Support is always the biggest issue that push OEM away from FI. They can do it. but yeah, sure. they have to raise the price to cover the support cost. and support cost alot (you guys should know how lousy those dealer service department are, most of them are crappy)

This is just the same with every industry. If you are going to give your customer some sort of warranty, you have to put part of the support cost into the price tag of them item that you're going to sell. Yes you can take the risk of selling it at lower price and just pray that the customer will not have any issues. but hey, whos willing to take that risk ?

Ok this is going a little off topic. Maybe we should start another Thread ?

 

While the competitors have been getting small increases in HP over the years the RX-8 has been going down. Originally 250 then 238 no 232. Instead of screwing the car up in attempts to lengthen the life of the catalytic converter Mazda should redesign the thing to take the heat and retune the engine for more HP and MPG. The RX has a rap of being underpowered and Mazda has done nothing to counter this.

The MPG of the RX is a death sentence for this car in these times, the fact that there are people out there that get 10 to 13 mpg and the dealers have said there is nothing that can be done is the is corporate suicide. Mazda should be put a lot of effort into finding out why there is such a large discrepancy between different RX's MPG instead of sticking their head in the sand.

Marketing is puzzling, I have seen 350z ad running the other day but have not seen a RX-8 for years. Do they just not want to put money into a car they have written off?

If you look at these three points do you really have to wonder why sales are sliding? I love the car but I wish Mazda did also.

 

The renesis is an engineering marvel. Those who know cars know The rx8 is an advanced sportcar on todays market. It's certainly no joke. Mazda is going to use the rotary in future hightech models. Mazda is developing other sportcar models that use rotary hybrid, solar technology in a luxury package for adult shoppers. They will achieve good fuel economy in high horsepower luxury pkgs. The rotary has only scraped the tip of the ice berg. There will be other exciting rotary models to come. The rotary will continue to be used in high end mazda sportscars. Anything goes when you combine hybrid technology with the rotary. You are limited by your negative attitude towards a great car. The rotary will play a roll in future Mazda models and further boost sales. Search the web it's all there in concept cars.

 

That's how I feel also...but I still really like Mazda and hope they have something up their sleave.

 

Did anyone see the GARGANTUAN turbo lag that accompanies an STI when Jeremy Clarkston was racing a mundane Fiat from a 30mph start?

It was sad.

 

You could say that every engine design is an engineering marvel. That statement makes no sense. I do know cars and understand the RX8 was an advanced sports car......in 2004. Times are rapidly changing and the RX8 is not. The changes for 2006 are a joke. Where is the hands-free mobile capability? Where is the portible MP3 player interface capabilty? (and I'm not talking about buying Mazda's vehicle mounted MP3 player). Where is the one-touch control for both front door windows and moonroof? Where is the voice activated Navigation? Where is the dual zone auto temp control? Where is the 250hp that Mazda originally claimed the RX8 had? You would think that after a few years Mazda would want to make good on that original claim.

The rotary engine and the RX8 are not 'one in the same'. My comments about the future of the RX8 are based on Mazda's neglect in many areas of THIS CAR. I know that Mazda will continue to develop the rotary engine and continue to use it in it's flagship nameplates......but that does not necessarily have anything to do with the RX8. Mazda has been complacent with the RX8 and has yet to develop this car to match it's status as Mazda's halo/flagship car.

 

What gear was he in?

 

It was an Evo.

 

I think Mazda does love the 8, but they are having trouble deciding what path they want to take with it. Sure it has had some problems since it's debut here, but all of that has been put behind it. Sure gas mileage is not that great, but lately mine has been improving now that the car has more mileage, and I have not changed my driving style. It is time to face facts, Mazda does not make a lot of money on the 8, they probably cut back on the advertising to address the issues that cropped up. Even with its low torque, I have no problem keeping up with traffic and real grunt cars like GTO's and Mustangs. Mazda will continue the 8 and it will get better, just you wait and see. They have sold more 8's than they ever did for the last version of the FD.

 

I think Mazda still love the 8, but right now they put full attention to sales.

Meaning they will put money into whatever that's selling well. and in this case, the 3 and 6.

They still care about the 8, thats why they put a new Exhaust for it. If they dont care about it anymore I dont think they will even bother.

 

When I was talking to MNAO about special ordering the person on the phone was telling me they considered it more of a "niche" car and that they never expected huge sales out of it anyway. Their goal essentially was 1000-1500 a month in the US market and if they could meet or exceed that, it was great.

I kind of like that people have no idea what it is.

The only person I have encountered that actually knew what it was when I told them what kind of car I was getting, or at least didn't pretend they knew, was the insurange agent. She said her sister had one and loved it. Otherwise most people have no clue.

 

here, check out the future of Mazda the Senku is on the way.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...r=2006AutoShow

 

Quotes:
Where is the hands-free mobile capability? (It's a sports car. Besides, yakking while driving is bad for you.)
Where is the portible MP3 player interface capabilty? (It's a sports car. Listen to the engine)
Where is the one-touch control for both front door windows and moonroof? (It's a sports car, not an Escalade.)
Where is the voice activated Navigation? (It's a sports car, not an Escalade.)
Where is the dual zone auto temp control? (It's a sports car, not an Escalade.)
Where is the 250hp that Mazda originally claimed the RX8 had? (Now that's a good question.)

