Hey everyone....

It's been the theory of many that this car may appeal to the more "mature" auto buyer (married, kids, etc). Just wanted to do a little poll to see if that's true (at least on this board).

I’m divorced and I have my 13 year old daughter on weekends, I therefore picked “Single with kids”.

I think that the people who believe that this car is for more mature drivers are the mature drivers! If they wanted it to be that way, they would have put in more goodies and made it 30K+ starting. I think that with the amazing starting price, they are taking aim at young kids, most likely just out of college, that want a fast, good-looking car that can haul 3 of their buds, and also don't have to pay ridiculous insurance premiums because it is a sports car with 2 doors. At least that's what I think, because that's what I am :D

Ahem, because it's a sports car with 4 doors...

There's no married with step-kid option so I chose married with kids. :)

They're both at that car seat age ...and they love to take road trips :D

Married w/ a 15 month old daughter. I love the ladies:D

I have to many kids for the RX-8:( . But I still will buy one. That does not make me more mature I suppose.

Originally posted by tallguylehigh
I think that the people who believe that this car is for more mature drivers are the mature drivers! If they wanted it to be that way, they would have put in more goodies and made it 30K+ starting. I think that with the amazing starting price, they are taking aim at young kids, most likely just out of college, that want a fast, good-looking car that can haul 3 of their buds, and also don't have to pay ridiculous insurance premiums because it is a sports car with 2 doors. At least that's what I think, because that's what I am :D

I think he hit it right on. Thats me. 22, good job, want a sexy car, don't want a 2 seater.

Originally posted by Aesculapius
Hey everyone....

It's been the theory of many that this car may appeal to the more "mature" auto buyer (married, kids, etc). Just wanted to do a little poll to see if that's true (at least on this board).

Here's an old thread that might be fun to look up (RX-8 Forum > Mazda RX-8 > RX-8 Discussion > Age group of buyers) If you plan to buy the RX-8, what age group are you in?:

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?threadid=575

I don't know how much our memberships age has grown since that last poll but the twenty somethings were in the lead ;)

Single, 31, no kids. Want the best overall perfomance vehicle in that price range. The 4 seater insurance rating is a bonus. :)

The insurance premium bonus is even more of a bonus if you are less than 25, when having a 350Z just as a weekend driver costs an additional $2600 a year, at least that's what it is in New Jersey, my friend checked :cool:

I'm 29 and married with kid(s)-one on the way.

Unfortunately, when the car comes out I will be....*gasp*....30.:eek:

Would it be a bad thing to show my daughter what 0-60 in <6seconds feels like? :D

the way I remember it, when I was a kid, I guess safety wasn't one of my dad's concerns either ;)

Originally posted by Aesculapius
... Would it be a bad thing to show my daughter what 0-60 in <6seconds feels like? :D

Yeah, I'd seriously wait until she's over 1 year old.

Or you might learn more than you would personaly ever want to know about the Shaken Baby syndrome.

:(

All hummor aside, your baby should be able to support her head all by herself before you try any fun joy rides like that ... and I won't even start on about other consequences ... becaue I know that you were only joking.

Hey, congratulations! You're going to be a dad soon ... and I'm sure you can use this forum as an other way to get your "parenting" advice on how to teach your daughter about proper vehicle driving safety tips or what to do when she's not going to sleep and just want to cry ... and cry... and then it's time to go for a drive ... with your kid in her car seat - she'll be asleep in seconds ... :D

Originally posted by bwayout
the way I remember it, when I was a kid, I guess safety wasn't one of my dad's concerns either ;)



Yeah, I'd seriously wait until she's over 1 year old.

Or you might learn more than you would personaly ever want to know about the Shaken Baby syndrome.



Thanks!

Actually, I meant my 2.5 year old daughter.....don't know what the sex of the unborn one is yet. I did an ultrasound on my wife a couple weeks ago (I'm a doc) and the little bugger would spread his/her legs for me to tell.

Personally, I think kids are old enough when they can say, "zoom, zoom" :D

Originally posted by tallguylehigh
I think that the people who believe that this car is for more mature drivers are the mature drivers! If they wanted it to be that way, they would have put in more goodies and made it 30K+ starting. I think that with the amazing starting price, they are taking aim at young kids, most likely just out of college, that want a fast, good-looking car that can haul 3 of their buds, and also don't have to pay ridiculous insurance premiums because it is a sports car with 2 doors. At least that's what I think, because that's what I am :D
Me too :) I'll be 22 when I'm getting the car!

