So I decided to take a test drive during my lunch break so i could write a nice review for all of you.
After going on Saturday with musashi and NOT being able to test drive one that the dealer was going to sell to me way under the MSRP I felt kinda empty (MSRP of 32,000 with every package available, manual, for only 27,000). So today i went to the dealer by my office and filled that void.
First Glance:
It's very Sleek and Sexy, it's just how I like my women Curvey
The Front has a mean look especially at night with those yellow beams on. The one I tested was a base model which ran for 26,800, so it didnt have the wing, side skirts, or front lip as well as not having a sunroof or manual traction control ::sigh:: Personally I find it more attactive with at least a wing but for the price what can you do? The rims were beautiful, especially compared to the other rims on the other cars. Just looking at the car made me want to drift it in the parking lot, the body design looked like it was ready for every and any corner, I just couldnt wait to get inside.
Interior:
A Luxiorious sports car, 4 bucket seats that will just make you melt when you sit in them, even if you get the cloth. The speedo was very beautifly lit up for you to see, though it is electronic. The design of the stereo system was cool and had quite a few gadgets to play with. Those of you who say a true sports car is a 2 door 2 seater let me put it to you this way, this car weighs less then the 350z which is its competitor and fits that definition and with it's suicide doors the driver never has to move his/her seat to allow someone to enter. Plus the 2 extra seats, which can fit 2 full grown adults with legroom, allows 2 more people for you to make scream out "oh shit!" when you are drifting a corner.
The Ride :
So I hop in the car with the dealer and turn on the engine. It doesnt have the loud "vroom" start up but that's okay considering it's a 1.3 and it revs to 9k (manual only) I take it out of the lot and start to play with it a bit. I move it from side to side testing the suspension and response, Excellent. While I'm driving I don't seem to feel the road as badly as the 350 which is good in by my standards, so my ass wont take a beating. I shift through all the gears except 6th to see the clutch and transmission. It responds similar to the 350 as far as the clutch and tranny go, no suprise there.
The fun part. I see if the dealer will let me take it through the roads behind the dealership, he says fine which it really good for me. I get to a straight away and punch it, the tires screech as I go through 1st, I'm pushed back into my seat as I take it up to 8,500 RPMs and shift it to 2nd, breaking traction. Again I take it to 8,500 and shift to 3rd. I'm already going 75 so I decide to slow it down before this guy says something. I think to myself, damn and I had 3 more gears to go through. We get to a turn so I down shift to 2nd and the car glides through the corner with very little body roll, unlike the Z where the back tends to come out. The next corner was just like the first, applying the 50/50 balancing that mazda had created. After each corner the car recovered very nicely showing that the loss of torque doesnt really bother much.
Pros :
50/50 balancing allows for easy and fun cornering, same price as the Z so its just wich one favors you better. The high revs make it feel like a never ending rollercoaster which is accompanied with very nice pedals that allow for easy heel and toeing
Cons :
For a 1.3 it has the gas mialage of a 3.5 getting 19/25 to the gallon. As a daily driving through the city car you dont get to enjoy the full open throtle much (unless you drive at night like me) The price can reach up to 34,000 if you add more stuff like leather and manual traction control as well as the body kits.
Verdit:
I loved it. For a car with 159Ibs of torque it does pack a punch since it doesnt have alot to move making 0-60 a breeze to 5.9 and 1/4 of 14.5 (though I have seen lower and higher due to driver). The low to the ground body never made me feel out of control. Though this is a highway car and was made to live on the track it is still fun to drive around the city and wave at people when you are going sideways. There arent many differences between this and the Z so as I said before, it's what fancies you, But in my opinion I'd rather have the RX-8 because the less body roll does help me on the track.