What was the last "game changer"?

[MrH]

Rotaries are finnicky, but the sole reason I got into cars, my major in college, my current job, everything.  I have to own one someday, but I want it new and with two seats.  I'm holding out hope.

[Raza]

Rotaries are finnicky, but the sole reason I got into cars, my major in college, my current job, everything.  I have to own one someday, but I want it new and with two seats.  I'm holding out hope.

Hold out hope, just don't hold your breath.  You'll pass out before you die, and then you just look silly. 

[hotrodalex]

Rotaries are finnicky, but the sole reason I got into cars, my major in college, my current job, everything.  I have to own one someday, but I want it new and with two seats.  I'm holding out hope.

If things go right, I'll end up with a new 2 seater with a rotary. FFR hot rod with either a turbo 13b or a 16x if the new RX-7 comes out.

[Cookie Monster]

If things go right, I'll end up with a new 2 seater with a rotary. FFR hot rod with either a turbo 13b or a 16x if the new RX-7 comes out.

You're already planning out a second project when you have one that you can barely work on?

[Onslaught]

Rotaries are finnicky, but the sole reason I got into cars, my major in college, my current job, everything.  I have to own one someday, but I want it new and with two seats.  I'm holding out hope.

Unless something happens bad in my life I hope to have a rotary RX-8, MX-5 and R1 or R2 RX-7. And then the "new" one if it ever happens.

[CALL_911]

Even if the new one's a hybrid?

[Onslaught]

Even if the new one's a hybrid?

I'm not as anti hybrid as most here.

[Raza]

I'm not as anti hybrid as most here.

RX-9 is a FWD four door kammback hybrid with a CVT, no doubt. Think Honda Insight with suicide doors.

[Onslaught]

RX-9 is a FWD four door kammback hybrid with a CVT, no doubt. Think Honda Insight with suicide doors.

Well I'll always have the FD.


To be honest, I'm really thinking about all my sports cars being older ones from now on. I like the fact that I can work on them without a laptop and they don't have computers doing all the work for me.
I'll just drive a new truck or something as my DD so I can use it to get parts to keep my old cars going and tow them to the track.

[hotrodalex]

You're already planning out a second project when you have one that you can barely work on?

Once the body work and paint is done, I have a whole list of things to finish off the car for the most part. Shouldn't take too long either.

Next project will come once I graduate and have a job and a place with a garage.

[r0tor]

Only know comparo between the two... and matches up with my experience

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/11/mountain-state-review-2013-scion-fr-s-vs-2006-mazda-rx-8/

[Onslaught]

It changed the game in my heart

I convinced two people to buy new Mazda 6's in one week.  New Mazda3 comes out in August.  Hopefully they all hit big enough to keep my dreams of the 2017 RX-7 alive.

http://www.mazdausamedia.com/2013-01-03-MAZDA-ACHIEVES-BEST-YEAR-OF-SALES-SINCE-2007-BEST-DECEMBER-SINCE-1994

Keep hope alive. It's all I've got.

[ifcar]

http://www.mazdausamedia.com/2013-01-03-MAZDA-ACHIEVES-BEST-YEAR-OF-SALES-SINCE-2007-BEST-DECEMBER-SINCE-1994

Keep hope alive. It's all I've got.

Sales will increase dramatically again with the fresh Mazda6. That was a great sales performance with just the leftover current model .

[MrH]

Only know comparo between the two... and matches up with my experience

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/11/mountain-state-review-2013-scion-fr-s-vs-2006-mazda-rx-8/

Your experience....of not driving the BRZ/FR-S?   Hard to say it matches your experience when you haven't driven one of the two cars being compared.

Completely disagree with that review.  To say the twins are closer in character to a Z or Camaro than the RX-8 is beyond ridiculous.

[Raza]

I've really got to write another blog post.  TTAC writing is a sin. 

Also, if the Ferberizer really is more like a 370Z or Camaro, it's a shame (though like you said, it probably isn't). 

[r0tor]

I did like the driver seat in the brz -shrug-

[Cookie Monster]

I like the looks of the RX-8 more but other than that I can't really comment on either car.

[Raza]

I like the looks of the RX-8 more but other than that I can't really comment on either car.

I've driven an RX-8.  It's a great car.  Fantastically practical for its size, agile, quick--but that engine is a major turn-off when it comes to the ownership experience. 

[MrH]

I've really got to write another blog post.  TTAC writing is a sin. 

Also, if the Ferberizer really is more like a 370Z or Camaro, it's a shame (though like you said, it probably isn't). 

