Test drove the Mazda 6, Subaru Legacy GT Ltd. sedan, and of course the new GTO (was in the same autopark as the Subaru dealership...). If I had it to do over, I would go with the Subaru! Great balance, AWD, great response (detuned STi) and will probaby hold up alot longer than the 8, but the finance guy was an arogant butt...
I've been tracking the 8 on the RX-8club.com enthusiast group for the better part of a year, and Mazda has been very proactive in addressing owner problems and concerns. The dealership I went through has a great reputation for service (they have two excellent rotary mechanics-there is a large population of rotary fanatics in this area).
Despite the mis-stated horsepower debacle (250 downrated to 238...
), the 8 is perfectly balanced (50/50) and handles very well. Power is substantially better than the aged 'tour...and besides, if you look at the rear valance around the exhaust pipes, it looks like the SVT rear end!!!
Art
