It's so hilarious how people get bent out of shape over a couple of horses. Let's consider this:

---[The Rx-8's Ancestors]---

1972 12A Rx-3, 18.1 sec 1/4 mile.
1974 13B Rx-4, 16.5 sec 1/4 mile.
1979 12A Rx-7, 17.0 sec. 1/4 mile. [First Rx-7, SA/FB]
1984 13B Rx-7, 16.2 sec. 1/4 mile. [Last of the FB cars]
1986 13B Rx-7, 16.5 sec. 1/4 mile. [First FC]
1987 13B Rx-7, 15.2 sec. 1/4 mile. [First FC Turbo]
1990 13B Rx-7, 14.9 sec. 1/4 mile. [Last FC Turbo]
1992 13B Rx-7, 14.0 sec. 1/4 mile. [First FD]
1995 13B Rx-7, 14.1 sec. 1/4 mile. [Last US FD]

2004 13B Rx-8, 14.5 sec. 1/4 mile. [First FE]

The only reason the 8 looks a little shabby is because the FD was *so* outstandingly fast.

The only other Rx to come even close was the last Turbo II FC cars.

So, a naturally-aspirated Rx that chases the allmighty FDs tail. I like it.

It is, however, over 10 years since the introduction of the FD. A lot has changed since then. 0-60 under 6 seconds is not nearly as rare as it was.

true, but it is rare with back seats, halfdoors and strikingly good looks!

Originally posted by klegg
true, but it is rare with back seats, halfdoors and strikingly good looks!

The total distribution number of FDs for all model years in the US is under 14k. Mazda I believe is aiming for 30k for the RX-8 in the first production year alone, so saying the RX-8 is rare when comparing it to the previous Gen. RX-7 is a bit silly. Beyond that, looks are in the eye of the beholder but IMO the 3rd gen RX-7 is one of the most beautiful Japanese cars ever made and the RX-8 is very pretty but funky looking.

I will always love the FDs which is perhaps why I and many others are disappointed in the RX-8. The FD had much potential, was so beautiful, yet so many problems... I would say the RX-8 is closer in performance to the Turbo II, I'll believe the 14.5 when someone posts a timeslip or video of a production car running 14.5.

The fact that the RX-8 can run the times is does, like Kremlar pointed out, is not all that impressive in todays age. That doesn't make it a bad car, but it does make it a disappointement for some of us that were expecting Mazda to one up the two previous generation RX-7s. I don't like making the comparison between the RX-7s and the RX-8, I realize they are supposed to be different cars, but since someone else did I chimed in.


Ike

I put all of those on the list to show how far the na wankel has come. And FWIW, the Cosmo 110 ran the 1/4 about as quick as a gsl-se did. I neglected to put that one on the list.

I put 'em all together to show that despite the Rx-8 not being designed for all-out speed like the FD was, it is still plenty quick, far quicker than any na wankel. For me, that's enough.

I bet these suckers run to 250,000 miles or better :D

Originally posted by missinmahseven

I bet these suckers run to 250,000 miles or better :D


For your sake I hope you're correct, time will tell... I've realized I'm far too paranoid to own a rotary, and history hasn't been kind.

I was talking to a fellow today that had an 80 something rotary and he said he had well over 400,000KM on it. He said one of the seals was starting to go and it was leaking a bit of antifreeze but it was still in running condition.

That's pretty damn good!

Originally posted by Wing
I was talking to a fellow today that had an 80 something rotary and he said he had well over 400,000KM on it. He said one of the seals was starting to go and it was leaking a bit of antifreeze but it was still in running condition.

That's pretty damn good!

Took my 13b from 65,000 to 165,000 and then like a doofus got rid of it.

The early wankels were doggy (apex seals) , the turbo cars were cut short by too much heat.. but the Rx-7 NA cars were pretty bulletproof... just don't ever overheat it or let it ping.

I really dislike when folks say the rotary isn't reliable. NA they are. They really are :)

Ike, do you follow me around on pupose? people will began to talk you know:) But, as I recall, in an earler post you said the 8 was not selling, now when it is convenient, you expect sales of 30,000? I must be getting to you, you are getting sloppy hiding your agenda.

by the way, my cheese log offer still stands.

Originally posted by missinmahseven


Took my 13b from 65,000 to 165,000 and then like a doofus got rid of it.

The early wankels were doggy (apex seals) , the turbo cars were cut short by too much heat.. but the Rx-7 NA cars were pretty bulletproof... just don't ever overheat it or let it ping.

