I drive an E46 M3 Coupe ('02) and I can be described as an RX-8 wanabe. I have test driven the RX-8 twice now (last fall and two weeks ago) and I would like to make 1/2 the car payment I have now and drive a very nice RX-8.

Now that I have gotten behind the wheel of one, what I don't understand is why I see so darn few RX-8's on the road? My closest dealer has TONS of RX-8's on the lot - is it the "controversial" styling that keeps folks away?

True, I am in Dallas, TX, probably the SUV/truck capital of the USA, but I would have expected to see more RX-8's on the road.

I feel it is going to be worst now that the new MazdaSpeed Miata is available and that the new Miata is just around the corner.

Why is the RX-8 not selling in higher #'s?

Wait till spring and better weather...I think sales will really start picking up.

I kinda like it that way - I could not count the number of Ford Mustangs that I see just on the way to work. Sparsity preserves our "kewl" factor !

some people think its ugly. some people are scared of rotaries.

There's certainly no shortage of them on the roads here in Austin. I think I've counted at least six others that I can't identify as members of the local RX club.

Originally posted by Booster MPS
I kinda like it that way - I could not count the number of Ford Mustangs that I see just on the way to work. Sparsity preserves our "kewl" factor !

Mustangs and Eclipses everywhere! OMG!

A number of things could contribute to it...

1) The current sports car/coupe market is flooded with options for new car buyers from GTIs and 350Z/G35s to TTs and 325cis. The RX8 seems to straddle a strange price point. Equipped at $30K it competes with a lot of bread and butter luxury makes. Those not wishing or capable of spending as much will look at an RSX or GTI. Those comfortable with the price have even more options...which brings me to the next point...

2) The RX8 isn't cheap, especially when compared to the costs of sporty coupes from "luxury" manufacturers. A loaded RX8 will run a buyer close to $34K which will buy you a nicely equipped Infiniti G35 or even a well equipped (although far from loaded) BMW 325ci. The cache of owning a BMW vs. a Mazda is definitely a factor in some people's minds.

3) Some people don't know what to make of it or don't know what it is. Is it a 2 door or is it a 4 door? Friends of mine keep saying I'm nuts for thinking about a car without a real backseat. "You can't fit an adult back there..." I'm 6'1" and I fit without a problem! They don't get that it's quite capable of comfortably hauling four real adults.

4) Some may not like the styling. Sucks for them :D Some don't like my TT (one of the most highly aclaimed designs of late). I've heard things from "blob" to "squished bug". Sucks for them too! :D

5) The American public is generally boring and likes to stick with things with which they are familiar. :p They like their Buick Centuries and Ford Tauruses. A rotary is unfamiliar, as are freestyle/suicide doors, and the styling...well, it's certainly unique. The RX8 is and always will be a niche vehicle. We just have to hope that it appeals to enough people for it to pull in a profit for Mazda (so they'll keep making them).

6) Mazda seems to have downsized its dealerbase somewhat so customers or potential buyers are less likely to find themselves driving by a showroom or dealer lot. Faifield County, CT used to have 3 Mazda dealers within ~20 miles of one another (Ridgefield, Greenwich, and Westport) and now there is just 1 in Stamford. In one of the largest and most affluent metro areas in the country, I'd say that's not going to help sales.

I do, however, agree with others who say wait until Spring/Summer. As prospective buyers start seeing them on the road and become more aware of them and as the weather starts getting nicer more people will start buying.

-Eric

34K? No freaking way.

After you bargain with the dealer you can get out the door LOADED at 32, 31.5.

Additionally most of the cars that are on the lot hover at 28-30K, with addons coming later (ie, body kit and such).

The RX-8 is a bargain imo. The G35C is the closest competition but the way I wanted it, it would have cost me 36k which is a far cry off from the 31k MSRP I paid. And given that I wouldn't have to pay MSRP now... I'd be even further ahead.

Originally posted by Hercules
34K? No freaking way.

After you bargain with the dealer you can get out the door LOADED at 32

I didn't say that's what you'd pay. But you can't compare MSRP for one car with Invoice for another unless that's all dealers are doing. You can negotiate with just about any dealer (aside from maybe Saturn). A $34K MSRP BMW may also be had for ~$32K. Hell, I negotiated my Audi down about $4200 from MSRP. It's all about timing, negotiation, and incentives.

Again, it all comes down to what's important to you. Think what you may, but a lot of people would take a BMW over a Mazda and forego the "navi". On top of the "lux" factor you can also add BMW's free maintenance schedule (which includes some wear and tear parts, like bulbs and wipers).

