ahhhhhhhh...

4 canadian soldiers killed in afganistan because of friendly fire...... ahhhhhhh

 

Ahhh yes.. the RX-8 forum's first flame thread, over a non-auto topic. Be kewl guys...

 

just cuz we have the better army doesnt mean we can shoot....

 

Okay then, let's make fun of your spelling skilz. :D

 

I'm also looking into this:

http://www.k1-styling.sk/attack.htm

Seriously.

What do you think?


Luke.

 

any1 here has Celica GTS? My final choices will probably be between Mini Cooper S, Celica TS (GTS + extra options for Euro market) & Mazda RX-8

the thing is that my family will open a toyota dealership, so I can get it at significant discount...

another thing is that Mini Cooper S will still be cheaper with more equipment... and no1 still knows anything about how much RX-8 will be... so post ur experiences with Celica GTS if you have them

 

Fast? In comparison to what? I don't think it will be fast. I am comparing it to my '93 RX-7. It's going to drive like a Honda S2000. High revving, high strung motor. The only way to get power out of it will be either nitrous oxide, a supercharger, or turbocharger. I predict about mid to upper 14s with the car in the ¼ mile.

 

Hmmm... Mazda has stated that the intended roll out of the car was Fall-Winter 2002 to Spring 2003. Mazda has gotten off their behind. Velo experienced problems with a Mazda dealer. And anyone who has had a Mazda (including myself with an RX-7), knows that their customer service... wait a second, they have customer service??? I didn't think so.

That is one huge problem they have to address. Hopefully Ford pushes them in the right direction. Salesmen are usually clueless. When I was looking at a Mazda MP3, and told the sales guy about my RX, he started spouting specs about the car and all sorts of trash. 300HP from the factory? In his dreams. I walked out of there fast. When I order my RX-8, it will be at least the second model year, and through an online service. No more dealing directly with the dealer.

 

they are just humans, and you are asking them about info that they read in magazines like yourself, if they had super human abilities, they would own the place, not work in it

 

If the salesmen actually read the magazines, they would have their figures correct. The 3rd generation RX-7 has 255 HP from the factory. I don't expect them to know everything, but at least be honest with me when I am buying a car.

I wonder if the owner of a VW/Kia/Mazda dealership knows every fact about the cars he/she sells and services.

 

Well, I'd rather they delay the release and work out all the bugs. Gives me more time to save up.

I'm in the same boat as the rest of the Canucks on this board. I'm waiting to see MSRP on the car before I fully commit. Its my top choice right now, too sexy for its own good. Love rotary engines, and its amazing the amount of room inside considering its outside dimensions. More rear legroom than the 626, exterior dimensions identical (almost) the NSX (except height). Amazing. What a great packaging job.

Other cars I'm looking at:
- Mitsubishi EVO VII, depending on more details being released about this car (mainly pricing and release date, and if they "soften" it for our market).

- Lexus IS300, like the styling, love the straight-6

- Miata or Honda S2000 (but I think I need rear seats for occasional use, no matter how small they are). Porshe Boxter (heh heh yeah right, maybe if they drop the price $30000...)

- Celica GTS, RSX Type S (wish they were RWD and a few thousand cheaper)

- VW Golf GTi or Jetta 1.8T, now that they've got 180 HP and tighter suspension. Prices are getting a little high though.

- BMW 325ti. I like the idea of their excellent 2.5L 6 in a short RWD wheelbase. Haven't heard anything about this for a while though. Is it still coming to North America?

 

you mean new compact (bmw 325ti)? It will actually now be refreshed, only 12 months after it came out... I think BMW set the record on that one... its pretty pathetic that their new design chief has no clue about wtf is he doing.

so I suspect that new version will come to the states as well... luckily for us, since the one that came out last year was the ugliest bmw ever...

 

Yeah, styling wasn't their strongsuit, thats for sure. Still, I'd have to drive one before I discounted it entirely, although I heard they were pretty "soft" for a bmw.

 

nah, 325ti was a sweet drive, real 3 series, inside and under... out is the problem... we will see if they can make it any better 2nd try

only other thing is that it is expensive... only a little bit less than similar 3 series ($1,5k less), so for USA, I dont see why would you get it at all...

 

As to EVO VIII (which is what is goin to USA), it is +$35,000 car, much more radical than WRX (even WRX STi)... inside is cheaper tho...what i read from brits so far is that they think its crazily good and better than WRX STi

 

Yup, it's starting to sound like the Evo is getting up there in coin. From a performance stand-point probably worth it though.

I agree with all your points Grimace, except I don't care for the Celica's styling. The S is nice but just a little too much coin for no HID, LSD, or traction control. I'm dying of curiosity to see if they make any changes for '03. Typically Honda doesn't make dramatic changes so quickly but I've read the sales have been less than impressive, and they are showing off that "Concept RSX". It's not like they don't have these parts developed as they're all available in Japan. If I had to bet though, they'll probably come out in typical Honda-exciting fashion with a new color or something lame like that.

