Hi guys,
been a long time since i\'ve used forums but I think with such a special breed of car it makes absolute sense to get in amongst the community and what better place to do it! I\'m 24 this year and decided I was going to take my Mazda addiction to the next level...I have always owned japanese cars right from the outset but in the last few years my Mazda affinity had grown and grown.
2 years ago I bought a 2004 SVT Sport MX5, it was nice..it had bilstein dampers, a torsen LSD and a 6 speed box. Though underpowered it taught me how to drive a RWD car and learn the respect that comes with that. I did a few trackdays at Snetterton and then I caught the bug.
A year ago I went to my local Mazda dealer and bought
a 2011 Sport Tech Roadster, I adored the car, I had heard alot of negativity around the NC model but with the new facelift model echoed the spec of my last car. It had Bilstein dampers, again a 6spd box and more power than I was used to in the form of the 2.0l 160ps engine. It had a Retractable hard top and I splashed out on a numberplate MX05GRG. I felt like the cat that got the cream. Then it happened.....
My Dad purchased an RX8 R3..what an aggressive looking car, I loved it. Needless to say I was pretty jealous, but he let me drive down to Goodwood FOS which was the best driving experience ever. However stiff the chassis of the MX5, the R3 was better, however linear the power of my MX5, the R3 was smoother. It was then I realised that the RX8 was the bigger better brother that led by example.
My Dad sadly traded in his R3 due to change in circumstance but I haven\'t been able to get them out of my mind since, paranoid that there were no more registered after 2010 and would I be able to nab a good example before they all disappear. So last weekend I went to Northampton Motors and put a deposit down. I haven\'t slept properly this week in anticipation of Saturday morning, I have ummed and ahhh\'d but I am confident that I am doing the right thing and come lunchtime Saturday I\'ll be driving the car I\'ve always wanted home and deliberately taking the long way back.
I wanted to come meet you all this weekend at Japfest and planned to drive straight to Castle Coombe from Northant\'s but after consideration I think I\'d best get her home and come to one of the evening meets in the future :) I will also update this post with some pictures that evening.
So now you know my life story I look forward to chatting and meeting you all in the future, Greg! :Typing
Welcome to the Rotary Addicts Club; sorry, I meant MRC :Giggle
As someone who bought an RX-8 nearly 8 years ago, and now jointly owns a 1983 RX-7 1st Gen too, beware of the slippery slope of rotary ownership...
I love taking my RX-8 on track, and will be doing that with lots of others at Castle Combe on Saturday.
We\'ve got a thread on here with details of a full OPL trackday at Snetterton inn July. Why not see if you can come along, if not to drive than meet up for a chat and take some passenger sessions? We had a great time at Snetterton last year - have a look over ON THIS LINK (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72072&highlight=snetterton) for some in car videos for the RX-8\'s on track (R3 included).
Hope to meet you sometime.
Welcome to the MRC dude... You have got yOurself a nice car now enjoy it... It\'s a shame your not taking the long way back Via Japfest though... (you know you want to)
Welcome to MRC Greg! :wave
The RX-8 and especially the R3 are awesome cars - I\'m sure you will be very happy with your choice. Hopefully see you at a meet very soon (please tell me you choose a different colour to blue? ;):Giggle )
welcome to mrc:driving
Look forward to seeing your R3 sometime :wave
As promised got some pics, sorry about quality taken in low light!
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/YT59DVP/IMG_2251.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/YT59DVP/IMG_2226.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/YT59DVP/IMG_2237.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/YT59DVP/IMG_2257.jpg)
Yay it\'s Sunlight Sliver - I don\'t think I\'ve seen one that colour in the flesh? Looks very nice and the photos are great - even in low light.
Not sure what you\'re doing in the second pic? :chat
nice rx8! its the road tax that puts me off buying 1
Welcome! Don\'t know how I missed this thread Greg! Hope you\'re fully enjoying your Rexhood :-)
Good to see your enjoying the R3, you will have already found its a different animal to the MX-5 :Thumbsup!