Here is a hypothetical question: Do you think mazda would be shooting themselves in the foot if they show a RX-7 concept in Detroit next month?

Would it hurt sales of the RX-8?

What impact would it have on your buying decision?

Personally, I wouldn't think so and it would show that the RX-8 is NOT the replacement for the 7 (which has only 2 seats and 2 doors and maybe a posible retractable hardtop according to the Jan 2003 Motor Trend article) and that Mazda will have more cars with a rotary :D

I also need my next car to have 4 seats and 4 doors is a big plus!

You know something we don't, Dan? :)

Originally posted by Toadman
You know something we don't, Dan? :)

No, it is a "Hypothetical" question. . .

My opinion:

I think the RX-7 and RX-8s are different enough to allow for them both. It could be a good think to come out with a true 2-door sports car, allowing direct competition with the 350z. The RX-8, could enjoy brisk sales in a different market segment (one that Mazda says doesn't exist today)

Originally posted by rotarynews.com
Here is a hypothetical question: Do you think mazda would be shooting themselves in the foot if they show a RX-7 concept in Detroit next month?

Did Nissan shoot themselves in the foot when the showed the R35 GT-R concept the same time they unveiled the production 350Z? (Hint: Nissan has sold almost as many 350Zs in four months as Mazda sold FDs in 3+ years)


Would it hurt sales of the RX-8?
In as far as I can tell, people are buying the RX-8 because they need the practicality, otherwise they'd probably be buying 350Zs (I mean, there really aren't very many rotary-loyal people in the US). If anything, I'd expect it to be more detrimental to 350z sales, since the new 7 will probably be about the same price but perform better (and probably look better, I hope).


What impact would it have on your buying decision?Personally, I have to get another car next year (lease expires). But even if I didn't, I might decide to buy an RX-8 and then trade it in when the new 7 comes out, but that completely depends on the performance/price/fun factor of the 8, i.e. data that we don't have yet.

If I saw a new 7 I'd be really tempted to hold off for it. My decision isn't quite as time sensitive, although these past 5 months have been killing me. Time makes the 35c and other tangible cars more appealing. Hopefully when every issue is resolved in jan and mazda pulls the cover off a perfect 8, that won't be a problem anymore (unless there is a 7 under there too :D )

I don't think it's a bright idea. If people don't like the look of the 8 or whatever... and the 7 winds up looking similar, people could wholly reject it.

This is just my $.02 though :)

Originally posted by m477

In as far as I can tell, people are buying the RX-8 because they need the practicality, otherwise they'd probably be buying 350Zs (I mean, there really aren't very many rotary-loyal people in the US). If anything, I'd expect it to be more detrimental to 350z sales, since the new 7 will probably be about the same price but perform better (and probably look better, I hope).


Personally, I have vitually no need for 4 doors. 2 extra seats are nice, but I'm buying the RX8 instead of the Z because:
[list=a]
I love rotaries
Mazdas have always handled better than Nissans
It looks better, has more style and more flare
[/list=a]

I've been waiting many years for Mazda to realease another rotary that I could afford (not that the 8 is any cheaper than the 7's were, but I can finally afford one now).

So, that said, I'm a total Mazda enthusiast, but I'm a total noob when it comes to cars. Can somebody please explain FDs to me?

Z just doesn't cut it for me. I saw it in person and there is no useable room at all. The G35 coupe has a horrible trunk size as well, but at least you can dump stuff into the almost useless back seats. Then again, the G35c is large and heavy. The 8 is the only car in the same range I'd consider, and I already have a BMW 3-er, so getting another 3 seems strange.

doesnt change my mind at all, since i have wanted this car since the evolve. four doors and four seats are what i need/ want now and the rx8 is the (hopefully) perfect package for me right now. if they did that i think it would help put some excitement out about mazda in general and could only be good for the company. i think toad is right though and that dan is hinting at something with his "hypothetical". :D

if i could afford two cars i would keep my hatch and could think of getting an rx-7, though i might still go for the 8


but i can't

so the only option is the 8.

Originally posted by bwayout
Personally, I wouldn't think so and it would show that the RX-8 is NOT the replacement for the 7 (which has only 2 seats and 2 doors and maybe a posible retractable hardtop according to the Jan 2003 Motor Trend article) and that Mazda will have more cars with a rotary :D

I also need my next car to have 4 seats and 4 doors is a big plus!

:)

Wow! Stunningly fascinating and insightful, Race1... :( :confused:

Originally posted by rotarynews.com
Do you think mazda would be shooting themselves in the foot if they show a RX-7 concept in Detroit next month?

Would it hurt sales of the RX-8? I think so. Right now the RX-8 is the only car soon to be available to rotary enthusiasts. If they show an RX-7 before the '8 is even on the streets, I think some people would hold off buying the '8 and wait for the '7.

What impact would it have on your buying decision? None for me, I already have an impractical 2-seater. I'd still get the RX-8 (if I can afford it). It makes the most sense to me as a practical car that can still satisfy my sports-car cravings.

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Wow! Stunningly fascinating and insightful, Race1... :( :confused:

I thought it was right on target ;)

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Wow! Stunningly fascinating and insightful, Race1... :( :confused: He was agreeing with bwayout's post. Originally posted by BryanH
...I think so. Right now the RX-8 is the only car soon to be available to rotary enthusiasts. If they show an RX-7 before the '8 is even on the streets, I think some people would hold off buying the '8 and wait for the '7. I'd agree with that. It's the same reason why you wouldn't want to produce the "Mazdaspeed" version until after the initial hype wears off. Heck, there are already people talking about "holding out" for the Mazdaspeed version of the RX8 as it is.

---jps

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Wow! Stunningly fascinating and insightful, Race1... :( :confused:

Originally posted by bwayout


I thought it was right on target ;)

**Pulls foot out of mouth**
**Understands now**

Originally posted by RotorMotor




**Pulls foot out of mouth**
**Understands now**

:D :D :D

Consider this. NAIAS is THE PREDOMINENT AUTO SHOW in the World now. Over 6,000+ media types attend this show and therefore, manufacturers get the most exposure at this show.
Remember the first prototype (RX-01) of the RX-8 was shown back in '95 and is now only coming to market. If it only took half as long to get to market, that would still be about 3 1/2 years.
With that said, anyone in the market for a new car in the next year or so, isn't going to wait that long for a new RX-7. That coupled to the fact that the cars are different enough not to seriously affect each other's market.
If I was a betting man, I would bet that there will be a future concept at Detroit. We'll all know pretty soon.;)

Originally posted by boowana
... I would bet that there will be a future concept at Detroit. We'll all know pretty soon.;)


Please please please take plenty of pictures!

:D


Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Just got a notification from Car Point (sorry Blue), and it looks as though Mazda is indeed showing a concept at the 2003 NAIAS. Very interesting!

http://autoshow.msn.com/autoshow2003/preview.aspx?oem=Lexus

i'm starting to hyperventilate already??? omg!!

get me a paper bag!! sweet news indeed, Gaidin.

Woo hoo! I just hope these vehicles are still ther on Sunday.. :(

Originally posted by Quick_lude
Woo hoo! I just hope these vehicles are still ther on Sunday.. :(
Yes, usually all vehicles stay for the entire duration of the show...

Not at the Toronto Auto Show.. But I'm hoping this being "the big one" they will keep all the cars for the duration..