2009 RX-8 first up close look... and I mean up close

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Okay, so many of you have seen the pics from the autoshow:

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/rsquared78/NAIAS2008/IMG_0998.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/rsquared78/NAIAS2008/IMG_1000.jpg

But this morning I show up bright and early 10 ish... whatever... and lo and behold looky what I parked beside:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00655.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00657.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00656.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00661.jpg

Btw. I know I need a wash, so stop the hating.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00658.jpg

But, check this out, what is missing in this picture??:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00659.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/Jafarthebiz/DSC00660.jpg

So mazda drops off an un-'VIN'ed 2009 RX-8 GS so we can do a some field studies..

To answer the frist question to come up.. No, it isn't available for test drives.

To answer the second question, it drives just like the 2008.

[mleblond]

Same engine as previous model I suppose? I think the new redesign is for 2012 or something like that? They really need to do something with that engine IMO.

2 main reason that made me buy the speed3 over RX8.

1. Speed3 is faster than the RX8
2 RX8 has next to nothing in trunk space (hockey bag)

But you turn more eyes with the rx8 than a 3....gotta love the sleeper look ;)

[Kevin@nextmod]

The RX8 sounds very very nice when is reved up. Also handling is just amazing. And i also love the high rpm engine.

[Malcolm991]

I love the looks but I had an RX7 back in the day with alot of engine problems [ apex seal ] and it left a sour taste and Mazda still use the 13b, dont they?

[3GFX]

Interesting....my first question....other than the look whats the differance?

Second question....why does it have the old wheels? Biz did you steal the 09's for new summer rims?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Biz did you steal the 09's for new summer rims?

:pop


Actually this one is a GS, I am not sure if both get the new wheels and they shipped this one like this, or the GS has the old wheels.. not sure yet.

[sunnyhomeboy]

i would pick this over the 350z.

[Kevin@nextmod]

^^ Price wise? Yes.. But power wise...No
And looks.. I'm stuck in between, because i like both

[RallyPlaya]

Yeah im seriously interested in this car 2 years down the road.... I Like it because its sporty but also soo functional with the 4 Seats.... im looking to see if i can grab a demo when the time comes. MOT had a Demo Rx8 with 13.000 $ off bet someone bought that

[mogul_pro]

That looks GREAT!

Really like the rx8, but man.. when you look on autotrader and see how cheap they sell for used with very few kilometers on them... really turns me away from buying one new when you can get a two year old one with 20-30k on it for over 15 grand (or even more sometimes..) cheaper...

[Skarbro]

Can this one be started using Wolverine's claws? Or have they worked out that problem?

[sunnyhomeboy]

I Like it because its sporty but also soo functional with the 4 Seats....


+1

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Can this one be started using Wolverine's claws? Or have they worked out that problem?

I think they fixed it earlier..

Recall - SSA75 - SSP75

[Cudgel]

I think the RX8 is a great car and I like the new revisions that Mazda has done to exterior and interior. I wished they did something with the rotary engine though (needs a bit more power) but i think that is coming in 2011/2012 with a new 16x rotary engine that supposed to put out about 300hp.

The rear seats are very comfortable for adults, amazing sound when reved to 9K rpm (especially with an intake) which sounds like a jet engine & amazing handling.

There are some drawbacks on this car though. Not a good choice for city dwellers as it drink gas like crazy even if you shift below 4k rpm and it's thirsty for engine oil all the time so you'll need to keep a bottle of engine oil in the trunk just in case.

Other than that, it's a sweet car!

[dumpbear]

LED tails look really nice. I never really liked the old ones - too wingy; a bit awkward... now, much better...

[Zaku_4]

hmm

looks interesting, always liked the rx8.

whats the assumed pricing on these?

as others have mentioned, like the mx5, the car isnt fast. though it "feels" fast lol. i wish it WAS fast. then again these 2 cars were mainly about handling.

hey bizz, can u get interior shots? the interior sells me on cars lol

[Jeff-TheBiz]

hey bizz, can u get interior shots? the interior sells me on cars lol

I was going to, but really the inside looks almost exactly like an 08..

I will try tomorrow.

[Speedy2008]

Wow! Awesome! Now that's a great job perk. I would give up my health and dental insurance for benefits like yours.

[Zaku_4]

I was going to, but really the inside looks almost exactly like an 08..

I will try tomorrow.

if thats the case then its okay!

i remember sitting in a gs or gx? dont remmeber, the interior really put me off.

it was all shiney plastics, quite surprising for this kinda car.

[p-o-g-i]

Jeff, you're not helping my situation here :flaming

I just got over not getting the RX-8, and then I see this thread :bang

hahaha... it's all good. Gives me more of a reason to just work on my 3....

[raggs]

At least someone at Mazda is on the ball; it's got winter shoes even if they are Blizzaks!

[iconicrocket]

Why don't Mazda put the same 2.3L turbo in the RX-8? You get more power and higher reliability, atleast make it an option.

[RallyPlaya]

Why don't Mazda put the same 2.3L turbo in the RX-8? You get more power and higher reliability, atleast make it an option.

Because one of the focus points of the Rx8 is the Rotary Engine take that away and the Rx8 is not the same.... plus that will take away from the Speed 3 market Sales I Do agree they should make a faster version...... like a 300Hp RX8 that would sell

[3GFX]

Don't forget the weight savings of the rotary compared to the 2.3.

If anything, why don't they use the rotary from the Furai!

[Cudgel]

Because one of the focus points of the Rx8 is the Rotary Engine take that away and the Rx8 is not the same.... plus that will take away from the Speed 3 market Sales I Do agree they should make a faster version...... like a 300Hp RX8 that would sell

Also, it will throw the near 50/50 balance of the car out the window. Remember, the RX8 was built from the ground up.

The next generation rotary engine is the 16X and is supposed to have 300hp. It might even be a hybrid electric/rotary engine. The electric engine would help improve the weak torque in the current car.

[Cudgel]

Don't forget the weight savings of the rotary compared to the 2.3.

If anything, why don't they use the rotary from the Furai!

The Furai is using a 3 rotor engine which I don't think comes close to passing emmissions.