Icanrel-8

Icanrel-8 here again... actually, Sputnik, you're right on..but-- I am a Land Rover owner, and the dealers have regular offroad day trips scheduled for free for owners and their vehicles. They provide radios for each vehicle for on-trail communication, a free hamburger cookout lunch, and dealer personnel to teach offroad driving skills and spot obstacles. It's very cool. It's real offroading but stops at the level of likely vehicle damage. Did I say it's free?

Why bother? It's part of the image, and image sells. Rover is proud to take their stock vehicles offroad, because they can. They sell mods at the dealership, and install them for you (for a price). They don't whine about voiding the warranty, they OFFER winches, lights, brushbars, skid plates -even had turbos for a while.

Mazda can take the same tack: take these owners out to a closed course or racetrack, and have Jackie Stewart or whoever teach us maniacs how to run these cars right, how to power through curves, accident avoidance drills and kick in a lunch at the track. Have techs out to shoot the bull about mods, and new developments. Get an image-- sporty sexy cars for the people who care-- we the Rotarians! Whatever.

Shoot, the cars are in the range of some Land Rover products' prices. Come on Mazda! Get us out for ZoomZoom Day!

Sputnik

What Land Rover products, the floor mats?

Lexus and Land Rover vehicles are in a totally different price bracket (while there might be some overlap, that particular Land Rover is the cheapo econo version, and the RX8 is one of the more expensive Mazdas). They sell fewer cars or bigger profit margins per car, and their customers are more apt to make purchases based on relationships, so it's worth their time, money, and effort to develop relationships for return business and word of mouth. Meanwhile, Mazda (like Toyota, Ford, GM, etc.) does a bulk business. They have much smaller profit margins per car, and the great majority of their customers make their decision on the best deal, instead of any previous relationship. And remember, Mazda dealerships also have to compete with several other Mazda dealerships in town, while there are much fewer Lexus and Land Rover dealerships (big cities like Denver are the only places where they even have any same brand competition). So it is normally not worth a dealership's time, money, and effort to develop expanded relationships with existing owners.

But that's not to say that they won't get involved. My point is that to get dealerships involved with something like this, you have to understand their situation and needs, and what would bring them. Establishing relationships with people who already spent their money will not. But establishing relationships with a significant amount of future confirmed and possible customers, and those of us (especially moderators) involved with a site where many more potential customers go for advice and knowledge, will bring them. This will be the first time that potential customers will be able to get a close look at, a ride in, or even a chance to drive an RX8. This is the perfect time for a salesman to meet up with customers. They are excited about a new car, they are in a much less pressure packed situation (than being in a dealership, where people understandably become wary and untrusting), and they are surrounded by others who are also excited about getting the car (excitement is contagious). So that is what you need to emphasize when talking to dealerships about being involved with a meet at some level. Chances are good that someone might even bring a demo car for people to test-drive.

---jps

serff

Doesn't mazda do this in other states already? Have a track day of some sort? I forget what they call it. i would love it if they would come to Colorado and do that.

How many of you are going to track your cars anyway? Anyone? I'm going to go at least once when i get mine up to second creek just to learn more about how my cars handles.

Icanrel-8

I'm crackin' up :D :D Ya got me there, Sput! C'mon, though, the door handles aren't too expensive, unless you're talking installation, but you would only spend, say as much as a Protege 5 on that...:D

But, Mazda is a larger company with more volume, and while I'm in no position to argue whether Mazda or Rover are better able to pay for it, I bet that [U]some[U/] form of owner training/appreciation could fit into a plan if they decided to... heck, I never knew the 8 was out till last month. They must be selling well enough to skip advertising.

And joking aside, RX-8 Forum may be the input that reaches the marketing division and the idea could catch on. This here is a gold mine of feedback for Mazda. Of course, the track idea, etc will require support from MazdaUSA, it isn't something that dealers can afford to try out.

