My personal letter to Mazda... :)
1. Keep it light - nothing kills the driving pleasure of a car than weight! Even if that means getting rid of the electronic gizmos that we'll only play with for the first week of owning the car and then never touch, including:
GPS
Electric seats
Seat warmers
Trip computer
etc.

Mechanical seats with high-quality mechanisms will suffice for me. If you must put in electric seats, make them with a memory feature for different drivers.

GPS systems are useless in Canada so far, for most of the systems I've tried in various cars (especially DVD-based). A map is just as good and saves several pounds and meters of wiring!

Seat warmers are ok, but only really necessary with leather seats. Which brings me to point #2...

2) Cloth seat option. I like leather seats, but they are slippery, and hot in the summer/cold in the winter. In a sports car, I much prefer cloth seats. Leather inserts are ok. All the photos of the '8 show the car has leather, so if cloth seats are out of the question, please give the seats aggressive bolstering to keep me in them! Maybe do the body-colour inserts in the seats in cloth?

3) Give the shifter the same feel as in the Miata. Haven't found a car yet that beats it. If its the same design as the Miata 'box, please make the lower shift boot less suseptable to tearing.

4) I've heard there will be two trim levels. The lower trim level is rumoured to have 215 HP and 16" wheels and less options. I want the 250 HP version with the 18" wheels, but I don't want a lot of options forced on me to get the high-performance version (see my first point above).

5) The pics I've seen of the gauges show them glowing in blue. The pics I've seen of the center stack (radio, ventilation controls, etc.) show them glowing in red. I realize things are still being finalized, but could you make them both glow in the same colour? I like red, but you have to be careful to choose a level of illumination that doesn't cause eye fatigue when you do guages in red. Blue is fine too. On a similar note, please leave the guage faces black as they are. White guage faces seem to be the rage right now, and they look good on some cars, but I think black suits the '8 better.

6) Stereo system. It looks to be integrated (i.e. hard to upgrade without buchering the looks of the center stack). If thats the case, just make it high quality! I'd also like tweeters mounted in the A-pillar or dash for a better sound image (I'm guessing the mid-range speakers are in the kick panels or doors). A single subwoofer in the rear deck (a la RX-Evolv) would suffice and not add too much weight. If no subwoofer, 4 high-quality 6.5" or oversize 6" speakers might be ok. A good sound system makes a good drive great.

7) If its possible to make a pass-thru in the rear seats (or even have them fold down) that'd make the RX-8 an even more pratical sports car.

8) Keep the seats low to the floor and the car low-slung overall. There is just something about a nearly-straight legged driving position that screams sporty...

9) Colours: I like yellow, but I'm sick of attracting attention by the police. I love the gun-metal grey in the new Mazda SE this year, and I think the '8 would look very nice in a shade such as that. I'd also like to see a red, dark blue, black, white, and maybe even a shade similar to Evolution Orange!

Hmmm, I guess thats it. If you really are reading this Mazda, kudos on the RX-8, and all the other winning products you've been coming out with lately! By the way, if you want someone to drive around the country promoting the car, please email me! My price is one RX-8 and some spending money... :D

I agree totally! I have 2 cents for the gauge light color. I drive a 2000 beetle that has gauges with a cool blue light that is really easy to see and all the emergency items glow red if needed. They are the best night gauges I have seen. Mazda should go that way.

http://www.vw.com/art/gti/gallery/pic_four.gif
This is from the GTI, but is similar.

Grimance, I’m surprised to hear you say that you are not a big fan of heated seats since you live in Canada. I’m a huge fan of heated seats and I don’t leave home without them on (in the winter of course). If they do put them on the 8 I just hope that they have an adjustable thermostat.

I would like to see the following as standard equipment:

Good sound system with speed sensitive volume
Radio/CD controls on the steering wheel
Rear wiper turns on automatically when shifted into reverse
Low windshield fluid warning light
Heated cloth seats (adjustable thermostat)
Heated mirrors
Speed sensitive wipers
Functional rear windows
Large glove box
Trunk pass through
Valet key
Dark tinted glass
Trunk net
Engine compartment light
Trunk light
Power everything (less seats)
Remote entry system (open/close doors, windows, moon roof)
Power accessory power delay after ignition turned off (30 seconds)

I would like to see the following as optional equipment:

Wheel/tire upgrade
Suspension upgrade
CD stacker
Moon roof (1st choice) or sun roof (2nd choice)
MX satellite radio (if available in Canada)
Tool kit built into the trunk
Heated leather seats with adjustable thermostat (quality leather breathes and does not get hot and cold with the weather)
GOOD security system

Things I do not want to see:

