NAIAS 08: 2009 Mazda RX-8

[SSJ]

Being a current owner of an RX-7 and and RX-8, I've got to say that the RX-8 is a great car, Acceleration is quick but that isn't why one buys this car, the handling of an RX-8 is like no other car even close to its price range. Its perfectly balanced thanks to the Rotary. The Rotary loves to rev and can hit 9300rpm all day long and not break a sweat. Drivers of these cars are drivers who want an all around great handling sports car that is light and nimble, and that they can comfortably. When my lease is up in 2009 I'll be getting the R3 model.

I would love to see a hardcore RX-7 come back to complement the RX-8, which would be the mainstay of sales.

[Htay7500]

I'm not against this car, but I'd love to see an RX7 again.

[shabodah]

Originally Posted by Butz

It's not only about straight line performance. The RX-8 is a beast on the track.

Actually the Cobalt SS and RX-8 are very comparable cars in most aspects. Unless you're on a very small track with hardly any straights at all, it'd be toss-up between the two cars.

I grew up with my step-father owning many a RX-7 and I own an Ion partially because the suicide doors ARE convienent and partially because of the supercharged engine, so I have only one thing against the RX-8. Give me the turbo Dangit! I don't understand why they haven't redesigned and renamed the vehicle to allow for the 2.3L I4 Turbo. Furthermore, the Rotary engine makes just as much, if not more sense in the Miata than in the RX-8.

Originally Posted by SSJ

Being a current owner of an RX-7 and and RX-8, I've got to say that the RX-8 is a great car, Acceleration is quick but that isn't why one buys this car, the handling of an RX-8 is like no other car even close to its price range.

I have to disagree as the Miata is all too similiar.

[SSJ]

Originally Posted by shabodah

Actually the Cobalt SS and RX-8 are very comparable cars in most aspects. Unless you're on a very small track with hardly any straights at all, it'd be toss-up between the two cars.

I grew up with my step-father owning many a RX-7 and I own an Ion partially because the suicide doors ARE convienent and partially because of the supercharged engine, so I have only one thing against the RX-8. Give me the turbo Dangit! I don't understand why they haven't redesigned and renamed the vehicle to allow for the 2.3L I4 Turbo. Furthermore, the Rotary engine makes just as much, if not more sense in the Miata than in the RX-8.

Meaning no disrespect to the SS (I like it a lot)...but it is not comparable to the RX-8 almost all respects! Driving dynamics are completely different, I've driven both. The RX-8 handles light years ahead of the SS and is much more refined. THe power of the RX-8 is delivered much more smoothly then the Cobalt and throttle responce is also much better. The RX8 will out corner (slalom), out accelerate(0-60) and out brake (only number I could find for both was 60-0) the SS in every road test I can find. The RX-8 is not a pure sports car in the sense of the 3rd Gen, but it is a sports car that one can live with on a daily basis and constantly wins when tested against its competitors. In comparison the SS is a great little sports compact, but not in the league of the RX-8, 350z, G35 etc...

And I'd love to see a Rotary in the Miata!!

[shabodah]

Originally Posted by SSJ

Meaning no disrespect to the SS (I like it a lot)...but it is not comparable to the RX-8 almost all respects! Driving dynamics are completely different, I've driven both. The RX-8 handles light years ahead of the SS and is much more refined. THe power of the RX-8 is delivered much more smoothly then the Cobalt and throttle responce is also much better. The RX8 will out corner (slalom), out accelerate(0-60) and out brake (only number I could find for both was 60-0) the SS in every road test I can find. The RX-8 is not a pure sports car in the sense of the 3rd Gen, but it is a sports car that one can live with on a daily basis and constantly wins when tested against its competitors. In comparison the SS is a great little sports compact, but not in the league of the RX-8, 350z, G35 etc...

And I'd love to see a Rotary in the Miata!!

http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/d...2003171557.pdf
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/fe...rx8/index.html
http://www.carblog.co.za/2006/12/05/...mparison-test/

Here's a few links that seemingly would prove your point. The problem is, the RX-8 is the type of car reviewers are used to driving, where the technique needed to get the Cobalt's torque to the ground effectively takes a both a little more practice and a little more skill.