The Zs and Camaros are fast bath tubs basically.  Complete bruiser of a vehicle.  BRZ is a stiff little scalpel in comparison. 

[Raza]

The Zs and Camaros are fast bath tubs basically.  Complete bruiser of a vehicle.  BRZ is a stiff little scalpel in comparison.

I imagine it would be.  The Ferberizer is like 1000 pounds lighter than a Camaro.

[MX793]

The Zs and Camaros are fast bath tubs basically.  Complete bruiser of a vehicle.  BRZ is a stiff little scalpel in comparison. 

He didn't say it handled like a Camaro or Z.  Here is what he said:

"In character, it's much closer to a 370Z or even a Camaro than to the Mazda. It does feel considerably smaller and lighter than those cars, but its throaty engine roar, tight suspension, heavy controls, and limited visibility place it in their genus."

Basically, some of the qualitative, touch-and-feel aspects of the car (control weight, visibility, dark cabin, engine note, stiffer suspension) was more like those larger cars than the RX.  I do recall the RX having an airier cabin (bigger windows) than the FR-S I sat in.  But the FR-S's sight lines are not nearly as bad as the Camaro's.  More like the Mustang's, maybe a shade better.

[MrH]

But I disagree with a lot of that.  I don't find the controls heavy at all.  My miata had a heavier steering feel.  And limited visibility?  For a coupe, it's one of the easiest to see out for sure.  It's much much closer to an RX-8 than a Camaro or 370Z.

Same with the suspension actually.  There's a sound induction tube, but I wouldn't call the call "throaty" necessarily.  Seems like the author drove a completely different car honestly

[MX793]

But I disagree with a lot of that.  I don't find the controls heavy at all.  My miata had a heavier steering feel.  And limited visibility?  For a coupe, it's one of the easiest to see out for sure.  It's much much closer to an RX-8 than a Camaro or 370Z.

Same with the suspension actually.  There's a sound induction tube, but I wouldn't call the call "throaty" necessarily.  Seems like the author drove a completely different car honestly

For a coupe, I thought the visibility seemed pretty good.  But the RX has sedan-like visibility (which is impressive considering how low it is).  I wasn't able to drive the FR-S, so I have no comparison on the other stuff.

Also bear in mind that the FR-S has different suspension tuning from the BRZ.  The Scion is supposedly stiffer.  Power steering may be tuned to be a little higher-effort as well.

[Cookie Monster]

I've driven an RX-8.  It's a great car.  Fantastically practical for its size, agile, quick--but that engine is a major turn-off when it comes to the ownership experience. 

My parents told me to test drive an RX-8 while I was looking for Miatas. Unfortunately, all the RX-8's had 60k+ miles on them. I didn't even bother test driving the RX-8's because I knew I didn't want a car with such shit gas mileage and an engine that could explode at any time since I didn't know how the previous owner(s) maintained it.

In hindsight, I probably should've at least given it a try.

[Raza]

My parents told me to test drive an RX-8 while I was looking for Miatas. Unfortunately, all the RX-8's had 60k+ miles on them. I didn't even bother test driving the RX-8's because I knew I didn't want a car with such shit gas mileage and an engine that could explode at any time since I didn't know how the previous owner(s) maintained it.

In hindsight, I probably should've at least given it a try.

I honestly can't think of a better car that I'd never want to own. 

[MX793]

I honestly can't think of a better car that I'd never want to own. 

It was definitely very polarizing for me as well.  Loved the driving experience the most of any of the cars I test drove, but the combination of poor fuel economy, reported engine issues, and tiny trunk (and no folding rear seats) ultimately pushed me away.

[Cookie Monster]

I honestly can't think of a better car that I'd never want to own. 

Some days I sit around and think "What if I actually got an RX-8?" It'd definitely be amazing to be able to take a couple of friends along as well, and have more room and a sweet rotary engine, but I think it worked out for the best.

[Raza]

Some days I sit around and think "What if I actually got an RX-8?" It'd definitely be amazing to be able to take a couple of friends along as well, and have more room and a sweet rotary engine, but I think it worked out for the best.

More often than not, I find it amazing that I can't take friends with me.   

[MrH]

More often than not, I find it amazing that I can't take friends with me.   

  +1

I never DD!  I'm the drunkest one at the bars, and someone has to drive my ass home.  It's great.

I was close to buying an RX-8 twice... I was in negotiations for one of the last new R3 RX-8s in the country, and it just barely sold out from under me.