Automatic (learn to drive)
Digital gauges (enough said)
GPS (get a map, cheaper and lighter)
Power seats (too expensive and too much weight)
Small gas tank (my MX-3 has a 40 liter tank, too small)
Cheap cup holders (good ones or none at all)
Wagon (buy a Volvo)

That should just about do it... :D

I will chime in on the leather. Please please please make it perforated! The leather on the 2001+ Miatas is SO much better, as it acutally allows air to circulate and cool me off in the summer. Our 95 Millenia does not have perforated leather seats, and I truly thought I didn't want leather seats again. I still prefer cloth, however, we bought a RSX Type S and leather was standard. However, it WAS perforated, and that changed my entire perception on leather. I don't get all sticky when it is even remotely warm, and the seat design holds me in place really well.

Perforated leather is a must!! Seat warmers probably add .5 lbs at the most I'd guess. Put em in too ;)

I'll agree with nearly everything said in the main post here. Well done.

I do like seat warmers. Maybe I'm overestimating how much extra weight they add. If it is only a minimal amount, I'm all for them! That said, I don't think they are a necessity on cloth seats, but nice. They definately are necessary on leather seats in our climate though.
I'll have to rethink heated seats. If the cost and weight additions are minimal, then I guess I'm for them!

Seat trim covers with heating elements embedded in the leather or cloth are very expensive to replace if you get a stain or tear.
Mazda knows that one from the Millenia. I seriously doubt we'll see heated seats. But expect a hi-power CD/MP3 audio deck.

I only realy need 4 things:

1. AC / Heater
2. A nice stereo (MP3 would be nice)
4. power windows
5. Cup Holder (I'm tired of holding my drink between my legs)

Styjan,
I love your avatar. Did you make that yourself??

"Rear wiper turns on automatically when shifted into reverse"

Why would you want this? Unless you mean it turns on if you have the wipers on & also are in reverse, that would make a bit more sense. I'd still rather hit a button, but that's just me.

I disagree with most people who have posted, I would like to see a sports package that comes with very little in the way of "comfort" or "convenience" items. Heated seats and mirrors? Those belong on a cold weather package, I don't want to pay an extra couple hundred bucks for 'em. Radio controls on the steering wheel, sub, advanced wipers, odd warning lights, etc. just add cost and don't change the driving experience. If Mazda is serious about making this a 4-door sports car, then they should have a sports package that has all of the performance features with manual seats, no-frills stereo, cloth seats, and nothing unnecessary that adds cost/weight. Mazda has an oppotrunity to redeem themselves from how they screwed up the Miata by intentionally making the most commonly desired features mutually exclusive. Do you believe that you can't get ABS on a base Miata? To get ABS you have to pay an extra $3,000 (U.S.) for things like cruise control, floormats, keyless entry, upgraded stereo, etc. If you want the sport suspension on a base Miata, you can't get keyless entry without spending that extra couple grand also.

I understand that they save money by creating packages of features that people will want together, but they use that excuse to justify stupid combinations as well. So, if Mazda's out there and they are serious about really making a true sports car, remember that a true sports car is about maximizing perfomance, and the driver and car becoming one. It's not about subwoofers, tinted glass, GPS, seats with a memory, and leather. Those things are fine and dandy as options, but should not be forced on the customers they currently claim they're trying to lure.

If it doesn't make me faster on the AutoX course, I don't want it.

Originally posted by Jerome81
Styjan,
I love your avatar. Did you make that yourself??


No, I didn't create it, but I did shrink it down and removed a bunch of frames so it would be small enough for the forum rules.

I don't remember what site I got it from, but if you search Google for "rotary animations" you should find a bunch.


Edit 7/26/2002: Changed Avitar to one I did create from a mazda movie.

Some excellent suggestions; but as an audio fanatic I have to offer my opinions:

I don't know if I'd upgrade the stereo if I could. Outside of the fact (as Grimace said) that you'd have to butcher the console, I think it is really sharp looking. So...

Components, while not in the A-pillar, I'd say have kickpanels designed around holding a 5.25" or 6.5" component set.

Subwoofer: single 10" in a removable enclosure.

Actually, I know manufacturers want to integrate everything, but maybe we could just do a real high-quality head unit with just a set of preamp outs for us audiophiles...

===

Fold down rear seats: yay!! Maybe with a cover so we can pretend it's a two-seater when necessary?

And might I also add that I have always had a bit of trouble getting perfectly adjusted in a car. Do something to make either the pedals adjustable, the steering wheel telescope, or both. When I am comfortable on the clutch, I'm usually a bit too far from the wheel.