I really dislike when folks say the rotary isn't reliable. NA they are. They really are :)

But the turbos are the fun ones, lets just say rotarys are... ummm... finicky :p




Klegg, last time I checked my name was not Mazda. I think the money for the cheese log would be better spent on therapy, seriously.

IKE, ummm, I did not call you "mazda", and the word is not even in my post. Now you are getting delusions, must be the effert of all your oh so helpful posts.l If you need cash for therapy, perhaps we can work something out. I really just want to help you understand why you need to troll this site, when you do not , and are not going to, own the car. Just seems strange to me.

"MAZDA I believe is aiming for 30k for the RX-8 in the first production year alone"


"But, as I recall, in an earler post you said the 8 was not selling, now when it is convenient, YOU expect sales of 30,000?"


Does that make it clear? I don't know why it's hard to understand that I like cars and like the RX-8, so after I signed up when I was considering buying the car I just kept reading the forums afterwards. Now stop acting like a psycho stalker and keep the topic to cars. You're the only one trolling here, these posts are being ruined by you, not me! Make jabs at me all you like from now on, you will be ignored and I'm not going to help you ruin any more threads.

Ike

Originally posted by IkeWRX
"MAZDA I believe is aiming for 30k for the RX-8 in the first production year alone"


"But, as I recall, in an earler post you said the 8 was not selling, now when it is convenient, YOU expect sales of 30,000?"


Does that make it clear? I don't know why it's hard to understand that I like cars and like the RX-8, so after I signed up when I was considering buying the car I just kept reading the forums afterwards. Now stop acting like a psycho stalker and keep the topic to cars. You're the only one trolling here, these posts are being ruined by you, not me! Make jabs at me all you like from now on, you will be ignored and I'm not going to help you ruin any more threads.

Ike

The top quote about mazda is from you . I never said that, cuse they only plan to sell 16-18000 in U.S. this year. My original point was that the car is rare in US right now. Unlike you, I know my facts. Your double talk is what led to my post in the first place. Anyone who follows your posting can see a pattern of mazda bashing and decit. No problem with your opinions, if based on FACT. If you stop trolling and posting crap just to start controversy, I would not feel the need to responed. Futhermore, I posted on this thread, and you choose to address me, starting this whole issue! Now that you are exposed, you do not want to address the real problem, that you are a trouble maker. YOU my friend, are the problem here, and I will continue to point out when you mistate facts.

Yep, you caught me, I'm just making these numbers up...

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2003-07-10-rx-8_x.htm

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_mazda_pipeline_filling/

http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Mazda3.htm

http://list.miata.net/pipermail/miata/2003-January/030857.html

http://www.autotechdaily.com/pdfs/T01-22-03.pdf

Read the part in each of those where it says 30,000 ANNUALLY. What was that you were saying about facts again?


Mazda doesn't want the RX-8 to be rare, they want, and need to make money on it. My only point was that compared to the FD the RX-8 will not be rare since the total 3 year run of the FD had a total of 13,800 cars sold in the US, which is less than or close to what Mazda hopes to sell of the RX-8 before the end of this year.

As for the rest of your confusion, I said MAZDA was aiming for 30k in sales then you come back with "But, as I recall, in an earler post you said the 8 was not selling, now when it is convenient, you expect sales of 30,000?". See the difference? I have never, nor will I speculate on what the sales of the RX-8 will be annually in the US. Take note that I also said first year of production, as in 12 mos., not first model year. I guess you win Klegg, you got me to respond when I was determined to ignore you. Congrats!



I'm sorry this post got so stupid Missinmahseven, but I felt the need to back myself up, I was just trying to talk about cars...

Ike

Just a few comments here.

IKE WRx I have read a number of your posts. I know that you do not love the RX8 like most members of this forum but I do not think that you set out to be destructive,

Sometimes it is good to hear the views of someone that is a little more objective than most of us here. I have Aus$66,000 reasons not to be objective!

I have previously owned a Subaru WRX and they are a great car.
They are marginally faster and the roadholding with the AWD is amazing. The RX8 however is nearly as fast and the whole driving experience is so much more involving and fun. You can really feel what the car is doing as you push it through corners. I buy cars that are fun to drive and on that basis the RX8 is by far the best car I have owned.

So anyway let us all contribute what we can on this forum.

If you do not like what you see IGNORE IT. I'm sure anything really offensive will get removed.

BTW- Really interesting set of stats about the evoulution of the Wankel. They must last pretty well because here in OZ there are still quite a number of early 1980 RX7s running around. I cannot think of any other sports vehicles over here that are still around in such numbers

Ike, thanks for hijacking this thread. Seems to be a habit with you. :mad:

If you think the wankel is sooo flakey, why don't you head back to your precious pleiades?

