Mazda might make a NEW RX-3..
04-12-03, 10:40 PM
#26
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Current word out of Mazda is that there is an enlarged Renesis in the works, with a rotor width of 90mm to 95mm (as compared to the 80mm width of the current engine). This would give us a 1.5-1.6 liter engine.
04-15-03, 12:09 AM
#27
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Larger Renesis
Mazda is playing with a larger Renesis, but this is for an RX-7 type vehicle, not the new RX-3... The new 3 would recieve the 1.3 in a slightly de-tuned version of the RX-8 motor. The good news is, that the motor can be easily tuned to the higher horsepower levels...
-Bern
-Bern
04-19-03, 04:06 PM
#28
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Hey guys.. check out what other folks from non-rotary sources are saying:
http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?ac...&articleId=158
We posted the story over at Maiata and Protege sites and those folks are all positive about the prospect of a new RX-3.
If you haven't already, please leave your comments.. we have confirmed that Mazda is keeping tabs on this story.
Thanks,
-Bern
http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?ac...&articleId=158
We posted the story over at Maiata and Protege sites and those folks are all positive about the prospect of a new RX-3.
If you haven't already, please leave your comments.. we have confirmed that Mazda is keeping tabs on this story.
Thanks,
-Bern
04-29-03, 10:27 PM
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If Mazda knew how many young kids down here in NZ and Australia love early rotaries they would flip.
Last week I had a plumber come to my house with his 6 and 8 year old sons and to my suprise this kids knew what kind of car my '75 Mazda 616 was and asked me if it was powered by a 12A or 13B! It was an absolute joy to see their eyes light up when they spotted it and wanted to know more. I started it up and took them for a ride and it made their day... and mine.
Rotaries command respect and its great to see youngsters who never grew up around this cars fascinated by them, surely the spirit is alive and kicking.
Last week I had a plumber come to my house with his 6 and 8 year old sons and to my suprise this kids knew what kind of car my '75 Mazda 616 was and asked me if it was powered by a 12A or 13B! It was an absolute joy to see their eyes light up when they spotted it and wanted to know more. I started it up and took them for a ride and it made their day... and mine.
Rotaries command respect and its great to see youngsters who never grew up around this cars fascinated by them, surely the spirit is alive and kicking.
Last edited by EScalade; 04-29-03 at 10:41 PM.
04-30-03, 02:21 AM
#32
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wow
a new RX3
Im in. Id buy one as my everyday drive car and keep my original RX3 as my weekend car as its too precious to drive everyday what with parts being almost unobtanium and hellishly expensive when you can find them second hand.
seriously now, people in the US might not know what an RX3 is, most of the general public in NZ & Australia wouldnt know what an RX3 is but for that core group of Rotary lovers such as myself and the thousands of other car enthusiasts such as people registered on rotary and car forums eg:
http://forums.fastfours.com.au/
http://forums.performancecar.co.nz/phpBB/index.php
http://www.ausrotary.com/
http://www.badrotor.co.nz/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3
(theres 10,000 members + just there)
this would be a major step in the right direction. There is a distinctive lack of a small size RWD coupe or sedan out there in the market. All the RWD cars are either large family cars or small covertibles such as the MX5. For this reason I would never buy a new car, FWD cars are ok for getting around in but I would never splash out and buy one new simply because myself like many other people out there dont consider FWD with its downsides to be worth the expense of a new car, hence the rise of the 4WD car.
If you want a small and light RWD hardtop then its a case of buying something from the 70s and 80s and converting it to something more modern with an uprated powerplant and brakes etc which more often than not ends up costing near the price of a new car anyhow.
we all know making $$ is all about supply and demand. We can demonstrate the demand, now its up to mazda to provide that supply and look to a formula thats proven and when I say its proven look at it this way.
The original formula may not have worked that well in the 70s but this is the new millenium, new ideas, new ways of doing things and gone are the days when families had only one car.
If a small light RWD rotary powered car wasnt popular then why are people spending upwards of $30-50,000 modifying their R100- RX2-RX3-RX4
Thats some serious coin to spend on a 30 year old car.
worth a thought dont u think....
a new RX3
Im in. Id buy one as my everyday drive car and keep my original RX3 as my weekend car as its too precious to drive everyday what with parts being almost unobtanium and hellishly expensive when you can find them second hand.
seriously now, people in the US might not know what an RX3 is, most of the general public in NZ & Australia wouldnt know what an RX3 is but for that core group of Rotary lovers such as myself and the thousands of other car enthusiasts such as people registered on rotary and car forums eg:
http://forums.fastfours.com.au/
http://forums.performancecar.co.nz/phpBB/index.php
http://www.ausrotary.com/
http://www.badrotor.co.nz/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3
(theres 10,000 members + just there)
this would be a major step in the right direction. There is a distinctive lack of a small size RWD coupe or sedan out there in the market. All the RWD cars are either large family cars or small covertibles such as the MX5. For this reason I would never buy a new car, FWD cars are ok for getting around in but I would never splash out and buy one new simply because myself like many other people out there dont consider FWD with its downsides to be worth the expense of a new car, hence the rise of the 4WD car.
