RX8 Discontinued?

[Christopher W.]

Until Mazda gets there head out of their asses with those stupid cartoon smile front ends they will only be chic cars.

I am not holding my breath for any company that insists on forcing cartoon cars on the public.

[Whizbang]

really, i couldnt blame them for giving up in a sense. The rotary hasnt really been profitable since what? The 80s? The final Rx7 had a bad reputation with the public and the new Rx8 faired only slightly better. Especially consdiering that have the Mx-5. Companies do not seem to fair well with more than one "sports car" and the Mx-5 sells many times better. Especially since the MZR is a great engine.

I like Mazda, and ill likely stay within their realm (they have great contingency) but i doubt we will see another rotary car from them. At least anything affordable. Might be like the new GT-R. High priced and rarely sold.

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by reddozen

Don't believe a word you hear from Mazda reps at the Nashville auto show... lol. I made them look pretty stupid in front of a group of people last time they were here. I have fun with the nelson Mazda guys from time to time too... it's sad how pathetic Mazda North America is. They know so little about their own cars that it's no wonder they don't sell any more than they do.

The Shinari is essentially the new Mazda 6, so no rotary (VERY unlikely). There won't even be a hint at the next RX car till the new CX5 is announced since the rotary always shares the CX5 chassis. It'll be a couple years till the CX5 is announced.

The CX5 has been announced and it's a crossover. I presume you mean it shares a chassis with the MX5.

Why would you make the Mazda guys look stupid? So an enthusiast knows more about their cars than a salesman... yay? Way to help out the brand... Anyways, it's not like Mazda is unique is having uninformed salesmen. Their job isn't to know the wheelbase, hp, gearing, displacement, etc., that's for the mechanics/engineers. Their job is to know people and how to manipulate them into buying a car. Now we can argue they don't do their job very well there, but they haven't been given much help in the way of styling from Mazda lately.

[Raksj04]

I was once told that mazda was going to Supercharge the 8 and release it as the next mazdaspeed car. But that didn't happen, that doesnt mean that they didn't try to R/D it. I was also told that the was going to be a Mazdaspeed 5. But I think the sales of the MS3 are too strong for mazda to stop building that car to build a different Mazdaspeed. I still want Mazda to have an AWD Mazda 3 GTX. They only thing I was told at a Auto show was that the Vette was going to be supercharged, he really didnt tell me. I just said that GM should S/C the Vette like the Cobalt and the look he give me confirmed it.

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by Raksj04

I just said that GM should S/C the Vette like the Cobalt and the look he give me confirmed it.

[Whizbang]

as in a mazdaspeed mini van 5? not an mx-5, which has been done.

[TypeSL_T]

Supercharged Vette? You mean like the ZR1? I am really confused by a lot of that post.

James

[Raksj04]

yes as the ZR-1, this was like a 2006 auto show or about that time. And Yes I have the habit of writing in a confusing matter.

[Raksj04]

Originally Posted by Gravity Fed

as in a mazdaspeed mini van 5? not an mx-5, which has been done.

Yep, as the mini van. I honesty would like the next MS MX-5 have the 16X. But my doubts are really really high. Unless the 16X with the rumor laser igition system will have good emissions, mpg, and power. Then I think it may happen. I wonder how well a compund turbo setup would work in a car. That is suppost to have 50% TE.

[Redhawkjrt]

Originally Posted by tpdrx8

Had an FD. Sold it to buy an 8 for SCCA autocross. Cars don't even compare in stock trim. The 8 is ugly compared to a 7 and I seriously miss the grunt of the turbos but beyond that the 8 is a superior car from a function/suspension/brakes/daily driver/driving dynamics/etc standpoint.

That said, I also agree that Mazda needs a true successor to the 7 and will be one of the first in line when(if) the 16X FF arrives.

BTW, comparing an S2K to an 8 is an apples to oranges comparison and the FD was never considered reasonably priced.

Agree with most of this; most cars are ugly compared to the FD, not just the 8. That said, I get an amazing number of positive comments on the 8 at local shows. Also agree that the FD was not a reasonably priced car; it was very much more expensive than the FC. Granted it was a great performer, but it was not affordable for a lot of previous RX-7 customers.

I disagree, however, that Mazda "needs" a 7 successor. Would we here on this forum love to see such? Sure. But Mazda has now tried numerous ways of packaging the rotary sports car, and I doubt if any other than the FB made the corp. much money. You can make the "halo car" argument as a need, but a company as small as Mazda may not be able to afford this luxury.
I hope they don't see it this way; just don't be too surprised if the bean counters dictate otherwise.

[Raksj04]

I have heard that when ford had control over mazda, ford bean counters wanted mazda to kill the Rotary engine, and they refused to give up on it. I would really like to see mazda sell a hard top Mx-5 that I can fit in with a rotary engine. I think as long as it was around 25k starting, it would sell. But this time manual trans only.

[Whizbang]

that would be at least a viable way to get it out there. Just use the same chassis and have the engine as an option.

[Raksj04]

Originally Posted by Gravity Fed

that would be at least a viable way to get it out there. Just use the same chassis and have the engine as an option.

Exactly, I would adjust the suspension for the change in weight and the added power. If the 16x makes over 260hp that is almost 100hp more then the stock MX-5. I am pretty sure that if mazda built that car it would sell. specially if it is a Limit edition.

[Pete_89T2]

Originally Posted by Gravity Fed

as in a mazdaspeed mini van 5? not an mx-5, which has been done.

I recall an old Car & Driver project car article where they built a "Mazdaspeed-5" minivan. Started with a new Mazda5 van, and transplanted the powertrain from a wrecked MS3.

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by Pete_89T2

I recall an old Car & Driver project car article where they built a "Mazdaspeed-5" minivan. Started with a new Mazda5 van, and transplanted the powertrain from a wrecked MS3.

I've got half wood from that. I would drive the shit out of that.