Well, since this thread is in the wrong section anyway, I'll have it moved to other cars.

I have a good friend with an RX-8. While it handles and brakes well, and its a very enderaing car to drive.

That said, I'd never own one. The engine is pathetically gutless, and is not nearly as rewarding to rev like a Honda F20C, they are really tricky to tune (don't ask), they are overrated at even 238 HP (made 161whp stock on a Dyno Dynamics), the gearing is way too tall for the powerband, and they depreciate faster than any other Japanese car I can think of.

I think they look cool, but they will never be anything more than extreme left field niche marketing to me.

 

Sounds about right. I find the engine quite enjoyable to rev myself. This is purely personal preference though. The power is delivered in such a smooth manner. You never have that kick the vtec systems give.

 

Well the RX-8 is definitely not slow. It's a momentum car and rewards an experienced driver with pretty impressive lap times. I've driven quite a few on track and I think their great.
The gas consumption is a whole 'nother thing. I wouldn't be surprised if the new national fuel economy standards kill this engine before 2020.

 

i know i know... just kidding around so we can release some tension...

 

Thread not about Evos? Don't put it in Evo X General...

 

I am a big fan of the rotary motor and without a doubt I would put myself on a select list of people who really understand both Piston and Rotary motors in detail. The fact remains that the Rotary motor will always have large issues with fuel consumption because of its design just like a 2 stroke piston motor. However, the advantages of the motor worth the sacrifice of gasmileage to us who have no interest in mileage or stock performance levels. I really commend Mazada for sticking with the design but in terms of expecting a great performer from the factory its not going to happen. To make a rotary perform on the streets its going to take alot of work and more displacement. In the past mazda was able to add a turbo to boost performance but with the tighter emission standards its just not possible. So I think this is why we are seeing the move to the new 1.6L rotary motor.

 

I must commend this site as the members seem quite fair about the 8. I agree with most of these comments. I think with a sportscar of any kind talking about gas is fairly rediculous. I upgraded the EMS and run 87 octane which keeps a little more coin in my pocket and puts me pretty much at 200whp. The lack of torque is what is frustrating. I would love to get off the line better but if I chose to switch I think I will miss the driveability and feel of the car. One of our members just switched to an evo from jax fl. I need to touch base with him and see if he could shed some light for me