Rx7 1/2

 

DING DING DING, we have a winner!!

 

I don't think Mazda should bring back the RX-7 name. Let the line live on in memory. Its confusing to the consumer and bad marketing to look to the past instead of the future. Ford got away with it with the Mustang, but only because the body had a perfect blend of modern and retro styling.

Personally, I think the RX-8 body is very beautiful sports car body. It has the body of a sports car that has twice the power that it does. I get comments all the time on how badass my 8 looks from guys driving cars that can smoke me. One of my friends drives an STI and another a Z06, and they both love the styling of the 8 and ask to drive it all the time.

I think the 2+2 design was simply inspired. I'd personally rather see a 2nd gen RX-8, or an RX-9 with a slightly more refined body based on the existing 8 design. Personally, I thought the concept sketch in R&T looks like ***. And I'm not too thrilled about Mazda's other concept designs. If we could get a 300hp improved rotary that gets about 30mpg, but keep the RX-8 body styling, then I can die a happy driver.

 

I like how everyone just throws out their wishes on what they want from a 2-rotor. It's a miracle that Mazda was even able to put the RX-8 into production. That took *****, considering all the emission limitations. At the same time, they were able to pull off the amazingly smooth feel you get while driving that you can't with many cars out there. And a great price to go with the RWD.

Like 8rotor said, just spend the dollars for a turbo or supercharger if you feel like the car is missing something. You'll make the car even more unique than it is. Having more power has its consequences, though.

And don't expect a consistent 20+ mpg from a rotary in city driving. Just not happening considering its nature.

 

In which case, do you really, honestly think you'd still be toying around with a rotary powered MX-5 then? One would only imagine that moving on would almost happen overnight or at least the next morning at the ferrari, porsche or lotus dealership.

that rebuttal made no sense whatsoever. what on earth are you talking about and/or attempting to contest? seriously.


you could also die waiting at the dealership to get one. At the 8's price, a 300HP sports car that gets 30MPG would instantly be at the top of almost everyone's list. I'd highly doubt that they'd be able to even keep them in stock.

 

Why is everyone getting worked up about the name of the new car? Isnt it exciting that they are indeed working on keeping the rotary alive?

I doubt they'll bring back the RX-7 name just because it would be confusing - the Rx-7 had 3 generations and then they brought out the RX-8 and stopping that and re-releasing the RX-7 would just make many ppl's head dizzy (esp those who dont really know the history of the rotary).


Nissan brought back the Z brand name not the 300Z brand name. Their new car was a 350Z and if there is a new body style it wont be called a 350Z, it'll probably be a 400Z.


I see no issues with them releasing an RX-9 or RX-10. The Kabura is a beuatiful car and in 2010 that would make a perfect choice for me to upgrade from my RX-8

 

Many Japanese car companies have had nameplates around that continually get enhanced. Think Civic, Corolla, Accord. However tehy have always been in production so perhaps its best to the the RX7 name be retired and move on. I for one think Mazda will make a 2+2(but only if the rear passengers don't have legs) with a slightly improved rotary and light weight components. By spending another 5k on lighter components they improve MPG and performance.

As far as a 2 seat coupe Maxad has the MX-5 PFHT for that. Within a couple of years I bet we see a MS MX-5 as cloth and PFHT.

So you have entry level roadster/2 seat coupe, 4 seat 4 doorish coupe and the dedicated performance coupe along the lines of an Elise with a little more refinement.

 

The MX-5 is an amazing car and I haven’t stopped smiling since I picked up mine a couple of months ago.

 

I used to agree with this notion and many of your points are very valid. However, lately I've been seeing more reasons for bringing the RX-7 name back.

There seems to be a built up demand for the FD RX-7. The 3rd gen had its chance, but was a big sales failure for Mazda. However, it was made even more famous after its demise (much like Star Trek in reruns), through the Fast & Furious movies, the Tuner craze, Drifting craze, and a certain anime called "Initial D". Many people want an FD, but won't buy a used one due a relatively high price (for a used car) and reliability concerns.

