As I came out of a local convienence store last night, a driver in a BMW 5 series lowered his window and said "That's a nice looking car" and points to my RX-8, and then asks "what kind of car is it?" so I reply Mazda RX-8 and then heard, "No kidding? well, it looks nice"

The RX-8 has been out now on the road for over two years and yet people still don't know what it is. I think Mazda needs to advertise a little bit more, who knows they might actually SELL more if people knew the car existed.

 

I have gotten the same thing a number of times, most people that don't know what it is seem to drive higher priced german cars. I have had people driving a bmw, lexus, and MB ask what kind of car it is. I think Mazda does a pretty good job of marketing this car in different magazines and such where car freaks read. The average 30 year old driver of a 5 series has that car for a reason, and would not drive a Mazda anyways. Just my .02

 

yep, just yesterday i was sitting at a red light and this older guy in a black porshe gets my attention and signals for me to put my window down. i put it down and he says "nice car, what is it". i told him a mazda rx8 and his reply was "really, that's a mazda...wow!".

 

Just FYI, I sold my 540i to buy my RX-8... but that was in 2004 when they were new.

 

I think your right, Mazda does need to advertise this car in more places than just magazines.

 

I assume since you had a 540i, which was the best 5 series they sold at the time (M5 now) you are pretty into cars but the average person who is buying a bmw is buying it for the the status of driving a bmw. There are always an exception to every rule. It is a common conception that when you make it big you go buy a nice house and a german car to show the world how well you are doing for yourself. Lets face it Mazda's dont carry the same effect to people when you say you drive one compared to a bmw.

I have driven the 540's and I love the power and torque in those cars, just a bit too refined for my likes.

 

Why do we care if other people know what kind of car we are driving?

 

I like that people don't know what my car is.

 

me 2

 

i sold my Bentley Continental to buy my rx8..hahahaaahah

 

I COMPLETELY agree that Mazda doesn't advertise the 8 enough, and I really don't get why. I've seen enough Mazda 6 commercials to make me vomit, and now I'm (understandably) seeing commercials for the new miata, but I have never ONCE seen an RX-8 commercial. Frankly, it was the same thing with my MX-6; I'd never HEARD of the thing until I saw the write-up in Consumer Reports. They don't advertise, and then they scratch their heads in wonderment that they don't sell many.

Yes, we don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry driving one, but if they sell too few they'll stop making rotaries altogether.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

Just an observation... 8's seem to be more popular in neighborhoods where there are more asians. Like, in LA in the San Gabriel Valley, I see at least several a day. But, on my commute to work (from SGV to Beverly Hills) I'm lucky if I see 2 a week.

 

Here in Louisville Ky. the were comericals of the 8, but they were corny with a guy standing facing the car with the doors kinda hugging him, real dopy

 

I really like that most people don't know what kinda of car it is. We get looks everywhere we go. I would rather it be that way.

 

me 3 :D

this car isn't for everyone anyway :p

 

yeah, me 4, i like being different, not following the mainstream.

It also gives me a chance to talk about my car. :D

 

They give it a 1-second mention in some of their commercials, but it's never the focus. It's like "umm.. yeah, we got the rotary-powered RX8...whatever" HEY LOOK AT THE MAZDA 3!! ZOOM ZOOM!!!

The original RX8-Hug commercial was pretty good, but other than loading it off the internet I think I saw it maybe twice on TV.

 

Used to be billboards advertising 8's in downtown Chicago. Now every day when I leave my apartment building there's one for a G35C on the side of a building right across the street.

I also was asked at the gas station last week if it was a Porsche. When I replied it was a Mazda I got the same, "really, that's a Mazda?" response.

 

maybe we as owners should do a better job at word-of-mouth advertisement :D

 

Not the same in this part of the country. Those places seem to be littered with Acuras. I see the RX8 all over other parts of town, esp in suburbia where the dad who wants a sports car but has to lug the kiddes has one and in the Afirican American communites as well.

I think its more of an issue in advertising. I think Mazda is planning a big campaign for the 2006/2007 where they plan to:

1. Improve gas mileage (slightly at best)
2. Offer a 6 sp manual
3. Updated interior and additional color options.

The only Mazda commericals that show one car I have seen of late are the new MX5 Miata.

 

we already have a 6 speed manual.... i think you mean auto...

 

You never saw a commercial for a Prius until recently because they were selling everything they made and there was a wait to get one. They didn't need to advertise. They increased production and stepped up the ads at the same time and now you see dealers with them in stock. Current sales or RX-8s may be equal enough to production ability that they don't need to spend the money on ads to sell what they can produce.

 

I agree, but it would be better if people said "Is that an RX-8?"

 

Mazda advertised this car guys. Public just didn't eat it up for whatever reason. I have seen lots of magazine advertisements for the RX-8...I have even seen a couple commercials. Something just ain't attracting buyers. Or maybe they are being attracted but aren't buying it after a test drive.

I don't even remember seeing a commercial for the 350z and it sold phenomenally.

It's hard to believe that the RX-8 has been out for two years...and you still have a better chance of seeing cars that have been released a mere two months ago than an RX-8.

Don't be surprised when November comes and you're counting more Solstices than RX-8s on the freeway.

 

Why would anyone buy an RX8?

Were you born in the 20's?

The only thing I would consider is an SUV. Gotta be shick ya know what I mean?

Just a bunch of idots out there thinking their 13mpg guzzler is hip.