Porsche 911 vs Mazda RX8

This is an unfair comparison.  The cheapest 911 on the market will probably be just over $20k and the most expensive RX8 one can find would be not much more than $10k but do they serve the same purpose? 

Both are technically 4 seaters with the RX8 having the advantage of two suicide doors and room for 4 adults, whereas the 911 is great for two and a child still in their car seat.  Both offer incredible handling and fun back road prowess.  Both engines love to rev, but the way they bring the power to the wheels is totally different.  And both have a loyal following of hard-core enthusiasts that will argue for days on how their car is the best.

Today, we took a drive in two examples - a factory original 2004 (the first year of introduction) Mazda RX8 and a 2001 Porsche 911 C4 (all-wheel drive).  We drove some fast country back roads then swapped cars and came back the opposite direction.  Then we compared our notes and thoughts on each car and decided which we would keep if given the choice.

THE 911

Just entering the car, the seating position is low and sporty with comfortable bolsters and support from the front seats.  The pedals, like in every 911, are positioned towards the center of the car making a different seating position from other cars but is quick to get used to.  The steering wheel and shifter fall naturally to hand and the visibility is excellent all around.  Turning the key, one hears the rear-engine sound that is unmistakable for a flat-6 Porsche.  The clutch take up is light, yet the shifter is slightly notchy.  Power is immediate and the car pulls hard all the way to redline with torque available at all RPMs.  The ride is firm, supple and the steering is immediate.  Entering corners, the driver can place the front tires wherever they want and make adjustments throughout the corner and the car just follows suit.  This is a very confidence inspiring car to drive fast and there are no handling quirks or surprises - it just does what is asked and comes back for more.  High speeds in the 911 are very natural feeling and I often surprised myself when looking down at the speedometer and seeing that I should slow down since I was on public roads.

Looks are subjective but the public knows what a 911 is and any generation is sure to stand out in the crowd.  This particular model, lowered on factory wheels and a speed dependent ducktail spoiler, looks muscular and svelte at the same time.  

THE RX8

The seating position is higher in the Mazda yet still comfortable.  The steering wheel and shifter fall quickly to hand and it is a very natural driving position.  Visibility isn’t as good as the 911, but the front flared fenders make it easy to tell where the end of the hood is and where the front corners are.  The clutch is very light and the shifter is sublime -  easy shifting, crisp throws and very easy to get used to.  The power is different as evidenced by the 9000 RPM redline and the smooth feel of the rotary engine.  60 mph comes up in 2nd gear and 3rd gear gets the car to over 80mph with no drama - the engine loves to rev and is smooth all the way throughout the RPM range.  One has to work to exert the power so thankfully, the quick shifting mechanism makes that a happy task.  Since much of the power comes at higher RPMs, passing maneuvers usually involve downshifting 2 or 3 gears to get into the powerband.  Cornering is great in the RX8, but there isn’t as much feel in the steering wheel as in the 911.  It will get through any corner very well and without drama, it just doesn’t feel as connected to the driver when driving these back to back.  Just like the 911, there are no surprises or quirks in the handling of the RX8 - it goes where you want it and it feels very nimble.   Driving the RX8 is very fun though and the high redline makes it an excellent back roads partner without enough speed or power to get into trouble. 

The looks of the RX8 are or aren't’ pleasing to the eye depending on which angle it is being viewed from.  The front view is aggressive with its flared fenders, squinty headlights and muscular stance.  The 4 doors are well-camouflaged as most passerbys would probably think it was just a two door coupe.  

THE VERDICT:

If we are only going to keep one of these cars, it would be the 911.  There is a certain ‘soul’ that makes driving the Porsche feel like a special occasion.   The rotary motor is incredibly fun to rev and to listen to as it crescendos up to its redline, but the 911 just tugs at your heart with ample power throughout its range and a mechanical connection that is absent in the Mazda.  Add in the incredible steering precision of the 911 and the solid feel of the suspension and the answer is clear.  There is a reason why the slogan “Porsche - there is no substitute’ was coined.