That may actually be true, plus I think a lot of it has to do with what you're used to.

My first watches as a kid were analog but I switched to digital watches when I was about 12 and never wore anything but for years and years.

I've been wearing analog again for the last year or two, but when someone asks me the time it still takes me about 10 - 15 seconds to give them an answer.

We're all used to how to read an analog tach, yet CART and IRL race drivers have digital LED tachs so it must make sense for them somehow...

 

To continue flogging this particular horse...

Another reason I prefer analog is that they provide aditional information about accelleration (rate of change.) The direction and rate of movement of the indicator provides this in addition to the scalar value (speed.)

It's a classic example of presenting multiple levels of information in a refined interface (per Edward Tufte.)

 

Analog speedometer

Sport package that is more sport that look, with stiffer springs, shocks, anti-rollbars, etc.

 

actually the tach does the exact same thing, so we've got the best of both worlds. read your speed directly in one glance, or get that (of questionable value IMO) rate of change info off the tach needle.

 

You can easily get the same information by noticing the rate and direction of change of the digital numbers...

 

Good one, Bill! (Wiping tears and rolling on floor).
But seriously, my wish list includes:
wider trunk opening
auto-up windows
better looking rear

 

- Lengthen sixth gear so that the overall ratio is at least the same as fifth gear in the Rx-7.
- Analog speedo
- Black w/ gray leather inserts

 

- Analog speedo
- Get rid of the ugly plastic seat backs on leather seats
- No altezza tail lights

 

I wish you could get leather without having to drop 3000 on other unnecessary options... I don't give a rats *** about having bose, or heated seats (I live in texas, its never a problem for seats to be warm...), or any sort of traction control, or heated mirrors. I DO want a chapparal leather interior. I don't think id be willing to pay 3 extra grand for it though. Thats 3 grand I could put towards a turbo kit in the future... I'd rather have stuff that makes me fast, instead of random luxury stuff I know i'd never use or appreciate.

 

They should let you can order the packages (slightly cheaper), or you can order individual options separately, so people can really customize they car to what they really need.
Instead of the heated seats, may be there should be chilled/cooling seats too.

 

^^ now THATS a thought. I've been in a merc that a guy I know has that has cooled seats. Its a godsend in august in texas when its 110 degrees outside, and sweat that has dripped on your windshield actually steams away. black leather + that weather = painful burns.

 

One of the advantages of having packages instead of individual options is cost savings. If they have to tool the plant to do fewer combinations, they can optimize certain lines to run certain ways.

Not that there aren't other advantages to allowing a customer to order individually.

 

take customer satisfaction for instance...

 

a 20+ gallon tank.
selling a car without a healthy 300+ mile range is a crime.
recent fuel mileage reports indicate the 16 gallon tank may not be enough

 

Forwarded a the URL for this thread to Mazda, got a response:



To: Michael Romano <romano.michael@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: Thanks for contacting Mazda (KMM113760V82351L0KM)


Dear Michael,

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

I am pleased you took the time to bring these suggestions regarding the
RX-8 to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to
Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments
such as yours help us to achieve that goal.

Rest assured I have documented your suggestion for our corporate
record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product
Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality
products to our customers.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely
satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also
contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500.

Please take a moment of your time to give us your opinion about our
e-mail service. Click the link below to complete a brief, online
survey.

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***************
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business


Mazda's 'RENESIS' Wins 'International Engine of the Year 2003'

 

Rear window shade like hi-end cars
Electric seat adjustments for passenger seat
Auto-dimming exterior mirrors with courtesy lights for entry and turn signals in the mirrors (I think the European have the courtesy lights.)
Easier to reach dip stick (not just reaching the top but easier to re-insert as well; higher neck in the sampling line.)
Folding rear seats
More powerful and consistent A/C. Climate control?
Reading lights in rear seat set in the C pillars
Electric rear window openers operable by the driver
Selection of rims (chrome and/or polished)
Greater flexiblity of adding features, not the all-or-nothing imposed by the GT package. Individually select seats, sunroof, stereo, etc.

 

one realistic change i would like to see is for Mazda to stop showing the car with things like LIGHTS on the bottom of the side mirrors and then the US cars not having them!
and why isn't the Lip Spoiler from the Euro/UK cars available here? americans on this foum have been talking for like a year now about how much we like it and yet it still is not available here!

 

Realistic changes:

1. RUN FLAT TIRES, especially since there is no spare.
2. "Audio In" 1/8" Jack
3. Electronic Dipstick Gague, (not just oil pressure)
4. More selection options, moonroof w/o leather & bose...

 

[list=1][*]No thanks! Runflats reduce ride quality and handling. Not on MY car, thankyouverymuch.[*]Would be nice.[*]The RX-8 already has an oil level warning light in addition to the "idiot gauge".[*]Agreed, although the Sport package was just fine for me.[/list=1]

 

250 bhp in Europe rather than 232ps .... If that doesn't work because of Euro IV emissions, then how can we get engine upgrades (assuming our cars are bought this year and do not need to meet Euro IV) that do not void the warranty?

 

well, first, it's a 2004 model, even if you bought it today.

secondly, it's rare to find power or handling enhancements which don't void the warranty.

 

In addition to some of the stuffs you guys have already mentioned I would like to see:

gas struts for the hood. (my '95 Camry has this, and I liked it)

perhaps 17" Rim as option, lose the fan type look. (four 18" tires' price is a little too pricy for me)

 

I have heard that about runflats, however, the Corvette, the BMW Z4, the BMW Z8, and Viper all use runflats. Seems that there must be a way to add runflats without ruining the ride quality or handling.

It's a bit of a concern for me because I live in Vegas, which is essentially a population center in the middle of a vast desert. Any trips to other cities force you to go through the desert wasteland, places you wouldn't want to be stuck. That being said, I don't have runflats on my mx and I haven't had a flat yet.

 

how about taking the blank below the radio (used for casette or MD player) and put a cubby hole with a power outlet and a set of audio ins / outs? this way we would have power and plug into stereo and a slot to hold whatever toy we want to integrate.