Scalliwag

I hope Ford plays their cards better than that now that they own it.

gen2ForCe

what are the estimate price on the 8 anyways? i havnt seen no real fixed numbers yet....

RedX7

From what I've "heard", base should be about 28K. With options and other stuff, they'll probably be in the low to mid 30's. Who knows? Anything could change at anytime.

gen2ForCe

geez sounding lil high there...do u think majoirty of people willing to pay that much for a mazda:-D haha..dont get me wrong i love mazda...but u know its not very mianstream to say the least---it aint no HONDA! haha if u catch my drift

RedX7

True, it is a bit pricey. But I don't think that Mazda is shooting for the masses. This is more of a niche car that is appealing over a broad spectrum of consumers. Hence, the four doors, four seats and other creature comforts while still maintaining its integrity as a sports car.

gen2ForCe

maybe but if mazda plans on making money they gotta start going more mainstream:-D

RedX7

Well, if we are lucky enough, and Mazda does a good job of selling the RX-8, the price may drop when they start building the RX-7's because of platform sharing. I sure hope so. A 4th gen would be awesome. Since it seems that the SUV frenzy has slowed quite a bit, and performance cars are starting to breathe life back into American roads, I'd say the RX-8 and RX-7 have a better chance than most of us think.

Zach McAfee

Some interesting thoughts in this thread.

The RX-8 will be under 30K so that Mazda will have the best price in that class. If not the best price, they want to stay under the 30k mark. Just marketing strategies I suppose.

And as far as going mainstream, NOT going mainstream is responsible for things like the rotary engine and Mazda staying in business. I'm dissapointed in the RX-8 because of it's attempt to satisfy a larger market (mainstream'ish), but if thats what it takes to bring back the rotary engine, I'm all for it.

Another thought, considering historical competition, the Supra and the 300Z, I think a RX-something is very close now that the new 350Z is on the market. I wonder what Toyota's answer is to the new Z?

gen2ForCe

well im hoping for the best:-D cuz i love mazda...n u are right rotary is not mainstream...but then again mazda is a coporation...n bottom line is gotta make money not satisfy us zealous fans:-D haha....so we'll see...that b sick if toyota brings back the supra:-D imgaine 2005 rx7, 350z, and toyota supras all at your local races ooo the possibilites! hehe

protlewski

A new 7 would dominate!! at least in handling.

But the funny thing is that forign automakers have finnally wised up and have spoke...... Let there be TORQUE! and a couple of years ago i would have said hell yeah but now I care more on the handling.

gen2ForCe

hows the handling on the new Z? i havnt had a chance to read much on it anyways...yah u do need some handlin:-D...

RedX7

I can't remember any exact numbers, but I can recall that the writers of SCC liked the new Z very much. I think their only gripe was that the damn thing could shed a few pounds. Hopefully, Mazda will keep that in mind when the RX-8 and RX-7 are released.

Redwood

I heard 2004 supra was a possibility. I bet the forum has all the rumors on this one (I think that's where I read it).

peejay

When Mazda shoots for the mainstream is when Mazda fails.

Subaru had the same problem. You can't win against Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota at being mainstream. They were choking hard. Then they said "Hey, AWD is our niche", and built upon that. Now, they sell NO cars (in the US anyway, not sure overseas or homemarket) that are FWD anymore - everything is AWD and most are Outbacks. I have noticed a significant number of WRXs on the road as well - this is a Good Thing for Subaru. And the WRX is barely a year old!

The rotary engine made Mazda as an automaker. Geing mainstream has been hurting them. They're going for the niche now... zoom-zoom this and that, going for a specific market instead of the Bland Masses. The niche made them, and so they must stick to their niche, instead of overextending themselves trying to be something they're not.

gen2ForCe

yah but they still aint a big baller company if u know what i mean...jus seems like they jus holding on to their nichie....but its all good they got us right? :-D

RedX7

That's the point, Mazda is aiming for the sport's car niche! But at the same time, the RX-8 will be appealing to more than just people like us. With the whole 4-door 4-seats thing, it is possible transportation for a family of four. And a N/A 1.3L engine will get pretty good gas mileage. The new RX-7, however, should be pure sports car. 2 doors, 2 seats, 0 cup holders-well maybe one for the driver.

gen2ForCe

dammit we need those cup holders! :-D they should make it into a law! mandatory cup holders! racers need to drink to

RedX7

Yes, racers need drinks, and that's why I added one. Co-pilots, on the other hand, can hold their own damn drinks!

gen2ForCe

haha what about the girls? cant make them hold their own....:-D in the end u know its still about trying to look cool for the girls Haha

peejay

And they never will be. That's perfectly okay.

Like I said, you simply can't compete with Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota at selling big numbers. They sell big numbers because they know how to be mediocre. "Popularity is the hallmark of mediocrity".

i don't want a mediocre car. That is why there is an RX-7 parked in my driveway.

protlewski

yeah popular cars are the ones you notice the least.

You know it's like when you see a honda (save for the s2000) you don't think twice about even looking at it but then you see a viper and just because you don't see them to often you are compelled to look at them and desire them. thats the same with almost any limited production car.

It doesn't matter how much they cost just the rarity of it makes it desireable. People (especially us) want to be individuals and one of the ways humans of this time and country do throgh our cars thats why we like to customize.

mazda should keep producing great unique cars because they couldn't be mediocre if the tried.

gen2ForCe

all that is true but im jus saying mazda does make more cars then just the 7....n some of them are mediocre....i mean dodge is pretty "big baller" company in it self and it also has the viper...but it also got many "medicocre" cars...same wit honda they got their NSX andtheir S2000 but then they got the civic..ford gots its cobra R...n its saleen n its GT40 ect ect....most companies got their super cars that are very nice n their mediocre cars that help them sell and make money...i jus hopipng mazda could find thta mix so they can get more money n come wit even more innovative and crazy *** rides...

twint78

actually saleen isnt approved by ford,cuz of all the problems.they approve steeda over them.so saleen doesnt belong to ford.sepereate company entirely.

gen2ForCe

yah true....but when u see a Saleen mustang..u still think ford haha...cuz its stilla a damn mustang...i was jus tryign to list **** quickly..still too tired from the party i threw last night/this morning haha...good looking out...but i mean u get the point right

RedX7

All I'm saying is if Mazda does make a 4th gen RX-7, I'll be forced to take a long look at it. And probably test drive it a few times. The RX-8 already looks pretty sweet. Just imagine two less doors, two less seats, more aggressive styling, and a 280hp rotory. I can't freakin' wait!