Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

I just ran across this info and thought maybe others might be interested..

Its about RX-8 and possible RX-7 in 2005..

http://motoring.nzoom.com/cda/printa...170336,00.html

Engberg

Just about every magazine has speculated about the next 7. No one knows tho, Mazda says they are thinking about it...but honestly..they need to see how the RX8 does. But the way Mazda is going (passion and engineering are obviously re-entering the line up...mazda 6 and rx8) So we can just wait for it. But Mazda will not let us down with a whimpy RX7 if they make one that is for damn sure.

Silex

I'm pretty content with the current RX-7, but it would be nice to see the car live on and continue it's production cycle.

ttb

i'm mixed, kinda hoping they don't bring the rx-7 back...that way i'll be owning the last of the breed....but maybe in a year or two the economy will pick up and i can get the next rx-7, keep the FD, and get a E55 AMG for hauling people around

heard the mazda6 is a shitty built car.

Goober

The first question is if they will build another RX-7... Then you have to ask if they will bring it over here to the states... Alot does depend on how the 8 does. If they do build one, Mazda better not pull some crap like building some watered down two seater version of the RX-8. If thats the case, end the RX-7 with the FD.

bureau_c

I think you may consider it a virtual certainty that, if they build an RX-7 replacement, it will be based on the RX-8 platform. However, I wouldn't expect it to be "watered down." I think its reasonable to expect that it would exceed the performance of the FD, given what the RX-8 can do now. Lose a bit of weight, bump the power up and hopefully give it a more attractive nose :-) and you would have a pretty kick-*** automobile.

jds

dubulup

250 N/A out of a rotary...not bad

I can't wait to see when people starting tweakin' out the engine.

BoostedRex

There was a press release from Mazda about the 4th Gen 7. They are shooting for 2000lbs. curb weight with close to 300 bhp normally aspirated. They were talking about using a larger displacement Renesis engine. That came from an interview with the head of the RX program in Japan. I was watching the interview with my girlfriend and had her translate it all for me. They have already begun work on it from what was said in the interview, though they wouldn't release any "real" details. Hope that everyone likes what they are hearing, I know that I do. Laterz.

Zach

dubulup

I thought there was a limit on bhp for cars coming out of Japan...read in a post a while ago...280bhp? Discussion was about turbo version of RX-8...one conclusion was why? If they have 250bhp why through an expensive part (turbo) on the car that adds 30bhp

Engberg

the japanesse power limit is done for. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and others have plans for cars released soon with over 300 horse. The new skyline will smash that limit as will the next V8 NSX. I've heard some stories from mazda that they are actually considering the Miata platform as it is a light weight strickly 2 seat sports car. The car that mazda debuted the Renesis to the motor press with was a miata with the renesis adapted.

Shinobi-X

"most rotary racers today are of the street-racing variety - the 'rota-heads', as today's legion of young fans are known"

...wtf...

BATMAN

if it's true that the new 7 will be normally aspirated 1.5 liter engine on a lighter and stiffer chassis then it would be an awesome all around car.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

I also hope 4 gen 7 comes out.. But at the same time I do like the idea that we have limited number of 7's.. Just imagine if rotary cars are everywhere.. we wouldn't have this kind of closely related passion.. Then, we also going to get bunch of teens who doesn't know **** about cars trying crazy things without thinking (Not all teens, ie: look at most Honda kids).
Just my two cents..

BATMAN

well, if the 4th gen comes out the FD will drop in value.

If it comes out with renesis + forced induction the the FD will drop charply in value

If it comes out with 1.5 liter renesis + forced induction then FD will be worth squat and High School kids will be trotting around in them

DavidDeco

They are NOW.

BATMAN

Beat up ones.......... really a mint CYM one with the right $$$$ mods.

SnowmanSteiner

Hey hey now lay off the teen crap. I am 18 and will be buying my 7 this summer. I admit most people my age are ricers. But not all. I also agree that it would be a shame if the price of the fd depreciated.

- Steiner

TTurboXfd3s

hahahh yeah i'd love to see another 7 up on the market, but then again i don't cuz then i know i'm going to want it but i doubt it to many sports car around i don't think it'll do well at all no matter what you say!

Shinobi-X

weblair24

iTrader: (1)

My thoughts exactly. Yes, I'm also 18. But my FD won't ever have a ricer kit on it.

salamander

I think bringing back the 7 will enhance the value of all existing generations. A long and storied career is just what we all want.

Look at the interest there is in old mustangs and camaros. When people see the new versions they think back to the 'classic' versions and wish they had one.

salamander

I think bringing back the 7 will enhance the value of all existing generations. A long and storied career is just what we all want.

Look at the interest there is in old mustangs and camaros. When people see the new versions they think back to the 'classic' versions and wish they had one.

enuttage

I'm pretty sure we'll see a 4th gen version.

One of the guys in our club in Austin spent some seat time at Laguna Seca test driving the RX-8.

He said there were a couple times they walked up on/listened in on conversations between Mazda engineers/marketers/etc about the next 7 (have to ask him again about the details).

I think we'll see it.

-E

SR Drift

Do you guys seriously think that Mazda will bring over the 4th gen 7 (if they even release one) here after putting a $35-40k price tag on an RX-8? Especially with cars like the Evo 8 and STi WRX coming out for cheaper and more performance for the money, and the cars already available in that price range. Just remember how the FD did in sales because of its price tag when it first came out in the states, and it was a VERY impressive car when first released back in the day.

salamander

I do not think the RX7 is in direct competition with a WRX or an Evo. It competes more with a 350Z or a Boxster. And, these are two different segments of the market. A properly designed and marketed 7 could work.

The 3rd gen failed in the market not just because it didn't sell but also because it wasn't sold. In the early nineties Mazda was running out of cash. Most of its sales were in Japan but the Japanese economy was collapsing. When the 3rd gen was released in the US it was not marketed properly. Mazda positioned the car as a grand tourer instead of a pure sports car so that it could be seen as an alternative to Nissan's, Mitsubishi's and Toyota's offerings. But, of course, it was much more of a pure sports car and that left many who purchased it disappointed. Mazda could not afford to fix the marketing error and so it had to drop its flagship car... with the engine that defines the company's image. Not an easy decision and heads rolled and I think the CEO resigned over it.

This time Mazda has the grand tourer machine (the RX8) and it is being marketed as a grand tourer so people should receive it better (at least in theory). That still leaves room for a real sports car. My only fear is that the 4th gen may not be cheap.