I'll be 23 when the car comes out, single, no kids.

I'll be 22 when i get my hands on my rx-8 and i'll have no kids but it isn't impossable to think that while i own my 8 that i may have a wife.

Married, 30, two kids. My daily is a 1987 RX-7. We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee to take the kids around in so the extra seats in the 8 are cool but not a requirement for us right know. I know for me at 50, 30 or 20 I would be getting this car kids or not.

I'm 29 with a 2 year old daughter. I think the RX-8 will be a perfect combination of versitility and performance--for me anyway. Much more functional with greater performance than the others I'm considering. As long as the price of the 250HP version comes in with what I want for around 28k. I would really like fold down seats for the extra bit of cargo capacity, but I'll manage with just the pass-thru.

30, Married with a baby on the way. Would love to keep my S2000 but parking in Tokyo costs $250/month :eek: so I can't afford a 2nd space to put a baby cart in. So the RX8 fits well for me - dedicated sports performance & handling but with enough room for the family. For me it's the only car in this category - I've ruled out the Altezza and Skyline already as not sporty enough (and the 330i costs too much).

38. single no kids. But when my S2000 lease is up, I think I would like a little more room.

Married 5 years
37 years old
Baby on the way (bye-bye S2000 as next car, hello RX-8)

Ill be 22 as well when i finally get my greedy hands on my rx-8, Hey JSG, i lived in Yoyogi-Uehara for 3 years. Any chance you go/went to the American School in Japan? You know, I graduated with Hikaru Utada which is my claim to fame

I'll be 21 when I get my hands on this Car. Single W/ no kids!!! :D

24, gecko, girlfriend.

Who started this thread anyway? Mazda doing some free market research? :D

I'm 29 with a two year old son. By the time I get my RX-8, I'll be 30 with a 3 year old son and an additional <1 offspring.

Hence my username combining two parts of my life I hold dear, whitewater kayaking and being a father.

Originally posted by Grimace
24, gecko, girlfriend.

Who started this thread anyway? Mazda doing some free market research? :D


That would be me.....just being curious!

And no, I don't work for Mazda.:)

I voted "Married, no kids" since by the time I buy my 8, I will be married (I'm engaged now; the wedding is July 18th, 2003). And while there are no kids in my immediate future, there will be kids someday. My fiancee will let me buy whatever I want (as long as we can afford it, of course) provided a child seat can fit in back.

43, married with two kids who are old enough, and big enough, to threaten me with great bodily harm if I don't buy this car.

From a demographic/economic standpoint you twenty-somethings have never truly been able to help a carmaker support a sports car. Your minds are willing, but your wallets weak!

I am talking about the demographic group as a whole, not individuals....so chill.

Not all 20 somethings will have weak wallets. I for one will try to pay off the car as soon as I get it. If I do have to finance it won't be anything I can't pay off in a month or two.

I am sure though that a lot of the 20 somethings will be financing the whole car or leasing it.

This car for me is reward for working my ass off all through school to make sure I incurred no debt. I am sure that a lot of the 20 soemthings are right out of school and have a lot of debt. Unless of course their mommies and daddies payed for everything.

Weak wallets??!!

*whew* serenity now, serenity now...

Ok, initially I took offense as seen above but I have calmed down now :D . However, maturely and calmly I must say that I disagree. There is a wealth of newly graduated college kids who have been stuck with cars since they were 16. Now they have money and want a new toy :cool: . I couldn't even put a number on the friends I have cruising the lots for 350z's, s2000's, wrx's and soon, the RX-8. Now you say that they have little impact on the car industry. Again I disagree, I don't know firsthand, but my Dad told me of the old musclecar days and the horsepower and cubic inch wars. I kinda doubt the camaro, mustang, etc. etc. were marketed towards 40 something year olds. Even now- The Civic Si, SVT Focus and a host of other cars are making it here because of the trememdous youth market out there. It is they who are bringing the cars over here and it is they who are buying them. My Dad never told me about the WRX, I found out about that and the Evo from GT3 a game on a console few 40 year olds play passionately (big assumption, oh well). I am just saying don't insult the youth demographic, it is doing more for the car industry that you can imagine. :cool: Oh and Screw Flanders.

Main reason could be because parents buy their kids cars, and the cars wind up in the adults name.. skewing statistical analyses :)

Originally posted by Aesculapius
I'm a doc

Hey, I fell stupid. I should have realized that you were a man of medicine and healing when I saw your personal icon.