You have no clue what the rotary has done in the past 30 years. All you know is the FDs problems.

Why are you still here? You don't belong here.

Keep in mind that adjusted for inflation, the RX-8 costs the same as a non-turbo FC. By the same measure, the 8 is also $15k-$20k cheaper than an FD.

Originally posted by m477
Keep in mind that adjusted for inflation, the RX-8 costs the same as a non-turbo FC. By the same measure, the 8 is also $15k-$20k cheaper than an FD.

That's true, they are very different cars, with very different price points.

Originally posted by IkeWRX


That's true, they are very different cars, with very different price points.

See!!...Ike can behave!...stop chasing him, poor fella'! j/k :D

Now a question, were can I get inflation %s year-to-year from?

Ike, WE are talking about cars in the US. They will stay rare here for some time. Have only seen one other on the road, and that was in PA, not even NJ were I am. You know this, but posted the 30,000 figure just to attack my cliam about the car. where I am, 16,000 will still be fairly rare. I do not care how many are in europe, japan or canada, cuse I do not live there!

By the way, these sound familar?

"didn't like it enough to take my girlfriend back for a testdrive so for now she's just driving her Altima. You prove yet again that you are the ultimate fanboi RX8-U-UP,"

Thats not very nice Ike. Not trying to start trouble?

Here is one of many quotes from another MAZDA OWNER, who thinks you are a troublemaker

"It appears that people like you, who do not own one are extremely concerned about why owners are willing to overlook this HP thing. It really disturbs you non-owners worse than us who own and enjoy the car. "


Oh, you like the car Ike? well, thats strange. when did your opinion change from this?

"I'll warn you guys now, theres a snowballs chance in hell I'm going to like the RX-8 more than the Evo or the STI, but I really don't see them as being competitors, I think they appeal to a very different person. Dare I say, the RX-8 is going to be more appealing to females, and I think Mazda is trying to appeal to more females in general with their car line. I don't think Mitsubishi or Subaru could care less how many females like the STI or Evo.

Ike"

It seems its not me you like to attack, it is just about everyone on this fourem. Remember this one?


"I don't think we're all car enthusiasts here, I think there's a lot of RX and rotary fanbois that don't know what the hell they speak of."

Really?, hmmmmm nice way to show us how you want to be treated.

My favorite IKEWRX quote has got to be this........

"This must be the candy store, because there's a lot of suckers in here."

Yup, anyone who listens to this troll !!!!!

I kept my '87 FC turbo after I bought the 8 and I 'store' it in the parking lot at work. I go out every 2-3 weeks to start it up and give it a lunchtime drive. Before I got the 8, I was sooo in love with my 7, it felt like an extension of me, and I loved its performance and handling.

Well, today I ran an errand in it at lunch, and I thought to myself "I can't believe I was so attached to this POS"!

I truly hated driving it - something I never thought I would say. It felt completely foreign to me. The 8 is an infinitely superior driving experience. I thought I would keep the 7 and try to fix it up some, but now I'm not so sure I even want to.

Please don't take this as a slam to FCs - I thoroughly enjoyed my car for 17 years. But I can never again derive any pleasure from it, having driven the 8 on a regular basis for over a month now.

Originally posted by khoney
I kept my '87 FC turbo after I bought the 8 and I 'store' it in the parking lot at work. I go out every 2-3 weeks to start it up and give it a lunchtime drive. Before I got the 8, I was sooo in love with my 7, it felt like an extension of me, and I loved its performance and handling.

Well, today I ran an errand in it at lunch, and I thought to myself "I can't believe I was so attached to this POS"!

I truly hated driving it - something I never thought I would say. It felt completely foreign to me. The 8 is an infinitely superior driving experience. I thought I would keep the 7 and try to fix it up some, but now I'm not so sure I even want to.

Please don't take this as a slam to FCs - I thoroughly enjoyed my car for 17 years. But I can never again derive any pleasure from it, having driven the 8 on a regular basis for over a month now.


Yeah, I know where you're coming from. I have a Maxima sitting in my driveway that I was going to keep because I loved it so much. I knew it was a boat when it was my daily driver but I loved the V6. Now I drive it and nearly everything about it bugs me, but it still pulls pretty damn nice on the highway. It's amazing the things we'll overlook when we get used to something.


Ike

You know, oddly enough I recently drove my old mitsu GSX, and thought the same thing. Never noticed how much noise it made, or how stiff the clutch was, or the weird musty smell!! Turned out to be one of my kids milk bottles from 6 weeks ago. ackk!


And Ike:

Nice post. You are doing well.