Flybye

I didn't want to post this in the Lounge because I know it would get bastardized.

Ok, so we have been Kings long enough, and now, the RX-8 is on the horizon.

Have any of you wondered if we will get looked down at now? Come on admit it. Some of you know that when you think of a 1st or 2nd gen, you say to yourself "Ehh" Now I bet some of you think that same thing will happen to us now.

Personally, I think the 8 doesn't even look like a sports car, even though it wil have sports car qualities. It now pumps out 250hp NA from a similiar engine that pumped out 255hp with 2 turbos. The way I see it, if we were blessed with larger ports and lighter rotors, we would probably be in the area of 300+hp with our stock configuration.

Honestly, I really can't see the 8 being a good track car.

atihun

In no way do I see it as a threat. That being said, I am thinking about that car as the first "family" car.

Silex

Let the bastardization begin !

No seriously though..haahahhahah!

Flybye, I thought you were my friend and you just did a no-no

You there dude? :

O well ...actaully you make a good point and a valid one at that. Putting all facts aside about the new 8, overall it is still a MADZA, and overall it is the next int he line of the RX Series. So if you were to base it all on hype (which I assume you are), then yes...the 1st genners will be getting a run for their money...

black99

The only thing I really would hate to see is a rx-8 beat a FD in a drag race, that would kind of make a bad name for us, because we are supposed to be mazda's top sports car, even though they haven't made one in 7 years. I mean at least we would be getting beat by one of our own, but it definately wouldn't sound right.. People coming into the "Kills Section" saying they got beat by an rx-8 family sedan while driving their FD. It would be embaressing as hell to have FD's getting beat by them. I don't know alot about the rx-8 besides hp/weight numbers but I don't think it will handle as well as the FD on a road course though.

promax

I think you can't really compare both cars, the 7 is a pure sport car and the 8 is a sport seden. although they got similar number for the engine, but you have to compare apple to apple. Personally, I think the 7 will be a classic in 20 years.

Flybye

You see that's another thing. Jap FDs not only have more HP, but they have better gearing. Jap FDs are probably doing their 0-60 times in around 4.8s or so.

One thing we have YET to see is the RX-8s CD. Does it REALLY look like Mazda spent any time with this thing in the wind tunnel?

Touring FD3S

I don't feel threatened at all. Mazda would have to do a lot to a car (probably not going to happen with Ford now) to top the FD. We may no longer may be tops in the rotary world as far as technology is concerned, but the RX-8, to me, is more of a family car. Back seats someone can actually sit in? And the RX-8 also conforms to that "new style" look most manufacturers are turning to, while the FD help set a trend in looks IMO.
So in my opinion, in no way does the RX-8 threaten me, and it shouldn't threaten such a big guy like yourself

CCarlisi

Eventually the day will come when RX8 posts out number FD posts. Of course considering how many of the FD posts are related to problems, I hope for mazda's sake it doesn't happen. The aftermarket will stop making countless variations of the same components for the RX7 and spend their time adapting everything to fit the RX8. We third gen owners must patiently bid out time, incourage people to modify rx8s, then harvest the technology for the rx7, and world domination

Chris Carlisi (off looking for his hairless cat)

Toadman

Agreed.. It's a new market yet to be discovered... M3 and Euro sedan-style territory. Mazda has bigger fish to fry other than the competing import sport sedans. With a successful launch, who knows what's on the horizon?

Silex

heheh. so true, so true.

O I do, I do! It's the sun......well I mean for half the day it is...other half is the moon.

promax

Also, I think Mazada already confirm that there will be a new RX7 replacement in the future.... (dont' know when) RX8 is just like another line of production. In addition, the 1969 Cosmo will be reproduce as a new car with the RX8 engine in the near fuutre as well, but are we going to get it here, that's another question.......

Silex

God I can't wait until the next 7 comes out My bad wrong smilie. Who knows what the future holds right? Whats on the other side of the rainbow? Over the horizons? Under the pool table? Crazy lil thing called love...

I bet that Mazda won't release the new 7 until we have the hover technology to add to it..."boy when cars fly..." that lien will never work again

edpaek

but at least its a rotary... (ducking)

Leprechaun

I like the RX-8....for what it is. A VERY powerful Sedan. NOT a true sports car. It doesn't have the look, and it won't have the handling of the RX-7. It's taller and longer, and has that new bubbly look to it. It just isn't a 'classic' look, and not really all that unique-looking either...ever since that new beetle came out, everything has to be bubbly looking. (What happened to the low, flat, wedge TRUE sports car?). The 4 doors and 4 seats are unique, and it's a nice looking car, but looks like *** compared to a 3rdgen. I hope it succeeds, though, for Mazda's sake, so we can maybe eventually get a new 7...

NOTA V6

Mind if I ask where you got that information? It would be cool as hell, but I just can't see it happening...

BlackR1

I hope the RX8 does beat the 3rd Gen in the eyes of the consumers. It'll never beat an FD performance wise, but I hope it will at least beat the sales figures of it. FD3S is an amazing and innovative car, but it's reliability was it's achilles heel and pretty much shut down Mazda's US rotary program. You could almost say the 3rd Gen killed the rotary.

