That the reviews, first drives, previews etc.. that are all out now on the RX-8 are based on cars that are NOT production models.

The reason Mazda invited all the car magazines out there to the Myoshi training grounds is to tell them what was wrong with the car. They say body roll, Mazda looks into and fixes it. Need more speed, they look at weight reduction.

It's coming down to the end now, and I think with all the reviews the magazines have let out that Mazda will have made signifigant changes/fixes/modifications that will appease them all.

They can't miss, because this is either the revival of a series of rotary, or the end of it :)

That's a good point Herc. It's do or die time for Mazda and the rotary. After all that heritage, I'm sure Mazda would be sorely disappointed if things didn't work out well with the 8, so they'll surely be doing everything they can to make it as solid as possible. It only benefits all of us in the long run....

A Herculean thought indeed. I thinks you got it right indeed. Indeed I say.

Originally posted by Hercules
The reason Mazda invited all the car magazines out there to the Myoshi training grounds is to tell them what was wrong with the car. They say body roll, Mazda looks into and fixes it. I don't mean to sound argumentative, but, how do you know this? :) I'm sure Mazda has its own drivers that can tell when the car has too much body roll.

I certainly hope you're right, but I'm not certain it works that way. ;)

Originally posted by BryanH
I don't mean to sound argumentative, but, how do you know this? :) I'm sure Mazda has its own drivers that can tell when the car has too much body roll.

I certainly hope you're right, but I'm not certain it works that way. ;) Let me put it like this..

You bake a cake, and you put a lot of hard work and time into making it from scratch. You do it over a few times because you think you have it -- it tastes better than any other cake you've made, and thus you're satisfied with the result.

The same goes for the RX-8. Engineers can develop the car more and more but the nuances that they come to accept over time, that were perhaps much worse at initial test phases than near production like they are now, may severely annoy other drivers.

That's why Mazda called in the crew to take notes. While their cake may taste good, it could use a little more icing or flavour (this is for the Brits on our board) than it has now. The only way Mazda is going to see that is by somebody that didn't eat ANY of their cake to sit down and have a mouthful.

What they say is golden, and helps Mazda improve their formula for making the RX-8 the best car it can be in its price range.

Yebbut (here I go arguing with you again ;)) when journalists write about an upcoming car such as the RX-8, they could be creating bad press for the car, turning potential buyers away from the car before it's even available. I'd think Mazda would have the journalists sign a non-disclosure agreement and have them give their feedback only to Mazda, not the general public.

Like I said, I don't know. :) I guess I'm the pessimist to balance your optimism on the forum. :p

Originally posted by BryanH
Yebbut (here I go arguing with you again ;)) when journalists write about an upcoming car such as the RX-8, they could be creating bad press for the car, turning potential buyers away from the car before it's even available. I'd think Mazda would have the journalists sign a non-disclosure agreement and have them give their feedback only to Mazda, not the general public.

Like I said, I don't know. :) I guess I'm the pessimist to balance your optimism on the forum. :p I'd bet they did sign something to let them refrain from posting in detail about the car's handling characteristics.. though some magazines have already taken liberty with that and gone a notch or two farther than they should have. But Mazda hasn't objected yet, so no big deal I think :)

Originally posted by Hercules
They did sign something to let them refrain from posting in detail about the car's handling characteristics.. though some magazines have already taken liberty with that and gone a notch or two farther than they should have. But Mazda hasn't objected yet, so no big deal I think :) They haven't objected? And how would you know? Just like your claim The reason Mazda invited all the car magazines out there to the Myoshi training grounds is to tell them what was wrong with the car, that's merely uninformed guesswork and speculation on your part.

---jps

Originally posted by Sputnik
They haven't objected? And how would you know? Just like your claim The reason Mazda invited all the car magazines out there to the Myoshi training grounds is to tell them what was wrong with the car, that's merely uninformed guesswork and speculation on your part.

---jps
Objections in business usually come in the form of lawsuits. Mazda hasn't filed any, nor has any magazine retracted statements or apologised in their columns.

As per the second part, it's a logical deduction. Quotes like "Automotive scribes gathered from the world over" and "handling characteristics can't be released" give you the impression that Mazda is still doing fine tuning and fixing the hiccups that the press may come across.

If you can't see that, sorry for any confusion, it was not my intention. I think it's a good assumption that when a car company invites a bunch of journalists to test a car and not allow them to report fully on handling characteristics, that they are still working on the car. Maybe you just don't see that connection.

Originally posted by Hercules
...I think it's a good assumption that when a car company invites a bunch of journalists to test a car and not allow them to report fully on handling characteristics, that they are still working on the car. Maybe you just don't see that connection. There is a difference between assuming something, and stating and arguing something as fact.

Not allowing them to report on the handling is an indication that they are possibly still working on the car. Saying that that means that Mazda invited the reporters primarily for feedback on the suspension is a big stretch. That's where I don't see the connection.

---jps