And on your #4, about packaging, I fully agree. Mazda, keep the packages simple and logical. A huge turnoff for me is a barrage of options, especially when you are required to get one to get another. (I just looked at a car - Sentra, I think it was - that required a $1,000 stereo to get a $400 moonroof, or something along those lines. It was such a turnoff, I didn't pay much attention.)

--jax

And, although listed in another thread, LSD!!

--jax

I also don't like the auto rear wiper in reverse. Can't see what purpose that would serve.

But yeah, I would like to see a lot of options available, meaning not much come stock. Also, no leather! please!

Maybe Mazda can take a lesson from BMW and the new MINI on option packages. While you can order the MINI with 3 defined packages (salt, pepper and chili. Whatever with the whole naming thing) you can also order every single option inependently. All of the MINIs you see driving around today are pre-spec, mostly with the chili pack.

Originally posted by HottRodder
you can also order every single option inependently

While it's nice to have each option available independently, it can dramatically raise the price. Having most or all of the cars in certain "stock" configurations can realize significant savings. I just hope they put packages together that make sense. I would like one with all of the performance stuff and nothing else. A rear seat pass-through would be nice, but I suspect that if it's not already there it won't be added.

Just out of curiousity, who here has put down a deposit? I suppose I should start a new thread for my question about deposits...

There's nothing better than driving the appropriate car on the appropriate road with a manual trans. The ride a few spring seasons ago to Carmel and Hearst Castle in my '93 Miata is still vivid. Then we had two kids and moved onto a hill. The pick 'em up truck that I drive today is a 5 speed and can be a real pain to get to the top of the hill on a Friday afternoon with traffic . Slip the clutch, move forward 8', stop. Repeat 4-5 times before getting to the stop sign and multiply by 4 stop signs.

I can appreciate those of you that want the 6 speed. I really want it myself. But for my daily driver up my daily hill I think I'd prefer an automatic. It can even be an option or part of a 'lazy old man' package. Keep the stick standard to appease the masses but do provide an automatic option.

Move off the hill you say? Nah. Too good of a view!

I really hope they produce those 18" wheels. I think they work realy well with the car.
http://home.attbi.com/~w.vark/wheel.jpg

Also to respond to the above post. If the RX-7 came with an auto the RX-8 will too.

Hottrodder, it would be nice if there will be an automatic w/ the manual shift option (BMW and Steptronic)... Although it will dramtically raise the price and lose its sportiness. I doubt that Mazda will make one of these, but it would be great for me, because I live in a high traffic suburb and I have to climb a hll to school.

"I can appreciate those of you that want the 6 speed. I really want it myself. But for my daily driver up my daily hill I think I'd prefer an automatic. It can even be an option or part of a 'lazy old man' package. Keep the stick standard to appease the masses but do provide an automatic option."

HottRodder, on the website where you can order a free RX-8 CD, the movie being played has a Rx-8 with automatic, so chances are, Mazda is definately making automatic as an option.

People that drive automatic sports cars should be shot in the face repeatedly in public. When I see a car that I really like I always gawk and drool over it. But many a time of seen my favorites like 911 turbos, RX-7s, M3s, and even M5s in automatic and I loose all intersest. If it doesnt make that familiar engine noise sticks make, (VROOooouuUUMM..........RUUuuuuuuuuumm.......Rummm mm/and so on.((If you cant hear that in your head, then you mustnt drive a stick)I wont even look, its not a worthy car. Sure its still a 911, but its not the same, if a 911 cant be heal and toed, it shouldnt be driven at all. Its people like that that buy Automatic M3s that never take advantage of what its capable. Theyve never even seen 6 thousand RPM, and that makes me sick. But hey, dont get me wrong, Ive seen automatics being driven as hard as possibe, but still, it should be a rule, sports cars should always, be a 5 speed, even better yet, a 6 speed.

Spazzo, although i agree that a sports car should be a manual I have to agree more with HottRodder in the fact that not at all times does a manual work out for a person... so should that limit a person to what kind of car he or she should own... no, not at all. For now all I want is a manual, but I know that when I get a sports family car when I'm old and such my legs and reflexes may not be able to handle the manual.... just my .05

Again dont get me wrong, there are people that I can forgive for getting an automatic sports car. But my beef is with those that get sports cars for the wrong reasons. I cant tell you how angry it make me to a Boxster S driven granny style. I can tell you however, that Im angry alot, and since I live in Palm Beach FL, I just wanna slap these humans around:mad:. Theres nothing that makes me happier than seeing a 911 Turbo getting its ass kicked, because, he didnt buy it because it cost $120,000, he didnt buy it to keep it as silly weekend car, or a garaged bitch, he bought it to beet the living crap out it, and thats the way it should be.

