Gord96BRG

Yup, I've been reporting those exact same plans for about 5 months on here, heard from a source with very reliable contacts within Mazda Japan. Word was it would be by 2006 model year.

Regards,
Gordon

[edit] - just for fun, I thought I'd check when I first reported those new transmission choices were being developed - it was in this thread on June 5, 2003!

Japan8

Actually Gordon, I did read your posts as well and thought about them when I read the MagX article.

The 5 speed auto will be a nice change for automatic owners. Although I can't understand the love for a slush box... to each his own. Unfortunately the 2L version of the S-wagon (P 5) only comes in manual mode auto (like the RX-8's) unless you get teh AWD model.... which is rare. So I have a damn slush box and it sucks. When I test drove the 8... the feel of the overal and having a manual transmission again... it felt too good! Yep... only sticks for me.

boothguy

I'd like to see a much taller sixth gear for freeway use. That's, by the way, the only thing Mazda can or will do about the gas mileage that's not related to the driver's style.

Maximus

So what is the best advice for new buyers at this time?

I think its a good time to buy now (winter). If you wait until summer/fall for 2005 model you may not get a good price since it will be a new model. The most they will do is increase the HP rating by 12HP to make it 250 as originally expected (All this can be done with Canzoomer's mod on a 2004 model) or some minor cosmetic changes. I dont think you could get a deal on 2004 this fall very different from what you can get now.

BillK

Unless you don't want the freaking sunroof but want some of the features available only in the Touring or GT packages.

Meanwhile, between now and then hopefully Mazda will sort out the flooding problem...

johncalifornia

The current 5-speed-plus-overdrive is a superlative transmission, about as good as you can get a stick shift to be. I love the shifting action and those close ratios in the first five gears. (Boothguy, overdrive (so-called 6th gear) has the engine revving at less than half redline @80 mph. The overdrive does not need to be higher-geared. It may be that you're not completely accustomed to driving a rotary yet?)

OTOH, this car is a PERFECT candidate for a sequential shifting system. When it's implemented, I hope that like the Ferrrari Enzo, it will have a "launch control" mode that works like this: Plant your foot on the brake pedal and then floor the gas. As soon as you lift off the brake pedal, the clutch engages and the car shoots ahead at optimal launch revs, upshifting automatically in milliseconds at the exacty right time for max acceleration.

Schumi, eat your heart out!

RX_999

The Mazda rep. (Rocky Mtn.) said same as 04 just 1 new color.

Malcom

bobclevenger

Yeah, this is a very nice gearbox. I'd prefer a little less spring-loading pushing from 5-6 over to 3-4, but that's just me.

BTW, the 5-6 shift is closer than the lower shifts -- 6th is 84% of 5th; 5th is 82% of 4th; 4th is 72% of 3rd; 3rd is 72% of 2nd; 2nd is 60% of 1st -- meaning that when making a shift the rpms in 6th are 84% of what they were in 5th before changing speed.

Pretty nice set of cogs!

Chuck Clifford

Theres a lot of assuming that Mazda will add a whole lot of additional option and quality at no additional cost. My bet is that everything gets a little bit cheaper as they attempt to produce more for the same price. Cost cutting execs have probably been working overtime to cheapen the production of this vehicle without obviously appearing to do so, and still keep the cost at a moderate increase. They will appear to throw options at you that make it more of what you want, but they do not add to the overall production cost, yet charge you for a special option package. (different color paint, GT without sunroof, GT without electric or leather seats). This is a business and I still believe as many have posted, the 04 RX-8 was underpriced to get them in the game, the next couple years there will be economies made to get their investment back in little and subtle ways. For these reasons, I'm glad I bought the 04. The color, options, were exactly what I wanted, there is no guarantee 05 or later will deliver as good as, or the same product.

Japan8

I can't say I entirely agree with you, but I do at least partially. I think Mazda cutting production costs further while adding a few things will happen. I think the price of the automatic will go up with the 5 speed transmission. I am wiling to bet they'll charge you to have a delete option on the GT package.

