but I think that the "retro" styling is totally naff.
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by Former member
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Sae:
D) They are responsible motorists and didn't want to end up in a heap of flaming wreckage or worse.

Liquidken with a driving attitude like that, I'm surprised you haven't lived up to your namesake. Razz


Well...if you have a car of that genre, it needs to be driven. Seems a waste if it isn't

"Hi-fi is ok, but its nothing like the real thing..."
Posted on: 18 November 2003 by Mike Sae
Hey, does Mini have a long term business plan? I mean, there's all these lovely dealerships in the trendiest parts of the world and they only have one product. Sure, there's a convertible coming but that's not the point. How is selling one car sustainable in the long run?

Will Mini owners have a place to go for service and parts 10 years from now?

I'm sure this has been all thought out; I'd like to know!