I got an RX8 because I have a wife and child, and they love to go for drives. Something so special about the rotary. I dont mind premixing idemitsu and using conventional oil. RX8 engines last a long time if treated right
The 86/BRZ being compared to iconic, previous gen sportscars is a testament to it being a worthwhile driver’s car. I came from a Mk 7.5 GTI and the BRZ was an approachable, obtainable option to learn rear wheel drive dynamics. Thanks for taking time to set up this comparison.
chassis = RX8 > S2K > BRZ practicality ( simply talking about storage / space etc NOT mpg ) = RX8 > BRZ > S2K engine = S2K > RX8 ( rotaries are my fav engines ) > BRZ trans = S2K > RX8 > BRZ A ported dorito with a shorter final drive and a light weight flywheel with a tune and some coilovers with proper spring rates on some decent tires is BALANCING BLISS ! plus 10k RPM ! yeah you dont get the tail happy throttle induced oversteer like you get in the s2k. but IMO , i feel like for a canyon carver / spirited weekend car.. the RX8 doesnt get the respect it deserves... I would put the setup i mentioned above ^ against a similarly setup S2k and bet it would be hard to choose after !
I have never driven an s2000 so can't really comment on that, but I have owned an RX8 since 2004 and considered selling and buying 86/BRZ, so took it for a test drive. Have to say it took a while to stop laughing at the insane wing they put on the car and concentrate on the drive. I'm afraid that 7000 rpm was just too disappointing and the drive felt a lot more loose than the RX8 , so in the end it was a yeah but nah on that swap.
RX-8 if your on a budget should be avoided. Rotary is just not reliable. How something so unreadable make it to production is beyond me. If you can borrow a good one for a week then it’s awesome just don’t own one 😅
@@MaximKDM rx8's are not that expensive to rebuild costs around 4-5k usd the main thing is to find one with a good exterior and rebuild it or swap a rx7 motor in it and boost it but thats a little bit more expensive but possibly still cheaper than the other cars main downside is fuel consumption lol
Lot of feel in the Rx8 steering wheel. But the choice of tyre impacts this greatly: It can feel dead with some rubber and alive with a different set. I love the gearbox on mine, uts pretty tight. Might be different because it's the 5 sp manual as opposed to the 6 sp in this video. A shift collar helps tighten things a lot.
The RX-8 does not have a hydraulic rack. It's electric, it just happens to be tuned well so it provides great feedback. The BRZ/GR86 has better steering feedback IMO and it's my personal favorite to drive on the backroads. I've owned all 3 of the cars in this video, so I'm very familiar with all of them.
As always, a very insightful and detailed video. I ordered or reserved 2023GR86 premium six speed manual in April and I am still waiting. I’ve always loved the S 2000 and still think I would want both cars because they are so different.
I'd buy the rx8. Rotary engine is a middle finger to the eco car crowd. Yeah I'm a rebel. Pocket the rest on blue chip stocks or a bmw 3 series for daily leaving the 8 for that 9000rpm celebration of noise on leisure days.
Nice contrast between iconic cars. No way we're getting a 9k rpm engine in a car in this price range anymore. Only thing I wish brz had is hydraulic steering assist. I hope everyone who wants to buy one can get one.
@@jubbalandcars throw 10k at one and you’ll get rebuilt motor, some nice wheels and suspension. You’re still 19k in front. Could even put a turbo on one and still have change. Then it will smoke a s2000 or brz….. and many other cars. The rx8 really are great value for money ATM. I suspect that will change once supply drys up as many will get scrapped due to cost of rebuilds
Every track I've been rx8 is raced more than both other cars. ,and wins races stock for stock...BRZ is new and the s2000 can never keep up with Mazda ...so this video is totally wrong...and most professional drivers would say rx8 is king
I'm not sure why people keep praising the S2000 as some kind of groundbreaking performance car when they are comparing it to cars completely out of its price range. When you put it in proper context it isn't anything special. Over here in Australia for example the year 2000 model S2000 cost over 70k when new (with inflation that would be 116000k today). For the record a 2002 blob eye WRX STI was only 52k. Why not put the S2000 up against cars around the 50k USD mark and see how it performs? The BRZ/GR86 are punching far above their weight.
The s2k was always an expensive car, you are right on that. But it's expensive because it has better build quality than the cars you mention I would argue, it's also a unique chassis and engine. Not based on anything else.