-Eric

34K w/nav? maybe that's what he meant..but i do think the car is a bargain. i too was looking at the g35c, and sticker on it was 37.5K, that's w/o tax, etc... i know the dealer wasn't budging on price either (i bought my car in october)

I am also in the Dallas area and I have noticed very few on the road. In the six months I have had mine I doubt that I have seen 10 others in all that time. Maybe wquiles is right that here in the pickup and Suburban capital of the world there just aren't that many sports car drivers but I see a lot of G35's and Z's. Oh well that's their tough luck. I kind of like being unique.

I've only seen one other RX-8 so far, a nice black one.

But it doesn't bother me. I bought the RX-8 because it is unique. If I wanted to buy a common car I'd get a BMW 300 series - Southern California roads are lousy with them.

On the other hand, I hope Mazda sells enough of them to make a profit and keep the car in their line-up, but I don't want to see them all over the road. It's hard enough trying to keep a seperate identity in the modern city.

AND, like it or not, some people who aren't constrained by the price would even be willing to pay a few grand more for the luxury brand. People do it all of the time. If it was all about bang for the buck we'd be driving Acuras and Fords.

Remember, most buyers aren't enthusiasts. They know what their neighbors tell them and most of their neighbors are wrong. They know what they see and don't research more than that. "It looks cool". They're not like you and I. They don't care about the rotary and probably won't even know that their car doesn't have pistons. To the masses, it's just a unique sports car...if that. The masses buy Tauruses, Camrys and Accords in the HUNDREDS of thousands each year.

So, try to tell the run of the mill person why they should plop down $32K for a Mazda (that can't be moved short distances when you shut it down in the winter) instead of $33K for the shiny Bavarian across the lot or that G35 (w/leather) for $31K and you'll start seeing why it isn't so simple. Again invoice vs. MSRP is apples and oranges.

Look, I'm sold on the RX8 so you're preaching to the choir when you sing its praises...but I'm just one enthusiast looking for a unique drive.

-Eric

Oh what the hell. According to my shoddy memory, in the last 6 months I've seen approximately:

mustangs: buttload
camaros: buttload
s2000s: 5
G35: 8
350z: 15
Miatas: shitload
RX8s: 5
Cessnas: 10
Boeing 700 series: 312
Corvettes: 7
School busses: 54
Eclipses: who cares
Honda Elements: I try to forget
HFSUVs (Huge F**king SUVs): 892893284829389813429384
Hummers: 8

Other cars like evos, wrxs, acuras, etc, I don't even notice. Probably because they're ugly as sin and don't catch my eye.

I also hate SUVs. Can they get any damn bigger? I can't stand it when I get in the left turn lane and a damn mammoth SUV pulls up in front of me effectively obstructing my view of oncoming traffic, and the sky for that matter. Damn soccer moms.

I am also in dallas and the two people that posted here have raised my total sitings to four, five if you include my sweet ass car.

Quite a few in Austin, I have noticed a lot more on the Mo-Pac side, and far fewer on I-35. Couple weekends ago I was 3 within 20 minutes, about half as often as I see a 350z and 1/20 as often as I see a mustang overall still.

Regardless of what we see on the road (few or a lot), I wonder what predictions Mazda made for their sales volumn and whether they are on target for the number of units sold? Seems like I read a thread where they were only slightly behind anticipated sales volumn for the 8?

its good that there are few on the road hee hee makes me feel all special

Originally posted by Winning_BlueRX8
Oh what the hell. According to my shoddy memory, in the last 6 months I've seen approximately:

mustangs: buttload
camaros: buttload
s2000s: 5
G35: 8
350z: 15
Miatas: shitload
RX8s: 5
Cessnas: 10
Boeing 700 series: 312
Corvettes: 7
School busses: 54
Eclipses: who cares
Evos, wrxs, acuras, etc: ditto
Honda Elements: I try to forget
HFSUVs (Huge F**king SUVs): 892893284829389813429384
Hummers: 8LOL!!!!!!!!!! That was freakin GREAT!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

Mazda (err Ford) has done a horrible job with a marketing campaign for the RX-8.

BTW, the G35 Coupe's interior is about the same as a 1999 Altima. It is plastic and cheap looking. Great engine but the interior looks like ass.

Wow, I see them all the time- there's a titanium one in the parking lot across from my office and another just up the road, a black one I see in the morning on my way to the office, a yellow I've seen a few times, a green I saw at lunch the other day, and that's not counting 9kRever and Mscreant and TheTick and Chirorx8 and Dragonfruit, all of whom I've met in Richmond. I was just thinking they are starting to become really common!

