RX8 Discontinued?

[yzf-r1]

Long way from track ready 3 rotors to the stock 8s. Sales are in the tank, gas mileage is poor, early models had recalls, quirky looks, low power/torque (n/a two rotor) - all reasons I bought an S2000 over an 8 and I'm still convinced four years later I made the right choice. Jeremy changes his mind like the wind, first he loved the S2000 then hated it, so that isn't much of any criteria. In a numbers comparison (stock for stock), the S2000 beats the RX-8, even worse with the C/R

Mazda needs to get back to the themes of LIGHT, COMPACT, POWERFUL (with classic lines styling, not this gay fluff they have out now), and REASONABLY PRICED that made the 7 a (qualified) success - the 8 was always a bloated looking compromise and true sports cars don't compromise

[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.

[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.

[TypeSL_T]

Originally Posted by yzf-r1

Long way from track ready 3 rotors to the stock 8s. Sales are in the tank, gas mileage is poor, early models had recalls, quirky looks, low power/torque (n/a two rotor) - all reasons I bought an S2000 over an 8 and I'm still convinced four years later I made the right choice. Jeremy changes his mind like the wind, first he loved the S2000 then hated it, so that isn't much of any criteria. In a numbers comparison (stock for stock), the S2000 beats the RX-8, even worse with the C/R

Mazda needs to get back to the themes of LIGHT, COMPACT, POWERFUL (with classic lines styling, not this gay fluff they have out now), and REASONABLY PRICED that made the 7 a (qualified) success - the 8 was always a bloated looking compromise and true sports cars don't compromise

I kinda understand what you are saying here, but the S2K and the RX8 are in 2 totally different categories. You are comparing a 2 door, 2 seater, convertible with a 4 door, 4 seater, hardtop. Either way, as you stated, sales were never that great with a good economy, so the bad economy really hurt the sales of that car. I am really looking forward to what comes of the Shinari?, I think that's what it was called. I was talking with a Mazda rep at the Nashville Auto Show this weekend about it. Seems like a pretty sweet car, and he said they rumor it to possibly have the rotary in it.

James

[reddozen]

Originally Posted by TypeSL_T

I kinda understand what you are saying here, but the S2K and the RX8 are in 2 totally different categories. You are comparing a 2 door, 2 seater, convertible with a 4 door, 4 seater, hardtop. Either way, as you stated, sales were never that great with a good economy, so the bad economy really hurt the sales of that car. I am really looking forward to what comes of the Shinari?, I think that's what it was called. I was talking with a Mazda rep at the Nashville Auto Show this weekend about it. Seems like a pretty sweet car, and he said they rumor it to possibly have the rotary in it.

James

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.

[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.

[reddozen]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

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.

Yes, the MX5... mistyped that one...

The guys at an auto show are the face of Mazda... They should know more than the average person about every car in their lineup. That's their job. They're not salesmen in the direct since at a car show. They're selling the brand, sure, but when he doesn't even know what an R3 RX8 is, and his company sells it, that's pretty pathetic. That's like asking for a Mazda Speed 3 and them asking you "what's that?", or trying to show you a normal Mazda 3.

They should be able to spout off trim packages, colors, etc for every car they represent. Pretty basic info.

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by reddozen

Yes, the MX5... mistyped that one...

The guys at an auto show are the face of Mazda... They should know more than the average person about every car in their lineup. That's their job. They're not salesmen in the direct since at a car show. They're selling the brand, sure, but when he doesn't even know what an R3 RX8 is, and his company sells it, that's pretty pathetic. That's like asking for a Mazda Speed 3 and them asking you "what's that?", or trying to show you a normal Mazda 3.

They should be able to spout off trim packages, colors, etc for every car they represent. Pretty basic info.

They probably should, but I think you're overestimating the intelligence and knowledge of the general public.

[Raksj04]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

They probably should, but I think you're overestimating the intelligence and knowledge of the general public.

most people on this site ask questions that are more techical then the general pubic asks. Because to the general public car a just a tool to get here and there, to most of us the right car can be like a family memeber.

I like to go educate my local mazda saleman once a month.