;)

Execpt I only get my knowledge from reading comic books and thought that you were a big fan of Alan Moor's Promethea comic book ... :D

I didn't say that youth market had no impact on the car industry...I agree with you wholeheartedly on that one. I was referring to sports cars - not muscle cars, pony cars, sports sedans, or economy cars modified with slightly larger alloys, a few more horsepower and some extra letters tacked on to the end of the name.

Remember, demographics is simply the statistical analysis of populations in the aggregate. And, in the aggregate, folks in their 20's have significantly less disposable income than those in their 40's. Especially for things like sports cars.

of course there are always exceptions to the rule...and I expect that on this board we have a relatively intelligent, computer litterate group motivated by a fascination (OK Hercules et al, obsession?) with the RX-8. So I bet, and I hope, that a lot of you folks in your teens and 20's do get your RX-8!

Heck, my Dad bought a brand new Austin Healy when he was 21!

Originally posted by bwayout


Hey, I fell stupid. I should have realized that you were a man of medicine and healing when I saw your personal icon.

;)

Execpt I only get my knowledge from reading comic books and thought that you were a big fan of Alan Moor's Promethea comic book ... :D

My nic is an obscure clue as well. Loved that pic you linked up!

:D

Originally posted by Aesculapius


My nic is an obscure clue as well. Loved that pic you linked up!

:D
Love greek mythology (as you can see).

So you're son of Apollo, I'm son of Zeus :D

Originally posted by Hercules

Love greek mythology (as you can see).

So you're son of Apollo, I'm son of Zeus :D


Hey!

Your dad killed me! Doh!:D

Originally posted by Hercules
Love greek mythology (as you can see).

Off topic, but you might want to investigate anything Alan Moore (He's a Brit ;) but he makes America's Best Comics! :D ) writes.

This isn't comics for kids! I highly recomend Promethea (the story is all about the power of myths and our imagination) and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen ... there's more, but it time to get back to our regular sponsered RX-8 forum :)

If you are looking to read an Alan Moore comic, I think the first on my list would be Watchmen. Excellent, excellent stuff. :D

Originally posted by tallguylehigh
... Excellent, excellent stuff. :D

very true! :D an american myth in it's own right.

Getting back on track ... I wonder if this poll's age still falls into the younger crowd as the earler poll did...?

I'm in the over 45 range with kids (and still proudly read comic books)

I'm 14 years old and i just flat out like the car so i choose NOT proven paternity yet!

you might want a sex ed refresher there kid.

I don't know ... stranger things have been know to happen ;)

what a coincidence, i have watchmen right in front of me. Because i do not read comic books, i find this very strange....:confused:

Originally posted by snow_tires
you might want a sex ed refresher there kid.


I'm not teaching him! :D

An AUTOGRAPHED first edition somewhere in my library (if the wife didn't throw it out) - met Gibbons and Moore at a Forbidden Planet book-signing in London a long, long time ago. How does Promethea compare?

You luck dog! :p

Originally posted by pelucidor
An AUTOGRAPHED first edition somewhere in my library (if the wife didn't throw it out) - met Gibbons and Moore at a Forbidden Planet book-signing in London a long, long time ago. How does Promethea compare?

It's very different, more metaphysical and since it's not over ... can't say if it better or not ;) But I will highly recommend "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (his look at a retro - pulp heroics) and his "Top 10" (Hillstreet Blues meet Super Heros) series ... all excellent!

25, married, planning on being a father by this time next year...

I would love this car, but between the mortgage, student loans, starting to save retirement, and restoring my wife's black hard-top '66 Mustang, I do not have the money.

I'm trying to get her to drop a 350 ci+ engine in to replace the 'teensy' 289 ci V-8. I figure, since it doesn't handle that great anyway we might as well milk the straight line acceleration for all it's worth.

no no no no. keep the 289! its alot more durable and reliable engine than the 351 windsor or cleveland. just keep oil in it and it will run forever. if you want more power drop a new 4 barrel carb on it and that will give you some extra punch.

The thing is, when you rev the Mustang it *sounds* like an unholy beast, but the pick-up actually isn't that impressive. If I was going to make a seat of my pants guess, it feels like the 0-60 would be just a shade faster than my 3.4 liter V6 Chevy Impala.

It's a moot point anyway, because she doesn't really care to make it any faster than it is.

I appreciate your tip though. I'll keep it in mind and avoid the 351s. How about a 454 :D?? I can dream, can't I?