Would you have rather Mazda brought over the 2002 2X2 Mazda RX7 Japanese model instead of the RX8? Assume the prices were similar as Mazda would not have incurred all of the R&D costs with the RX8.

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1458&highlight=japanese+rx7

That car looks good beyond belief. And faster than a bat out of hell. That's a no-brainer.

Originally posted by revhappy
Would you have rather Mazda brought over the 2002 2X2 Mazda RX7 Japanese model instead of the RX8? Assume the prices were similar as Mazda would not have incurred all of the R&D costs with the RX8.

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1458&highlight=japanese+rx7

I feel more confident with the current platform...my opinion (besides, now Im barely ready to get a 2 seater... :D that I have my 2+2)

I would kill to be able to buy a new thrid gen 7. My 94 Touring is almost 10 years old now and I still haven't found anything to replace her. I've been watching the RX-8 for years. Hoping it would be the one. But it is too much of a compromise for me, atleast it is this week ;) Maybe next week I'll change my mind.

Mike

I'd take both

as always, i'm a -7- man primarily ('cause it "CAN'T Lose").

the thing about the 2+2 Japanese versions of the car is that the rear-crash standards are too high for a 4 seater sports car in north america... that aside, RX-7 > RX-8 any day of the week. :D

i dont see any reason to get 2x2 in the rx7, i dont see that being very comfortable
if you want 2x2, id say stick with your rx8
if you want an all out sports car, get the rx7

god what an incredibly beautiful vehicle...

cant wait to see the NEW one...
________
Head Shop (http://headshop.net/)

Originally posted by wakeech
as always, i'm a -7- man primarily ('cause it "CAN'T Lose").

the thing about the 2+2 Japanese versions of the car is that the rear-crash standards are too high for a 4 seater sports car in north america... that aside, RX-7 > RX-8 any day of the week. :D

Couldn't they strengthen the bunpers, etc and make it ready for US consumption? Obviously, they saw the RX8 design as better, but just a question.

Originally posted by revhappy
Couldn't they strengthen the bunpers, etc and make it ready for US consumption? Obviously, they saw the RX8 design as better, but just a question.

it's a question of the chassis stregth, mass of the vehicle, and classification as a 4 seater rather than just 2... that, and the fact they realistically couldn't have turned a profit trying to sell those cars in the States.

Originally posted by mikeb
I'd take both

don't everybody wish to.


The 7 and 8 althought shared the same engine interms of Rotary, they almost has nothing else in common.

the +2 in the 7 is one of those typical seater where you can't even sit your kids in there. So one would probably choose the car with a very different reason.

Looks:
Dead on the 7. It got to be one of the most sexy curves ever to come out of Japan.

Performance:
Again 7. By just sitting in the driver's seat, looking at the cockpit surrounding you, you already felt that you're going a tat too fast.

Practicality:
Hands down the 8.

For me personaly, I fall in that target audience who Mazda wanted to hit on. Recalling the Road&Track RX-8 Special, one of the points that prompted Mazda to come up with the 8: as people gradually grew older, they moves away from hardcord sports car (like the 7) but wishes for a sport car that could cater to their everyday lifestlyes.

Although the 8 has quite a bit of compromise as a sports car, it meets most of my needs. If I only have 1 choice, it would be the 8, but if one can afford, both would be very very nice.:D

BTW, the "back seats" in the 3rd gen RX-7 are a JOKE. I think they're moreso in the car for some Japanese regulation - I think they have to produce a certain percentage of cars with 4 seats or the like. Anyhow, they are so tiny to be nearly useless.

The RX-8 can actually fit 4 adults. No way in hell you're fitting 4 adults comfortably, if at all, in an RX-7.

That said, I would have loved to have seen the RX-7 re-introduced in the US, but it's just a pipe dream.

Dale

Originally posted by wakeech


it's a question of the chassis stregth, mass of the vehicle, and classification as a 4 seater rather than just 2... that, and the fact they realistically couldn't have turned a profit trying to sell those cars in the States.

Are the variable costs of production that high for the 7? Certainly, Mazda will need a lot of volume to make up their R&D costs for the 8. I'm sure the vehicle could have been tweaked for US use, perhaps adding a 100 pounds in the process.

The 3rd gen RX-7 is truly a beautiful car. They still look as cool today as they did 10 years ago. I had two 1st gens when I was single, but when the 3rd gen was for sale in the US, I couldn't have afforded the car. Now I could, now being married, the RX-8 with a back seat just makes more sense. Funny thing, in twenty years, I can see that a back seat won't matter again!

Originally posted by revhappy


Are the variable costs of production that high for the 7? Certainly, Mazda will need a lot of volume to make up their R&D costs for the 8. I'm sure the vehicle could have been tweaked for US use, perhaps adding a 100 pounds in the process.

but how many Americans want another "problematic" RX-7?? how low would the price have to be??

at this point, i'm pretty sure your majority of customers would pay more for a new/different car (RX-8) than the "old" RX-7... know what i mean?? obviously, us rotorheads would sell our souls to the devil and donate our left nut to charity just to get Mazda to import them at any price, but joe-blow America?? ... i just don't think it'd be worth Mazda's time.

I agree
joe blow america wont pay
and rotorheads will
The market probably isn't big enough