Hi guys,

Does anybody know when the 2006 8 will be available and if it will be worth the wait?
TIA

 

October 2005, and it will be worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. If you mean what will the pricing be, your guess is as good as anyone else's on this forum. But you can expect a small increase which is the norm for any new model year.

 

Thanks for responding
I actually wonder whether there will be some changes, new goodies etc.

 

2006 will be only the third model year so Mazda is not likely to make anything more than minor changes, that is, unless they release a Mazdaspeed version. :D

 

It wouldn't really be wierd for mazda to make a somewhat major change. A few companys make changes within 3 years. Take the celica for example, the 7th generation came out in 2000. In 2003, it got a new front bumper, black interior (instead of grey), new taillights, Drive by Wire, and I believe i'm missing something else.

 

Like I said in previous post--I believe that if anything will be new for 2006 it will be a new auto tranny for the 6-port.

 

A new auto tranny for the AUTO people would be great but I would love a bump in HP...oh well, I can dream can't I...

Note: I already have my 8, but I assum any NA HP bump in a new 8 could be done to previous 8's...lol (heck even if it's a Turbo or SC...well, maybe I guess)

It seems the 8 will be the same for a bit longer at least.

 

I know this guy who knows a guy at Mazda and he said the 2006 RX8 will be the best EVAR with a twin-turbo setup, 7spd SMG gearbox, and 433.35 bone crushing HP right out of the gate.

But, maybe there will be no changes at all..... I dunno.

 

Ah, a fellow dreamer like me....lol^

 

Here's the obvious changes I think will happen for the 06. These changes are done with almost every import car company I can think of that does this every 2 years. BMW 3 series, 5 series. Mitsu eclipse, lancer, evo. Honda civic, accord. Nissan Altima, maxima.......ect....list goes on and on.
changes I 95% sure of:


#1- New Bodykit - Cause it'll make the car look new and and easy for Mazda to do. And I don't think many people looking to buy an 8 approve of the half *** attempt at the first ones.

#2- New Lights- Also the same reason, but it'll be to enhance the look of the new bodykit.

#3- New Auto Tranny- For some reason I don't think it's going to be a six speed, rather a 5 speed. Just because I don't think they want to up the price too much of the auto so far that it's going to be out of reach for some people. Like bigger HP engine, bigger brakes, bigger rims.........I think. I know the 3 have a six speed, but it's also a weaker engine.

#4- New Rims for the Manual- Just becuase, I guess. I'm leaning towards Racing Harts.

#5- New HP for the auto- I think the HP for the auto is going to be bumped to 220HP. Why 220? Because it sounds nice to me.

#6- New Rims and brakes for the Auto- Since I think the auto is going to have the upgrade HP, there's going have to be a little bit better brakes and a upgrade from 16 inch rims to 17 inch rims.

#7- New color for the interior- I am not sure about replacing the leather. But I'm actually talking about the cloth. Since mazda only release the one color for the 8, I'm pretty sure they figured out the changing the color of the cloth and panel is an easy way of attracting a new audience that likes the 8 more for it's looks then performance. Yea, other car companies too have done this too after two years of release of a new car.

Actually, that's all I can think of right now. I gotta go back to work. Man, they pay me too much. Add on as much as you guys like.

OH YEA: a special edition of some sort that costs more. Like the shinka but with a tiny bit more HP and the color Orange. What? The protoge mazdaspeed was orange. Wait, maybe it'll be dark grey, and they'll call it: The........get this.....RX-9

 

Ha, I haven't heard that one yet... :shakes head:

 

my hat is off to you sir, although everything you said is only your opinion (even though i'm glad you are 95% sure).... my stuff was from a guy who knows a guy who works at Mazda.... HA!

 

I hate to break this to you but I know a girl that dates a guy that when to school with another guy, that lived lived in hiroshima with his aunt that is married to his uncle that works for a gas station that fills up gas for one of the tire engineer for Nissan in kyoto that told me that if I ever called his daughter again while she was in school he'll personally fly over american and "poke both my eyes out" with his toes. :D

 

Actually, your example puts the big changes on the 4th model year (2000, 01, 02, 03). For 2006 I think it may still be cosmetic and color/option combo changes, but I was talking with my salesman (who is actually now the sales manager at Cook Imports here) and he said the MazdaSpeed RX-8 is due as a 2006 model year, supercharged with 296 hp. It'll be delayed though because he says there is an issue with the MS6 manifolds, which is delaying that car, and Mazda wants to fully roll that out first. However we all know how reliable salesman are in future predictions so take this with a big chunk of salt.

 

hahah too funny...

 

I am going to predict an LED taillight cluster will be new.

 

The RX7 was introduce in 1979. There was a cosmetic change to the bumpers and tail lights in 1982. In 1986 they came out with the 2nd gen.
If things hold true to this schedule, look for slight changes in 2007 model for the RX8

 

I also believe that any significant changes will come in 2007. Mazda has stated the RX-8 has a six year planned life, after that a 2nd gen RX-8 or another RX-? vehicle will be introduced. So a mid life refresh for 2007 is the predicted norm. Even if a MS RX-8 is released in 2006 (and that's still a big IF), it would probably be designated as an early '07 model year car.

 

when i was shopping around for an 8 back in march, i had people at several dealerships say that there are is going to be no changes in the 06 year model. but most of the people that said that were sales, and you know how reliable they can be, especially when there's a potential sale on the line.

 

From what I hear, one sure change will be deletion of the current white colour. Appearantly they are staying on dealer lots. Maybe they will change it to a pearl white.

The R&D boys have been working on new transmissions, including a paddle shifting "manual", as seen in the pre-RX-8 show car and a new automatic. Whether this will be sales effective (cost little enough) remains to be seen. The bean counters may quash the new transmissions.

 

Mazda tends to do a 3-year run, then a refresh. So the '06 RX-8 is unlikely to get a refresh of any significance. The Mazda6 is getting refreshed this upcoming year, after a 3-year run (in some markets it's actually it's 4th year). The Mazda3 won't be getting a refresh for '06, its' third year , but is expected to get one in '07.

The 3 doesn't get a 6-speed Auto. The 6 does however. But the reason it can't be used has nothing to do with power, it's because it's a FWD transmission

The RX-8 is almost certain to get the new 6-speed Auto going into the Miata; and I've gotten it from several seperate sources that this will be seen next year. It would be cheaper to use the same 6-speed than to use a seperate 5-speed that Mazda doesn't even have in its' parts bin right now.

 

It already is Pearl White. And in some regions they're very difficult to find.

 

If there are color changes I expect them to 'maybe' drop my beloved Nordic Green and/or add Strato Blue.

 

in australia they are dropping nordic green and adding 'Phantom Blue'

 

There's a new key fob for 2006!

It's cool. There are THREE radio transponders in it that "talk to the car". One tells you you need oil, the other gas and a third that the car is dirty and needs washing.

Small problem it weighs three pounds!