All of your points are well taken. Still, I'd love to run around a track a couple of times, because I never drove a car at 140 or whatever they can do (honest, officer, my mom's Camaro only could do...oops). And I really think it would be a missed opportunity (for Mazda) if people like us end up doing it outside of a dealer-sponsored event that could attract publicity and buyers. Showing that you treat owners really well is a sales tool. And EVEN Land Rover's not serving steaks or champagne while you get your oil changed. (Note to my Rover dealer: Serve steaks and champagne while I get my oil changed, maybe I won't buy a Mazda---nah)

But don't get me wrong... I totally agree with your post above. They will want to get the best sales response from any cost/effort input, and they would be silly to do otherwise. I just hope that they don't squander the energy that this many people who LOVE this car are creating (that and THIS SITE are a major part of what has me convinced to buy one, that's direct sales effect). See ya at the meet!

I

Omicron

So Doc, you gonna call around to dealerships, or what? :D

doccable

I've already started to e-mail some of the ones that are close, but have had no response. I will send one to the dealership in Colorado Springs, (where I got mine from), and ask them as well. If you get a free minute, Omicron, could you PM me?
Thanks!
-Doc

Omicron

Just dropped you a line...

serff

Hey Omicron, I just realized what is in your Sig. We have a Mazda 6s as well. I think you stole the car we wanted. We wanted the Sepang green, but ended up with the Steel Gray one for my wife. Is yours a "wife" car as well? Pretty funny that we might have the same car setup (except i don't have a Jeep). Have you guys done anything to your 6? I'm thinking about clearing out the tail lights, but can't decide. I saw one in europe and one here i think like that. It looks pretty sweet.

Sorry for poluting this thread...just wanted to put it somewhere and didn't feel like making a new thread.

Omicron

Yep, it's a "wife" car... in fact, it's what got us into Mazda dealerships in the first place.

Mrs. Omicron was due for a new car... she'd been driving the same '91 Acura Integra GS since she took it over from me in '87, and was overdue. We did the car shopping thing and looked at all the usual subjects, eventually narrowing it down the Accord V6 and the Mazda 6S. Then we drove 'em back to back and the 6 won hands down. Had to hunt a bit to find the color & options she wanted (V6, AT, Sepang, Sport package, Cloth) but eventually found it in Lakewood. She LOVES it, as do I... it's an awesome car.

I like it so much in fact that I almost bought another one for myself... but we decided that it would be nice to have some variety, so I went for the 8. Never looked back since.

As for mods... not likely! She doesn't like me to tinker with the stuff she uses. We've still got an old laptop running Windows 3.11 which she drags out from time to time that she won't let me upgrade. LOL.

Omicron

So back to our regularly scheduled programming... about the meet... here's what been talked about thus far...

A new '8 owner, dplore, just spoke up from another thread and will hopefully throw his hat in the ring here for the meet. Also, Switchbacker from New Mexico may be interested in joining us too.

------------------------------
Current attendees are:
-Omicron
-Digisan
-Doccable
-JCC
-Serff (ride along )
-Icanrel-8 (ride along )
-Buger (ride along )
-Sputnik (ride along )
-Switchbacker (??)
-Dplore (??)
------------------------------

Sputnik

Sure, that's my point. And we do see MazdaUSA do things like this, but on a national basis, like last fall's event in Las Vegas for all sporty Mazdas.
Regardless of the date, etc., I will always be a maybe, and will never be able to commit to anything. And you don't need to find a seat for me on a drive (if that's what "ride along" means).

---jps

Omicron

Ok, you're a "maybe" then. Figured you might want to ride along with one of us with a real car. :D

Sputnik

A real car? Now be careful. It wouldn't look too good to go around thumping your chest about "real" cars, only to have them outrun by a little "girly" Miata.

---jps

P.S. Click on the homepage...

