Can you explain this a little better?

 

The clutch problem has always been a problem with all past generations of Evos and this has been a well known fact. This isn't something new. It almost goes hand in hand, you buy an Evo and the first upgrade you do is an after market high performance clutch. I'd say just upgrade the clutch and keep the car.

 

the rx-8 is a nice car. it seriously needs more power under the hood(bring back the twin turbo).

 

a few weeks ago i posted on lancerz.com about the clutch problems faced by the US market evo. a guy who had experience with the jdm models that replied from overseas said that he had heard of no clutch probs with that market of evo . i really appreciate the response to my thread , it does help the decision process. i certainly would not want to be waxed by a S2k.

 

i believe (correct me if im wrong)he is refering to the removal of the clutch restrictor,that does not allow the clutch to engage too abruptly. and ,it was found that by replacing the rubber clutch hose between the clutch master and slave cylinder , with a steel braided peace ,allows for better clutch pedal feel , thus better engagement of the clutch. it has been said by doing these things it makes a world of difference in how the car drives. i hope i got that right.

 

Well whoever you asked didn't give you the straight up. I used to own a JDM 7 GSR and now an 8 GSR. I swapped the clutch on the previous car to a Cusco twin plate. I've had my current car for almost exactly 4 months now and the clutch is starting to slip.

From what I know of the S2K and the RX8, you're definitely going to get waxed by the Honda. The RX8 just does not have enough torque.

 

Personally, if I were still living in the US I'd stick with the Evo, especially since it has clear open roads where the torque is important for overtaking. If you do a lot of city driving and just want to look good with a nice interior the RX8 is a good alternative.

 

I test drove my friends rx8, my only question is... 'where is the torque"

 

The big difference is driving style. No one else in the world likes to drag their cars like us North Americans do, so the clutch is not so much an issue, however the problem is still the same. We tend to be much harder on clutches and trannys. The only real solution is to get a Vette or an after market clutch for the Evo.

 

I finally got a look at one the other day being hauled on a single car carrier. It was dark gray and did look a lot better than I expected. A car enthusiast buddy of mine that owns a Mazda 6 recently got to test drive the Rx8 and went in planning on trading his 6. They never got into negotiations....he said the 6 was actually more fun to drive!??

This of course is not a first person experience that I can confirm, but I do trust my friends judgement as he has owned numerous sport sedans and coupes in the past. Until Mazda steps-up to the plate with a new Rx7, or ups the ante in the Rx8 by adding a turbo power plant I don't think you will see a mass movement to buy these cars.

If you personally drive it, like it, and can get an excellent deal on your car then maybe its something you should do?? It all comes down to personal taste! Btw- I traded my 10 month old de-modded WRX with 7000 mile in for a brand new Turbo S Beetle that listed for $25,700. No money out of pocket...just a straight-up trade for a car I had paid $25,200 for months and miles earlier. The reason for the deal, was that the WRX was still highly desirable, and the Turbo S beetles, although brand new on the market, were not moving. Theres a reason behind everything...car dealerships typically don't make too many bad deals !

Funny thing was that the WRX didn't sell and became a fixture at that dealership for many months, and I know they took a bath on it. In my case, I tried to mod the Turbo S beetle, but found that it wasn't easy to mod, and worse it made me feel like I was either gay, or should have a nice set of ****. In the end I only had that car for 6 months and ended-up with a 337Gti which was a blast! Moral of the story...sometimes a great deal = neither party happy!!

N10S

 

WRX for Beetle Turbo S? HOLY COW! WRX>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>FWD 1.8 w/ tiny k03 bubble...

Back on topic,

I do NOT think a Mazda 6 drives better than an RX8. If better is more comfortable and more family oriented, then yes. Compare times around a racetrack. The balanced RWD rev-happy RX8 runs circles around a nose heavy FWD 6. The RX8's powerband is very much like the S2000, but with less integrity of build quality, IMO, and also a bit slower despite similar power ratings.

Comparing an RX8 to an Evo, to me, there is no comparison. I'd be more torn by an STi as an alternative. I don't personally like the styling of the RX8 and the Saturn-esque rear doors.. blech. The Evo is a performance purist's car, and since I have no intention to sidestep my clutch at rpm, I have no fear of roasting it. I have never once smelled clutch in this car, even with WOT runs (no clutch dumps) from a roll shifting at redline.

 

Seems like your clutch maybe due for a replacement soon if you abuse it.

 

Sorry for the OT response but just to qualify my actions, my Wrx was fitted with an M2 stage 3 kit w/VF23 and I had almost 10K dumped in it before demodding it. The tranny in the Wrx was a true weak link, and with mine constantly grinding, I was not willing to bet on it holding out. So out it went, and I had a new car for $0. It was a means to an end, and an easy thing to want to do.

I see you had a WRX wagon w/VF30 I am surprised you didn't have tranny issues?


You are probably right on this one, my buddy may be self-justifying his purchase of the 6..... .


N10S

 

RX-8 is a phenominal vehicle. Exterior design is flawless! Neat motor, high readline, great handling, 4 seats! Its as different as they come. But if your switching to a rotory for reliablity...think twice. Anyhow, keep the evo! If you don't race, your clutch won't be a problem...mines still holding and I race it once a week! If you plan on modifying your car...the Evo is where its at! Grab an exedy twin disk, stainless line and remove the clutch restrictor...your race ready! And remember horsepower is cheap with the evo! Don't even think about modifying the RX-8...because there is not a whole lot you can do. If you added a turbo, you would probably sweat everytime you drove the thing.

 

Heh None that I've told you about, yet. I lost the tranny (input shaft to first gear) at 6000 miles on the OE turbo. After that, I modified my launching style, and put 20k more on the odometer- some with the vf30- without a hint of trouble in sight. It saw countless 5k fast slip launches after that. I'm thoroughly convinced that its how you drive the car. Treat it right, and it willlast even with hard usage. I loved my WRX. I was just a little surprised to see a WRX/Evo enthusiast geting a FWD Beetle Turbo S. From reading what you wrote after, its clear to me that you were glad to get out of it as well. Good kill!