Do any of you think the exterior design of RX-8 is timeless? And, due to the rarity of seeing RX-8s on the road (at least from my experience), do you consider it having some form of exclusivity? I've witnessed RX-8 owners getting asked what kind of car it is. I've also witnessed owners getting asked if the car costs upwards of $75,000.

To my surprise, I've seen the RX-8 get more attention than 911s at my job. (There are 4 911s and only 1 RX-8 in the parking garage.) The RX-8 owner gets plenty of attention on a regular basis. The Porsche owner (from what I've seen) hardly gets any.

Side Note: I've always loved the design of the Porsche 911 Turbo and it has been my dream car for years. Now I think I would be completely satisfied with an RX-8 regardless of the performance comparison. The looks and driving characteristics are just phenomenal.


Obligatory Pictures:

 

IMHO, the 911's shape should be considered timeless - they've been using the same basic shape for over 50 years and it's held up. I personally was never smitten by it, but it's become classic and no question what it is.

The RX-8's styling is a bit derivative - the front fenders remind me of the Lotus 7 - and maybe a touch gimicky in places. But it's all really well done, evokes all the right things. Looks exotic, and absolutely drives to match. Defintiely exclusive and eye-catching. I think it will stand up over time.

FWIW, I prefer the lines of the stock 8 over the modified one in your pic. Still looks great, though.

Ken

 

As for exclusivity, it's pretty exclusive for now, but once prices really bottom out... I dunno... I hope it doesn't become as ubiquitious as Eclipses.

 

it's certainly got the exclusivity...it's an extreme rarity on the roads. it's design is indeed unique, that coupled with it's rarity causes it to get a lot of attention when it comes around. my rear window got smashed in a while back... they caught the bastard children responsible and the parents came to speak with me. along the way one of them told me they'd said "hope it's not a porsche or something..."

the parents arrive and the first question on the extremely nervous-looking and shocked mother's mind was "uh...is...that a porsche?" XD

I wouldn't say timeless...yet. only time will tell on that, but I think it's a design that folks will at least remember.

 

As much as I love the design, I don't think the RX8's styling is timeless. It's a little too early to say. Give it another 10-15 years and a couple of styling generations.

I also don't think the RX-8 is exclusive. It's a $30K car. A fully loaded Camry or Accord can cost that much. The RX-8 is however rare. You see more Porches and SL500's here in Orange County than anything else.

Because it is relatively rare, people do take time out to admire and make comments on it. I have witnessed from afar old ladies with gray hair walk by my car and circle around the back to see read what is on the trunk.

I think the FD RX7's are definitely timeless. You'll probably never see cars made with those proportions again.

 

the FD, MK IV Supra, 300zx, and 911's gets my vote for timeless. The rx8.... we'll see

 

When children come up to admire it - then the designers have captured some essential form that is the modern sportscar.

 

If you want timeless looks, I'd have to say the '59 chevy's are the gold standard. They're hideous in any era!

 

Timeless - Agree it may be too soon but based on just my personal taste I seem to latch onto cars that "I" still like the looks of after a lot of years. So to me the RX8 wil be timeless.

Exclusivity - It sure isn't the price. I got my four week old 2006 down to $23,750 after rebates. Couldn't get much else new with the peformance and style. People at work think I must have hit the lotto or gotten a raise. The parking lot is full of TL's, G35's, MB 230 "Kompressor's, etc. But I've gotten a lot of comments and questions.

I think it is the reputation of the rotary, far and few between Mazda dealerships, and lack of marketing.

This car isn't for the average consumer. Even after prices drop the cost of maintaining the RX8 after warranty will make them even more scarce IMO.

 

The stying is too garrish to be timeless IMO. It's a very cool design for the time being, but it won't be long before it looks out of place. Think of some of the wilder designs in years past, MR2 comes to mind. Today they just like like older wild designs, while cars like an Aston, 911, Jaguar, FD (all pretty simple) are timeless.

Lastly, there's nothing rare about a car that sells 10K+ per year. Less common than some, sure, but not rare by a longshot. I don't think I'd even call an FD rare, and there were quite a bit fewer FDs solder over its life in the US than there were RX-8s sold in the first year.

 

i have to agree with all but the MKIV Supra. THe MKIII is the timeless one in IMO. I owned every model from 86-89, and now my son has the 89. That is truly a timeless body, again IMO, and there is nothing that I know of anyway, that can come as close to the handling capabilities of the 8 as the MKIII Supra. Now if the 8 had the fuel economy that the MKIII has, I'd be one extremely happy camper. I love my 8 however no matter the gas mileage. I guess because I am older, I dont worry about g/m as much as I do the luxury of the car itself.

 

Timeless? For the next half decade or so, absolutely. The front end of the car, to the fenders to the curves of the sides are perfect. The rear could always improve though.

 

The RX-8 is a little too stylized for it to be timeless. It's definitely exclusive, as there's no car that looks like it on the road today.
To quote Jeremy Clarkson, "Look at these tail lights: they're busier than a bishop's hat!"

 

The late 80s Supra was known for its handling abilities? As far as I remember it was just another heavy Jap pig (like the worthless 300ZX of the same era). Your post is seriously flawed; have you driven the NSX, FD3S, 300ZX TT, S2000, Boxster, Cayman, Elise, and countless other cars that you hold this MKIII (sorry, it's just funny typing that) on a pedestal?

 

But, I love my rear end!

 

It was a pretty good handler for the time. But there have been many cars since that will easily outhandle it.

