I just thought I would post on the Edmunds Review of the RX-8 that Mazda seems to be aiming its sights on the 350Z as the 8's competitor.

"Total vehicle weight was not disclosed during our advanced drive of the RX-8, but Mazda officials told us it should undercut the new 350Z by around 250 pounds, which should largely negate that car's 37-horsepower advantage."

I think this is great, having similar acceleration, better handling and a great interior with actual room inside.

I don't know what the intended competition is, but since there is no other (worthwhile) car except the RX-7 that has a Wankel rotary engine, that is the only competition is for me.

I have a 87 Turbo II and I have been waiting for a Wankel engined car that has the smoothness of the rotary and the reliability of my second gen RX-7. The third gen was a good looking, good running car, but didn't have the reliabiliy of the previous Mazda's. Mazda seemed to not be interested in improving on it, and then they ran into 'bad times'.

The jury's out on the looks of the RX-8 with me, it's a little bizarre for my tastes, which are probably more the "BMW (clean) look" than the wierd Japanese shape look. The third gen RX-7 was good looking, but the cabin size was a big step down from the second gen.

I want a new Wankel powered car again, but I'm not going to compromise my basic tastes to get it.

My Turbo II is getting up in years and it has 116,000 miles on it. It still runs great, but the trim (side windows, heater controls, and some other things are starting to get troublesome.

We'll see, I guess :p

Rich,

Heater controls

You need to replace the Logicon...Mazda dealers charge $700 with labor, Mazda Trix charges $250 without labor, E-bay auctions typically close at about $100. I’ve got a spare & come across them frequently at my local Pick-Your-Part.

If you don’t have a good local source for parts, I’ll get one for you...Just let me know how to reach you.

The removal / replacement job is straight forward & complete written instructions are all over the net. Let me know if you’d like me to direct you to them.

BTW, I’ve got 255,000 miles on my ‘87’s original un-rebuilt engine but it's a N/A.

Brett

here's my old thread which addressed this same topic:
REAL competitors for the RX-8 (http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=322)

It really doesn't have any dircet compition. It is in its own class.

In Europe:

Nissan 350Z
BMW 325/330ci
Audi TT


http://www.autoweek.nl/images/Articles/703/nis75.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/cbimages/bmw/3cc2_a.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/cbimages/audi/tt13_a.jpg

The Nissan and Audi partically

The Nissan and Audi only have 2 seats correct? I'm leaning more towards the BMW coupe. Two doors, sorta :D , four usable seats, trunk.

yes precisely. this car is a sports sedan... put it up against the WRX, the 3 series, the Audi A4 and A6(?), Accord, Altima's kinda big, but also the RSX Type-S, CL Type-S... etc etc...

I will be in the market for the RX-8 when it comes out and the only other car I am considering cross-shopping for at this time is the G35 Coupe.

Originally posted by Ozone
I will be in the market for the RX-8 when it comes out and the only other car I am considering cross-shopping for at this time is the G35 Coupe. I thought about that..

but if the RX-8 isn't the car for me (which I doubt) I'm going to get myself an E36 BMW M3 5 speed. Fun, good handling, good power and luxurious.

"I'm going to get myself an E36 BMW M3 5 speed. Fun, good handling, good power and luxurious."


....and a lot more money, but hey, if that's no object...great choice!

Originally posted by Ozone
"I'm going to get myself an E36 BMW M3 5 speed. Fun, good handling, good power and luxurious."


....and a lot more money, but hey, if that's no object...great choice! I can get a 98 or 99 for 32k... don't know what yer talkin about.

edit: take a look for yourself. (http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/standard/results/single/ld/detail.jhtml?paId=7695098&aff=national&src=&cid=)

Originally posted by Hercules
I can get a 98 or 99 for 31k tops... don't know what yer talkin about.


I take it back...didn't know what M3 year you were referring to

Originally posted by Ozone



I take it back...didn't know what M3 year you were referring to E36 M3 refers to 96-99 model year (I think that's the range)...

E46 is the 2001+ :) Can't afford those, no :)

Originally posted by Hercules
E36 M3 refers to 96-99 model year (I think that's the range)...

E46 is the 2001+ :) Can't afford those, no :)


Me neither....thank you for the clarification.

Originally posted by Quick_lude
The Nissan and Audi only have 2 seats correct? I'm leaning more towards the BMW coupe. Two doors, sorta :D , four usable seats, trunk.

Hi Quick_lude,

One of my co-workers just paid close to $40,000 US for an Audi TT. Damn single guys without houses always have so much money. :mad: It did have back seats although there was approximately 2 inches from the front of the backseats to the back of the front seats. :p I guess he could fit a couple of baby seats back there when he has kids.

He gave me a quick ride in it and I was surprised at how smooth the power delivery was. I was expecting the push back in my seat once we hit the rpm where the turbo kicked in but the power delivery was very linear. I pulled the TT up in cartest and the torque curve was like a straight line from something like 2500 to the hp peak.

It is a very nice car that is very well refined. Nevertheless, $40,000 US seemed a bit much to pay for a car that will be heavier, slower, less practical, etc etc than the Rx-8. :p

Brian

PS. I hope he never reads this forum.
PPS. If you are reading this, you know that I'm just kidding right? :)

$40K US is crazy for the TT.. I mean it's basically a Jetta/Golf/Audi4 chassis correct? The 8 would do great in competition with that car.. price/performance wise.

yes precisely. this car is a sports sedan

Not in my point of view haha. It is a coupe with 2 extra doors. Someone who wants to buy a Audi A4/A6 won't look for a RX-8

Ford.
Ford can let Mazda out perform its Mustang.
Right now the Mach 1 take the place of the old Cobra. But the axle ratio is shorter on the Mach 1 versus the old Cobra's (305 hp and 320 hp versions)


The next Mustang (off the DEW98, Lincoln LS, Jag S-type) will have the 3 valve 4.6 with 300 hp.

So I imaging that the supercharged MPS Rx-8 would probably have 275 to at most 300 hp. with 250-275 ft-lbs, enough on paper to match the Z's 275 hp and 267 ft-lbs (Z is overrated)

Another Comp. would be Carrera 911.

The RX-8's gonna be a great car, but it doesn't compare and certianly can't compete with a Porsche....

Originally posted by MattFast


Not in my point of view haha. It is a coupe with 2 extra doors. Someone who wants to buy a Audi A4/A6 won't look for a RX-8

Interesting comment. I currently own a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T and I will be purchasing an RX-8 next year. Guess that's why you're not in marketing. ;)

I'm talking in general

Guess that's why you're not in marketing.

I don't know if you are from the U.S, but here in Europe we mostly think in style, price, size etc. Americans compaire (for example) a Mazda6 with a Nissan Altima. But if the Altima was sold here, we would compaire it to a Renault Vel Satis, Peugeot 607, Opel Signum and Toyota Camry

BTW: there will be a Audi A4 Coupe next year ;) If the price is near 40/45,000 euro/dollar, than thát Audi will be a competitor to the RX-8