Originally posted by 310Guy
the G35 Coupe's interior is about the same as a 1999 Altima. It is plastic and cheap looking. Great engine but the interior looks like ass.
My sentiments exactly. That was one of the reasons I decided against the G35C. I loved the way it looks, engine was nice, handling was good (but not as good as the 8) - the interior is cheap looking plastic. Doesn't fit the rest of the car.
Other reasons were the price and those friggin' frameless windows, especially with the stupid auto up/down feature... ugh.

Here in Dallas, TX... i see alot of them... iv'e seen two in the past two days... and a yellow one i always see, becuase it aftrmarktchrome rims.. and its same one...

BLUE - 1
RED - 1
YELLOW - 2
SILVER - 2
BLACK - NONE
T Gray - 1

I see alot of them... 350Z's are everywhere there still really nice... i see 2-3 a day 350Z... just wait ... RX-8's are selling pretty good though... on weekends you may see alot... since many of them are using it as a weekend ride...

How many Chrysler Prowler have you seen on the road? Why do I ask? I used to own one. And in that time I saw maybe a half dozen on the open road. Now I'm sure those cars are a little more "collected" then our "8"'s, but the total production numbers for that car are about the NA sales (~12K) for last year. I'd say there just aren't that many out. But I would agree with the comments that you woudl see more in the populus warm sates (CA, TX, FL).

Think about it this way, as of Feb 2004, Mazda reported selling just under 16,000 8s. Compare that to the tens of millions (if not more) of cars on the road.

That being said, in Central Texas/Metro Austin, there's plenty (hey Lufa, been to a TexasRXs meet yet?) on the road. I usually see one or two on every drive in or out of town. At the last 2 TexasRXs events, 8s were in the majority!

I'm in the Dallas area as well (though specifically in Plano), and I don't see many of them on the road (part of what I find appealing about the RX-8). I think the main reason for this is just that the car is new. A year ago, I had never seen a 350Z on the road, but now I'm starting to see them more frequently, but that series car is now almost 2 years old. The RX-8 just came out last year so a lot of people don't even know about it, and of those that do, some people want to go with the "established" 350Z or G35 Coupe. Given another year, I think we'll see a lot more RX-8's on the road (for better or worse).

Heck, including mine, there are 2 in our parking lot at work, and at least 2 guys I work with are interested in the RX-8 as well.

Since owning, I've yet to see another 8 on road.

Admittedly, I keep mine resting comfortably in the garage for all but the most sunny, dry New England winter days. But as the weather warms ...

Cheers,
Oranje

I'm in So. Florida and I don't see alot in my neck of the county in Palm Beach Gardens. When I go toward West Palm Beach I see alot more. Noticed, tho, that in the last 2 weeks I've seen 2 here. I like feeling unique. I know I get alot of looks - I don't always pay attention - and sometimes outright conversation and now that I'm past 3,000 miles I find the car has gotten better and better and more fun to drive. I'm leasing so my situation is very different.

It's funny ever since November when I took an interest and ordered mine, I've been looking for them on the road. So far I have only seen 1 outside a dealership and that one looked like it was on a test drive. I know they're out there; just haven't seen them.

I live in Los Angeles, and commute between LA and Orange County daily. I see approximately 2 RX-8's regularly each week, probably the same black and titanium gray every week. Once in a long while I'll see a red or yellow one, but probably just passing by from somewhere else. People still come up to me and say "that's a nice car, how do you like it?" or "nice car, what the hell is it??".... One guy actually told me "it looks old fashioned..." I'm guessing he was referring to how the front fenders can almost make the car look like an open-wheeled roadster (Prowler, Caterham/Lotus Super 7, etc..) To each his own. People shy away from rotaries due to the "problems" they have.
My theory on that is this: Most people will sell their cars because they've grown bored or tired of them before the car really starts to have "problems". Someone who has owned and driven any RX may hold onto the car much longer (because they still enjoy having it and driving it), thus allowing it to start having problems while in their possession (aka nominal wear and tear) and at the same time drive it like a sports car (aka exceptional wear and tear)... So while the RX driver keeps his/her car longer and drives the hell out of his/her car, his/her peers with "normal" cars wonder why his/her RX is "always" having problems.

Originally posted by Sue Esponte


So, try to tell the run of the mill person why they should plop down $32K for a Mazda (that can't be moved short distances when you shut it down in the winter) instead of $33K for the shiny Bavarian across the lot or that G35 (w/leather) for $31K and you'll start seeing why it isn't so simple. Again invoice vs. MSRP is apples and oranges.


