I was wondering if anyone one else was hoping for a slightly more spirited model of the Rx-8, something that would approximate the R1-R2 models that were available on the last 7. Or even better yet some of the features that adorned the spirit R type A's that they had in Japan (red Recaros, BBS wheels, improved brakes and suspension). They could skip on the spoilers especially if they are the ones on the mystery car. I think a package like this would be very appealing to customers like me who would like to see a little added performance, but don't need the balls to the wall power and styling of the Mazdaspeed.

Any opinions.

P.S. thanks for all the great posts I have been watching the forum for the last 6 months.:)

Yea, there's the manual and auto versions :)

SportCompactCar (i think that was it) had an RX-7 buyers guide and even said that the non R models were just as capable as the Rs, and the performance increase was pretty negligable, except for the bigger oil coolers.

Since the RX-8 has no turbos there's no need for such bigger equipment to cool the car. I'm in the same boat as you... I don't like the ricey (racey? hehe) looks of the Mazdaspeed RX-8, and at this point I don't think I'd want to spend the money on it anyways. Insurance would be higher and being that this is my first sports car, I'd like to get the RX-8 which is fast and will suit me moreso for learning to drive it properly.

I'll move up and out in three years, as I'm leasing this car :)