 

Interesting that you compare the "timeless" design of an RX8 to that of a Porsche. From what I've read about the RX8's design, the designers took cues from German cars (which embody muscularity and stability) and Italian cars (which embody speed and fluidity) The 911 Turbo is definitely of the German expression of both strength and stability. I look at Enzo Ferrari, Lambo. Gallardo, Porsches and Audies and notice the best of both design philosophies are in the RX8. As far as timeless...yes I think the design is. To me the FD is definitely timesless, and for that matter I believe my '94 Probe GT was timeless. To me, the best designs are the ones that are clean and not overdone or gaudy.

 

I think the rotary engine is what will make this car timeless just like previous RXs. The performance handling characteristics, body build, and style are just frosting on the cake.

 

timelessness is a funny thing.

park an FD next to the RX8, and it makes the FD look like some weird bubble car.

i think the rx8 is a little too trendy too, but who knows?

 

Porsches are too recognizable due to their uniform design and so will get few looks unless the viewer (looker?) knows what kind of Porsche it is.

I always get asked, "What kind of car is that?" People know what a Porsche is and don't bother thinking on it any further even if its a Carrera GT which deserves massive amounts of attention.

I agree that the RX-8 may be a bit busy with its styling but obviously since I bought one, I like it. This busy styling may ruin the 8s longevity but for those who already love them.

 

I'm not sure of its timeless in design, only time can tell haha. But it sure is exclusive even if they produce 10K units a year.....the fact of the matter is......its RARE compared to 350Z, G35 and the likes. People always think its more expensive than it really is 35-40K. i'm thinking huh, you guys are crazy. haha. It always stands out from the crowd becuase of the fact its rare. I think some people are just put off if not scared about the rotary maintaince, (consumption of oil) but reality is, it hardly consumes any if that. Plus we have people who are spec junkies who just look at it and say it only has 232 HP, must be weak, doesnt' have any "*****", so these people go out and buy the higher HP cars.

Because of this, i think it makes the RX-8 rarer....i think if the RX had the same HP numbers, we might see more RX8 around than now. I like this way though. makes me really feel like i have something special if not exotic. I still have yet to see another RED RX with a spoiler. I can literally count in a whole year on my two hands how many RX8 i see. Rare is good. Gets you noticed haha. in good and bad ways lol.

 

i'm still at odds with the styling of the 8 weather it will stand the test of time. To me, a timeless design has to stay relatively close to its original form. the porche 911, hasnt changed, nor the jeep wrangler, lambo, rolls royce land rover, and the beetle are the ones the come to my mind when i think timeless. theyre not the best looking cars out there and yes they have changed, but very little, so people recognize them. they may not take a second look but they know the shape they know what it is.

as for exclusivity, i dont think so...i think its only exclusive beause people are not really aware that this car exist, most of the people i know thinks this car is in the porche's price range. plus the fact that mazda really doesnt advertise the car that much. cars that are exclusive are the likes of the enzo, carrera, zonda or bugatti and saleen. the rx8 just needs more exposure.

 

People confuse timeless with familiarity, or rarity. A 911 was considered ugly by many when it came out, a squashed bug back in the day when e-types, nearly all Ferraris, Stingrays, etc. were beautiful and curvaceous. An original Testarossa or Daytona coupes are timeless to me from day 1 to now, but not much else.

A rx8 is ugly at worst, beautiful at best. Thats what I love about it, it's an interesting design. It'll be rarer 10 years from now, and I bet it'll still turn heads. I bet it'll age similar to a last gen. 300Z 2+2, nice but obviously dated aspects. I think the fender line is classic, and you can see the influence in everything from a Dodge Caliber to the new S class.

Otherwise, everything old looks dated, especially Jap cars. The FD was clean, but its tail lights and pop ups date it. The Dodge Stealth never looked good, and the last Supra had an *** that will always look huge. The 300Z and Miata are still my fav. of all Jap's. Most 3 series coupes age well, though boring and safe. An Audi 5000 is similar. Otherwise, most are poo when new, and become stinkier when old.

 

Exactly my thoughts. Probably why some of the MKIV owners don't even consider the MKIII a real Supra.

 

The RX8's style is aging extremely well. If there is redesign in 2008, it almost has to be for the worse. Look at the direction of Mazda's concepts and you will see that the unique eye for exotic styling is fading from the corporation. The RX8 is almost fully realized style perfection for $31,000 minus Navigation. When it is on a slight incline / slope, any side/rear, front, side/front, viewing angle on the vehicle is enough to stun me into another state of mind. Now if they could lift it out more to have the same effect on level ground.... And if they could improve the dead-centered side view so that it does not fade into common styling and loose all the curves...

Regarding exclusivity, while the RX8 is "rare" in certain spots, we all know it is actually very common in certain regions. Therefore I am banking on and rooting for the 350Z, with its annual power upgrades, to get existing RX8 owners with weak mitts to let go and jump ship to that platform. Hopefully within the next decade, the RX8 will be so weakened by the horsepower wars that it will soon head towards the bargain used sales lots. Because that signals the "me too" frenzy is over, as bargain shoppers are not looking for gas guzzlers. When this comes into being, those of us who enjoyed "exclusivity" in 2005 will once again have it, and forever. The wildcard here, is of course whether horsepower upgrades / upgrade price / vehicle price will ever hit the sweet spot for a certain demographic to jump onboard. If they ever do, and you know who I'm talking about, I might be done for.

Lastly, people who buy Porsche or Corvette have no imagination. They know they want a nice car, but don't know what to buy, so they think, "Oh, I'll buy a Porsche" or "Oh, I'll buy a Corvette". If you look at their demographic it makes sense, as they are at a point in their lives where they are thinking heavily about the near future, and are looking to stick to tried-and-true rather than let's-be-original, and cutting back on risks that younger drivers would be able to absorb. Life has been good, but not good enough for them to behave erratically.