bascho

I'm sure the RX8 will be around a few more years......but it will look like the Senku. Mazda is not going to have both available in the market....so if you wanna see what the next 8 will look like, take a gander at the Senku.

saturn

Could you inform me of one sports car that does offer these things? I'm not saying there aren't -- I just want to know. I don't know of any car that offers iPod connectivity other than like the crap BMW gives which isn't good (it's the same thing as the iceLink). Even the aftermarket products (Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion) are all terrible because they are so slow. I've never heard of a sports car with blue tooth wireless -- only Mercedes and maybe Acura.

I don't think the point was to never offer these. But he said that if Mazda did that it would change sales dramatically. I mean, these are such arbitrary options. Why not have electrochromatic glass in the rear view mirror. Or maybe climate controlled glove compartments. Sure, it's all nice. But it's not going to solve the problems because no one is complaining about the lack of options on this car.

bascho

I am not bashing on the RX8's content for the 2004/5 model years.....I'm talking about the 2006 RX8 which is just now hitting the market a mere 3 months before the rest of the world unveils their 2007 line-up. I am not going to check out every car for 2007, but I can tell you that every Ford, Mercury and Lincoln is going to have iPod connectivity for the 2007 model year. Also, Ford has offered blue tooth hands-free mobility for two years now on almost all their nameplates.

BTW, the RX8 already has electrochromatic glass in the rear view mirror. I was not stating that people are complaining about contect either.....I am merely pointing out that other companies are offering a lot more tech savvy content for their 2007's which happen to be competing against Mazda's 2006.

And the RX8 is not Mazda's sports car in my mind, the MX5 is. I would classify the RX8 as a entry-level Grand Touring car. I would never advise Mazda to add a bunch of content to the MX5......because that is a 'sports car'. When Mazda added those rear doors they made this car something more.......and thus it should be trying to match 'optional' content to the likes of Acura and Infinity.

RichardK

And it's all relative anyway. Compared to the cars I could have instead of the RX8, for the money, the car has better torque, lower weight and more power.

Things are different in the US, but people really need to stop using absolutes.

saturn

That's fine. But I think they need to give people what they're asking for. People who are looking at the RX-8 seem to also be looking at the 350Z, S2K, Evo, STi, GTI and probably a few others. That's a pretty wide range of car types. The RX-8 only needs to compete with cars that people stack up against it.

I definitely think the iPod thing is going to become big soon, but all these car brands you are talking about aren't getting this awesome new interface. They're basically getting a factory built iceLink so that people can control it through their steering wheel control. Some Mazda dealers actually offer the iceLink as an option you can buy and have installed.

I just don't see the major criticism of the 8 being appointment options. Not even close.

RichardK

Mine doesn't. It's got a flicky 'dip' lever like my old Chevette had

bascho

I agree with that. Mostly because the gas mileage, hp rating and flooding issues are very BIG problems and that is what gets attention.

Listen, if you are happy with your 8 and think that it never has to change....that's great. I'm sure you'll be happy to be one of the 10,000 people in the US that will buy a 2006 RX8. Lots of optional content is not for everybody......my grand mother doesn't need blue tooth either. I guess Mazda can market the car to you and my grand ma

bascho

Oh, I thought the electrochromatic was standard. No biggie, it was still an option for the RX8.

RichardK

If I find one, I will fit it. One of the most useful things I've ever had in a modern car, aside from the rain-sensing wipers in my Beetle.

BunnyGirl

Grand touring package has that feature, I know.

Raptor75

The difference is the level that the RX misses the EPA estimates far worse then the other cars you mentioned.

6speed8

It's possible sales are down and might continue that way because the RX-8 has reached a saturation point. We who bought one are a different breed of car owner. We don't mind checking the oil fairly regularly, or starting the car up to move it and taking it for a spin, or sit there till it warms up. Believe it or not, the majority of people find those things to be a hassle, and alot of those people are looking for more bells and whistles than we are content to live with.

The RX-8 needs to appeal to a broader base and in some respects it already does. The S2000 does not come with and automatic transmission or a navigation system. That car is designed for a SELECT group of people. The RX-8 has amenities that appeal to a wider mass than the S2000, but I think with a few more OPTIONS, it could appeal to an even greater audience, and improve its sales.

Krankor

That was an absolute.

IndeRotor

I'd have to tottaly disagree, in 91 Mazda proved a rotary is far superior to a piston engine. And then they were banned from the lemans. I do agree that if it dies so be it, I now have a nice car that will hold it's value. But I also agree that most everyone I talk to would love to own an rx-8 but can afford it. I think they should start putting the rotary in other vehicles and improve the performance of the rx series. Something is coming for the rotary, Mazda dumped alot of money into the hydrogen rx8. I think we have way more coming but it's not time yet.

Roaddemon

It does'nt really miss it. I just got 20mpg, with10% ethanol regular gas, mixed 40% city and 60% highway. I admit cold winter starts and stops, not warming the car up can drop it to 12mpg. Also speeding and reaching high rpm often. Your talking worse case scenarios. It's true of all cars.

Roaddemon

That's so right, They also have a electric hybrid solar rotary that will rival the hybrid accord in HP and fuel economy. It will be comming in upscale sport models. I hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy.

saturn

I don't even own an 8 so don't listen to anything I say anyways. Having every option imaginable probably wouldn't hurt anything, but that's not the point. When you're Mazda you have to decide where to spend your money and time. If I thought the car was perfect I'd say bring on the options. But you have to pick your battles.

I would LOVE to see bluetooth capability. You could have your iPod using this (with an adapter) and your cell phone. I also love the new keyless entry and start system on the 2006's (very few cars have these right now). I'm not opposed to options. I would just like to see Mazda continue to concentrate on the more important issues.

BTW, you think you can hook me up with your grandma?

BunnyGirl

I don't think it misses the mileage so much like people claim (don't get me started on mileage calculations again), especially since my paper on my 2006 says my fuel economy rated by Mazda is 18-24 which means there is an EPA-rated range of 15-28. Technically anything 15 and higher is meeting fuel economy.

BunnyGirl

I would love to have solar power on my car. My ex had high-efficiency solar panels on his 3200 square foot house and they did a wonderful job, even while heating in the Midwest winters. I think that would be great if they could put something like that on a car and have it perform at a high level.

saturn

I think I have to fill up every 6-7 days on average. Am I getting good mileage?

BunnyGirl

Depends on how far and how often you drive.

Roaddemon

Talking about mileage, I noticed my 8 takes 2-3 times longer to warm up than my Mazda 626 in winter. I drive the 8 short distances so it never warms up. Now that's gotta hurt gas mileage. It's not the best car for cold climates but works for me. The upside is I get 2-3 weeks/tank because I drive it much less in the winter. I keep it in winter semi- storage with snow tires on just in case.

Roaddemon

Here is the 2006 consumers report on the 2005 rx8 reliability rating. Notice everything is best rating including fuel. YAHOOO,VICTORY.

BunnyGirl

I had noticed that, too, when I was looking at that particular issue. Perhaps it is people with 04 models mainly that have issues, as with all the other categories?

Roaddemon

I have and early model o4. All the issues were taken care of at the dealer by recalls or TSBs. I now have a 2004 that is as complete as a 2005. It was all covered under warranty. I'm happy.