hello there, as you may know, i am a "newbi" here and ofcourse with loads of questions. by the way .. hi to all

The reasoning of my post is because as some of you may know mazda has once again lied to the world. The all new RX-8 does not have 247 hp as advertised, infact according to some owners with dyno tests, it doesn't even have 200 hp to the wheels, with this said, mazda has offered to buy back the car. I have one and i am thinking on returning it and purchising an STI instead. I am also considering a G35 and even a V6 coupe accord with money left over to do serious engine work.
What is your stake with the sti? is it true also that it really does not have 300 hp? would you say is worth the trade?
Thanks for your imputs

 

I think your getting a little confused about "Crank" hp and "Wheel" hp. The car manufactures, and this holds true for almost all, measure the horspower of their engine at the crank. They also don't have the alternater, power steering, or A/C connected to the engine, this means that when it is actualy put into a car those suck up a lot of power, and then even more power is lost to the transmision (having to overcome the friction involved) so when you compare the claimed Hp to the wheel Hp you have to take all that into account. Also you have to understand what conditions the car is being dyno'd in, what is the ambient pressure, whats the ambient temp, how long has the engine been running, is the intercooler and or radiator hot or cold, what fuel is it running on. All that and a **** load more will all effect the measured wheel Hp. The only time I've heard of an engine making more than the claimed Hp was on the Dodge Neon SRT-4, Dodge got the claimed Hp delibritly when the engine was running it's worst, ie. hot intercooler, hot engine, yada yada. Now personaly I have to give props to Dodge for that, if more manufacturers put the claimed horse power at what the car would do in the worst condition I would be one happy puppy.
As for the STi, the engine really does have that Hp when tested as the manufactures do it. real world though, it varies on what type of dyno you like, some say 270 @ wheels, some say 220, either way though the All wheel drive and limited slips suck up a lot of power, thats why people get underdriven pullies and sliprier transmision fluid and engine oil.

 

the ones i have seen in the dealers, don't let me do a test drive.. too bad coz i won't buy it from them. I saying is if u let me drive it and i like it, i buy it. Did that thing of buying before drive wiht the rx-8. never again

 

yeah well thanks, with this all power dilema on the mazda, i can diferentiate from crank and wheel hps. also with the diferent "sets" on the car for a Dyno. But when you get ALL of the Dynos done BELOW 200 hp, it really says something. from all over, even Japan! and europe is worse!

 

Well after my long *** explanation I did a little research so I can tell my A$$ from a cold air intake. You're totaly right, the RX-8 does have less power than claimed, Mazda realesed a statement that the reason was that there was a last minute change to the ECU to comply with emissions, and the ads never got updated. The performance data is still accurate though because that was tested with the slower of the two. They have done a noble (smart so they don't get sued) thing about it though. they have initiated a buy back program that sounds fair, and for those that will keep the car, they give you free tune-ups for the 4 year waranty, plus $500. I personaly would keep it and use that free money to give her an upgraded exhaust or something, that would bring her up to the claimed power . How awsome would that be if more companies gave you money to supe up your car! But if you're not satisfied with it right now, chances are you won't be untill you've spent way more money than you should, so if thats the case call up mazda right now tell them you want your money back, bring it to the dealer that same day, get the cash, then with a big smile ask for a lift to the nearest Suby dealer and make sure you're wearing padded shorts for when the kick you out.

 

Is not an ECU issue, there is no emissions in japan and some parts of europe. Besides $500 will take you now where in performance upgrade, even if it does, just think you could have had initial power spend that moeny to get even MORE power instead of saturating the changes posibilities.
Mazda never updated the ads, nor they will, they have said so, nor they will release the reasoning why the car has "238" instead of the 250 as they they the study "after" so many people complained due to Dyno tests. trsu me you don't want to argue about this subject with me. i have a month or more of intense research and discation with other rx-8 fellows.
But whats with this communitiy, it doesn't seem so lighten up.. or am i in the wrong forum for the sti cars?

 

Ok... here is where I got the info I used to make my post http://www.motortrend.com/features/n...s41/index.html

What are you really asking then? What car would we chose to buy? I'm pretty sure that in an impreza forum were all going to say get the STi. $500 will get you somewhere, just not very far. If you use it right it will easily get you that 12hp to make up the diffrence. But it doesn't seem like you like the RX-8 all that much so go trade it in.

 

Damn I wish I woulda bought the rx-8 when it came out. Then I would've gotten to stomp on a car for free for a month and go out and buy a new car. If only I had known.

Definitely do not take the 4 years free service and $500, with the way factory recommended service goes you would get a free oil change like every 10k miles so its not worth it. If you really like the car tho I would sell the car back to them and show up the next day to purchase the car used for a couple of grand less

Neways the STi is a great performance car, it may be a bit loud and crude compared to other more luxurious rides out there, but if all the care about is performance than this is the car for you.

 

$500 will get u 3-10 hp and will VOID the warranty.. lol..
Go for STi, its a BEAST, especially compared to RX-8 and S2000.. Its a faster ans safer car... (awd)..
Want luxury? Get 04 tl or G35 coupe...
Want race around the clock and get a bad back? Get Evo?
Want a super sports car with bawls with some luxury and more or less decent ride - get STi...
STi test drives are available EVERYWHERE, I been able to test drive it from 2 local dealers.. And oh ye, STi is available at around INVOICE price now-a-days.. That is right, INVOICE, and not MSRP.. U can prolly grab one for $29,500+tax...
Check NASIOC forums - everyone everywhere but CA been able to snap them cheap last few weeks.. $500 dealer holdback in effect now..
good luck..

 

good info, thanks i will check it the site

 

any time.. keep us in the loop..

 

Where are you located. Maybe some one with an STI may take you for a ride or let drive it if you ask.

Later
Blue

 

Sell the rx8 back. Buy an STI or a 350z/G35 IMO.

 

agreed!!!