Rootski

iTrader: (1)

I got mine, and I don't really care who else does. They could sell 18 a year and that wouldn't make me enjoy mine any less. Miserable market failure? Okay, yeah, that may be true, but I still don't care.

Stavesacre21

(maniacally chanting)

yes....yes....

let them plague the roads. I STILL continue to enjoy the exclusivity


There used to be 2 other 8s around here. But for a good while now, mine is the only one in this region. I like it that way too.

bascho

I think the question is not "will Mazda kill the RX8?" but rather "will Mazda put any $$$ into a redesign?". Mazda has already shown that they have no trouble keeping a car the exact same design for 5-6 years (or more). If sales continue to drop in certain markets then Mazda will just stop importing to those markets.

I really like the RX8......but with less than 10,000 units sold in 2006, I can't see Mazda throwing a ton of $$$ at a redesign. I hope I'm wrong.

The new mpg estimates coming in 2008 are really going to hurt the RX8 even more.

ASH8

I think Bascho is probably correct, all the years I have worked and followed Mazda their model release is pretty consistent..its usually a 4 plus 4 year cycle with a facelift and major changes....then its end of the road for that body type...look at the MX-5..

The MX-5 went through the same sales number decline(s) and they continued to make the model..
To date since the release of the 8 Mazda have made more RX-8s than MX-5's in the same period and that includes the new NC MX-5 model.

What is going to end the present RX-8 will be emissions more than anything IMO.
Mazda can not make it any cleaner apart from a "duel fuel" option or some kind of Hybrid which I cant see happening...if D.I ever happens, it may help economy but does it change emissions much...I have my doubts..

VikingDJ

I just don't believe it's the best interest for Mazda to redesign this car for the American market. As much as I hope this car continues, it's probably better financially for Mazda to not do so. The car was already failing after the first year, and who can forget the massive overstock of the 04 model being insanely discounted less then a year after it was released. Even I got a fabulous deal in February of 2004 on my RX8. A redesign will likely render the sames results, and just mean history repeating itself even worse, unless the reliability and mpg ratings improve dramatically, and suddenly the market isn't weery of rotaries, which is unlikely.

JeRKy 8 Owner

I agree. Look at it this way...if the RX-8s had somehow offered the same straight line performance that every American buyer was expecting from a sports car in this price range like the Z or G35 (5.3 - 5.5 seconds to 60, 1/4 mile in low 14s or high 13s), then the 8 would probably be just as common on the streets today as the Z and G35, if not more so.

Sucks for Mazda, but great for me.

VikingDJ

Incorrect. The 350Z has 5 trims in the coupe from ranging from $28k msrp to $36k msrp). The Roadster has 3 trims ($35k to $40k). The S2000 has one trim with an MSRP of $35k). 7 trim levels, choice of auto or manual, many luxury features available, and one thing many people love (TORQUE). The S2000 is just one roadster, no option packages, manual only with less HP and torque. That's what makes the S2000 sales, and the longevity it's had with no significant changes all the more impressive. Stupid for wanting a more powerful, quieter , more luxurious coupe or roadster with lots of amenities over a raw one trim torqueless S2000? Not everyone can live with the S2000. It's definitely a sports car in every way shape and form.

ASH8

I think Nissan USA sell around 4 times as many units when compared to Mazda USA.

trash259

The chrysler's crossdresser is more "exclusive". Maybe you guys should have gotten that instead.

JeRKy 8 Owner

Actually the Crossfire is more common down here than the 8

Stavesacre21

ditto here. I actually WORK with 2 people that have them...

Gotian

Yeah, i dont care for the sales going up, i bought mine after wanting it for 4 years (since 2002) and I like being the only 8 on the road. It isnt until ive driving for about 30 minutes to an hour that i see another one, unlike the 350's where i would see about 10 (in coral gables about 20) in the time it takes me to see 1 rx-8.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

How long do they have to support the car with parts? 10 years?, So if they discontinue the build today, I have until 2017 if I need parts. By that time, I should be driving a George Jetson special.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i think we're doomed

that is all

Icemark

15 years is the industry standard. At least in California to sell the car, you must make parts available for the car for 15 years.

The only exception is if the manufacture goes out of biz

arghx7

^^^ you can still get a lot of 1st gen rx-7 parts and they stopped making those over 20 years ago...

bcmzr23

I hope they either continue making the 8 with cosmetic/performance enhancements in the future cause after my 3 is paid of by 2010 I want a rotary!!! Keep the 3 for gas I love my 3 but I actually spend more time on these forums than the 3forums because i'm infatuated with the Renesis and 8 in general. I like the speed3, but if I had to choose I would take the 8 even though the power/gas is less, but its the whole essence of the rotary With the return of Skyline, Z's, Supra(or whatever they're gonna call it) maybe a RX7 return or RX9(combine the praticality of the 8 with performance of past 7's) mmmmmmmm dreams

dmc27

Great idea! Except that f8ckin thing is horrbily ugly, is just as "lacking" in the power dept., and doesn't handle as well.

xsl7xx

i just sold mine after 2 1/2 years..didnt really care for it..now i have an 07 sti!!!

Stavesacre21

good.

JeRKy 8 Owner

January 07 numbers are in....

http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20070...1022007-1.html

Mazda overall this month did very nice...

But RX-8 with only 504 domestic sales...not so much...

Icemark

my new one was one of those 504.

I suspect it is because there (at least in my area) a limited number available unless you wanted a Shinka or a loaded GT.

CarAndDriver

Well we won't be bumping into other 8's that often.

ASH8

Yes, and for those who are doomsayers, as I said many months ago the sales trend is consistent with Mazda's other sports car the MX-5 (Miata), down 7.7% in January, and has been declining for 5 months now.....so is this the end of the MX-5 too?, for memory I think they (NB Miata) were as low as 130 a month in the US before the new NC model was released.

shaunv74

It's is the middle of winter yaknow...