As has been mentioned here, the pricing was announced by Mazda as $26K to 31K. Just assume worst case that $31K actually means $31,995.00. While not knowing the breakdown of oprions, one should be able to figure out the approximate price of the car of their desires. For instance, if you take the top price of $31K (assumes that's loaded) and subtract the stuff you don't want like Nav or auto trans, you should be able to get farily close to the price.
I would guess auto at $800.00 and nav at least at $1700.00. So... drop about $2500.00 for those two options and your down to $29,495.00 "nicely equipped" as they say.

Whre do I sign up???:D :D :D

HID headlights are standard.

 

Hey Boowana,
Did you make it to the Banquet that night? I was there,
My wife had to sit on my lap though due to lack of extra seats. We weren't going to go into the banquet but Ari From RX-7.com dragged us into it. Man am I glad we went. i really loved the video of the Spirit R RX-7..
M

 

The Mazda VP Specifically mentioned this forum, and all the specs he rattled off were to end all speculation on wheel size, HP ratings, and so on.

To recap, these are the direct numbers he gave out. I don't want to see another post saying otherwise... :p

Weigh less than 3000 lbs

Cost $29-31K US

Standard 18 x 8 wheels

12.8" brake rotors front and 11.8 rear

0.9 laterial acceleration

CF drive shaft

Mazdaspeed version - about 300 hp, Turboed, being worked on by Tod Kaneko in Mazdaspeed, and to be released after the RX-8 1st comes out.

 

300 hp

Whaat? Like Freddy Mercury said "I want it all, and I want it now". Do you know the connection with Mazda?? Bet you don't.

Mazdaspeed RX-8. Give me more info, please!!

 

I attended SevenStock on Saturday and distinctly remember the pricing ranging from approximately $26k to $31k for a fully loaded model.

Here's what else I remember:

- 6 speed standard
- LSD standard [thank you Mazda!!]
- 18x8" wheels [yowza...]
- 12.7" front discs [forgot how big the rears were]
- 0-60... you had to have been there, but I believe a subtle hint was given on this one at "around 6 seconds." It was very indirect.
- 250hp and 159ft-lbs. 90% of that torque is available throughout most of the rev range (I forget the exact RPMs, but suffice it to say the torque curve should look more like a torque line.
- The speaker stressed the RX-8 would definitely weigh UNDER 3,000 lbs. Hooray.
- Bose stereo system standard [eh... I hear Bose is more image than sound quality]
- Hints of a ~300hp Mazdaspeed version in the future...

 

Yep: you hit the nail on the head with that one.

 

I sure hope that faithful moderators and administrators of RX8 forums (who also happen to own other Mazdas) get first dibs at the Mazdaspeeds

---jps

 

Are they going to offer the Mazdaspeed parts seperate?
So if I buy an RX8 when it comes out can I upgrade it to Mazdaspeed spec? or am I screwed and have to pay off my standard RX8 first then buy the Mazdaspeed version?

Jon

 

Sputnik,

How about giving first dibs to all faithful RX8 forum regulars?? Don't be greedy!

 

Well, they currently don't for the other Mazdaspeed cars at this time, so I would not expect it to happen for the RX8 (but that might change down the line...).

---jps

 

I hope (and think) that the demand for the RX-8 will be so good that it will have an excellent trade-in value. So maybe that will give us the opportunity to upgrade to the Mazdaspeed when it finally comes out without loosing to much.

 

You can turn a regular Protege into a Mazdaspeed Protege with a little work. Its not difficult with a little know-how. The most difficult part would be adding the turbo, intercooler, and other under-the-hood stuff. The shocks, springs, wheels, tires, and body kit would be easy to add.

If I were going to upgrade, I would worry about the engine last (or not at all), and do the other stuff (minus the extreme body kit). 250 HP is fine by me. 99% of the time you don't need anywhere near that kind of power, the other 1% being track driving.

 

IMO, the most difficult thing by far would be tuning the fuel/timing, and getting it to "play nice" with the ECU. Which would be even more difficult with a new rotary design. Y'all can have first dibs on the "regular" RX8s :p

Us "track dogs" need the Mazdaspeed versions to "carry the banner" against all of those "other cars" out there.

---jps

 

By Xenon, are we talking about discharge lamps, or just "special" filament bulbs, there's a bit of a language barrier there!

18" wheels are standard on the 240PS version... which is the 6 spd, while the 192PS version is 5 spd (auto???) and has smaller wheels/brakes...

If you get the 6spd 240PS version the only options are Sunroof, Leather and Nav. That's the conclusion we've reached so far! Everything else is standard, including the Xenons...

 

Are Xenon just the "super white" bulbs then? I realize they aren't high intensity discharge (right?)

 

did the vp guy say xenon or HID?

 

Xenon and HID are one in the same.

Xenon filled bulbs are not really xenon because the gas doesn't properly do its job in a bulb casing, which is why they don't say "XENON BULBS" but rather "XENON FILLED"

 

Filraen. Yes I was at the banquet sitting near the door at the back of the room.

I think you'll agree, attending Sevenstock 5 was well worth the time and expense.

As far as showing the RX-8 at Sevenstock, i was told that while most in MNAO wanted to show it, Japan said "ABSOLUTELY NO". They want to really have a sucessful launch at Detroit and didn't want to steal any thunder. They were concerned about people taking pictures (stealth spy shots) and plastering them on the web. Looking back, I think they made the right decision.

All I can say is, if you can find a way to get to the Detroit Show, you will not be dissapointed.



:p

 

Wow....good thing I work for Ford in Detroit! Not like I needed an excuse to go to the NAIAS, but the RX8 unveiling will just make it sweeter!

I hope my fiancee is ready to see me drool like a five-year-old!

I'm not planning to purchase an RX until Spring 2004 at the earliest (got a wedding to pay for first), so if the Mazdaspeed version is out AND if it isn't outrageously expensive, I just might have to buy one. But, I'm thinking that the combination of added price, added cost of ownership (lower fuel economy, premium fuel requirement, more expensive, faster-wear-out tires), and higher insurance rates will probably put me into a regular RX8. Sorry to sound so....well, practical.

Oh, to hell with being practical!! Give me the Mazdaspeed RX8!!