A friend of mine bought an RX8 R3 and let me drive it!

"RotaryLover" (rotarylover) 11/23/2016 at 16:31 • Filed to: Rx8, R3

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The moment he got in my work’s parking lot, I wet myself. The car I was having a blast 2 years ago is right in front of me with the same red. I take a look at the odometer, only 18000 km on it. Everything MINT. He revs it hard in front of me and I can feel the engine vibrating my whole body, MY WHOLE BODY! He then says: “Here! Take it for a spin and push it”. I get even more excited and laugh like a maniac inside as all the other co-workers are looking through the windows of the building to figure out who my friend is and wth is he doing with that Rx8 here. I take off...slowly. I few streets later, I push it and push it and push it.

The magic is gone... All the butterflies that I had driving this car back in 2014 are gone. I felt nothing in the steering wheel. Nothing on the exhaust. Nothing compared to the one I drove before. I don’t understand this feeling. I don’t know if it’s the winter tires, the beigeness of driving a Civic Hybrid winning me over, the fact that this car had 18k km vs 135k for the other...I can’t explain it. I’m broken. I lied and said that his car is awesome and everything before he left, but I’m no longer set on one. I’ll change my name soon.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 16:37

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That was a twist.

Invinciblejets > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 16:37

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Renesis is junk anyway....

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 16:38

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Winter tires absolutely kill the responsiveness/fun of a car on dry roads.

RotaryLover > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 11/23/2016 at 16:42

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RotaryLover > Invinciblejets 11/23/2016 at 16:42

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TAKE THAT BACK...you....you bully!

TheHondaBro > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 16:45

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Also rotaries suck.

RotaryLover > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 11/23/2016 at 16:45

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That must be it. Still, it was not raw like the one I drove. It felt like a normal RX8.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 16:46

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Hmm.. were both stock?

Also, what are the difference between the R3 and a regular RX8?

Update: From a quick google it sounds like the only performance differences are Bilstein shocks and a foam filled front crossmember to add more rigidity. Certainly things that should improve feeling, but I can’t imagine they’re earth shattering.

Could it be possible that you’re remembering the one you had in a more positive light because it was your own car and brought you so much enjoyment?

RotaryLover > TheHondaBro 11/23/2016 at 16:49

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RotaryLover > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 11/23/2016 at 17:00

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RX-8 R3 Features
Designed for the ultimate driving enthusiast, the R3 offers exclusive details that boost RX-8's already stellar performance.
- Lightweight BBS 19-inch forge aluminum alloy wheels help reduce unsprung weight without sacrificing strength
- 225/40R19 W-speed rated summmer tires help improve steering response and grip
- Side sill extensions help improve aerodynamics while giving a lower-looking stance
- Body-color rear wing adds looks and function, helping to improve high-speed stability

Step up to the R3 for firmer Bilstein shock absorbers and a urethane-foam-injected front suspension cross member that takes the R3's handling up another level. They get harder sway bars as well.

These differences alone turned it into another car. I think the R3 back in 2014 was stock (it had a MazdaSpeed exhaust through) I know the one I drove today was 100% stock. A regular RX8 would feel the same as my NC Miata I had a while back.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 17:01

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I want one tho

TheHondaBro > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 17:07

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Glad we agree here!

RotaryLover > TheHondaBro 11/23/2016 at 17:11

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I didn’t agree with anything! lol

RotaryLover > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 11/23/2016 at 17:13

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If you do get one, get a MazdaSpeed exhaust ASAP. It’s so needed in this car.

LongbowMkII > TheHondaBro 11/23/2016 at 17:15

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That is true, they suck so well they’ve been banned from most forms of Motorsport.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 17:21

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I feel like it’s a financial death trap though

RotaryLover > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 11/23/2016 at 17:27

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I’ll be honest. I’d finance it only if I had no debts and nothing to pay weekly/bi-weekly/monthly to survive. If you pay the car cash, it will be great.

Tatanko > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 17:47

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That sucks, there’s nothing worse than being let down by your expectations. On the flip side, having your expectations confirmed in a positive way is extremely gratifying. Test driving a MK7 GTI for the first time was a huge “wow” moment for me after hearing praise about the GTI for so many years.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 17:49

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Perhaps your taste is more developed.

RotaryLover > Tatanko 11/23/2016 at 18:10

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I became a Miata guy over time, I might settle with an ND. Still to see after a test drive.

Tatanko > RotaryLover 11/23/2016 at 18:23

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The Miata is on my short list of “must own” cars at some point as well. I learned to drive stick in an NB at age 13, and I’ve since driven several NA’s, NB’s, and NC’s. I’m sure the ND is a great vehicle, and I’d very much consider an RF as a daily driver with some snow tires (I live in central PA).

RotaryLover > Tatanko 11/23/2016 at 18:32

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I own an NA, owned an NC, drove an NB, drove several NAs. I’m pretty much a Miata guy aswell hahahaha. I want an ND but I’m scared of being disappointed by it.

Tapas > RotaryLover 11/24/2016 at 01:09

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Damn.....

We often idolize things in our mind. And this feeling only increases the longer we are separated. Some times things just aren’t what we want them to be.

But now, get a car that actually makes you feel the way you thought the RX-8 felt like :)

RotaryLover > Tapas 11/24/2016 at 10:13

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That’s the problem. I don’t know what can give me butterflies. I’m afraid that the ND MX5 does the same effect on me.

Tapas > RotaryLover 11/24/2016 at 12:46

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Try a Mustang GT or the F Type too :P

RotaryLover > Tapas 11/24/2016 at 14:31

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Talking about F-types, I saw one this morning on the highway. The exhaust is GLORIOUS! I don’t know about Mustangs...I don’t like crowds. lol

Tapas > RotaryLover 11/24/2016 at 14:52

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The exhaust and design made me fall in love with the Jag. Unlike the Cayman S, it’s not as nimble as I’d like. It’s more of a GT car, but the exhaust makes it fun to drive at low speeds. So maybe I won’t kill myself in a cayman, trying to drive at its high limits to get a rush? I’m torn between the two.

The Mustang is pretty cool too. Surprisingly good for the money. Also, perfect if you don’t like crowds. They’ll be run over before you know it! Lol