If you want a small and light RWD hardtop then its a case of buying something from the 70s and 80s and converting it to something more modern with an uprated powerplant and brakes etc which more often than not ends up costing near the price of a new car anyhow.
we all know making $$ is all about supply and demand. We can demonstrate the demand, now its up to mazda to provide that supply and look to a formula thats proven and when I say its proven look at it this way.
The original formula may not have worked that well in the 70s but this is the new millenium, new ideas, new ways of doing things and gone are the days when families had only one car.
If a small light RWD rotary powered car wasnt popular then why are people spending upwards of $30-50,000 modifying their R100- RX2-RX3-RX4
Thats some serious coin to spend on a 30 year old car.
worth a thought dont u think....
04-30-03, 02:58 AM
#33
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madazgal, EScalade:
Please pass on the RotaryNews.Com link to all of your friends from the Oz and Nz forums. Rumors are that all of those done-up old schools from down under are influencing the 3. It would be great to get a good amount of input and response from all the folks in your part of the world.
RX-3 COMMENTS
We know that Mazda is keeping tabs on this story.
Thanks,
-Bern
Please pass on the RotaryNews.Com link to all of your friends from the Oz and Nz forums. Rumors are that all of those done-up old schools from down under are influencing the 3. It would be great to get a good amount of input and response from all the folks in your part of the world.
RX-3 COMMENTS
We know that Mazda is keeping tabs on this story.
Thanks,
-Bern
05-04-03, 11:22 AM
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I think it would be great to see a whole slew of rotary powered cars coming out of the Mazda factories.
Hell, they aren't known for much else, why not capitalize on it to its fullest potential? Don't get me wrong, they make great cars otherwise, but nothing that can't help but be remembered like the rotary powered monsters they have built previously.
I am down for a new RX-7, I would keep my current 2nd Gen for fixing up and modifying while driving my new one. Hell, maybe Renesis swap my 2nd gen someday.
I agree that a marketing scheme about "bringing back the RX-3" wouldn't work well b/c many people have no idea what it is. I consider myself an rotor head, but my knowledge is pretty much confined to the RX-7 realm. I know the line-up of cars Mazda produced, but not much else.
A convertible RX-3 variant would be awesome. They could tune the engine up slightly to overcome the added weight. A 160-180 hp coupe and then a 170-190 hp convertible. This would greatly help them compete with all the Sunfire/Cavalier verts out there and still be able to use the Renesis engine.
The RX-8 looks great and made a great showing in the new X2: X-Men United movie this past weekend as well. That should help boost its sales.
The new RX-7, if priced low enough, will take the market by storm. The biggest failure the 3rd Gen had was its high price tag and nagging engine rumors from previous generations. To this day I have people "warn" me about my engine blowing up any day now. If they were to get the price tag down under 30k, it would sell really well. This would put them in the realm to compete price-wise with the Mustangs and what-ever GM comes out with to replace the retired F-body cars. But, the performance could be excessively better on the RX-7.
I have thought about the truck comment, but I don't see it working. Trucks take a beating and usually are worked quite hard. The engines tend to run hot and overheat on summer days when pushed too far. We all know rotary engines hate intense heat. A supreme cooling system would be required for a Renesis truck. I think sticking to a piston engine there would be more beneficial.
Hell, they aren't known for much else, why not capitalize on it to its fullest potential? Don't get me wrong, they make great cars otherwise, but nothing that can't help but be remembered like the rotary powered monsters they have built previously.
I am down for a new RX-7, I would keep my current 2nd Gen for fixing up and modifying while driving my new one. Hell, maybe Renesis swap my 2nd gen someday.
I agree that a marketing scheme about "bringing back the RX-3" wouldn't work well b/c many people have no idea what it is. I consider myself an rotor head, but my knowledge is pretty much confined to the RX-7 realm. I know the line-up of cars Mazda produced, but not much else.
A convertible RX-3 variant would be awesome. They could tune the engine up slightly to overcome the added weight. A 160-180 hp coupe and then a 170-190 hp convertible. This would greatly help them compete with all the Sunfire/Cavalier verts out there and still be able to use the Renesis engine.
