Red Devil

With the possibility of Mazda3 variants to compete with WRX's etc...and a supposed Rotary Miata, it makes me wonder where that leaves the RX-8. It would still be the flagship, but potentially much less in the performance category than either. To me this doesn't work.

I see this as a positive, Mazda will have to increase the power of the 8 beyond a free flowing exhaust and lightened flywheel, etc..., to keep ahead of the rest of the line-up.

KCROTOR

I am willing to bet you will never see a rotary powered Miata. No reason for mazda to do this. I am also willing to bet that IF you see another RX-7 it will not be until 2007 at the earliest. The next rotary powered car on the RX-8 platform will likely be a new RX-3. Lower price point than the 8, not so much of a "sports car". Might use the same engine in the RX-8 automatic. It would be cool if they gave us a ***** out rear wheel drive with high HP in a minimalist package.

rotarynews.com

There is one thing wrong with the non-Rotary Miata argument... Mazda engineers are Execs are almost brainwashed to say the Rotary will only go into sports cars from now on... which leaves kick *** concepts like a new REPU out of the question.

Well, if the rotary is ONLY used for sports cars, then it SHOULD be used in the Miata. Period. It makes no sense to me that they claim the rotary is only for sports cars, while for the longest time, the Miata, which is the purest sports car out there right now, has no Rotary heart beating.... not even as an option.

Mazda: if you continue to claim the rotary is only for sports cars, then put it in the Miata. Otherwise give us a new Rotary Mini-Truck or other non-sports car concepts based off the rotary.

KCROTOR

I wonder though if Mazda draws a distinction between a "sports car" and a "roadster"? Maybe they do not consider the Miata a sports car but rather a roadster (I know I do), and therefore it does not fall under the statement about sports cars and the rotary.

Anyway, I would like to see a NEW concept for the rotary. The Miata is piston and I am happy to let it stay that way. I would rather see something new and exciting for the next rotary.

rpm_pwr

rotarynews.com -> it's a nice idea, but I doubt they could hand build the motors fast enough to meet production. I can't see mazda springing for an automated renesis building plant either.

BTW - A FWD rotary is a good idea! No torque steer

rx-7~rx-8

Current Miata owner... i am NOT one of them... but say, they will ruin the miata if they add a rotary in it... imagine if they put a v6 in a rx-8.... ALRIGHT then... thats how most miata owners feel about a rotary-powered miata... reliabilty is bullet-prodd on miatas with the inline 4...last well over 150K...with out any major problems...

Mazda shouldn't build a rotary miata... rather build a 2-door hatch or coupe with rotary... miata should stay true its backgound and heritage...

mental pimp

Yea i knew that Miata owners would hate this, but ive seen v8s in miatas, and thats worse, and a rotary engine is Mazda and Miata is a Mazda , so its ok

rotarynews.com

But there are some hard core rotary people out there that don't consider the Miata to be a true Mazda since they forsake the rotary...

In fact, the population at large has a hard time identifying the Miata with the Mazda brand. I've been at Autoshows, and focus groups where the question was asked: "What manufacturer makes the Miata?" Proved the point to me that the Miata isn't widly recognized as a Mazda (or that people are dumb...)

What the rotary Miata would bring to the table is a powerhouse roadster that screams 100% Mazda technology... Suspension and Engine.

With all that said. It'll never happen.

Senna

Just my two pennies...but if they've really shelved the 4Gen 7...that really sucks!!! Means I'll probably end up getting an 8 when the 7 is paid but I'm hoping there will be a Speed 8 by then.

I really like the 8 but the lack of TQ was REALLY disappointing when I test drove it. At first I thought the gas pedal was hung up on something and not going all the way down. I'm not too concerned about the HP's but when I hit the trottle I want to feel the G's and blow people away like I do in my 7.

But in restrospect....all evidence (media wise) says that the Mazda plant is at maximum capacity with the 8 and other stuff.
Disappointing but true.
I say if you're going to be a smaller company then find a few things that you're good at and stick to it and perfect it instead of wasting time with fringe crud that doesn't go anywhere. Like the MPV and the 3. Not that the 3 is bad or anything...but it'll be a second or third choice car as will some of the other models.
Focus on building the cult, and the mystique and of the 7, 8, Mazda6, and Rx3, etc.

CERAMICSEAL

Maybe we should ask Miata owners if they would be offended by a rotary powered version of their car. One of the only shortcomings ever listed by them is lack of power and the renesis creates more torque from 3000 rpms than the BP 1.8 does at peak. All the serious Miata loyalists I've spoken to are thrilled at the suggestion of Wankel power as an option.

