Originally Posted by iShaveWithKatana
Let me preface this by saying that I actually like the Toybaru Twins. I like the exterior, the clean interior, the philosophy of the car (and what the engineers are trying to accomplish; they should be lauded for going the purist route), and that I even would appear to like the performance of this twin set on the track. Having said that, it's not in the same class as the RX-8. I drive an Audi S4 now, but owned a RX-8 6MT for 3 years and actually wish that I had kept it. Here's a quick run down of why the RX-8 is a unique car, with far more positive attributes than negative ones, and some attributes that cars that cost 3x as much can't match: 1) 1st & Foremost - The handling. With a limited slip differential, carbon fiber drivetrain, exact 50/50 weight distribution, and an extremely low center of gravity, putting power down from a light weight and low planted motor that has very compact dimensions, you - really - will be hard pressed to find a car that can match the handling of an RX-8 at any price point less than 80k or more. This isn't just my opinion, but that of many well known and more independent publications and automotive gurus who've consistently placed the RX-8 as one of the 10 best handling cars of all time. TTAC, which is brutally honest in its reviews of cars, consistently spoke of the RX-8 as being among the best handling cars, at any price point (Johnny Lieberman pushed his opinion that it handled as well as exotic territory). That it gives a composed ride in daily driving while handling as well as it does is the real mystery sauce. 2) The performance of the Renesis - No, the Renesis Rotary is not going to match 0-60 times with torque laden V6 or V8 pony plants, or the higher strung side of the FI 4 bangers like that found in the STi or Evo, but a manual RX-8 in the hands of capable driver is going to be able to consistently wring out true 0-60 times at just about the 6 second mark, without having to resort to abusing the clutch (I know this from experience), and while not great, that's not bad, especially considering there's a smooth, linear pull, and that once you're in the sweet spot of 5000 to 6500 rpm (with a 9500 redline), you'll care even less about 0-60 times. 3) Steering - With a magnesium rack, and possibly one of the most neutral and well weighted electric-assisted steering systems ever engineered (you think that I exaggerate even slightly? Go drive an RX-8, but only a manual, please), few cars track as true with the tactile feedback of the RX-8, with literally no kickback through the steering rack over rough pavement (thanks to that marvelous magnesium). 4) Clutch/Stick - It's outstanding. I will say that some older Acuras, BMWs and Porsches had a snick-snickier stick, but the clutch feel and travel is as good as it gets with the RX-8, and the action of the stick is in the upper 90% percentile. 5) Brakes - All I know is that even the stock brakes are great, rivaling the upgraded track pack specials in many performance cars, with a reported 60-0 stopping distance of 112 feet or so. Fade was not a problem under all but the most brake fluid boiling track days, in which case, upgrading is always a good idea anyways. 6) Practicality - How many of you have sat in the back of an RX-8? It has the most usable space, actually able to seat 2 full sized adults more easily than any car in its class, and when it comes to not having to decide to compromise because you schlep kids around, few cars that have the dynamics of the RX-8 are as practical in this regard. Hockey gear, rear facing child seats, other stuff, it all fits back there, and the trunk is a decent size, too. 7) Winter driving - This was the biggest surprise to me. If you stick some Nokians, Blizzaks or other proper snow shoes on the 8, it does incredibly well in even deep snow (I'm speaking up to 8" or so), and has a capable ABS & ESC system to complement the winter driveability. As with all cars of this type, don't even think about driving it in even a dusting of snow with the summer rubber, because you won't even make it up a modest driveway. I like my S4. I miss my RX-8. In fact, I miss it so much that I've considered buying one of the remaining 2011s. The FT86/BRZ was the natural go to replacement for the now discontinued RX-8, and I do like what I've seen about it, but as the reviews come in, I'm growing less confident that it's in the same league as the RX-8 in terms of handling or stock straight line performance. Of course, the FT86/BRZ is going to be much easier/less expensive to add FI to if one is so inclined, and that's huge, it will get better fuel economy, it should prove reliable, and the boxer motor is a proven platform from which to make great leaps in terms of power. I'm cheering the tuners on when it comes to FT86/BRZ mods. I think the car has a lot of potential, but in stock form, it was teased for a long, long time, and like with everything so teased, there are some letdowns that have started to make themselves known if the early reviews are to be believed. But as they say, the real test will be in the actual driving, when these twin vehicles are more widely available, and real people report in.
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