Is power really the problem? The 1st gen RX-7 ran 8 sec 0-60s and sold 50,000 a year. The 3rd gen RX-7 ran 5 sec 0-60s and sold 2,000 a year. How much horsepower is enough? And if they did increase it to 300/350/whatever would it suddenly start selling like hotcakes?

I think positioning, miscommunication and misinformation is more of a problem than power.

Positioning - Mazda should have positioned this car as a 3-series competitor instead of a pure sports car. Being labeled as a sports car made magazines compare it to a 350Zs, WRXs, etc and it got trounced in performance. I think the 8 would appeal more to a BMW 3 series buyer than a 350Z/Mustang/WRX buyer. BMW people are gladly dropping $30K+ for a 190hp 3series sedan. This is not a powermonger car and people expecting to get "crazy mad street props" or beat 350Zs made a mistake by buying it. I think the people who should be buying this car are the gazillions of 20-50 somethings with families who want a sports car but are stuck with a minivan and just dropped $28K for a Honda Accord (yawn).

Miscommunication - Mazda's commercials show features instead of capabilites. They show that the 8 has four doors (features, like in the "hug" commercial) but don't show the application of anybody using them (capabilities, like a 6 footer showing how easy it is to get in and out of the rear seats). Like others, I envision a different commercial. Something like a person blasting through a twisty road and then going to the hospital to pick up their newborn baby and wife (which is what I just did). Or somebody finishing a race, picking up their groomsmen who are already in tuxes, blasting through some twisties on the way to the church to get married. Picking up kids from school. Or whatever real life experience you can think of to show the common man/woman that the seats and doors are actually usable and it's not just another impractical weekend car. At Costco, people look in amazement as I put an entire shopping cart load of stuff in the trunk.

Misinformation - Everybody I come across on the street loves the car but are usually totally misinformed "I heard it takes 2 quarts of oil every fill-up" or "it's really a 2 seater isn't it?". Nobody has ever said to me "I heard it's slow" or "I heard the gas mileage sucks".

Most people are totally clueless about this car and that IMO is the biggest problem.

My .02

Paul

 

I think you hit it right on the head Paul.
Im 6'3" and can race the 8 with a helmet on (with sunroof closed too). And can sit in the back seat comfortably.
I looked at a Mitsubishi Spyder and could look over the windshield...and couldnt put the top up without cutting a hole in it for my head.
I'll never get to drive a Miata or S2000 for the same reason.
I can put a garment bag, set of golf clubs and laptop computer in the trunk to head to the airport. Name one other "true" sports car that can do that!

What enticed me to buy this car was simple...(4 door/seat + zoom zoom = happy me, wife and 2 kids) Im too poor to own a Porsche.
What made me happy after the sale...all those stares, rubbernecks and "how many cylinders?".
And about power....stop whining guys, go buy your Greddy turbo....I plan to when my warranty runs out.

 

Triangle man beats particle man!!! They have a fight, and triangle wins.

See even a song about the rotary's powah!

 

Remember though--the RX8 came out number 1 or near the top in every sports car comparo that the major magazines threw at it. I think the fact is--the 350Z beat it to the market--and the sports car market is not a 'hot' market in terms of sales volume. WRXs, EVOs don't sell well either. 350Zs sales have declined alot--only sports car that consistently does well is the Mustang--the V6 variant bolsters sales well--don't forget the fleet sales. As long as Mazda is making money on 6s, 3s, Tributes, and other **** we'll continue to see fun cars in the lineup. So I could care less--I still get envious stares at the valet.

 

Been there, done that. Had a '96 M Edition Miata. Loved the car, but it was underpowered. Sold it and got a '00 'vette convertible - that cured the underpowered problem (yowsa!), but was in the shop a LOT and just really was not that much fun to drive - other than just mashing on the go pedal. Sold the 'vette and got the 01 S2000 and I love it. Ligt and tossible like a Miata, but with more cabin and trunk room - but with tons more HP. "Just right". I said I would never get rid of the car, but then a Honda dealer sold me a new 05 S for way under invoice and gave me WAY too much for mine on a trade in and I could not say no. Now I just have to get the new one broken in so I can get back to VTEC'ing it! Another good thing - 23-25mph commuting in the S, 28mpg or more on trips - all with the top down.

I got about 15mpg on my loaner 8 last week around town and got just under 21mpg on the cruise back home in my car (about 200 miles of mixed highway and backroads). Again, have to wait for the break in to see what my car will really do but I have driven used/demo 8s so I know what to expect. I would expect worse mileage if I drive it harder, but hopefully better as the motor wears in.

Heading for the DYI section on now to print on the V1 hardwire stuff so I can get the detector mounted today. I have a whole list of stuff I want to order for the new car - PIE aux in, MP3 player, cabin filter, etc (it just never ends).

Dennis

 

It came out top rated overall. It usually came out close to last or last in the acceleration category of most tests. Comparatively, 0-60 in 5.9 isn't what I call slow though. It's the perception. Torquey cars that are comparable like a G35 coupe feel quicker even through they're not. It's the torque rush. I've owned a few Japanese sport bikes so I'm used to the long even acceleration of the 8.

 

Yes a valid point. But what people always seem to forget is that "performance" is not just 0-60. In the mag tests, the RX-8 holds its own in the performance area, often getting better scores in braking, handling, balance, and steering. When price and the overall package are factored in, the 8 has come out on top. But most people just seem to be entranced with 0-60 & 1/4 mi. as the primary measure of "performance".

 

I call those people fake car enthusiast--the ones that immediately look at the 0-60, 1/4mi, and top speed category in magazines--you can tell that that is the demographic that Speed magazine is geared toward--they post the 0-60 time by itself with the pic of the car.

 

Call'em whatever you want. I love when they call another car a POS because their car is a 1/2 quicker in 0-60. So what and who cares.