I've driven all three in there hay day the RX8 is dead last. I went with a 350Z at the time because I fit in it better than the S2000 and had torque for days. S2000 is a good car but think its a bit overhyped nowadays. I actually prefer the NDv2 Miata over it. S2000 has one of the greatest gearboxes but that doesn't make the car great. Honda fanboys will kill me I know. If I had $30k today Id buy a GR86 and drop the oil pan and clean the RTV off and enjoy it. Miata NDv2 would be a close second. New car warranties are underrated. I really wouldn't buy an S2000 for the prices they want nowadays. Not a $30k used car experience in my opinion. They arent bullet proof either like honda fanboys want you to think
The gearbox and the 9k revs engines does make the s2000 great combined with its agile handling. You can't buy a car like that for 30k new or used, used prices reflect that. Nobody would pay the used prices if a car would be available that offers that. I sold my s2k because I relocated to a different country and will buy another s2k once i'm settled. I still can't think of a better car. The gr86 is similar but the engine just isn't special enough.
NA + FR + JDM = ♥️
I see RX-8 content, I click. The are by no means the best car in the world, but they are a lot of fun to drive.
I got an RX8 because I have a wife and child, and they love to go for drives. Something so special about the rotary. I dont mind premixing idemitsu and using conventional oil. RX8 engines last a long time if treated right
So you don't do what you should with the oil, but then you say that they last a long time if treated well?
17:42 No, the RX8 has lower center gravity than the other two.
RX8 45.8cm
GT86 46cm
S2000 46.4cm
Kudos to you for this!
The 86/BRZ being compared to iconic, previous gen sportscars is a testament to it being a worthwhile driver’s car. I came from a Mk 7.5 GTI and the BRZ was an approachable, obtainable option to learn rear wheel drive dynamics. Thanks for taking time to set up this comparison.
chassis = RX8 > S2K > BRZ
practicality ( simply talking about storage / space etc NOT mpg ) = RX8 > BRZ > S2K
engine = S2K > RX8 ( rotaries are my fav engines ) > BRZ
trans = S2K > RX8 > BRZ
A ported dorito with a shorter final drive and a light weight flywheel with a tune and some coilovers with proper spring rates on some decent tires is BALANCING BLISS ! plus 10k RPM !
yeah you dont get the tail happy throttle induced oversteer like you get in the s2k. but IMO , i feel like for a canyon carver / spirited weekend car.. the RX8 doesnt get the respect it deserves...
I would put the setup i mentioned above ^ against a similarly setup S2k and bet it would be hard to choose after !
I have never driven an s2000 so can't really comment on that, but I have owned an RX8 since 2004 and considered selling and buying 86/BRZ, so took it for a test drive. Have to say it took a while to stop laughing at the insane wing they put on the car and concentrate on the drive. I'm afraid that 7000 rpm was just too disappointing and the drive felt a lot more loose than the RX8 , so in the end it was a yeah but nah on that swap.
I guess you drove the previous gen not the current one as there is no wing from factory on 2nd gen.
The Rx8 be stuck at 0 rpm with the engine issues :D
RX-8 if your on a budget should be avoided. Rotary is just not reliable. How something so unreadable make it to production is beyond me. If you can borrow a good one for a week then it’s awesome just don’t own one 😅
why change to coilovers and not get a wheel alignment?
The S2k is no longer a budget car 😪 prices still keep going up
Came here to say this
Never was
Rx-8 no budget too. Engine is very expensive now.
@@MaximKDM rx8's are not that expensive to rebuild costs around 4-5k usd the main thing is to find one with a good exterior and rebuild it or swap a rx7 motor in it and boost it but thats a little bit more expensive but possibly still cheaper than the other cars main downside is fuel consumption lol
Lot of feel in the Rx8 steering wheel. But the choice of tyre impacts this greatly: It can feel dead with some rubber and alive with a different set.
I love the gearbox on mine, uts pretty tight. Might be different because it's the 5 sp manual as opposed to the 6 sp in this video. A shift collar helps tighten things a lot.
Fantastic review Dr Jubbal!!!
Shouldda been a 350z instead of the S2K... you can find a sub 10k 350z all day every day.... it's almost impossible to find a sub 20k S2000
No
@@f.m7494outstanding argument. Very well reasoned and articulated.
A clapped out trumpet
Man why does everyone get the rx8 weight wrong? 3000 is the auto, that 6 speed is 2800
NO STOCK RX8 has ever weighed 2800 lbs. they are all just over 3000
@@fredyounes1279 okay, can you show me the weight cert
thats what I thought@@fredyounes1279 you cant prove that, no one can, yet I have a video of the car on scales at 2850
Good video. Agree with your comments about handling characteristics. From a former ap1 owner
good content, thx! Would be good to update the BRZ steering differences when it gets a good setup on the coilovers and proper alignment.
The RX-8 does not have a hydraulic rack. It's electric, it just happens to be tuned well so it provides great feedback. The BRZ/GR86 has better steering feedback IMO and it's my personal favorite to drive on the backroads. I've owned all 3 of the cars in this video, so I'm very familiar with all of them.