-Eric

Where in the universe are you getting your G35 numbers? Most of the RX8's on dealership lots are Grand Touring, which is stickered at $31,100. Most of the G35 coupes are stickered at over $34,000. I think maybe you're thinking about the G35 sedan, which is definitely not in the sports grand tourer category (it's in the sports sedan category).

The G35 coupe is more the RX8's competitor, but the G35 has been out one year longer than the RX8.

I'm starting to see more RX8's in southern California. RX8 sales have been just fine for a sports grand tourer, even if not quite as explosive as the G35/350Z combination punch.

Remember, the Mazda 6 was nonexistent for ONE WHOLE YEAR (despite all the magazine accolades) until the publicity generated by the intro of the RX8 trickled/transferred to the Mazda 6. Now Mazda 6 sales are really going and two new 6 variants (a hatch/fastback and a wagon) are coming out and the Mazda 3 is just starting to actually sell (I've been noticing their presence on the roads in the last two weeks). I think for Mazda, it's really how the RX8, 6, and 3 reinforce each other in terms of overall sales that matters to Mazda, not how the RX8 sells or whether it makes a profit on its own.

I'm not bothered.. I'd rather the RX8 not become another mainstream automobile.

Yes, I want to see Mazda make money on it because I'm eager for a new RX7. But at the same time I really don't want to see rx8's everywhere I go. Mainstream popularity brings in a large quantity of undesireables..

Originally posted by PhineasFellOff
Where in the universe are you getting your G35 numbers?

Inifiniti's website and Edmunds. In my prior post I was talking about possible "negotiated" prices because Hercules was talking about negotiated RX8 prices. You can't compare MSRP with one car with a negotiated price on another. I have a friend with a G35 coupe and an another with a G35 sedan, neither of whom paid MSRP. I also wasn't talking about a loaded G35. Sorry if I was unclear.

And, as an aside regarding those who are leasing, I've seen tons of BMW and Audi leases for amounts comparable to what others are quoting on these boards for their RX8s. It really comes down to incentives, negotiation and residuals.

Anyway, my original point was only that some might give up navigation and other luxuries just to get into the upmarket car (e.g., BMW or Infiniti) over a Mazda. Look, technically I'd be trading down my daily driver from an Audi to a Mazda (and I know others on this board have made similar trades) so I'm not even saying I fit into the demographic, but to say that a lot of people don't think about name brand curb appeal when they buy would be silly.

-Eric

P.S. I also don't think you can limit RX8 comparisons to coupes since the 8 sits on both sides of that marketing fence as well. This goes back to my original comment about the public's perception of what it is...a coupe or a sedan? I'd certainly encourage people shopping a 325i sedan, G35 sedan or an A4 to cross shop the RX8 depending upon their backseat needs. The 8 will hold 2 full size adults in the back. Try that in a G35 coupe or 350Z for any period of time. Been there, done that and not doing it again. After all, this is my reason for shopping. I will need a car with a real, useable backseat. Sitting an adult in the backseat in most sports cars is a crime against humanity. Not so in the 8.

-Eric

In the part of this area I frequent, a big chunk of the metro area, I saw my first on the road yesterday! (if I don't count the red one I saw with dealer plates last July) Just caught a glimpse of a silver RX8 going the opposite direction on Hwy. 100.

Seems to me, one of the dealers had a lot of them in stock a couple months ago.

Originally posted by 310Guy
Great engine but the interior looks like ass.

I guess depending on the ass you are referring to, it may not be too bad looking. :D

I am not sure....but i also like it that way. think about it, you see the 350Z everywhere you go....i once saw 12 of them in one day, maybe thats just in vegas but....i like it though, it makes the 8 seem more rare so when you do see one it catches you by surprise and you look. Most people dont even give the z a second look any more, but when a kid see's my 8 he just gawks...its cool, the Z doesn't do that.;)

I like that you hardly see any of them on the road. But I notice that everyone passing by hesitates and gives me the long look over. Strangers slow down when I am by the car and tell me they like it. When I pick my kid up at high school, there are lots of admiring comments there, too. I guess I'm one of the few moms around who doesn't drive a HFSUV or a "Mini" van, both of which I also hate. And I do see others occasionally on the road, though I drove all the way from NorCal to SoCal and back last weekend and didn't see even one.
I like the uniqueness of the RX8, I love its lines and the way it drives "tight" and everything fits like a glove. I hope I never see so many of them on the road that they become ordinary. And I love leaving those HFSUVs and MVs in my wake as I wind up that purring engine and wave bye bye.