So much like the Skyline GT-R, I believe there is existing demand for a true 4th gen RX-7. As long as the new car can surpass the FD, Mazda will have marketing value in using the RX-7 name. There's a new generation just waiting for a true RX-7 to be reborn.

And if it's called RX-9, there will always be the "Save the Seven" faithful calling for the return of the 7, claiming the 9 is not a true 7. So why not just call the car RX-7 if indeed that's what Mazda intends the next RX car to be.

 

RX-7 is DEAD...

May be a light weight Rotary coupe...even doubt that one, not unless the 8 is canceled, you can't have both...wont work.

 

What don't you get about it??

Mazda has planned on there being three cars on the P007 platform since day one. A GT car, a small cheap sports car, and a convertible.

Porsche has the same type of line up. A GT, a Sports, and a Convertible all built on simular platforms.

And you are probably too young to know or remember, but the Mazda sports cars were often considered the poor man porsches.



And for those asking for a FD replacement, the FD WAS A FAILURE. It was $42,000+ new 15 years ago. it would be over $64,655.00 in todays dollars. Mazda will never ever ever be able to sell a car like that today. PLUS even when compared to the Miata, the FD suspension was harsh and the car too small to be practicle for almost anyone. The FD WAS A FAILURE... why do all these people keep asking for another. Its not like any of them have $65,000 or $70,000 to blow on a super car.

The planned RX-7 that I have heard about is supposed to target between Miata and the RX-8. while keeping production of all three.

That is the only way a RX-7 worked. When it was cheap and everyone could afford one. Sales tanked with the higher prices.

 

The FC was comparable in performance to the 944 of the time at least up to 8 or 9/10. If you take into account price, insurance, and repair costs, the FC was a no brainer and it had the addictive rotary engine... enough said.

 

actually Porsche was so impressed with the FC, that they were planning on having the 924/944 replacement being built by Mazda. In essence the FC with re-styled interior/exterior, updated suspension, and a Porsche piston motor.

If not for Porsche's US born CEO at the time getting fired by the board of directors at the peak of the early 90's depression and first gulf war, the deal would have gone through and there would have been the Japanese built entry level Porsche.

 

I would like to indicate my agreement with your post

Laters!
Edgardo

 

Didn't you see F&F??? The FD was a great success, just ask all ~14,000 original purchasers of the car in North America. Forum members here predict all the time that the RX-8 is going to be discontinued for horrible sales, imagine what they would have done if they'd purchased the FD and seen it's sales over the 3 MY period it was available stateside. They probably would have jumped out a window.

I think you've stated before that you currently, or used to work or contract for Mazda. I hope they're thinking like you and the next car (if it comes) will be more like the poor man's version of the CaymanS - drawing likeness to the previous 944 vs. FC comments. I have an old Magazine ad somewhere where Mazda directly goes after the 944 bragging that the RX-7 TII is 10K cheaper and still all the performance.

Light, well-balanced, and relatively powerful.

 

I agree with your comments a 100%. All these ppl calling for an RX-7 revival probably dont even have the 70K needed to buy such a car.

I am slight puzzled about the fact that they would want to position a car in between a Miata and an Rx-8. That would not give many RX-8 owners incentive enough to go and buy the new Kabura. Esp if they stopped production of the 8.

Are there thoughts then on introducing a new bodystyle version of the 8 along with the Kabura as well?

 

I still don't get why mazda wouldn't build a true 2 door 2600 pound RX8, call it whatever they want, and keep the 4 seater RX8, using the same everything. No reason why the 2 door should cost more than the existing 4 door.

 

The FD was indeed a sales failure in its time. But it has grown to become a bigger legend after its death. So I say bring it back.

I was an original owner back in '93, I paid about $31K after discounts, MSRP was something like $33-$34. I can afford to pay $70-$80K for a Mazda supercar today if I want to. And frankly, the new GT-R is a strong candidate as my next car. But I really think Mazda can get the job done at a sub $40K price point.