The RX-8 looks great and made a great showing in the new X2: X-Men United movie this past weekend as well. That should help boost its sales.
The new RX-7, if priced low enough, will take the market by storm. The biggest failure the 3rd Gen had was its high price tag and nagging engine rumors from previous generations. To this day I have people "warn" me about my engine blowing up any day now. If they were to get the price tag down under 30k, it would sell really well. This would put them in the realm to compete price-wise with the Mustangs and what-ever GM comes out with to replace the retired F-body cars. But, the performance could be excessively better on the RX-7.
I have thought about the truck comment, but I don't see it working. Trucks take a beating and usually are worked quite hard. The engines tend to run hot and overheat on summer days when pushed too far. We all know rotary engines hate intense heat. A supreme cooling system would be required for a Renesis truck. I think sticking to a piston engine there would be more beneficial.
Last edited by Audiofight; 05-04-03 at 11:25 AM.
05-05-03, 01:00 AM
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The manager at the Mazda dealership asked me to NOT bring my car in if there was any drivetrain problems. They don't have a rotary certified mechanic yet (but this was over a year ago and they had only been open for 3 months at the time).
I, too, wouldn't trust them to touch anything in my car. Too much has been "fixed" by me and they would want to start un-modding the car.
I, too, wouldn't trust them to touch anything in my car. Too much has been "fixed" by me and they would want to start un-modding the car.
05-05-03, 01:43 AM
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Originally posted by Audiofight
I think it would be great to see a whole slew of rotary powered cars coming out of the Mazda factories.
I agree that a marketing scheme about "bringing back the RX-3" wouldn't work well b/c many people have no idea what it is. I consider myself an rotor head, but my knowledge is pretty much confined to the RX-7 realm. I know the line-up of cars Mazda produced, but not much else.
I think it would be great to see a whole slew of rotary powered cars coming out of the Mazda factories.
I agree that a marketing scheme about "bringing back the RX-3" wouldn't work well b/c many people have no idea what it is. I consider myself an rotor head, but my knowledge is pretty much confined to the RX-7 realm. I know the line-up of cars Mazda produced, but not much else.
eg - the RX3 coupe was the most popular pre RX7 rotary powered vehicle.
To call yourself a rotorhead and not know much about the pre RX7 rotaries is like saying I like eggs but what is a chicken?
05-05-03, 06:48 AM
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The reason I don't know that much about them is b/c I have yet to see one in person. I live in MI and a rotary engine is a rare thing to see.
I am only 22 yrs old, so I wasn't even born when that car came about. Other than the pictures I have found linked within this thread, I haven't come across much information about RX-3s.
I admit I am by far any form of an expert, but I can hold my own when it comes to the RX-7 simply b/c I own one.
Let's not turn this thread into a flame war, I am trying to broaden my knowledge base here.
I am only 22 yrs old, so I wasn't even born when that car came about. Other than the pictures I have found linked within this thread, I haven't come across much information about RX-3s.
I admit I am by far any form of an expert, but I can hold my own when it comes to the RX-7 simply b/c I own one.
Let's not turn this thread into a flame war, I am trying to broaden my knowledge base here.
05-13-03, 05:50 PM
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Originally posted by madazgal
Of all the pre RX7 rotaries sold, the RX3 amounted for 50% and the coupe for 50% of that total as well.
eg - the RX3 coupe was the most popular pre RX7 rotary powered vehicle.
To call yourself a rotorhead and not know much about the pre RX7 rotaries is like saying I like eggs but what is a chicken?
Of all the pre RX7 rotaries sold, the RX3 amounted for 50% and the coupe for 50% of that total as well.
eg - the RX3 coupe was the most popular pre RX7 rotary powered vehicle.
To call yourself a rotorhead and not know much about the pre RX7 rotaries is like saying I like eggs but what is a chicken?
05-23-03, 08:30 PM
#41
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Guys,
We are still getting a lot of good input on this RX-3 story.
http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?a...8&articleId=158
If you guys haven't left a comment, please do so.
We have verified that Mazda is following this story with GREAT interest. I hear that there are even talks going at the Mazda R&D centers. We can make a difference!!!
Thanks,
-Bern
We are still getting a lot of good input on this RX-3 story.
http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?a...8&articleId=158
If you guys haven't left a comment, please do so.
We have verified that Mazda is following this story with GREAT interest. I hear that there are even talks going at the Mazda R&D centers. We can make a difference!!!
Thanks,
-Bern
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