Visited my family in Stockton, CA this weekend, and I spotted a billboard at a stoplight in town. It was for the Mazda of Stockton dealership. On it was a washed out picture of a silver Tribute, and a washed out picture of a silver MPV, with simply the words "Mazda of Stockton" in the middle.

How utterly boring and unattractive! Mazda is establishing themselves now as the affordable fun car manufacturer, not another cookie cutter appliance-mobile manufacturer. Bah. How shameful.

Mazda needs to get on its dealers about that crap... the billboard is a dealer-paid ad, not paid by Mazda of America.

The RX-8, 6, or MS Protege needs to be on that billboard.

Considering that the "local" Mazda dealer closed about 4 years ago and no one ever bought the franchise, I'm seriously considering, when I graduate, trying to put a business plan together to open a Mazda dealer - and I'd put the RX-8 on my billboards.

That is, until the FE RX-7 arrives, and judging by the thick veil of secrecy surrounding the concept they'll be showing at Detroit next month, I wouldn't be surprised if we get an idea of what it'll be like soon.

According to several sites now, "Mazda will be unveiling a concept at Detroit. Mazda is being extremely secretive about this car and are not releasing any information regarding the size or nature of this concept at this time." :D

I hope they show the RX7 concept that would be awsome.