As far as the price rising significantly... unfortunately Mazda is far from in a position to do so. Look at the Mazda 3... fully loaded with leather, sunroof, and navigation system for like $22k. That's underpriced. The Mazda 6 follows this as well. However... even in the RX-8, while I love the car, I was a little disappointed in the plastic used on the door panels, etc. Similar to that in the M 3 and 6. Comparing the Mazda 3 it's predecessor... the Protege 5, I prefer the plastic used in the Protege 5. The Mazda 3 feels like a setp backwards to cut costs so that they can offer all those options, a 2.3L engine, etc. at that wonderful price. The RX-8 as well. Mazda is a minor automaker in Japan and in the US... they are fighting to make a comeback right now and so this isn't the time to significantly raise prices. It wouldn't make sense. Not with the way their "New Mazda" plan looks like... they way they've remade, priced and marketed their cars. Price the RX-8 too high, and people will buy a Mustang GT, Evolution, WRX STi, G35 Coupe, etc. instead. Outside of the rotary fan community, the RX-8 has a lot to fight against. Name and image count. Gas mileage counts. Performance counts... and straight hp numbers will count especially for those who like to have "dyno wars."

So while I can definitely see Mazda slipping in further cost cutting measures as they can, I don't believe prices will be able to rise beyond a modest increase.

Chuck Clifford

I did not say a significant price increase, I said moderate, which to me means increases due to inflation and exchange rate. The minimum amount of increase allowable. If the RX-8 was truly underpriced, Mazda will get it back to within their standard profit margins. Without increasing the cost, but just modestly as you suggest, they will seek to cheapen processes and materials to achieve their goal. Marketing 101, bait and hook with high quality for unbelievably low cost, then subtly change (materials, options, workmanship) to increase profit margin. Again, I am happy to own the bait and hook version RX-8.

Japan8

Ah... I miss interpreted that. Yeah... we're on the same wavelength. While the early models will inherently have more bugs, on the other hand you'll definitely have the "bait and hook" version.

Smoker

There will definitely be some changes in some of the parts to cut cost but definitely not something you will noticed.

On the other hand anything that had quality issues will definitely be replaced for sure ( eg. cheap plastic buttons that cracks).

I'll take the "bait and hook" version any day.

BoomerBurt

The orignal RX8 concept car had turn signals in the outside rearview mirror bodies (which did not make it to production). Now the MX Micro Sport Concept at the Detroit NAIAS has similar signal lenses in its side mirrors, and the general design of the mirrors is similar to the 8. So, I'm betting that the '05 model will have the turn signal lenses in the side mirrors, alla the VW New Beetle convertibles. Something that I was disappointed was not included in the production model. I also regret that the red start button was dropped for production, but I won't bet on it showing up.

T-von

Well IMO since Mazda was forced to reprogram the ecu's at port to prolong the cats life, maybe on the 2005 models Mazda will upgrade to a higher temp cat so we can get back the lost hp. Who knows, we could possible get stage 2 style performance from the factory. :D

ABG

Sorry if it's be brought up before, I haven't seen any threads about it.

Changes to address fuel consumption? Flooding issues?

I'm hoping a blue interior will be offerred in addition to the red/black and chapparral/black.

Trx8

Future features:
RX-8 Discussion > 2005 model RX-8 ???? will they change???
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=17880

~Problems:
RX-8 Discussion > A few questions about oft-reported problems
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=21573

The search button at the top and browsing will help find more threads.

maxwell72764

I see someone mentioned 'new color'. Drooling for the Black Cherry Mica that's available on the Miata. Anyone know?

Moloko9

Car manufacturers all use pretty much the same rule of thumb. All models have a planned obsolescence. The lower priced cars around 10 K will have a higher planned obsolescence with drastic changes every year and completely different models every two or three. 20k range get aesthetic changes every 2 or three and a new model every four or five years. In the 30k range the p/o is much lower and there are subtle changes every 2-3 years while the model lasts 6-10 years.

Look back on the 90s at the 300z for 30k, Eclipse for 20k and an escort for 10k. You'll see the trend. It's no exact science but I would expect the 8 model to be around close to how we know it today until the end of the decade.

blue flash

i heard it would probably be an rx7 priced just a little below the 8

KCROTOR

My wish list for 2005 is simple:

1) Re-work the ECU to provide 20-30 more HP

2) Re-design the ugly tail lights and change them back to the earlier concept RX-8 that had a clean 2-round lights on each side.

3) Increase the size of the exhaust tips. I have seen RX-8s with aftermarket exhaust systems and the larger tips make a huge difference in the looks of the car. The stock ones look wimpy while the larger ones compliment the surrounding bodywork much better.

4) Allow more flexibility with the option packages.

That is it! I think this is doable. Simple, easy and would make this a much better looking and better performing car!

JPASSION11

I was just wondering if anyone knew some info about if the '05 8 will have other interior options (especially for the blue 8)?