 

Do you want an afforable sportscar or an highpriced thourghbred? The Senko is comming.

 

The Senku is FUGLY AS HELL!!! However, the Kabura has potential.

 

Ok, a little reality check here everyone.

First off, the RX8 is making money for Mazda, they have said that since the begining and just recently in an interview. They aren't going to produce a car that doesn't turn a profit...period.

Second, The RX8 is more than a car, its a platform. The miata borrowed heavily from the RX8 R&D and design, this is good, because it spreads the costs over several cars. Look at the Nissan FM platform, they use it for everything, and Nissan is highly profitable....conicidence? The Kabura/RX3/RX7 will also be built on this platform, further extending its usefulness.

Third, Mazda was aiming for 30,000 US sales a year as their top goal. Obviously, they have come in a little short on that. Does that mean the car is a failure? Hell no, how many of us now would consider or have bought another Mazda? The RX8 is more than just a car, its a halo product that Mazda uses for all kinds of PR purposes.

So why the below goal sales? Gas mileage? Power? Nope.

Its the transmission. Most Americans don't drive stick, even sportscars. Look at the sales of the 350Z and G35 in terms of transmission. Hell, look at the Corvette and Miata sales too. People here even buy Porsche's with autos.

The 350Z/G35 is quite quick, even with a slushbox. The RX8 with the auto is not exactly exiciting. Honda has the same sales problem with the S2000, but they didn't even bother with the auto. I guarantee you mazda will have some form of DSG tranny for the next version to eliminate this issue. With the 6spd, the RX8 is quite peppy and hangs with its competition as far as acceleration.

I hope the 6spd auto will make up some ground for the car. I look forward to driving it and seeing the difference.

 

The amenities don't have to be standard. If I want to spend $40K loading up my RX8 with every creature comfort technology affords us....then I should be able to through 'options'. Not having the option to include this content in 'Mazda's Flagship Car' is suprising. You can get some of this content in Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Nissan's entry-level nameplates.

 

Mazda sold a little over 14,000 RX8's in 2005.....to me, selling 50% of your expected volume is a failure.


Can't argue with you here.....it is very true. And that trend is effecting every auto companies future offering. Data is everything to large manufacturing companies. If the data says that a certain market doesn't buy manual transmissions.....guess what, no need to develop one. It sucks for those of us that prefer to do the gear shifting......right Japan8

 

here's some text of future Mazdas http://media.ford.com/mazda/article_...07&make_id=227

 

I know that many wouldn't pay for all of these features.....but some would. Why not make these features options? By the way, talking hands-free is a whole lot safer than holding the phone to your ear. You'll never be able to stop people from talking on their phones in the car......but you can make that impulse safer.

 

with all do respect, if you want all those features, buy a TL or a luxury car. This is a sports car with gran touring themes, but not a full blowl luxury car. I could care less if this has voice activated nav or bluetooth. I see what you're saying, and I would think its cool if it did have that- but im not losing sleep or angry about it.

Its the third year of production for the car. Hate to say it but none of us can really say whats ahead. Most top tier cars get significant changes in their 4th year, lately that trend has changed, but not enough for me to be giving up after the third year of production just began. some of the above features would also most likely increase the car's price, which I wouldn't want.

Take the TL for example, that car hasn't changed one bit in its 3 years. Would you say that its doomed? Granted it sells more, but thats because its a more 'everyday' car in a more popular class. (Sedan).

 

You are correct, sir. T'was, indeed, an EVO.

 

No, The rx8 competes with the 350Z and mostly the s2000. It's in it's league as far as amenities go and operating within Mazda's zoom zoom ideology. I don't think the rx8 will keep the flagship title for long. Mazda is building a whole new legacy of cars. The rx8 is early in that legacy. I think it will retain the halo car title of Mazda regardless of the upcomming luxury models.

 

I agree that the RX8 car is a sports car......but it's also Mazda's flagship. They could offer a no-frills versions for sports car purists......and then build on that.

Remeber, Mazda already started putting in luxury car options.....they just didn't finish. They already offer navigation and Bose and heated leather and DSC and TPMS and satelite radio. They should have gone further in 2006 to match competitive offerings. Kia and Hyundai now offer more content in their vehicles then Mazda does with their FLAGSHIP CAR!!!......what does that say about Mazda? If Mazda does not do something drastic in 2007 with the RX8, Kia and Hyundai owners will start to look down their nose at Mazda......and those two companies are the bottom of the spectrum!!!!

 

I hear ya, but i think part of it is being happy with whats there- I mean, everytime my brother (has an 04 s2000) sits in the 8, he always gawks at all the "luxury features". the s2000 is as bare as bare is in terms of amenties. But I don't frown on Honda. Cause the s2000 is a sweet ride and good performer.

The same in a way applies to our 8. Sure some other cheaper cars have more "features". But that doestn' make me question the 8 or think less of it, because its so much more than those features ever can make it, just like the s2000.