mine is one of those

 

But the S2000 is hardly Honda's flagship car. I guess my biggest complaint is that I have Mazda's most expensive car and it really only compares to other companies mid-level cars. I guess I have a higher opinion of Mazda and the RX8 then I should. I need to just think of it as a 'nice' sports car.

 

more than the amount of rx-8s made.

 

Based on that logic, the RX-8 is doing fine. High end flagship cars tend to be more for generating showroom traffic than for making large sales numbers. They also are a showcase of what can be done.

The NSX, Viper, etc are proof of that. Corvettes sell in the same numbers as the 8 and the Z is not really selling that much more either.

As long as Mazda is making money and has an image as a sporty company, the 8 is fine.

 

Yes, Gm offered extensive luxury features in their cars of the 80's. That was the only way they could compete with the spartan luxury imports that offered a much more competent car across the board. Hyundai and kia are doing the same thing.
They can offer all that junk at a more competetive price because their cars are not as good as the leading jap imports. True korean cars have come a long way but still trail jap cars in overall quality.

 

Wow, so much I don't agree with in this thread.

In reference to the Evo vs. Fiat in top gear test -- this is a ridiculous test. If the top gear of the Evo is extremely tall to support really high speeds then this is totally acceptable and expected. Cars have different gears for a reason -- you downshift to get in the power band you need to give you the acceleration you want. People on an RX-8 forum of all places should know this well.

In reference to the lack of updates for 2006 -- the options you suggested aren't for sports cars and wouldn't further sales. People don't want one touch controls for their moonroof and windows. And integration with portable audio devices is impossible since there's no standard yet. We've seen how awesome the Pioneer and Alpine integration devices have been -- so slow they're useless. This feature will come in time and that time isn't right now. The only thing the RX-8 needs is more power. Everything else is spot on.

In reference to the low power of the automatic being the reason for the lack of sales -- that just makes no sense. Magazines that review this car don't talk about it being the best thing ever except for the AT. They say that the car is underpowered. People spending $30k on a "sports car" want more power, especially in America. Saying that the reason the 350Z/G35 is doing well because of its usable AT is baseless. Do you have any stats to back up the percentage of 8's sold that were AT vs. the percentage of 350Z's that were AT? If not, how can you make this claim?

 

i think the rotary engine itself is more the flagship for mazda than the rx-8. the 8 just happens to be the current vessel.
we'll see

 

The 8 is one of the least advertised cars Ive ever encountered. I can recall seeing more seperate commercials for the Toyota Echo (HAHAHAHA) than all of the RX8 commercials Ive ever seen put together.
If Mazda wants to sell this car, they might start by informing the GENERAL PUBLIC (not R&T reading enthusiasts) of its very existance.
Half of the people I talk about my car with think I have an RX7 and im just confused when I call it an 8.
You wanna know what I think? I think MAZDA is trying to make up for their weak sales on the 8 by charging UNGODLY ammounts of money for MS parts. Why else would a spoiler cost $860? Or a B pillar with the MS logo for $140? If you ask me Mazda is desperatly trying to make up for sh**ty sales in the aftermarket, and its cruel and unfair to us tuners :P heh.

 

George Bush? what does he have to do with it?

 

I think the marketing for the 8 is very poor. At least 1 commercial a year should be made. I think I saw 2 in 03 but that was it. You can also get a base model for under 30k so cost isn't the issue. I have seen commercials lately for the 350z and the 8 is much more practical with the demi doors so it should sell higher than a less practical 2 seater.

The fact that the rotary provides lower gas mileage, requires some additional maintenance (not much granted but still additional) and has the possibility of flooding will forever keep it a niche car.

Average owners don't want to think about shutdown procedures if you are just moving it out of the garage they just want it to work. I'm sure this scares away some potential customers. Also average Americans want a huge surge or torque which the 8 doesn't give.



For the Evo and STi they are already niche vehicles with fairly low productions, at least the Evo (only about 5k in the us/year). I think a good marketing campaign bringing awareness of their superb performance for the $$ would go a long way to increasing sales of those two cars. Alot of people just don't know they exist. Read any auto magazine or web site and ask what is the best performance car for under 35k and it's always the Evo and STi. I didn't say best looking performance car.

 

MOD EDIT- NO POLITICS! zoom44

 

unless he can redisgn the rotary and make it not consume gas, it will always consume gas more than other cars, even if gas is 10 cents.

so , no, he doestn' have anythign to do with it.

 

I think if the 8 had a similar power curve to the 350Z (more low-end torque basically) I think it would really sell. It doesn't need to have a HUGE surge beyond that because the 8 doesn't have to (or can't) compete with Evo's and STi's. I think the main competetors of the 8 are the 350Z and S2000. With more torque, 4 seats, and demi doors I think the 8 starts to become the best option even with the gas mileage and other minor pitfalls.

 

If anything here should have never started in the first place, it's you and your political comments. Read the rules, grouch. Get a job grouch!

 

mod edit- no politics. zoom44

 

Me too...if you force me into an automatic, you lost a customer. I don't know about DSG...but automatics don't float my boat that's for sure.

 

Jesus christ, shut up with the politics. Nobody cares. Stop talking.

 

read the rules buddy, and secondly, its all relative. if gas is a penny, youll still spend more pennines on the 8 so get over it.

 

Ibtl

 

Gas prices directly effect what kind of cars the public are interested in. This is the reason for the current trend towards Hybrids, and away from gas guzzlers.
Internation affairs directly effect gas prices.

Thats is all Im saying folks. Consider me "SHUT UP"

 

sweet!
get it together, grouch!

 

I think the fact we even HAVE the 8 is proof that Mazda dearly loves the rotary, and its rotary cars. They had to fight an uphill battle for years to get the 8 OKd by Ford.

From everything I've read over the years, yes... Mazda really loves the rotary, warts and all. It defines them as a car company.

 

I think its better if Mazda advertises the RX8 in an automobile magazine rather than on TV.
1. They get an infinite amount of ad time (depending on how long the reader looks at the ad) and can say so much more on paper.
2. I would have to say that most people who are looking to buy a car in RX8's class would subscribe to an auto magazine.
3. The reader will find that most auto magazines love the RX8.

The point I am trying to make, is just because it's not on TV, doesn't mean it's not there.

 

I totally agree, Ford is giving Mazda more and more slack to do their own thing. Were gonna see some remarkable versions of the rotary in future mazda platforms.

 

BTW telling me to get a job was baseless. You're sitting at a computer right now too, should I assume YOU dont have a job?
C'Mon now, that really wasn't necessary... and FYI, I have a damn good job, which is why I take offense to that.

Back to topic, I agree, the rotary engine is sort of Mazdas beloved bastard child. Im very happy to see the effort they made with the Renesis in order to keep the RX line rotary powered, but still competitive with todays market. You can def. tell by this alone that the 8 was a labor of love for Mazda. But if they do love the rotary so much, why dont they advertise it a bit more. I think the reason people are so afrade to own a rotary powerd car is because most people dont even know how a rotary differs from a Vblock. The problem seems to be the public is very little informed of the 8. The solution then? Inform them. Dont get me wrong, I love driving around for 3 hours and never seeing another 8 on the road, but I almost feel guilty, like not enough people are enjoying such a great car.