got to drive the Rx8 and turbo miata hard

[LowcarbonBLue]

They set up this autocross course here in Las Vegas about a week ago and was sponsored by the local Mazda dealer. Cost 80 bucks to participate and learn some basic autocross driving. Was well worth it though. I was hesitant to fork over the money. I'm just so impressed by these two cars. I have driven the Rx8 car before but never driven it hard like this. The miata was my first time.

First..the rx8. Power is not so great stock..its enough definately but not that great power which it seems like it has. This car is so FORGIVING. The steering is great. You can go around a corner fast as hell and still straighten the car back out. I feel like i can do dumb stuff with it all day. The car feels solid and light, i'm guessing since that 50/50 ratio. I feel like i can never mess up in it even when it's rwd. After what i put it through, daily driving on curvy roads shouldn't be anything to worry about. Great handling car.

Last was the turbo miata. Felt faster than the rx8. Handling is just simply AMAZING. it feels so precise. I was flying through those cones. The ride is super smooth too for some reason. I never driven a good handling car with a smooth ride before. I feel like the handling aspects and perfomance is for me. I'm just not to happy about exterior since i would want somethign slightly bigger. It's a great car though. I have a new perspective on it. Now i know why i see those guys that have been sticking to miatas for a long time now.

sorry, had to tell you guys. This is one of the better experiences with cars i have had.

[SOAPY]

Nice! One my college professers just got the new Miata a month ago he just got back from Colorado doing some canyon runs up there :drool: dammit i wanna ride his car! I'm sure it was fun as you said it was. $80 is alot money but it seemed like it was well worth it :thumbup:

[twistedGTS]

nice review. the miatas always kick serious butt at the autox events. I really want an rx-8, that car is sweet, too bad it has such a bad gas milage

[Blue Bomber]

:moved:

Mazda owns when it comes to great suspensions. I drove the 6 and it felt like a Celica sedan. :D

[techgeekwill]

i love miata's, and mr2's.

you can literally throw them around and they always (just about) come back.

[kylebGTS]

So how high did you have to rev that rx8 until real power kicks in, those rotarys rev like motorcyles dont they? Also not being a homophobe or anything but arent the miatas the #1 gay car of america? I thought that was a well know fact, dont get me wrong there fast but the only people that I have seen driving them are sillies. I mean they even make fun of them in super troopers.

[Butt Dyno]

Cheap, old Miata + Flyin Miata II > Mazdaspeed Miata

cheaper, too

[LightningRod]

cheaper, too

:werd:

I've driven an RX-8 before. They're pretty nice. I really like the interior, it's a lot bigger than it looks. However, the gas mileage sucks, as well as the price ... there was a silver one with all the dealer goodies on it with a sticker price of $46,000!!! The RX-8 is great, but it's not that great. I've yet to drive the new Miata's ...

[LowcarbonBLue]

i can actually get a nice rx8 for 22k with low miles. I'm thinking about it. It's a nice daily driver. Plus it has potential with the greddy turbo which i believe Marc said it was pretty quick. It's a great idea i think.

[marc]

i can actually get a nice rx8 for 22k with low miles. I'm thinking about it. It's a nice daily driver. Plus it has potential with the greddy turbo which i believe Marc said it was pretty quick. It's a great idea i think.

360 hp @ 8 psi

the RX-8 is a sweet, sweet car - it always snaps right back to center no matter what you do to it - with my coilovers/sways it no longer even snaps anywhere - stable as all hell.

even stock the car has plenty of power - it'll blow a Celica outta the water and is just as fast as a G35 coupe (and faster on the highway because it has better gearing, which is why it doesn't get great gas mileage).

[LowcarbonBLue]

360 hp @ 8 psi

the RX-8 is a sweet, sweet car - it always snaps right back to center no matter what you do to it - with my coilovers/sways it no longer even snaps anywhere - stable as all hell.

even stock the car has plenty of power - it'll blow a Celica outta the water and is just as fast as a G35 coupe (and faster on the highway because it has better gearing, which is why it doesn't get great gas mileage).

did you install this turbo kit yourself? If i do decide this, i will buy it all at once and try to install. What exhaust and inch piping did you run? i've heard all these exhausts on rotary cars and they sound like crap. Not sure what you ran and if it's possible to use the stock exhaust which i think sounds great.