Usually, the usage of 'Stage' in reference to performance parts is limited to forced induction parts, such as turbo kits. I know that Dodge is now offering 'stage 1,2, etc...' kits for the SRT-4, but most people refer to having 'staged' cars when they're running forced induction.

I don't think most people associate that with NA bolt-ons. Just an observation, though. Rock on.

 

Regardless the point is it has diddly **** to do with a video game. That was the point though You are more correct then I in your definition of staged.

 

OK, first I understand the typo thing. I work graveyard and I understand how hard it is to type when you are really really tired. I wasnt trying to flame you there and I apologize if it came across like that. But for the "stage" remarks, there is no "stages" in modifying your cars, unless a company designates it that way. And most of the time the company is designating it like that so that people who have no idea what they are doing can just spend money and not be TOTALLY off base on their investment. There is no such thing as Intake, header, exhaust being "stage anything"! 1-2-3...NO! I hate this expression. Dodge has a "stage" upgrade for the SRT-4, but they have designated it that way. If there stage 1 upgrade is exhaust and BOV and whatever else, that doesnt mean that everybody "stage 1" is the same...THAT IS MY POINT. The I,H,E as a stage is something that people, not just you nefarious, have been throwing around in here for a while and it just drives me nuts. When I flame you, I wasnt directing it only at you so relax.

 

I went and test drove the new Mazda RX-8 today to see if it was that much nicer/faster than my RA. I have been thinking of trading up if it was that much better performing, and after driving I am still happy with my Ralliart. I dont relaly think that car was much quicker than my car and definitely not worth the extra $10K.

 

you beat me to it...I was going to test drive one of them also...how was it?

 

The car was nice. The interior is pretty, but a little cramped if you are a bigger guy. It was very quiet and very smooth, but not all that powerful considering the numbers it is boasting. I dont think it would have been worth the added cost to try and get one. If the car was less money and I didnt already buy this as a new car, I MIGHT have considered it. But the RA is still the best bang for the buck...IMO.

 

Best bang for the buck... I like that

The RX-8 is in the WRX and Evo territory in terms of pricing. Plus, I heard hte mileage on the rotary engine is still not that great.

 

I thought the same thing, and it isnt totally innaccurate, but I was told that Mazda was giving some $3-$4K off sticker on the RX8. That cars base model stickers at somewhere around $25,500. You knock $3K or more off that and the car is pretty inexpensive. But after I eat **** on my trade in, the car would have to have been a lot faster than mine, BUT IT JUST WASNT! maybe a little faster in the 1/4, but not enough to add to my debt.

 

I'm sure the RX-8 will be faster in the corners and such. I mean, it's got more power... plus turbo to boot! Never test driven one, but I will one day

Just wanted to bring up: Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vs Subaru Impreza 2.5RS.

Anyone driven both?

 

FYI...the RX8 is NOT a turbo car any more. I will outhandle the RA, but there is no "turbo to boot". As I stated a while ago, I liked the car, but it wasnt fast enough to justify the cost. Dollar for dollar, lb for lb, I would buy the Infinity G35 coupe over the RX8. And there was a comparison between the 2.5 RS and the RA done before.

 

Ah okay. I learned something about the RX-8 now

the 2.5RS and the RA comparison was done by Motorweek, but in these threads I was only able to find very short and not-so-detailed comparisons of the two cars. Unless I somehow missed it while reviewing all 9 pages of this thread? Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Sry guys, but i will go OT here for a moment. RX-8 is surely good for its prices. Compare to before where RX-7 priced up to compete against the Porsche, now they lowered the price to compete in the mid-price cars. I would like to make this very clear that RX-8 IS NOT is Coupe. Its a 4 door Sedan.

Heres a short Comparison betwen RX-8 and G35Coupe

RX-8
Price: 26,680
Displacement: 1.3L
Horsepower: 238 @ 8500 rpm
Torque: 159 @ 5500 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Transmission: 6MT
Curb Weight: 3,029

G35 Coupe
Price: 32,700
Displacement: 3.5L
Horsepower: 280 @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 270 @ 4800 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
Transmission: 6MT
Curb Weight: 3,435 lbs

BBC broadcasts a show call "Top Gear" and they dicussed RX-8 before. They said it handles great and the engine is sweet. They stated that RX-8 is a very very nice car. They also ran the RX-8 in their track and its time was the same with the BMW M3. Just to give you guys the heads up, back to things bout RA

 

for who ever was looking at the Mazda 3...my wife has one...the one with the 2.3L and I will have to say, that it will out handle a Ralliart, and it is a bit faster...the Mazda dealership let us take it home for the night before we bought it, to get a real feel for it. so...i have a friend that sells mitsu's, so I took it by and grabbed a RA out for a spin...the Mazda felt ALOT better in the turns, and seemed a bit more responsive in the stearing...better quality interior too.

But that being said, I'll stick to my COBB Tuning stage 2 WRX any day

 

RAs are lacking in turns because of those crappy tires they throw into the Lancers. If you add a LSD into RAs, they will definitely be better at turns. Mazda3 does have better quality interior, but Lancer is about simplicity. Plus, one thing Mazda3 cant do is switch an audio system.

 

so jessee u r saying its better off with a rx8 instead of m3?