Since the RX-8′s introduction almost eight years ago, new cars have gotten progressively quicker; family cars such as the Camry do 0-60 in under 7 seconds – and sporty coupes like the new Mustang, Camaro (not the V-8 version, the standard models with V-6s) get to 60 in 6 seconds or even less. So the RX-8′s 7 second time doesn’t sound like much. But numbers don’t tell you everything. It’s true a new Mustang V-6 or even a Camry V-6 can beat the RX-8 in a straight-up drag race. A 370Z (or a BMWZ4) will, too – easily. But even though it’s not the quickest thing on the road, the RX-8 is a treat to drive because of the unique operating characteristics of its rotary engine.
Let me try an analogy by way of explanation. If you ride motorcycles, you may have a thing for V-twins. They have their own personality that no other type of engine can replicate. An inline DOHC four may produce more power, but for some people, that doesn’t matter.
Only a twin will do.
The Mazda’s rotary engine is like that. Whenever I get a chance to drive the RX-8 I never get tired of buzzing the little chainsaw under the hood to its 9,000 RPM redline six times in succession. The only other production car that came even close was the now-retired Honda S2000 but it had a weakness – an almost dangerous lack of low-end torque. If you found yourself needing speed – or even acceleration – at say 25 MPH and you weren’t in first gear, you were in trouble. The car would literally not move until the VTEC system came on the cams at around 4,000 RPM.
But the RX-8, though no big block V-8, has enough torque down low for comfortable everyday driving. As an example, while heading up the Blue Ridge Parkway to my house – an elevation climb from about 700 feet above sea level in the valley to about 2,800 feet at the top of the ridge over the course of about eight miles – I let my speed drop to about 27 MPH in sixth gear to see what would happen. It didn’t lug and as I stared at the RX-8′s digital tach, the car began to gradually pick up speed. That was in sixth going up a fairly steep grade. Such treatment would have stalled the S2000. But the RX-8 kept moving. Not fast, but it moved – and it didn’t seem to bother the car. Drop down to 5th or fourth and it accelerated quite well, without having to spin the motor to seven or eight grand, either.
The point being, the RX-8 may not be muscle car fast but it is sports car quick – and the way it expresses its acceleration is like nothing else on the road that isn’t also a motorcycle.
Handling is exceptional. The tail doesn’t snap out, the front end doesn’t turn too quickly to the inside of a sharp curve. It’s what weekend racers lovingly call neutral. And it means you can really push this car. In the hands of someone who knows how to drive, the RX-8 is the right tool for serious work. On a road-race course, or a series of country road esses, this thing has few peers. Certainly not in the $26k range, anyhow.
Get the R3 for the ultimate experience. It adds track-day 19-inch wheels and summer tires, firmed-up suspension and Recaro sport buckets, as well as a numer of high-end add-ons such as a premium Bose stereo system, Blutooth and keyless ignition.