If the RX8 can revive the rotary (bring in 1st and 2nd gen sales figures) then it's definately a good thing. That means Mazda MAY consider reviving the RX7 and creating more rotary powered vehicles.

What's more important? Extreme exclusivity, or technological developments to the rotary powerplant?

promax

Mazda has the new cosmo out at the 2002 Tokyo Auto Salon. Here is the web site. www.poweraxel.com/mazdaspeed

kelrx7r1

i guess i feel threathend
i mean damn our cars looks so far ahead of the game
yeah i owned fc's before and now i kind of categorize my
rx in a different way.(truthfully)
ccarlisi u make a real good point what if they turn there
attention towards rx8 -product wise
i mean dont get me wrong i want to see the rx8 on the road
and maybe own one day

Red95T-Rex

'95 RX-7 = My sports car
'03 RX-8 = My mom's future Daily Driver

See the difference? The FD is probably the closest thing to a race car you can buy and drive on the streets. An RX-8 will be a technologically advanced, reliable, sporty, and ultra-lightweight sedan that happens to have a motor with a cult following. I say way to go Mazda, and BUY THE RX-8!!! The better the RX-8 sells, the more of a chance we have of getting a new RX-7. And guys....I want my next car to be a BRAND NEW RX-7. So sign the pettition at "Save the Seven," and save up to get yourself an RX-8 as a daily driver or throw a turbo on it for a crazy-fast weekend cruiser.
Kevin

unixpilot

Are you nuts? Did the R100, RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, 2ng Gen RX-7 ever win car of the year? Or other numerous accolades from automotive enthusiasts/publishers?

If anything I think the FD3S SAVED the rotary! If Mazda hadnt made such a kick *** sports car that still commands respect I dont think the RX-EVOLV / Renesis / Rx-8 would have been developed.

The 3rd Gen Rx-7 along with other Jap sportscars was a victim of the environment at the time, the sports car market was dying.

The rotary will always have a higher FUD factor (Fear/Uncertainty/Doubt)than conventional piston engines....just because its different.

BlackR1

it's because of that, that the FD closed the books on rotaries in the US. As much as I love my FD, there comes a time when you have to realize that the 3rd Gen is the most unreliable out of the bunch. No other car (except for maybe something like a Pantera) requires so much upkeep to keep it running in top condition. It had a beautiful shape, beautiful power, and beautiful handling... but the reliability issue was a PR nightmare. No amount of awards for speed, handling, or design can save a platform if reliability issues are hampering sales in a specific market.

the first and 2nd gen rx7 sales totals top 1 million worldwide...with a decent chunk of that (300,000 at the very minimum) being sold in North America. Compare that with the paltry 14,000 3rd Gens sold and you'll see that the 1st and 2nd gen we're a lot more successful.

You can argue that econoboxes and SUV's killed 3rd gen and overall sports car sales, which is partially true..but you also have to take into account that the competitors (300ZX and Supra) sold 4-5 times more vehicles in the same time frame.

I think one of the reasons RX8 is being developed is because of the RX7's popularity in Japan. In Japan the FD3S is a legend, and sold a lot better over there (up to now, even) than it did over here. They'll probably be selling rx8's in Japan for the next 6-7 years. In the US, maybe just 2-3 depending on how well it does. I'm not going to be surprised if the US RX8 will have low production numbers, because Mazda needs to test the market before producing large quantities of rotaries for the North American market.

I think the rising popularity of Sevenstock and immense enthusiast support also had some clout in their decision to take the risk in re-introducing the rotary to the States.

NevadaLoneWolf

I'm pretty sure it was Car and Driver's(or one of the many other rags) Import Car of The Year in I think...1987....

CPA

I am pretty sure I read that the new engine could not be modified for turbos to be added. Someone will come out with a supercharger, but that will probably only get it up to 7 or 8 PSI. Maybe Mazda did that on purpose to add to the reliability of the RX8. I got 125,000 on my 1st gen before I sold it and it was still running good. I think I would have to be 50 or older to ever think about owning a car with back seats again. Even without my minor modifications (intake, downpipe and high flow cat) I would run circles around that RX8. Like most cars today, it is trying to please a mass bunch and will be a bland drive for doing so. How many of us would actually like to add the weight and waste the space of back seats? Probably less that 5% of us. They would have to spend more than $10,000 in upgrades to try to keep up with my 9 year old car and even then they would not brake as quick or corner with the same G's.

RonKMiller

FYI, If you are referring to the Motor Trend "Accolade" that the 3rd gen received in 1993 it is a joke. Any manufacturer can buy "Import Car of the Year" or "SUV"' or whatever you have from Motor Trend. It is truly up for sale to the highest bidder every year. Not that I disagree with it, it's just that it has absolutely no merit since it can be bought.

rx7eaven

are the new engines going to be capable of a turbo? if so can we transplant them into FDs