I have no doubt in my mind that with equal power (especially torque in this particular case), the RX-8 is the better car. But when driven at their limits stock, the Cobalt is a faster straight-line car and is not so far behind in handling to loose the RX-8 by much in the straights. This is evident by the fact that the Cobalt beats the Mustang GT on pretty much every road course test ever done. While the RX-8 and Cobalt swap places depending on track.

[suburbanfoo]

Arent they suppose to bring back the Rx7 soon?

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

IMO, The reason the first RX-8 won so many "awards", was because of the whole idea of bringing back the rotary engine. Now that its basically been proven to be ineffective against the competition, i.e. 350Z, I highly doubt there will be as much, if any, recognition for this second generation RX-8.

The rotary engine was cool back in the day when it produced enough horsepower....in the days when 300hp is the new benchmark, its just not cutting it.

The 350Z eats it's lunch in every comparison.

And when the Cobalt gets a decent chassis on DeltaII and also that DI Turbo engine, the Cobalt will eat the RX-8's lunch too.

[shabodah]

Originally Posted by CADILLACSIXTEEN

And when the Cobalt gets a decent chassis on DeltaII and also that DI Turbo engine, the Cobalt will eat the RX-8's lunch too.

If they do put an AWD option on the DeltaII Cobalt WITH the DI turbo, that will finally give the domestics some sort of answer to the STI and EVO. Sounds like Ford might beat them to the punch with the Focus RS, though.

Regardless, with the current Cobalt SS supercharged, it costs about $950 to match the DI turbo's 260 horse output. Thus, Mazda NEEDS forced induction on the RX-8.

[Squachy]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Good Lord, it looks like Mazda redesigns their vehicles just like Ford does- They say they change everything, and it still looks the same!!

Still better than Saab

They say they changed everything but they actually LEFT the exterior the same.
Or they changed everything but just gave it a nose job

[E. Haskell]

Here is the only direct comparison between the Cobalt SS and RX8 that I could find:

C&D @ VIR
2006 Chevy Cobalt SS - 3:20.6
2006 Mazda RX-8 - 3:19.0

In terms of pure numbers, I'd expect the new Cobalt SS to be faster than the new RX8 on the same track. The Cobalt now has ~30 more HP, Brembo brakes and the new 'Ring-tuned FE5 suspension (.90g).

Regardless, people cross shop the MS3 (not RX8) and Cobalt SS.

[MOOSTOPHA]

this does nothing for me at all.

[SSJ]

Originally Posted by CADILLACSIXTEEN

IMO, The reason the first RX-8 won so many "awards", was because of the whole idea of bringing back the rotary engine. Now that its basically been proven to be ineffective against the competition, i.e. 350Z, I highly doubt there will be as much, if any, recognition for this second generation RX-8.

The rotary engine was cool back in the day when it produced enough horsepower....in the days when 300hp is the new benchmark, its just not cutting it.

The 350Z eats it's lunch in every comparison.

And when the Cobalt gets a decent chassis on DeltaII and also that DI Turbo engine, the Cobalt will eat the RX-8's lunch too.

Whoa now...Actually in every comparison I have read, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Motortrend, Edmonds, Top Gear... the list goes on and on, The RX-8 Cleans the 350Zs and others Clocks. Horsepower is not the point of any Rotary car, but keep in mind you are getting 231 Hp out of a 1.3L engine that revs to 9500RPM! Sure the 350z produces more HP but it can't beat it round a track and can't hang with the RX-8 in a corner and is now where near as balanced as the RX8. Im not alone in this, almost every test backs me up!
And yes, 300HP is a good benchmark for a big, bloted V6, but lets remember, light, nimble and a 1.3L engine with 231hp!!!

You simply cannot compare, I love big V8 beasts that have tons of tourque, I like the Cobalt SS, but you cannot compare them to the RX8, They each have very different driving characteristics.

So to sum up then....Rotary...very effective.

[E. Haskell]

Ehh, the rotary is pretty good, but I believe a turbo 4cyl can do everything it does and more without being much heavier. Better gas mileage, more TQ and HP, and no need to add oil between changes.