Omicron

LOL, I know Sput, just funnin with ya. :D

Omicron

Update: We have another (potential) attendee. So the list now looks like:

------------------------------
Current attendees are:
-Omicron
-Digisan
-Doccable
-JCC
-Sputnik
-gpsvorndb
-Serff (ride along)
-Icanrel-8 (ride along)
-Buger (ride along)
-Switchbacker (??)
-Dplore (??)
------------------------------

Still need to hear from everyone on what a good weekend for a "Pre-meet" would be... thus far I've only heard from about 1 other person. Possible dates are Jan 11-12 or Jan 25-26. Please let me know what works for all you.

Finally, it's obvious very few people check this forum often, so can you please PM me with all of your "real" email addresses, so I can keep this thing going? Thanks...

serff

I'm subscribed to this thread, so i read it everytime something comes up. I would encourage that all the Colorado people subscribe to this thread and the other Colorado thread as well. Along those lines, we should try not to open too many new threads about colorado i guess either. That way we will always know when people are talkin...

Anyway, about the meet, is there a reason you chose a Sunday-Monday meet instead of a Sat-Sun meet? Or are you looking at this years calander? I am pretty much up for either date except i can't go till about 11:00 on the saturdays and I think i could go after 12:00 on the Sundays (although i would prefer saturday).

Also, i have a friend with a super charged s2000 (and another with an s2000 with other mods) that might go with us if we want more cars (even if they are the enemy...hehe). Let me know.

serff

gpsvorndb

Any weekend in January works for me.

dplore

January is okay with me probably. But I would think sometime
in the spring would be better. Especially if it involves driving.
A little tour through Boulder up to Nederland and hit a restaurant
up there. Or up Coal Creek Canyon (hwy 93) to Wondervu Cafe.
(or other inspiring drive, after all, the RX8 was made to be
driven)

Alternatively we could meet out at Second Creek Raceway.
http://www.2ndcreekraceway.com/

Weather permitting, we could go there in late Feb
or early March before regular events start up. Don't
have to drive on the track if you don't want to. But
if you do, it's $60 for a half day I believe. This is a steal
as in most parts of the country, it's several hundred dollars
and up. There is a Beginnigan's about 3-4 miles away that
we could meet at.

May 22-23 is a multicar club event. We could hang
out then.

-Darren
04 RX8 silver
93 Miata - limited edition
85 RX7 EP Race Car

MuzzleFlash

Hi guys. I've been off line awhile while so sorry for not checking in sooner. Yes I would be interested in getting together and I like the mountain drive idea if weather permits. Estes or Coal Creek or Boulder Canyon all sound fun.

Oh and "hi" to dplore. I know where you work, dude!

Omicron

Yah, the January thing is just a pre-meet thing. Just an excuse to get together and get to know everyone, and to plan the REAL meet for the spring.

Hmmm, now that's a thought. Not sure I personally would want to do the track thing, but maybe.

I kind of like the idea of this... think of it, a bunch of georgeous RX-8s all lined up. :D

Omicron

Great to see you here MuzzleFlash! I've got your info and will keep you in the loop from here on out. But please try to check in to this forum periodically too, as most details will be kicked around here first.

serff

December 26th through the 1st (I think) is free track days up at second creek (if you are a club member...). I don't know if you all just want to meet up there some time and just watch and hang out or not. You probably don't want to track any of those days though as there will be a lot of cars there (like 100), so it will be a bit crowded. Any way, a couple of my friends will be going up there, i'll post again when they know when they are going and maybe some of us can meet up.

Talk to you later!
serff

P.S. Just got back from LOTR: Return of the Kings. It rocked. go see it!!!!

Omicron

I'm sorry, but where is this track again, exactly? Thanks...

serff

It is out by the airport. it is basically 80th and Tower road i think. If you take Pena Blvd to Tower and then take a left, heading north, you drive up there a few miles and then on your left you will be able to see the track. I think it is the next light you come to after you get off pena onto tower. I live like 5 minutes from it...so it isn't too far for me...

Omicron

Nice... that's not too far from me, either... thanks to E470. :D