US RX-8 sales (not good)
03-03-2006 | 10:03 AM
#176
Club Marbles Member
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From: DFW, TX
Originally Posted by 6speed8
Plenty of cars under 30k Give one touch down/up - open/close buttons.
Most cars will go 100k miles without needing spark plugs (the RX-8 goes 37k).
The Bose stereo (which is the premium one) is kinda lame, less expensive cars come with much better ones.
It would be nice if we could open/close the rear side windows from the driver seat
These things are part of the reason WHY sales are slowing down. If the RX-8 sales do not meet expectations we can forget about any future RX-7 type resurrection.
Most cars will go 100k miles without needing spark plugs (the RX-8 goes 37k).
The Bose stereo (which is the premium one) is kinda lame, less expensive cars come with much better ones.
It would be nice if we could open/close the rear side windows from the driver seat
These things are part of the reason WHY sales are slowing down. If the RX-8 sales do not meet expectations we can forget about any future RX-7 type resurrection.
LOL, no.
03-03-2006 | 10:54 AM
#177
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by LawFitz
I too acknowledged that other factors are contributing to the sales decline.
But my point is that the 8 and all cars with sub-20 MPG (especially those w/sub 15 MPG) will suffer the most if fears of explosive gas costs continue. See SUV sales. This will make this car even more of a luxury item, applicable to those who are still willing to own the car at a higher cost.
And very few owners experience 20+ MPG on this car on a consistent basis from what I've read on this forum. Me personally, I get 15 city and 20 hwy. Too bad 80-100% of my driving is in the city.
Plus with such a wide reported variance, a normal economic buyer will consider the worst case and discount the car's value to reflect 15 MPG even if some are able to get 20 MPG. It doesn't help when consumer reports showed their road test at 13.8 MPG.
But my point is that the 8 and all cars with sub-20 MPG (especially those w/sub 15 MPG) will suffer the most if fears of explosive gas costs continue. See SUV sales. This will make this car even more of a luxury item, applicable to those who are still willing to own the car at a higher cost.
And very few owners experience 20+ MPG on this car on a consistent basis from what I've read on this forum. Me personally, I get 15 city and 20 hwy. Too bad 80-100% of my driving is in the city.
Plus with such a wide reported variance, a normal economic buyer will consider the worst case and discount the car's value to reflect 15 MPG even if some are able to get 20 MPG. It doesn't help when consumer reports showed their road test at 13.8 MPG.
03-03-2006 | 11:02 AM
#178
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by Ryan13b
The RX-8 doesn't get shitty mileage. Yours does maybe.
Mine does fine, it's better than my FD, FCs and nearly matches my old VW Passat 1.8t
Mine does fine, it's better than my FD, FCs and nearly matches my old VW Passat 1.8t
03-03-2006 | 11:06 AM
#179
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by BunnyGirl
Well, since the majority posting on here in the last month or two keep saying "I get x miles per tank" it's a pretty safe bet to assume stupidity if they can't even calculate it out before complaining about the "rotten" mileage they get.
I do expect to get 20 or better considering whichever new job I take, it is country roads and then freeway, so I would have 95% highway driving the majority of the time.
The people I know well that have RX-8's get over 20. One has an 04 auto and averages 20. One has an 04 manual and gets 22-23. I am not particularly worried. If I get 18 or better I am meeting the estimated mileage and can't complain.
I do expect to get 20 or better considering whichever new job I take, it is country roads and then freeway, so I would have 95% highway driving the majority of the time.
The people I know well that have RX-8's get over 20. One has an 04 auto and averages 20. One has an 04 manual and gets 22-23. I am not particularly worried. If I get 18 or better I am meeting the estimated mileage and can't complain.
03-03-2006 | 11:13 AM
#180
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From: Milwaukee Wi.
Sales trends for all cars(accept economy cars) are down right now. Sportscars are always hit the hardest when the economy slows down and gas prices are up. Just means we can get better deals on the cars we really want.
03-03-2006 | 11:15 AM
#181
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From: Portland, OR
Okay. 
I think it's kind of funny. All the cars my family has purchased (we'll go back to my mom's 87 323 she bought in 88 since before that I have no clue about gas mileage; learned how to do it when she bought that car, I was 7) have exceeded the estimated MPG consistently usually by 2 MPG or more. This is why it seems so hard to believe that so many people get under Mazda's listed MPG of 18-24 and even the EPA range of 15-28, especially when they say "no matter how I drive it." Of course a lot of those people calculated wrong that were saying that.
