if the rx7 never comes back, i could see a gen 2 rx8 closing that gap between utility and performance even more. If the rx7 comes back i could see the 8 being short lived.

but, this is all speculation with no evidence, just my opinion.

 

Judging from what I've seen of Mazda's RX-8 decisions thus far, they seem determined to screw up their opportunity to rule the 30k sports coupe market. Their 'sales prevention team' must be getting record bonuses.

So, no, I don't think there will be a more powerful 8, and production will end with a whimper, not a bang.

Maybe the evil ones at Ford don't want a car competing with their sh*tty Mustang.

 

I believe the conditions that Road & Track tested their MS6 were less than optimal for a turboed car--or perhaps they tested it after it had been heat soaked to reach those 5.9 numbers.

 

the car is in its 3rd year of production-its hard to judge or decipher 'patterns' in such a short time...give it time...we'll see what happens.

they've made what we call 'useless' trim special editions, but, to some its not and at least something's brewing,.... they just haven't figured out the power issue yet.

just my opinion though, i can see where you come from, but hard to call Mazda sleeping on the 8 in just its 3rd year.

 

You're all thinking locally. Think globally. The car sells like hot cakes in Europe because they "get it" - size, handling, performance. In the US it's about size and power - power - power. Subaru gave the US a 2.5L STi because they knew it would help bring in people outside the normal fanbase. In order to suceed in the US the RX-8 does need to step up the power issue.

 

I think to take cues as to where the RX-8 is going, we just have to look at the other RX series. The RX-7, even within its respective 3 generations saw boosts in power as the years progressed. This came from both actual engine improvements and forced induction. The power boost from the FC to the FD was from 160 NA, or 200 FI, to the FD's 255 FI.

More power to the 8 is surely on the way, imo. When and how much? Who knows...


For those that already own an 8, like myself and many others on here, I say who cares? Aftermarket forced induction is the cure for me and I am more than content with going that route. Put any Mazdaspeed FI'd 8 against a Hymee/Axia/PTP FI'd 8 and it won't be pretty. Whatever Mazda will offer won't be close to what those guys are going to offer.

 

Ironically, with more power locally, the RX-8 will make more warming, globally. We didn't listen! We didn't listen!

P.S. - I broke the dam.

 

This answered this pretty well (while I would have worded it nicer, lol):

But I’ll add that at the end of a ¼ mile the MS6 is hitting 14 sec’s flat while the 8 is hitting 14.4-14.6’s so I have to agree that only if the driver of the MS6 is a really bad driver should the RX8 take it.

Of course at a track it would run circles around the MS6, but then again it’s a dang sadan so I would expect that anyway.


Well, once again I don’t agree that the Mustang is shitty...if you test driven one? With that said, with all due respect to FORD…I honestly sometimes feel that there might be some truth to the above comment. Ford owns a pretty big stake in Mazda and want’s them to be successful but if the RX8 was made for the same price and similar performance they wouldn’t be too happy about it.

Maybe I’m wrong, but the little to no information about a MS8 or upgraded Renesis makes my conspiracy nerves tingle…at least until cold hard facts calms me down.

I love my 8 and I would honestly be mad at Mazda if they gave up on the car. So much so...that I might not consider them again...you know, to act like a scorned woman and all.

lol

 

Exactly! i have an 04 and adding more power in the 07 doesn't really do anything for me.. But if they have some type of bolt on kit that can be dealer installed that would be amazing..

But that makes sense, so throw that idea out the window.. lol


MrJynx

 

Yeah, I agree...the reason I look forward to it my hope that I'll be able to mod my current Renesis to gain the power that "MIGHT" come down the line. Or else...other than it being good for the RX8 since I think it will boost sales...it does not really effect me.

You could always swap the engine out in the future...or, I'll bet someone would figure out how to adapt our current engines with the upgraded one.

Us 8 owners sure like to dream....