BTW, I also didn't like the G35 interior; too boring after I had tested the RX8...

I'll agree with the amount of 8s in Austin. I've seen a lot in the north side of town. There's even a blue 8 a couple of houses from me. Oh yeah...for those that live in the area, if your going to buy the 8, get a different color other that gray:D . There's too many of us around already.:D

I too am in SoFla (Miami to be exact) and I have only seen a handful on the road. I saw a red one on I-95, a silver with some real nice aftermarket rims in West Dade (if you are in here, nice car dude), and a pretty hot chick driving a green one on SR 836 the other day.

I do see a whole lot of Zs, Stangs, and SUVs. I think Miami is the H2 capital of the world!

I'm sure those H2s come in real handy in the snow...errr mountains, no...ummm...beaches? ;-)

Gotta love South Beach.

-Eric

Originally posted by Sue Esponte
Inifiniti's website and Edmunds. In my prior post I was talking about possible "negotiated" prices because Hercules was talking about negotiated RX8 prices. You can't compare MSRP with one car with a negotiated price on another. I have a friend with a G35 coupe and an another with a G35 sedan, neither of whom paid MSRP. I also wasn't talking about a loaded G35. Sorry if I was unclear.

And, as an aside regarding those who are leasing, I've seen tons of BMW and Audi leases for amounts comparable to what others are quoting on these boards for their RX8s. It really comes down to incentives, negotiation and residuals.

Anyway, my original point was only that some might give up navigation and other luxuries just to get into the upmarket car (e.g., BMW or Infiniti) over a Mazda. Look, technically I'd be trading down my daily driver from an Audi to a Mazda (and I know others on this board have made similar trades) so I'm not even saying I fit into the demographic, but to say that a lot of people don't think about name brand curb appeal when they buy would be silly.

-Eric

P.S. I also don't think you can limit RX8 comparisons to coupes since the 8 sits on both sides of that marketing fence as well. This goes back to my original comment about the public's perception of what it is...a coupe or a sedan? I'd certainly encourage people shopping a 325i sedan, G35 sedan or an A4 to cross shop the RX8 depending upon their backseat needs. The 8 will hold 2 full size adults in the back. Try that in a G35 coupe or 350Z for any period of time. Been there, done that and not doing it again. After all, this is my reason for shopping. I will need a car with a real, useable backseat. Sitting an adult in the backseat in most sports cars is a crime against humanity. Not so in the 8.

-Eric

I see what you're saying. Yeah, I agree with you.

Originally posted by Sue Esponte
I'm sure those H2s come in real handy in the snow...errr mountains, no...ummm...beaches? ;-)

Gotta love South Beach.

-Eric

The H2 crowd down here is not really into the South Beach scene. It's a lot of soccer moms and businessmen with $$ to blow on huge trucks and large quantities of gas. My buddy's H2 averages 10 MPG.

You RX-8 people complain about gas mileage?

Originally posted by Pirate Rex
The H2 crowd down here is not really into the South Beach scene. It's a lot of soccer moms and businessmen with $$ to blow on huge trucks and large quantities of gas. My buddy's H2 averages 10 MPG.

You RX-8 people complain about gas mileage?

Yea but the rx-8 doesn't weigh 9 metric tons, either.

i keep wishing my rx-8 was the new rx-7. the real reason most people buy this car is because of its sport factor. back in 95 when the rx-7s stop coming to US shores, there was no market for sports cars anymore. soon after mazda started working on the rx-8, to address the 'problems' people had with sports cars at the time. thus it has 4 doors and is too tall and not a pure sports car. i think mazda, by compromising its design philosophy, compromised its sales. this is evident in the marketing, where the 8 is marketed as a sports car -which it is, but ultimately isn't. i love my 8, but my soul constantly yearns for more sport. i should say it performs like a genuine, pure sports car, but it really isn't so pure. I am an architect-design graduate, and I know the worst thing you can do is compromise. the strongest works produced always, always develop a heirarchy. In tihs case, I think because of the situation at the time and partly the gamble on it, the strength of a heirarchy (with pure sport as top priority) was compromised so the RX8 lives in a world of its own. You can see this -try looking at a car that you like and ask yourself what you like about it, how did its function influence its design?

Dang, I was hoping when I saw you were mentioning people in Richmond VA... I was hoping it meant VA=Vancouver, hehe, my bad. Was thinking that there are a lot more 8's up here than I thought, but nope, guess the cold of winter still hasnt thawed out of my brain, hehe