"But many a time of seen my favorites like 911 turbos, RX-7s, M3s, and even M5s in automatic and I loose all intersest"

Spazzo, I don't think there is an auto trans is an option for the m5.

Yeah your right, I thought that since M3s come in auto, M5s did, however they dont, my bad. I was just looking searching for cars, I wouldve put a Mustang, but Cobras are all manuals, and I only like Cobras and other speciallty Mustangs. M5 just popped in my head, i know iknow, i suck.

Originally posted by HottRodder
. Slip the clutch, move forward 8', stop. Repeat 4-5 times before getting to the stop sign and multiply by 4 stop signs.

!

you should take a few weeks to learn how to drive manual...then when the rx-8 comes out you will be ready...it will be worth it.. :D

I would like to have an "auto-x/track" option with Recaro type seats that hold you like glue, Brembo calipers, stiff suspension and lightweight 17" wheels. Everyone wants 18's but when was the last time you priced a set of 4 18" high performance tires? :confused: Mucho dinero and they do not last long, maybe two seasons. And 18" wheel/tire combo creates more unsprung weight on the corners. For me 14lb 17" wheels would do just fine. :) Oh, and since I'm in Canada, bun warmers please! :D

Originally posted by MazdaMan182
Hottrodder, it would be nice if there will be an automatic w/ the manual shift option (BMW and Steptronic)... Although it will dramtically raise the price and lose its sportiness. I doubt that Mazda will make one of these, but it would be great for me, because I live in a high traffic suburb and I have to climb a hll to school.

I seen somewhere (can't recall right now) that the new BMW SMG is actually cheaper for to produce than a standard automatic, they just charge more than usual ($2700) because of the novalty.

Originally posted by Quick_lude
And 18" wheel/tire combo creates more unsprung weight on the corners. For me 14lb 17" wheels would do just fine. :)

Wow! The Miata has some of the lightest 16" wheels that I've ever seen on a production car, and I think they're 15.5 lbs. I fully agree with the sentiment (big wheels hurt performance, a concept many can't grasp), but I can't imagine 14 lb. wheels that would last. It seems to me that 16"-17" wheels would probably be best for performance, but most people buy the high performance version just to look fast, not to actually *be* fast.

Originally posted by Spazzo
Yeah your right, I thought that since M3s come in auto, M5s did, however they dont, my bad. I was just looking searching for cars, I wouldve put a Mustang, but Cobras are all manuals, and I only like Cobras and other speciallty Mustangs. M5 just popped in my head, i know iknow, i suck. The M3 doesn't come in auto, just stickshift and SMG.

Originally posted by Rich

Wow! The Miata has some of the lightest 16" wheels that I've ever seen on a production car, and I think they're 15.5 lbs. I fully agree with the sentiment (big wheels hurt performance, a concept many can't grasp), but I can't imagine 14 lb. wheels that would last. It seems to me that 16"-17" wheels would probably be best for performance, but most people buy the high performance version just to look fast, not to actually *be* fast.
What most people also don't realize that with big 18" wheels it takes torque to move the car off line.. Ok maybe I was optimistic about 14lbs but Rota makes 17" Subzeros which weigh 16.5lbs.. I know a few people that have these with very stiff suspensions and no chipping/damage.. So it is possible. Or I will just use the 16" Rota Slipstreams that weigh 13.5lbs :eek: :D

So, in the R&T article from April, the yellow RX-8 was wearing 225/45ZR-18 tires. From that aspect ratio, that means the sidewall height is 101.25 mm.

What tall would the sidewall height have to be on a 16" tire to be the same total height of the 18" tire quoted above? (Could someone who's good at that sort of thing give us some potential tire sizes, maybe a range from 205-225 in 16" sizes?)

What I'm worried about is this: yes, I know a large heavy wheel saps up torque (but Mazda is very good at making lightweight wheel). I'm potentially more interested in the base RX-8 if it comes with less gizmos I don't need, is much cheaper, and still has the 250 HP engine. But I will be turned off if it has tires with tall sidewalls.

Thin sidewalls, while less comfortable over bumps, are much more crisp on turn-in and cornering, and that is what I really want the 8 to do well.

Attached is a zipped Excel file that uses some formulas to derive tire width and diameter. Apparently you can only upload images and .ZIP files and my website is 'parked' so I can't anything to it for downloading. So download just download and unzip.

Ok, so a 225/45R18 setup has an overall height of 25.97". Some tire sizes that come close in 16" sizes: (Note, I'm assuming a max width of 225 mm)

205/60R16, height 25.69" --> 60 series tires = mushy response
215/55R16, height 25.31" --> also mushy, plus this isn't a popular size
225/55R16, height 25.74" --> mushy
225/50R16, height 24.86" --> too short, you lose over 1" of ride height, doubt this will be on the car.

