- May 18, 2001
- 24,117
- 2
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Off to the dealer later to check out this bad boy and finally lay to rest my curiosity.
If I like it I'll be getting one around Feb '04
It's this or an STi(UK spec) right now. Or maybe a 98 E36 M3 Evo Cab....dammit, this isn't easy.
+++++++
OK. Heres the report:
I have been full of aprehension leading up to this car becoming reality. I have been interested in the Evolv concept for ages and have even been close to buying a gen 3 RX7.
Exterior:
To actually see the car was great. The thing really does look as astounding in reality as it does on paper. More so, even. The Front wings(fenders) have a great 'drop off' that reminds me of the last 70's Corvette. The 18" wheels fill the arches just right.
The detail that has been applied beggars belief for the money. For example the rear lights. Yeah they are 'Altezza' style, but done right. The two bars you see on the outer edge of each cluster have LED's embedded in them.
The car I tested was lightning silver. It looked good but would not be my choice.
Interior:
The test car had all the options. There are not many to be had, but it had them. Leather and Sat Nav. All else (apart from moon/sun roof) is standard on UK spec cars. Hence the deal. The Sat Nav was OK but I can use a map and at £1200 (£1 = $1.69) I will be using maps.
The interior detail is again fantastic. Bear in mind I have driven or owned Porsche, Benz, BMW, VW etc. The seats in both Leather AND cloth trim are all you could ask for. Supportive, firm but comfortable, with full adjustment. The rotary shape in the head restraint is a nice touch and is also on the cloth seats too. Real aluminium touches, such as internal door release, add the touch of luxury you may not expect from a Mazda.
The dials, when the car is a rest after opening the door, are lit by a dusky dark blue glow from somewhere above the dial pack. This looks cool in a mennacing sort of way. Like you are about to unleash a beast from beyond. When fired up, they fade up to a bright white on black, with the tacho being the biggest and central dial. The cluster itself is Porsche all over and they should expect a patent infringement anytime soon.
Bose stereo with in dash 6 disc CD, nice. Single strip info bar in red is cool, all buttons/switches are clear and feel good.
The Drive:
With the Backbone style chassis like the S3 RX7, a front strut brace, a 'super' LSD and all major parts inbound, including the motor the car feels very well weighted. BUT, even though we have had two weeks plus of clear cold autumn weather, it had to rain today:|, so I was not able to push it to the max on bends.
I did however test the salesmans underwear by getting the back out on a roundabout(Google is your friend) which the car obliged even with the two stage traction system fully engaged. Nice to know that some safe fun can be had.
The acceleration is toppy like teh S2000, and as with this sort of territory you should not rely solely on torque. Wring it's neck and get the best out of it.
Super cool point to note: The RX8 has a shift beep about 500 Rpm before the limiter. How cool is that? Beats an aftermarket shift light any day!(I know, I know, I can hear it now "....You broke the welds on your intake...")
The shift is excellnt. Slick, even on this brand new example, and will be familliar to anyone who has ever shifted an MX5(Miata).
It gathers pace quickly and I got it up to just over 90MPH in the wet, and it felt solid and very capable.
I'm really having trouble justifying anything else right now...
If I like it I'll be getting one around Feb '04
It's this or an STi(UK spec) right now. Or maybe a 98 E36 M3 Evo Cab....dammit, this isn't easy.
+++++++
OK. Heres the report:
I have been full of aprehension leading up to this car becoming reality. I have been interested in the Evolv concept for ages and have even been close to buying a gen 3 RX7.
Exterior:
To actually see the car was great. The thing really does look as astounding in reality as it does on paper. More so, even. The Front wings(fenders) have a great 'drop off' that reminds me of the last 70's Corvette. The 18" wheels fill the arches just right.
The detail that has been applied beggars belief for the money. For example the rear lights. Yeah they are 'Altezza' style, but done right. The two bars you see on the outer edge of each cluster have LED's embedded in them.
The car I tested was lightning silver. It looked good but would not be my choice.
Interior:
The test car had all the options. There are not many to be had, but it had them. Leather and Sat Nav. All else (apart from moon/sun roof) is standard on UK spec cars. Hence the deal. The Sat Nav was OK but I can use a map and at £1200 (£1 = $1.69) I will be using maps.
The interior detail is again fantastic. Bear in mind I have driven or owned Porsche, Benz, BMW, VW etc. The seats in both Leather AND cloth trim are all you could ask for. Supportive, firm but comfortable, with full adjustment. The rotary shape in the head restraint is a nice touch and is also on the cloth seats too. Real aluminium touches, such as internal door release, add the touch of luxury you may not expect from a Mazda.
The dials, when the car is a rest after opening the door, are lit by a dusky dark blue glow from somewhere above the dial pack. This looks cool in a mennacing sort of way. Like you are about to unleash a beast from beyond. When fired up, they fade up to a bright white on black, with the tacho being the biggest and central dial. The cluster itself is Porsche all over and they should expect a patent infringement anytime soon.
Bose stereo with in dash 6 disc CD, nice. Single strip info bar in red is cool, all buttons/switches are clear and feel good.
The Drive:
With the Backbone style chassis like the S3 RX7, a front strut brace, a 'super' LSD and all major parts inbound, including the motor the car feels very well weighted. BUT, even though we have had two weeks plus of clear cold autumn weather, it had to rain today:|, so I was not able to push it to the max on bends.
I did however test the salesmans underwear by getting the back out on a roundabout(Google is your friend) which the car obliged even with the two stage traction system fully engaged. Nice to know that some safe fun can be had.
The acceleration is toppy like teh S2000, and as with this sort of territory you should not rely solely on torque. Wring it's neck and get the best out of it.
Super cool point to note: The RX8 has a shift beep about 500 Rpm before the limiter. How cool is that? Beats an aftermarket shift light any day!(I know, I know, I can hear it now "....You broke the welds on your intake...")
The shift is excellnt. Slick, even on this brand new example, and will be familliar to anyone who has ever shifted an MX5(Miata).
It gathers pace quickly and I got it up to just over 90MPH in the wet, and it felt solid and very capable.
I'm really having trouble justifying anything else right now...
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