I think it's kind of funny. All the cars my family has purchased (we'll go back to my mom's 87 323 she bought in 88 since before that I have no clue about gas mileage; learned how to do it when she bought that car, I was 7) have exceeded the estimated MPG consistently usually by 2 MPG or more. This is why it seems so hard to believe that so many people get under Mazda's listed MPG of 18-24 and even the EPA range of 15-28, especially when they say "no matter how I drive it." Of course a lot of those people calculated wrong that were saying that.
03-03-2006 | 11:18 AM
#182
Originally Posted by BunnyGirl
Okay.
I think it's kind of funny. All the cars my family has purchased (we'll go back to my mom's 87 323 she bought in 88 since before that I have no clue about gas mileage; learned how to do it when she bought that car, I was 7) have exceeded the estimated MPG consistently usually by 2 MPG or more. This is why it seems so hard to believe that so many people get under Mazda's listed MPG of 18-24 and even the EPA range of 15-28, especially when they say "no matter how I drive it." Of course a lot of those people calculated wrong that were saying that.
I think it's kind of funny. All the cars my family has purchased (we'll go back to my mom's 87 323 she bought in 88 since before that I have no clue about gas mileage; learned how to do it when she bought that car, I was 7) have exceeded the estimated MPG consistently usually by 2 MPG or more. This is why it seems so hard to believe that so many people get under Mazda's listed MPG of 18-24 and even the EPA range of 15-28, especially when they say "no matter how I drive it." Of course a lot of those people calculated wrong that were saying that.
03-03-2006 | 12:47 PM
#185
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Originally Posted by rotary crazy
I get 7-9 mpg in my rx-7 
Remember those break points I was telling you about 10 MPG, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60?
Well the next one is 8.57 and the next one below that is 7.5 MPG.
That means that for every 1000 miles, at 7.5 MPG, you are paying $250 more in gas than a supposedly 20 MPG 8. Over a 100K mi, that's $25,000!!!
I hope you luv your 7.
03-03-2006 | 01:37 PM
#187
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Originally Posted by rotary crazy
my 7 its now at 387 rwhp 
But getting back to the original point of this thread, when consumers expect to get 5-10 MPG less than Mazda claims, they will discount the car accordingly.
It's very logical and easily explains why new ones are discounted $5-8K from MSRP to clear the lots and why used ones have lost 30-35% of their original MSRP values in their first year.
The additional gas costs are offset by these large valuation discounts on what otherwise seems to be a very sweet car.
03-03-2006 | 02:11 PM
#188
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From: Roselle, NJ
Sales of the RX8 will continue to plumet. The Renesis, while gernering any awards for Mazda is hurting the sales of the RX8 in America. The low hp, total lack of torque, and terrible gas mileage all have helped hurt its image. There's a hp war going on and America is at the forefront, because while American cars have bad reps, one thing America car manufacturers can do well is big power. The reality is that the Renesis isn't practical. I doesn't make a whole lot of power and it makes hardly any torque. Truth be told, t should probably have a gas guzzler tax with the mileage it's geting. It's still a great car though.
03-03-2006 | 02:53 PM
#191
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Originally Posted by TALAN7
Truth be told, t should probably have a gas guzzler tax with the mileage it's geting. It's still a great car though.
Of course that car also has 340 HP. Well at least sticker HP. Don't know about dyno'd whp.
03-03-2006 | 03:17 PM
#192
Rotary Wanker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 413
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From: Washington, DC
Why is mileage such an issue? The following is a list of EPA numbers: RX8 18/24 (238 hp), EVO 20/31 (300hp), Mustang V8 17/25 (300hp), Mustang V6 19/28 (210 hp), 350Z 19/25 (300hp), Porsche Boxster Stick 20/29 (217hp), Porsche Boxster Auto 18/26 (217hp). So the RX8 numbers are in the ballpark with the others. Even the HP numbers beat out the Porsche (MSRP $45,000) and Mustang V6.
03-03-2006 | 08:35 PM
#193
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From: North Carolina
Sorry guys, I think you can blame me for this becoming a mpg thread. All I did was say I sold my 04 rx8 because of weak air conditioning that couldn't be corrected. I got a TL which is a great car but not as much fun and now just got another rx8. I also mentioned I got 18mpg on my first tank in my 05 rx8 compared to around 13 or so in my 04 first tank.
