Why is the Mazda Rx-8's "suicide doors" considered unique?

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: EatSpam

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Because its a sports coupe.

Still not unique. The Saturn SC series and the Ion Coupe are both "sporty" coupes. The Ion Redline coupe is easly as fast as the RX-8.

The Ion is not even remotely in the same class as the RX-8.


edit: I'm not going to play the "around the tracK" argument, because it's a load of crap. Most cars, with a stiff and upgraded-enough suspension, will hang with a sports car around a track. The issue is that the Ion (1) is not quiet enough, (2) is not rear wheel drive, (3) does not have as nice of an interior, (4) is a tarted up $12K economy car.

Hah! Anything to justify your arguments right?
Nice of an interior? not quiet enough? 12k car? What does this have to do with performance.
Boy I'd hate to get to be in an argument with you over that.

You're right. My arguments have absolutely nothing to do with performance. I clearly mentioned that fact in a later post.

The OP asked why the RX-8 was considered unique. Some chimed in that the Ion redline also had suicide doors, making the RX-8 not unique. My point was that Mazda was first to this particular market segment, which is what made the RX-8 unique.

There is more to a vehicle than just basic performance. The Ion Redline and RX-8 might have similar performance in absolute numbers, but the RX-8 has other qualities that put it into another market segment. Despite the performance similarities, the two are not in the same class (because of cost, interior and ride quality, etc).

 

[Pepsi90919]

spider

 

[glenn1]

Because Japanese cars are what's "in" right now

Mazda (a.k.a. Ford Motors subsidiary) is about as Japanese as the sushi shrinkwrapped in styrofoam trays at the local Food Lion.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: glenn1

Because Japanese cars are what's "in" right now

Mazda (a.k.a. Ford Motors subsidiary) is about as Japanese as the sushi shrinkwrapped in styrofoam trays at the local Food Lion.

I still think Mazdas are the best Ford cars on the road. My wife has a Mazda 3s and I have a Ford Contour SVT. We both like her car better, overall. It has some nice design elements and was a better performance value. Time will tell how many years it lasts, but I'll tell ya this, my Ford is just over 7 years old and it is literally falling apart - and I've babied this thing. Pieces of exterior trim has just fallen off. Various power actuators just randomly die. Speedometer and odometer just stop working. Fuel guage doesn't work right (goes in REVERSE). Engine has a stalling problem that three trips to two dealers couldn't fix. The list goes on...

 

[Blazin Trav]

RX8 is ****** anyways, so who cares?

 

[loic2003]

RX8 is a decent car which is revvy as hell. Different type of engine: you've got to learn how to use it properly. It's the flip side to heavy, torquey v6/v8's which is why a lot of yanks don't 'get it'. Same difference as comparing a two-stroke with a four-stroke bike, or a v-twin or straight four.... totally different behaviours whihc need to be mastered before the full potential and required driving/riding style can be achieved.