For fun, lets try 17" sizes:

P205/55R17 = height 25.88"
P215/50R17 = 25.46"
P225/50R17 = 25.86"

Therefore, in my humble opinion, the base car should come with 17" rims, not 16". At least make a 17 or 18" option!

Originally posted by Grimace

Therefore, in my humble opinion, the base car should come with 17" rims, not 16". At least make a 17 or 18" option!


I agree with your analysis but I am planning to go with the 17” tires (225/45/17 would be my guess), the 18” tires if available are just too expensive to justify.

The roads where I live are crap, some stretches are always full of pot holes. Right now I am riding on 15" rims. Sure it looks bad but I never have to worry about a bent rim. Anyone in NYC can tell you how bad the raods are.

if you check out the following site:

www.fasterfords.com/mazda/rx8.htm

In the specs at the bottom of the page, it says that the wheels are actually going to be 19 inch. I thought that was wrong, but when I called Mazda in Irvine, I asked the person I was speaking with, and he told me as far as the information that he has, that it is going to 19 inch wheels. Unless you guys have gotten some other updated information, this is what I found. But above is my source.

Peace!
HoustonRX8

Interesting, but I'm a little skeptical of that site, since it says the car will be coming with a 6-speed automatic. I'm pretty sure that was ruled out a while ago.

Thanks for the link anyway!

Originally posted by houstonRX8
if you check out the following site:

www.fasterfords.com/mazda/rx8.htm

In the specs at the bottom of the page, it says that the wheels are actually going to be 19 inch. I thought that was wrong, but when I called Mazda in Irvine, I asked the person I was speaking with, and he told me as far as the information that he has, that it is going to 19 inch wheels. Unless you guys have gotten some other updated information, this is what I found. But above is my source.

Peace!
HoustonRX8

Hmm, that's strange.

Doesn't make sense to go to 19"s. There aren't too many tire options in 19" sizes and they're all very expensive. I don't think a bean-counter at Mazda would approve, since it adds a significant increase in cost.

This is supposed to be a sports car, right? Don't know why they'd weigh it down with heavy 19" wheels. Maybe they can find a way to make a lightweight 19" wheel, but, again, that's not going to be cheap.

I'll believe it when I see it, but I would be very surprised if the car came with 19's.

BTW, the original red show car had 19's and a 6-speed paddle-shift automatic. Maybe this article is based on that car and not the more recent yellow car (despite the pictures).

Sorry if the information is wrong!

I just wanted to share what I had read!!!!

Just trying to figure out exactly how I can get it...

I'm not sure where, but I thought I read that Mazda 'might' consider releasing a 2-dr sport/coupe version that screams at 280 hp? Does anyone else know about this?

I'd also considered one single perf.mod. for my own RX-8 and that would be a supercharger on the 'supposed' 280 hp version (if it will exist) other than this, I would not have the audacity to try to alter/improve the engineers of the RX-8's design. I would just like to feel it pull me...

Even cooler than this, (and I intend to try to make it happen) I would like to make this thing so stupid-fast minus nitrous oxide (that's for cheaters and babies) and yet so excruciatingly silent a ride as possible. That way when us older guys go floating/flying past the euro-teens, we look like noiseless ghosts who 'just go faster'. We don't even revel in it, because a 'kill' is for an insecure child, we just like to drive...

"my 2 cents is free"

Forgive my rotary engine ignorance but is supercharging a rotary possible? What shaft would the supercharger pully run off?

Aeterna, what you were probably reading about is the next RX-7. It will be based on the RX-8 platform, supposedly have more horsepower, and supposedly come out ~2005.

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not sure, but i too heard that Mazda wanted to make a 2dr rx-8...but from what i can remember is that its still on the drawing table. If anything i hope it will incorporate the EVOLV body style...;) !!

I personally dont think its possilbe to supercharge a rotary engine!!

I think a new electric powered charger just finished testing in europe, and is about to be introduced on a number of cars there.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12741

Originally posted by Quick_lude
Forgive my rotary engine ignorance but is supercharging a rotary possible? What shaft would the supercharger pully run off? It certainly is possible. It would be connected to the same pully that the A/C or alternator is already hooked up to, just like on a piston engine.

There was a so-so centrifugal SC kit available for FCs (2nd gen RX7s), but it normally took some decent tuning on the owner's part, and there was a reliability issue with the SC itself (which was not related to the fact that it was on a rotary).

---jps