 

The only things I'm looking forward to/hoping for from Mazda for the engines are Direct Injection and an all AL platform to save all the more weight, or possibly more displacement in a two rotor. I'm really just hoping for direct injection and AL housings. But whatever Mazda has in the works, I'm sure can be adapted to my '04.

I'll go for another RX-8 when I see that Mazda has put in overwhelming chassis improvement over the current model. But imo, Mazda does their homework much better than most car companies. Just look at how 13 years later the FD RX-7 is still the benchmark it is.

 

Well said!!!!! I believe the same thing....in Europe the RX8 is selling well because of size and practicality plus sportiness........I think the sould bring up the power here (HP and Torque) and I bet you the car will come back to life. My salesman told me that they still had 05 RX8 in the lot about 3 weeks ago when I test drove the MS6 and he told me to not even try to trade in my car because I wanst gonna get enough money for it....they had 2 hands full of used 8's in the lot as well, all he told me was that I was lucky that I leased it so that I can walk away and get what ever I wanted....

 

Whether this is true or not I don't know, but the airheaded, no-nothing Mazda rep at the Portland autoshow was saying that they were coming out with a special edition RX-8 in Spring 2007 that was supposed to be either a full convertible or partial convertible (whatever that meant) and that it was coming out in some sort of a bright green metallic color, limited production.

I don't know that she is necessarily reliable since she clearly had no idea that the RX-8 on display was an 05 and not an 06.

 

Wow BunnyGirl...that's another thing I hadn't thought of. Right now, instead of more power, we get another special addition Shinka thingy. The way things are going, I wouldn't put it past Mazda to give us a convertible one or two years from now instead of addressing the power issue. Don't get me wrong, I love my car and the 238 HP is fine for me. If only this car could get 30-40 lbs more torque, I'd be completely 100% happy. Just needs a little more oomph off the line IMO.

 

^make that 232bhp according to the more strict SAE rating system

 

complete and utter nonsense bunnygirl

 

Sounds more like a miata. The only thing I've heard about them is a possible retractable hardtop (full power) model.

 

If the 2007 version actually has more power, but it came with a weight increase, I'd rather have the 2006 version, perceived lack of power and all. If Mazda wants to increase power for 2007, please do it right and don't increase the weight at all (not even one pound)!

Then again I'm probably not the typical customer. For one thing, I actually dislike lots of low-end torque.

 

I'm not sure exactly. She was telling this to a man that was saying he wished it came in a convertible and then he would buy it. She then started telling him about this "special edition" they were supposed to be coming out with soon. He asked when it would be out and she said she "thought" it would be out in Spring 2007. Whether there ever is one, who knows. I know I keep hearing people talking about convertible versions maybe someday coming out. Other than that, as far as I know it is all just speculation.

 

typical salesman-speak, it's so obvious

 

if i ever have the money in the future...and a new RX-7 came out that is on par with the FD if not better.. then i will get rid of my 8 without a second thought...

if no RX-7 and a new supra or a 'skyline aka G35 coupe or 350Z' comes out id sell my 8 in a heart beat...

but until then... i am satisfied with my 8.. its not bad at all considering the price i paid in relation to other so called "sport scars" out there..

and the MS6 is being highly underrated on this forum which is typical ... but dont be surprised when you dont see the RX-8 running circles around the MS6 on a real track, not the top Gear crap or some Auto X ..just like you dont see the rx-8 running circles around many cars... i appreciate the 8's handling for what it is..but not the 'godly-status' we give it.

 

I have a hard time believing mazda will offer a turbo version, seeings how the FD ate their shorts in early engine failures and high selling price. I would much rather see a higher revving Renesis or a 20B setback with Aluminum Side plates, but the 3 rotor is more prone to twisting so not sure if aluminum would work so much as Titaniummmmmmmm.

 

honestly i think they've gotten all the power out of the 1.3 that they can get with the exception of adding a turbo or super charger.

 

^^^
And what do you base that on?

 

What have you got against power? If the 8 had more low-end torque, nobody would be complaining about how "slow" it is, and it would sure get a bit more respect, not to mention better track times.