I think you should also look at production numbers as well. The Z/G35 have been produced in larger numbers than the RX8 as far as I know. They wouldn't be talking about making other cars using rotary setups if this was a bust. You'll see, more power will come, but how often do manufacturers do big engine improvements in the 3rd or 4th year of production? It will take time, so sit back and be patient.

 

There really is no other car in the"class" of the 8, NO other maker has a 4 seat/4 door rotary powered sports car with freestyle doors. So there really has never been a car made like the 8. How can you really compare a 2 door(Z) with a 4 door?.

Worldwide (and yes there is a world outside the US ) RX-8 sales have nearly eclpised those of the MX-5 in its first 12 months by only 1 month. There was a factory fire that slowed production (US had stocks) and September this year the 8 had its second best month in sales in the UK of 1421 units, which outsold even the US.

Since 2000 Mazda MC venture into China is going GANGBUSTERS, within the next 18 to 24 months China will be outselling the US in total Mazda vehicle sales, and the 8 has Just been released there.

From what I hear the US like OZ do little in the way of Advertising.

 

that interior makes me want to throw up Maybe its just me though lol

 

Yes, the 3,150,000.00 JPY is the same price as their LE Version (Shinka) I, so if its exported, it should be the same price, give or take exchange rate changes.

 

Its a bit too "CREAMY"...

 

Lame Mazda, really lame.

 

its a shinka folks. they do this special edition color thing with all of their cars what did you expect? it isnt a madaspeed.

 

C'mon Ike, it ain't that bad. The color is nice, you gotta admit that :p Has Subaru released anything to improve power on their cars? Don't say the STi, that's a totally different car :p I just think Mazda is waiting/developing and they do things like this to tide over the impatient. I hope the next special edition model does have a hefty power increase even though I won't be buying it. It would show well for the company if they had a power boost on the car, and I think we'll see something soon that does that.

 

I agree it is way more complicated than that. We have no idea what Mazda's strategy is or how the RX8 fits into that strategy. We also do not really know what they consider their competition. Maybe the G35 and the 350Z aren't really it or the RX8 fits into some other part of the strategic plan for Mazda. I fully expect it is making money but how they choose to position it may not be where we might position it if we were in charge of their product line but it is what it is and it does seem to me like they have a plan.

 

more power = lower mpg

pot, meet kettle

 

November 2006.






I was flicking through a few magazines last night on the motorshow and upcoming cars. The RX-8 is due for a refresh or in Japanese mags "minor change" we all know it's coming soon. Well... one mag gave 11/2006 as the planned release for the updated 8. We'll see if it holds true, but this mag seems to have good inside info using the platform/vehicle codes to refer to the various models, refreshes and new models.

 

Mazdaspeed RX-8? Maybe we are looking at s/c for all. The Z just got another minor facelift and more power according to the JDM mags. JDM owners, US owners, car mags... everyone complains about the 8's lack of low-end power... it would only make sense for Mazda to want to address this.

Yes the 8 is faster than the Miata, but it seems that either people think it doesn't feel fast enough or the low-end respsonse just isn't enough.

Speaking of lack of low-end... Honda. Anyone see one of my posts talking about the "RX-8 like" 4 door, 4 seater sports sedan concept they have for the motorshow? One article was talking about Honda looking at finally putting a turbo on an I-4 as an engine choice to go with the SH-AWD system. Even Honda realizes that people want more low-end... which can only be achieved by more displacement or FI.

 

Turbo added to the Legacy GT, turbo added to the Forester XT, turbo added to the Baja XT, power increased on the Impreza non turbo models, 20whp added to the '06 WRX along with better brakes, faster steering rack, and VVT.

 

the wrx got a substantial lift though (face lift etc, refresh), one would expect it had some changes mildly significant. if the rx8 came out marked as 'the new rx8" facelifted with no increase in hp etc thats truly lame. but this isn't 'the new rx8 ' its just a optioned out 8. I wouldn't call it lame as in why isn't it a turbo. just lame as i wouldn't pay more for these 'options' cause it doesnt do much.

 

Okay, that was a terrible question on my part, I meant to add during the first few model years of the engine. Those engines aren't terribly new are they?

 

No facelift, no nothing for the RX-8 at the Tokyo Motorshow except this new "Shinka" edition.

The exterior color was pretty sweet actually. I'd buy a car that color. The interior... NG. This was the second day that the show was open to the public and it was already starting to look dirty. That sandy beige is more like off-white. Not even taupe or something like that.... it's almost white. The alcantara inserts look and feel ok though. The console lid should be black IMHO. Oh.. it also comes with the Euro lip spoiler (at least in JDM).


Oh... Galaxy Gray Mica. It is an interesting color. Kinda bluish gray or smokey blue... pretty nice actually.

 

thats upseting if they do something like that in the states b/c i just bought an rx-8 shinka and if they trump mine and make it worth nothing that will be alittle upsetting. dont get me wrong i love my car but it would be upsetting if mazda started to make special editions every week like ford does for the mustang!!

 

no,
yours is the best it always will be....

beers

 

Your Shinka isn't any more or less valuable than other RX8's, including this new one... it's all about what it's worth having something unique to you. Mazda has been making special editions of their flagship cars for years... look at the Miata M-Editions over the years- they might fetch slightly more on the used market, but it's not like they're collector's items.