At the time, the FD offered Porsche 911/Acura NSX performance for a fraction of the price. One could argue that the current EVO, STi, and Lotus Elise provide performance levels that rival much more expensive machines of today. If Mitsu and Subie can do it, why not Mazda? If people are willing to pay $70K for a Nissan GT-R, why not $40K for a true FD successor RX-7?

If it weren't for the stricter emissions of today, I think Mazda would have no problem bringing out an FD successor poised a notch above the EVO/STi, compete against the likes of the 911 and C6 Vette, and do it all for say a $38K MSRP base price.

And if Mazda does make my fantasy RX-7, I will happily plunk down my hard cold cash for one.

 

Wow original FD owner, you are my hero!!!!

 

Finally people here are making sense. I have said these things in some other threads too. We just need to let the Rx-7 rest. I think all the newer Mazda's will have "names" given to them, example: Kabura.

 

A sub $40,000 price point would not be realistic. You couldn't build the car that cheap, that would eclipse all the FD and FE advantages.

And lets face it almost no-one would buy a $50,000 Mazda. Too many other sports cars/ enthusiast cars in that price range. M3, Most Porsches, Z4, Z4 coupe, vettes (with dealer incentives), CLK, etc. A $50-60K Mazda needs to be better than a $60-70K BMW to sell.

So you end up with a sales failure again. You need to sell 4-500 a month to justify light production.
Have you driven a Evo or a STi? A Mazda 3 would be a better example. Both are stippy economy cars that got hopped up at the factory, but they still are base econo-boxes.

You can put a candle in a pile of dog **** can call it a birthday cake, but it is still a pile of **** with a candle in it. After driving both the current EVO and last gen STi, I can (without any doubts) not even consider them in the same ball as a birthday cake. Sure they have a big candle, but nothing else.

And lets face it... the person buying a $50K car is not even considering a Evo or STi, no matter how fast they are. I would go so far to say that I would doubt many people even buying say an new 328i would consider a Evo for even a second.

Maybe give the Mazda 3 AWD and then you'd be in the same class as an Evo or STi... but not a sports car or sports coupe.

The piston powered RWD Kabura is slated to be sub Miata priced product, to go against against cars like the TC, RSX, SE-R Sentra, Civic Coupe, GTI, etc.

 

Nope, Mazda is going away from names in North America an Europe. That is why the Miata is no longer called the Miata, but rather the MX-5.

 

to me, the FD RX7 was an abberation from the FB and FC. The issue for most people is that the "FE" has to be at least as fast (0-60) as the FD. The 350Z is actually faster than the twin turbo 300ZX.

Frankly, I don't care if its not as fast. Mazda can get a car close with light weight and maybe a light turbo application, legitimatly a mid 5's car pretty easily. They could even offer two versions like they did the FC. I liked the FD, but the needs to go back to its roots

 

So if I understand this correctly, there will be a sub Miata priced 3 seater piston Kabura-esque car, a 2 seater Miata, a new rotary priced between the Miata and the RX-8 and eventually a new RX-8 ? or is the RX-8 going to be eventually being discontinued.


Would that mean that the new rotary would be better than the current Renesis engine and still be cheaper than the current 8?

 

If the market does not crash as it did in the early 90's, I would expect to see 4 sports cars from Mazda in the line up by early 20teens. The MX-3/MX-4 (kabura), MX-5 (Miata), RX-7, and RX-8 or RX-9.

I would not expect the RX-8 to be discontinued until both the RX-7 and the RX-9 are ready. And if the market fails, then I would expect no RX-7 and no RX-9, and just the RX-8 and the MX-5 and the MX-4.

And to the engine, as always, with the rotary engine, every 4-6 years a major improvement comes along. I have no doubts that this will be the case. I have heard of Hybrid gas/electric 300HP RX's running, I have heard of direct injection rotarys running, and higher displacement (15B) switched rotor face motors running.

Which one finally makes it to a production vehicle, we will have to wait and see and I suspect will be very closely related to which motor makes it to 150K miles with no major issues.