I can't take it anymore.

I'm trying not to trip but come on now. I have picked up magazines and watched various BMI videos (Hot Version included and no, not that version) and the 8 hasn't gotten that much attention. Sure the 8 has it's moments in Car and Driver, and Motortrend here and there, but articles on tuned 8s are VERY far and few. Just look through past issues of Superstreet, Import Tuner, HCI, Sport Compact, or Modified Mag over the past year and a half. Not much there with the exception of Modified and Sport Compact (but even that's sparse). Funny thing is that there is a resurgence (hey Pres. Bush ... there's that word again) tuned RX-7s gracing many magazine pages and filling various DVDs. Now I have nothing against the 7. Not at all. But it's little brother has MAD skills and potential that's just beginning to surface. For example, in American Touge 2, Vivid Racings 280hp turbo charged 8 made it to the finals and did pretty good considering it got knocked out by a 600+hp GT-R34. In the Touge 300 class on Hot Version ... ... uh, yeah, the 8 from FEED came with just 200hp and took out everyone only to be defeated by a 300hp S2K from Powerhouse Amuse. The Grenade RX-8's drift debut driven by Rod Millen, that's right Rhys' daddy, got to the final 16 but didn't go further because Rod wasn't used to tandem drifting. The Speed Source 8s, Petits SC'd 8s, Mazdasports TC'd 8s, etc. there are countless examples of serious potential in tuning this car. Yeah, I like 350s, EVOs, and STis. Heck, I love the S2K. But lets face it, the 8 has been denied some serious props. Then again, it may just be because I'm in the US. Japan seems to like it a lot: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/super-autobacs-japan-other-various-jdm-pics-104335/

Sorry so long, but I just had to vent a little. But what do you think?

 

i think your right

 

ok

 

I've noticed this. I routinely pick up magazines like Modified and Super Street in the hopes that an Rx-8 is featured somewhere in the pages. But I noticed the very same trend of displayed 7s. I think what's holding the 8 back is lack of good kits to really boost HP numbers. I remember seeing some article in Speed I think it was in which an 8 with mods was compared to other cars with similar mods. Horrible comparison to begin with but even though the 8 featured had a Greddy Turbo kit the numbers it was producing screamed LACK of REAL tuning, thus furthering the bad vibe some people get when it comes to the 8.

Perhaps when the new kits everyone's drooling over finally come out then I expect we'll see more 8's gracing the covers of magazines.

 

yeah, not even mazda is publicizing this car.

 

Come to think of it I can't remember the last time I saw a commercial specifically for the Rx-8. Its in plenty of Mazda commercials with other cars but never has its own moment in the spotlight...

 

I can't remember the last 8 on a mag cover =/

 

Adverts make mags financially viable. There are no real power mods (yet) to advertise for the 8, just trinkets and flash kits. Soon there should be (only) one hopefully, two total if you count Greedy (I don't). That's still not much compared to most any other 'hot' tuner car.

Covers and stories are simply another form of advertizing, and until there is something to sell, there will be no coverage. You can say the 8 doesn't need too much help, which is partially true, and most every piston car does, or whatever, put it's not passion that drives these things, but MONEY!

Until then, welcome to owning an unmarketed, unadvertised, unmodable stealth car.

 

I go to the Chicago Auto Show every year. I remember seeing the RX-Evolve and the next year a pre-production 8 then the following year there were four 8's lined up in glory.

Last year there were two and this year I had to look to find the one they had. Looks like Mazda has turned their back on this jewel. Just for comparison, the Nissan group had no less than four 350Z's

I shadowed the 8 while kids and adults alike looked at the 8. I was waiting for the typical comments about no torque and how slow they are but everyone seemed really excited about the car.

 

I think it was Modified with the JIC RX-8 before they painted it white. But to me, it really doesn't count. It had the 13B from the 7. The Renesis is an awesome design and definitely is untapped.

Even when they have project cars, I don't think any of these mag companies want to even try to pick up one as a project car. And don't say it's expensive, because I've seen a gazillion 350, EVO, and STi mag project cars.

Ok, so money is the driving force and turbos and drifting are in the passenger seat. But come on now. Does any of these guys see the potential sickness of this car? If a magazine tuned an 8 and actually pulled some serious #s at redline timeattack with an average driver (compared to those at redline ... some of those guys are actually pros), imagine the stir it'll create.

I think it just comes down to getting those with the money to see the 8s potential. The money holders criteria, being hp and 1/4 mile times, seems to be against the 8 from the get go (lower and slower than desired).