2/13    Anyone know what the availability of the new Mazda RX-8 is?  Do you
        have to get on some sort of six month waiting list, like when the
        new Mini Cooper came out?
        \_ Whatever you do, don't get a car like Mini, RX-8, or whatever with
           an automatic transmission (even those with a manual shift mode
           like Triptronic, Steptronic, etc.). The big difference is the
           use of a torque converter as opposed to a dry clutch. If you get
           a sports car, you've simply lost power by virtue of running
           your engine output through a torque converter. The only
           exception is if you get one of those sequential manual gearboxes
           offered only on BMW, MR2, and Ferarri.
           \_ Actually Audi also has a good one on the TT 3.2.
        \_ Totally random question, but what's its engine's compression ratio?
           \_ An engine's compression ratio is how much the gas in the
              cylinder gets compressed from the time the piston is in the
              down position to the point where the piston crests. Higher
              ratios lead to higher power output but it also takes more
              energy to compress the gas.
              \_ I knew all that.  I just wanted the number.
           \_ 10.0:1, though that is not an official Mazda number.  The rotary
              engine gets 238 hp out of just 1.3 liters in the 6 speed manual
              version.
              \_ Horsepower is like the Megahertz for cars. More important
                 is how wide the engine's torque band is and how much power
                 is produce throughout that range. As I understand, the RX-8
                 rotary engine doesn't kick in until some very high RPM.
                 \_ I heard this exact thing when I was flipping channels
                    and saw a review of the RX-8 on the speed channel
              \_ Well I knew rotaries have great power/displacement, but as I
                 understand it they're usually pretty inefficient because they
                 have a low compression ratio.
                 \_ Yeah, could be.  Apparently you need to rev it really high
                    to get good accelleration, like 4500rpm at least.  It
                    redlines at 8500.  I want to test drive it though!  There
                    aren't many cars in that class anymore due to the disease
                    of gigantor-ism that seems to have infected the car market,
                    and I want to check them all out.
                    \_ I drove the AT and it was pretty pathetic. I did notice
                       that the engine was pretty weak until you reved it up
                       and even then it was still weak. I'm sure the MT would
                       be much better but I was less than impressed with the
                       overall feel of the car (aside from engine power).
                       \_ What about the Acura RSX-S?  Basically an Integra
                          reborn, right?
                          \_ Well, I did write something until someone
                             deleted it and other motd postings. Anyway,
                             RSX-X is just like a glorified civic. It's
                             cheap on the inside and their clutch is very
                             difficult to play with. I considered the RSX-S
                             until I test drove one and walked out very
                             unimpressed. If you have nothing better to
                             do one weekend, it wouldn't hurt to test drive.
                          \_ FWD civic. Ok haha but seriously FWD sporty cars
                             are a bit lame.
                    \_ Plus you're revving your wankel...
           \_ A 1.3L rotary is comparable in displacement to a 2.6L
              4-stroke.