In any event, mileage will vary to some degree between different cars, these things are machines and are not 100% identical. Some engines run a little better than others. The way it is driven will have the most to do with mpg. As far as I'm concerned, anything 18 and over is great for me with a car of this type. I didn't buy it for economy.
In any event, mileage will vary to some degree between different cars, these things are machines and are not 100% identical. Some engines run a little better than others. The way it is driven will have the most to do with mpg. As far as I'm concerned, anything 18 and over is great for me with a car of this type. I didn't buy it for economy.
03-03-2006 | 09:47 PM
#194
Tuner Alliance CEO
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Dallas, TX/Gig Harbor, WA
Dear Richard,
Thanks for contacting Mazda.
I assure you, Richard, we have NO PLANS announced regarding the
possibility of discontinuing the RX-8 nor rotary engine use. For
example, we will be releasing the 2006 RX-8 in the coming months and
continuing to sell and market them appropriately.
Thanks for the encouraging enthusiasm that you and many other rotary
fans continue to express. We have no expectation that you'll be let
down.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
reply. Please take a moment to give us your opinion about our e-mail
service. Click or paste the link below to complete a brief, online
survey.
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2248YQG39VE
Regards,
William Z.
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
I WROTE MAZDA, SO DONT WORRY GUYS THE RX-8 IS HERE TO STAY!
Thanks for contacting Mazda.
I assure you, Richard, we have NO PLANS announced regarding the
possibility of discontinuing the RX-8 nor rotary engine use. For
example, we will be releasing the 2006 RX-8 in the coming months and
continuing to sell and market them appropriately.
Thanks for the encouraging enthusiasm that you and many other rotary
fans continue to express. We have no expectation that you'll be let
down.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
reply. Please take a moment to give us your opinion about our e-mail
service. Click or paste the link below to complete a brief, online
survey.
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2248YQG39VE
Regards,
William Z.
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
I WROTE MAZDA, SO DONT WORRY GUYS THE RX-8 IS HERE TO STAY!
03-03-2006 | 09:53 PM
#195
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
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From: Milwaukee
Originally Posted by VashCloud
I WROTE MAZDA, SO DONT WORRY GUYS THE RX-8 IS HERE TO STAY!
03-04-2006 | 07:50 AM
#196
.
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Motorcity
Originally Posted by BunnyGirl
I thought you were a butt man.
Oh....I AM. But Playboy is really weak on nice *** shots.....I really do get it for the articles and interviews. Plus.....man cannot live on *** alone
03-04-2006 | 07:59 AM
#197
.
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From: Motorcity
Originally Posted by 6speed8
One of the problems is several long term tests of the RX-8 resulted in the testers complaining of poor MPG and having to ADD oil. That scares the average car buyer.
Another issue is the actual HP. HP numbers help sell sports cars. 232 hp not only seems LOW, but it is a terrible number. 232 hp to push 3000 lbs!
The recalls haven't helped either.
This is what the RX-8 needs to have (IMO):
300 hp (Honest figure)
20 mpg city 28 mpg hwy (Honest figures)
one touch buttons (both windows and roof)
free spark plug replacement up to 100,000 miles
Options
Voice navigation
Blue tooth capability
iPod (or similar) hookup
Better stereo
More color choices
Power rear side windows
Another issue is the actual HP. HP numbers help sell sports cars. 232 hp not only seems LOW, but it is a terrible number. 232 hp to push 3000 lbs!
The recalls haven't helped either.
This is what the RX-8 needs to have (IMO):
300 hp (Honest figure)
20 mpg city 28 mpg hwy (Honest figures)
one touch buttons (both windows and roof)
free spark plug replacement up to 100,000 miles
Options
Voice navigation
Blue tooth capability
iPod (or similar) hookup
Better stereo
More color choices
Power rear side windows
I agree 100% with everything you listed. I know some here have disagreed with offering this content on a $30K sports car......but it doesn't have to be standard equipment.....just optional. Those who want to pay the premium can and those who do not don't have to. If you don't intend on paying for the added content....why are some of you so against offering it at all. And by the way, plenty of $30K cars offer 1-touch controls for windows, blue tooth wireless capabilites, iPod connectivity, etc.
03-04-2006 | 08:21 AM
#199
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
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From: Colorado
Originally Posted by TALAN7
Sales of the RX8 will continue to plumet. The .... total lack of torque, ..... and it makes hardly any torque. .... It's still a great car though.
I think you should settle on "hardly any torque", otherwise it wouldn't even be a car, but more like an "Automotive Statue" lol, cause it would just sit there
!