Rotary Soul

it would be awesome to see mazda get more serious about their miata line, and take aim at the high performance roadsters and compete directly with s2000, z4, and porsche boxter (i guess 350z roadster too now, but... somehow that one doesn't really fit in this category). if they are to do that then i wouldn't be surprised at all if they decide to go with a wankel engine.

murix

I was reading a thread just last night on the miata forum where many miata owners asked this very question and do want Mazda to put a rotary in it. The concensus is that the rotary is a perfect fit for the Miata and has all the charecteristics that an engine for the miata needs. The point has already been made that Mazda can sell a base RX8 for $25,200 and this is already cheaper than the top level Miata. Many Miata owners want a rotary.

Who would say no to a lighter, faster, higher revving, super smooth miata? :D

The new Miata is going to share many RX-8 parts already. Adding the engine is not much more. They can offer two models. One with the 4 cylinder as the low cost fun for the buck entry model, and then a top level rotary model.

I would even have to go look at this car. Priced at $30k it would compete extemely well against both the S2000 and the Elise, especially if they hit their 2200-2400lb mark. Imagine how fast your RX8 would be with 500lbs less.

Oh, and for the reliability comment, go look at how many 1G RX-7's are still going strong with well over 100k on the clock.

rx-7~rx-8

Rotary Miata would give S2000 a run for its money...

bwayout

I'd love it - maybe it can be a true 2+2 fastback and a hatchback (sort of like the mx3 - but looking more modern and edgy) ... and compete with RSX or Celica ...

GTRay

i LOVE design by committee!!!

is it just me or does anyone else remember the original plans for the miata concept calling for an NA rotary? wasn't the miata designed around the rotary and at the last minute got stuffed with the 1.8?

or am i just being dilerious?

Ray

Aeterna

If I had my way, the Miata would come with a rotary engine, but also with the look of the J-spec RS Coupe A/E-Type as an available option (as opposed to JUST a convertible w/ragtop).

The news of no RX-7 is disheartening , I was going to buy a 6 or 3 for my fiancee's wedding gift and then, 2-3 years down the road, not have to ask for permission to buy a '7. The back & forth about it's return make me more worried, but I think an alternate 2-seater '8 (or '9 or whatever you wanna' call it) is an excellent idea.

T-von

I totally disagree. If the Miata is ever available with the rotary, it would be an option. Therefore the diehard Miata owners could still have the 4 banger if they wanted. Also NA rotarys have always been reliable by comparison. I don't know about you but I would feel way more confident redlining a rotary with 150k as compared to redlining the 4 banger with those many miles.

s13lover

Hate to tell you, but torque steer really as nothing to do with the amount of torque a motor makes. Torque steer is a product of the half safts being noticeably different in lenght. This is because the longer a shaft is the more it will flex (twist) under load. You could have a V8 with 300ft/lbs of torque and equal lenght half shafts and there would be no torque steer. But you could have an 80 lb/ft torque I4 with one shaft 16 in. longer than the other and have the steering wheel rip out of your hand every time you put the pedal to the floor.

mental pimp

The MazdaSpeed Miata cant?

rx-7~rx-8

Mental Pimp, yeah it could but its a limited edition. S2000 is a class higher than miata... miata isn't as fast as s2000. The 2005-2006 Mazda Miata with a some components from the RX-8 will give s2000 a run for its money...

Rev It Up

So, I wonder if the value of the 3rd gen 7's has just gone up!

rx-7~rx-8

I believe so...the FD value should go up since they will definetly not be making anymore RX-7 badged rotary cars.

rx-7~rx-8

OH yeah... the value will go up in Rtary Fan's.. not Kelly Blue Book Value will most likely stay the same.

TSDavis1013

I'm not sure if this info is at all correct, but according to car and driver, a new RX-7 should debut in 2006. Maybe this is the concept that got scrapped? I haven't seen any pictures of it from the tokyo show, maybe I'll see if I can look them up.

"Mazda RX-7 A new two-seat coupe, shorter and wider than the RX-8 is set to debut at the 2003 Tokyo show. Power will approach 300 -hp thanks to increased displacement from wider rotor chambers."

http://www.caranddriver.com/default....=&strFPIModel=

mental pimp

All that is crap now, Mazda said that it will focus on the RX-8 now, they will be making a 2-door rx8 and a convertible rx8 soon.