13:29 is already corrected to say EPAS
Do you think the steering of brz in some way is upgradable?
As always, a very insightful and detailed video. I ordered or reserved 2023GR86 premium six speed manual in April and I am still waiting. I’ve always loved the S 2000 and still think I would want both cars because they are so different.
did this car have any mods on the exhaust?
I'd buy the rx8. Rotary engine is a middle finger to the eco car crowd. Yeah I'm a rebel. Pocket the rest on blue chip stocks or a bmw 3 series for daily leaving the 8 for that 9000rpm celebration of noise on leisure days.
Thats exackly why i have one 🎉😂 and i also think it is better then the 86 and the 370 z (talking about corner speed)
No, you will need the rest of the money for maintenance, rebuild or buy new engine. They are not cheap for no reasons.
Nice contrast between iconic cars. No way we're getting a 9k rpm engine in a car in this price range anymore. Only thing I wish brz had is hydraulic steering assist. I hope everyone who wants to buy one can get one.
whered you get that front bumper on the rx8 from
I think that bumper is from FEED, Japanese well known rotary tuning shop.
2012 rx8 spirit R jdm will be the best in the much and cost similar too ,
Spirit R dont change nothing in performance, and only was selled in Japan.
And the cost would be high, is a special edition of 1000 units.
rx8 has electronic steering ..... was this changed out ??
It’s EPAS. See correction at 13:29
I fully trust the review from a doctor, surgical doctor?
13:33 amen
Would be very interested to see an ND2 in these comparisons
You can get rx8 for a grand so value for money cant be beat
Those rx8s for $1k aren’t going to be great condition
@@jubbalandcars throw 10k at one and you’ll get rebuilt motor, some nice wheels and suspension. You’re still 19k in front. Could even put a turbo on one and still have change. Then it will smoke a s2000 or brz….. and many other cars.
The rx8 really are great value for money ATM. I suspect that will change once supply drys up as many will get scrapped due to cost of rebuilds
Every track I've been rx8 is raced more than both other cars. ,and wins races stock for stock...BRZ is new and the s2000 can never keep up with Mazda ...so this video is totally wrong...and most professional drivers would say rx8 is king
We get it you have an RX8
I'm not sure why people keep praising the S2000 as some kind of groundbreaking performance car when they are comparing it to cars completely out of its price range. When you put it in proper context it isn't anything special. Over here in Australia for example the year 2000 model S2000 cost over 70k when new (with inflation that would be 116000k today). For the record a 2002 blob eye WRX STI was only 52k. Why not put the S2000 up against cars around the 50k USD mark and see how it performs? The BRZ/GR86 are punching far above their weight.
The s2k was always an expensive car, you are right on that. But it's expensive because it has better build quality than the cars you mention I would argue, it's also a unique chassis and engine. Not based on anything else.
Not everyone lives in Australia fool!
In the US a clean S2000 has the same value as a new Miata and GR86 they’re all around the $30k range
RX8 does not have a hydraulic power steering rack. It is electric power steering, just like the S2000.
The video already has that written on the screen
@jubbalandcars sorry I must have missed that
I’ll choose the 86 in this scenario ⛩️🎋🇯🇵
Yup, as a FRS owner since 2013... the car is legit. Plenty of aftermarket parts too if you want down to the rabbit hole
The 2004 RX8 DOES NOT have hydraulic steering IT IS elctric PAL
Aaaand we already knew that. 13:29
I've driven all three in there hay day the RX8 is dead last. I went with a 350Z at the time because I fit in it better than the S2000 and had torque for days. S2000 is a good car but think its a bit overhyped nowadays. I actually prefer the NDv2 Miata over it. S2000 has one of the greatest gearboxes but that doesn't make the car great. Honda fanboys will kill me I know. If I had $30k today Id buy a GR86 and drop the oil pan and clean the RTV off and enjoy it. Miata NDv2 would be a close second. New car warranties are underrated. I really wouldn't buy an S2000 for the prices they want nowadays. Not a $30k used car experience in my opinion. They arent bullet proof either like honda fanboys want you to think
Coming from a huge miata fan, i ended up with a s2000. Its a overall better car for me IMO.
The gearbox and the 9k revs engines does make the s2000 great combined with its agile handling. You can't buy a car like that for 30k new or used, used prices reflect that. Nobody would pay the used prices if a car would be available that offers that. I sold my s2k because I relocated to a different country and will buy another s2k once i'm settled. I still can't think of a better car. The gr86 is similar but the engine just isn't special enough.
They are bulletproof, mines done over 150000kms on the track and it’s still going strong
this is not a real video bahahahah $4k car with a year or 2 of life vs a $10k car vs a $15k car
with $30k you could buy like 5 rx8s like wtf