In the December issue of Motor Trend not only do they finally catch up and print a story about the whole HP screw-up with the 8, but right below that article (pg. 28) is another entitled "Or Not To Hmm" which reads:

"The notion of a lighter, smaller, two-door version of the RX-8 hasn't caught hold at Mazda. The company's top brass was supposed to make a decision on whether to go ahead with a next generation RX-7 earlier this year (see 'First Drive, RX-8,' January, 2003). The decision was "no," sources say."

To me it sounds like the 8 isn't taking off like they expected it to....to tell you the truth I am not surprised, they haven't, in my opinion, put enough of an ad campaign behind it.....I have seen 400 different TV commercials for the new F-series truck, but only one so far for the 8.

Your right about the commercials, you can't find a channel without some ford F-150 truck commercial.

But again, you don't see many mustang commercials either.

The engine is not for the mainstream.

We have done our part, we have an 8

I would've expected a late-90's style Maxima-type campaign that brought that over-hyped "four-dorr-sports car" so many sales.

But your right...I have my 8...who cares....but I would've liked to seen this motor appear in the 7 and the rotor powered miata I have heard rumors about....time will tell.

I think it may be concentrated in certain areas. I see advertising all the time, and I can't go more than 2 days now without seeing another 8 on the road, in a driveway, or in a parking lot. And this is all on the past month.

Originally posted by jerzeydevil
but I would've liked to seen this motor appear in the 7 and the rotor powered miata I have heard rumors about....time will tell.

The RX-7 prototype/show car that was supposed to be shown at the recent Tokyo Motor Show was parked - the program hasn't been approved for production yet, and Mazda decided to keep the focus on their current models with a couple of more conceptual (rather than near production) show cars like the Ibuki. Also, Mazda's Renesis production facility (where the engines are hand-assembled) is running at maximum capacity right now making engines for the RX-8s (which, despite rumours here, is selling extremely well), so Mazda right now has no capacity to produce engines for an RX-7!

Regarding a rotary-powered Miata - those are just bad rumours, absolutely no basis in fact - Mazda has been very explicit in stating that a rotary powered Miata will NEVER happen.

Regards,
Gordon

Your right about the miata, if they put a rotary in the miata, a bunch of miata drivers will bail on Mazda.

why would they? i see people putting v8s in miatas, why would they get mad if mazda puts a rotary engine on a miata?
i dont like the idea but why would they get mad?

I have seen those "monster Miatas" on ebay and they don't sell.

Putting a rotary in a miata would be like putting a v6 or v8 in the new RX7. It just doesn't sound right.

But, that is my opinion.

here is my two cents...

The 8 is out and Mazda now needs to focus on making it a success, make sure that no quality gremlins pop up (esp. with the rotary), and even addressing the now "glaring" horsepower issue. I say glaring because initially the buzz was its hp number was 40 lower than the 350Z, and now the restatement has brought just a littlle more attention to the "numbers." I personally don't care I loved my na '87 GXL, I haven't driven an 8 yet because I know that once I do I'll land up doing some "creative" financing to get it and I'm already in enough fiscal trouble.

Mazda's focus (no pun intended) will next be on the 3 (re: bread and butter). They've got the 5dr and wagon 6's coming out, there is still some mazdaspeed rumors there. i'd be a little interested in a hotted up 5dr 6 (or is that a 6dr 5?).

But job #1 as far as protecting the image, is the next Miata. Personally, I don't think there will be any movement on a 7 until the Miata is off and running.

Now here is my speculation...there has been talk of a two door lighter Rx-8, and there have been concept hardtop Miatas. With the Miata moving to the 8's platform i think the rebirth of the 7 stands a better shot if it were a coupe (lets hope hatch) Miata with the rotary. The rotary platform is already in place, the ammortization of the platform has been spread out over the 8 and Miata (re: volume). Sets it up nicely to take sales pressure off of a 7... plus didn't I read that rotary engine capacity is currently only something like 60,000 a year.

The Ibuki (Miata) concept at Tokyo said the engine sits 16in farther rearward...sound like another car i know. Plus I liked it reminded me of the 1st gen miata with a little brawn in the shoulders.

ok i had to come up with at least one pic

I think most miata enthusiasts would much rather see a V-6 rather than the rotary. I know you rotor heads don't like to hear this but the rotary has a long way to go before knocking the piston engine into extinction.
I have 80,000 miles on my 93 and it slow but it goes. There are countless miatas out there with 100, 150 and even 200 thousand miles on them and still going. The miata led the way in October sales. In my opinion putting a rotary in a miata would run the risk of ruining the reputation of a reliable well handling roadster. Yes, I have driven......owned an 8 and sold it back. As I have said before, I hope the get the 8 performing the way it should. But I also hope Mazda will leave a good thing (miata) relatively unchanged except for adding some more piston power.:D

Hmmm, Miata with a swapped-in Renesis, chipped up to 300 HP...

:drool:

ECRX-7,

The roof on the car you show is fake. Did you photoshop it on purpose?

-Mr. Wigggles

just to clarify....the rumors that I heard were for a 'special edition' miata with a rotary...not to replace the whole line with rotaries.....this I think would make sense and would give rotor heads (not necessarily miata enthusiasts) an option on buying a rotary-powered car until/if the 7 arrives.

yes he photohacked that to show what direction he thinks the next 7 will be going in, IE, future miata with a hatch on it
________
M130 Engine (http://www.mercedes-wiki.com/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M130_engine)

Can you post a scan of it? What did it say about the HP issue?

i personally would not want to see a next generation rx-7 because it would make me want to sell my 8 and buy it.

aren't we all going to be a little remorseful if a 2 door, 2700 lb rx-8 with 250+ hp debuts in the US?

Originally posted by Gord96BRG
The RX-7 prototype/show car that was supposed to be shown at the recent Tokyo Motor Show was parked - the program hasn't been approved for production yet
So how do we know that this supposed RX-7 prototype actually exists?... has bwob or someone leaked info about it?

Originally posted by djmano
i personally would not want to see a next generation rx-7 because it would make me want to sell my 8 and buy it.

aren't we all going to be a little remorseful if a 2 door, 2700 lb rx-8 with 250+ hp debuts in the US?

Nope, because I plan to get the 7 while my gf keeps the 8 ;)

Originally posted by djmano
aren't we all going to be a little remorseful if a 2 door, 2700 lb rx-8 with 250+ hp debuts in the US?
Nope, cuz I need the back seat. Having 4 passenger capability -in a SPORTS CAR - was one of the major appeals to the '8 for me.