What about the Mazda6? Nice looking, totally functional package (I like the 5 door), 220hp V6 is a good starting point, and they'll have a sport version with 17" rims. For me, the only real knock against it is the FWD. From a price standpoint, it will help predict the RX8 placement. There's no way Mazda will overlap two sedan models. I imagine Mazda will start the 6 at $25K Cdn (right above the Protege), and a fully equipped version will reach $34 Cdn. That will make it compete with the Altima, Camry, and Accord. The RX-8 will then start with a base version around $35-$36K Cdn up to low $40K. The RX-8 pricing will be targeted against the likes of Nissan 350Z, Inifinty G35, and entry level 3 series Bimmers and C class Benzes. I'll bet I'm not far off...

 

Food for thought... the 350Z starts at 45K CDN! Lets hope Mazda is well under that mark!

I'm hoping for a 35K starting point.

 

Rumor has it they are shooting for under 30k to start.

 

If the car goes for under $30K in the U.S, then the Canucks will be paying at least a few grand more. CAN $1.00 = US $.64

 

I'm a strange one- I really like the Celica's styling, although it'll look old in a few more years. The new celica is slated to come out 2004, but I'm not sure if the car I'm driving now will hold out that long. As for the Acura, I think it'll be a while before we see a new RSX (remember how long the previous Integra was around for?) Its styling is kind of ho-hum, but at least won't attract the cops. Stock tires are less than stellar too. And its a little expense considering the RSX Premium is $4000 less, and has every option the Type-S has except the bose subwoofer. Torque is at a much more usuable RPM level too in the Premium. HP curves are almost identical until 6000 RPM. Decisions...

The 6 is very sexy for a sedan; I forgot to include it in the list! I read a review in World of Wheels (a canadian mag for those south of the border) of the 4-cylinder 6 with the sport suspension and 17" wheels (available in that configuration in Europe) and they really liked the new 4-banger, almost more than the 6-cylinder. Handling was improved with less weight over the front axle. I'd have to drive both, of course! I saw the 6 at the autoshow in Toronto, and I definately liked it. (Unfortunetly, the RX-8 was at the show only one day, and I missed it, so I haven't seen the yellow one in public).

I bet you're pretty close on the pricing too. As long as its not much higher than that, I could justify a new RX-8 to myself easily. Considering a RSX Type S is $31000, and a Celica GTS is in the $30's, an extra $4-5 grand isn't bad considering the RX-8 will (probably) be a much nicer car (IMHO).

 

I was wondering if handling would be better with the 4 cylinder. It would make sense that it would. I've read that MazdaSpeed Mazda6 model could pressurize the 4 cylinder instead of the V6. It would be nice if the sport package and airbag options did come with the I4. Still, 160 hp from 2.3 liters is not too impressive, considering Honda is getting the same HP with their 2 liter engines on reg gas. I'm amost wondering if it's been detuned or understated to avoid competing with the V6.

What I find most impressive is that Mazda is committed to class-leading handling with features like a double wishbone suspension up front on their 6 and RX-8. Unlike others who have resorted to strut design in the interest of packaging and profit?

If I were to get an RSX, it would be the base. It seems the 6 speed is having grinding issues (like the S2000) and mis-shifts seem to be fairly easy to come by, along with a popped engine. Saving 150+ lbs on the base (50 lbs on the Premium - b/c the sunroof?) would be beneficial, and apparently the base 2 liter can be uncorked to release quite a bit of power... The 7K savings should find you at least 30 NA HP while still using reg gas, and install a LSD, better tires, and better suspension...

 

FritzMan, you need to have low end torque in sedan such as 6... 100 HP per liter engine would be out of place there... so 163 from 2.0 should be really nice, add a turbo and there you go...zoom, zoom...

Mazda now can look into Ford Mondeo (which is class leading handler, sells in Europe) and take few points from them... they said sporty models might be on par with Modeo's handling..

Too bad Ford USA cant find space in their lineup for Mondeo ST220, that thing owns... instead, we get crappy, plastic Taurus

Grimace - I like Celica's styling too... and I know everyone has been saying that it will grow old soon, but it still has to happen and car has been around for 3 yrs, it is aggresive enough and ahead of its time, I doubt it will grow old that fast

 

Here's a new write-up on the 6 from a good Canadian review site:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tl/03mazda6.htm.
Turns out I was close in predicting the starting point. The RX8 is looking more and more like a $35K Cdn. base vehicle...

Actually, the new 6 has a base engine with 2.3 liters of displacement and has variable valve timing and lift duration and a 2 stage induction system. Pumping out 160 HP and approx the same lb/ft with that kind of technology and displacement is a little low. Numbers like 180-190 would be more typical.

 

oh my god

 

ahhhhhh