I've spent the last few days wrestling with my desire for a 350Z and the RX8. It would appear that the RX8 has won despite the worrying lack of torque (yeah yeah, I know: read all the threads regarding this) but several of my colleagues have been gently teasing me about the concept of 'Formula Woman' and I tend to agree. Now don't get me wrong: there's no reason why women shouldn't have a dedicated motorsport opportunity but like it or not the majority of potential RX-8 customers will be male and this female slant by Mazda tends to put a 'hairdresser' spin on the car. Does anyone else feel that Mazda have shot themselves in the foot regarding this or am I just being overly sensitive?
Lastly, back to the torque and performance issue: well some folks have stated that the RX-8 can't be a 'proper' sports car because it is underpowered. I'm no accurate judge of this (as I said, the torque issue REALLY worries me) but it should be pointed out that the standard Porsche Boxter hits 0-62mph in 6.9 secs and has 181lb torque (not much more than the RX-8) but is definitely a sports car... :)

I completely disagree that Mazda has done anything wrong with the Formula Woman thing. The only people who care about that are the same ones who dismiss the Miata as a chick car. Besides, I think that's in the U.K. and the vast majority of customers are in the U.S. and won't hear about it. If the RX-8 succeeds in the U.S., just because of how many more consumers there are, a "chick car" rep in England won't matter.

As for whether or not it's a "proper" sports car, I'm not sure. I don't think a car with 4 doors and 4 seats can be a proper sports car. Please, let's not get into another argument about this, I know many people disagree. Personally, I couldn't care less. If it does what I want for the right price, what class it's in is completely irrelevent to me.

I live in the UK... :(

I'm a little confused how you would ever consider this a "chick car" (not my favorite term in the world, but this isn't the place to get offended over stupid things like that).

Is it underpowered, like a Dodge Neon or a Saturn Ion? No.

Is the styling cutesy and does it come in pastel colors like the New Beetle? No.

Has there ever been a rotary powered vehicle that was considered a "chick car?" Not to my knowlege (though I'll be the first to admit I am not a rotary expert).

Does it go 0-60 in less than 6 seconds? yes (though that may be slightly off for your version in the uk, and we know the auto won't make that).

Is 99.9% of the population currently drooling on it male? Yes. I'm most definitely in the minority here.

There you go. Not a chick car. And your friends are going to be sorry when you're blowing them away as you fly down the twisty roads the UK is famous for. The Formula Women thing is just another avenue of exposure for Mazda. If your friends think that that makes it a "chick car," that's their loss.

So Lensman what you are saying is that you value someone elses image of the car you purchase over technical factors? Maybe your are an image guy not a car guy? If so, then maybe you should buy a Dodge/Chrysler Viper and then everyone will think you have a huge penis. Hell, buy a Ferrari and then maybe everyone will think you have two penises.

i think since that is a uk thing and you are in the uk you should be asking your mates in the europe forum. i dont think morgan or oilman or glen or clive or the rest have any doubts :D

Perhaps I expressed myself unclearly: I don't think the RX-8 is a 'woman's car' (if such a thing exists) and even if it was perceived as such that wouldn't necessarily put me off it. In many ways I would welcome some female influenced design because it is likely to be more aesthetically pleasing but a good car is a good car regardless of the target audience. My point was only to discuss whether Mazda had made a marketing error by introducing the Formula Woman factor and whether that would potentially decrease sales and interest. I got just as much teasing from my colleagues at work about the 350Z I originally intended to buy because in Japan it's called the 'FairLady'. I get teasing for my current Rover 214 because it's an 'old man's car'. It's just a bit of light hearted banter and received in good cheer. :) Oh and BabyLou: I don't connect my car and my sexuality, I have a very nice girlfriend who knows how big my penis is and so there's little point in trying to make her think it's bigger via a car ;)

Originally posted by Lensman
My point was only to discuss whether Mazda had made a marketing error by introducing the Formula Woman factor and whether that would potentially decrease sales and interest.

In that case, I think that my point about U.S. sales makes sense. I hate to sound U.S. - centric, but I believe that U.S. sales will likely be the deciding factor in whether the RX-8 is a success. It's just a much bigger market. No one over here will even know about the racing seris, so it shouldn't have a major impact on sales.

I can see where Lensman is coming from. In the UK the worst thing the car magazines can do is to label a sporty vehicle as a 'hairdressers car' - typically all show and no go, somewhat limp-wristed if you will. The amount of 'good natured' ribbing you can take from your mates (both quantity and quality) is incredible, and can eventually spoil the enjoyment of a good vehicle (in the USA litigation would probably ensue). A perfect example is the MB SLK as sold in the UK (no Kompressor, small engine). Something like a VW Beetle has no sporting pretensions so therefore is not even worth talking about.

However I think the RX-8 will be safe from this taint by dint of it's excellent performance, even though it looks so great (but not 'cute' like Miata)...

Originally posted by Lensman
Perhaps I expressed myself unclearly: I don't think the RX-8 is a 'woman's car' (if such a thing exists) and even if it was perceived as such that wouldn't necessarily put me off it. In many ways I would welcome some female influenced design because it is likely to be more aesthetically pleasing but a good car is a good car regardless of the target audience. My point was only to discuss whether Mazda had made a marketing error by introducing the Formula Woman factor and whether that would potentially decrease sales and interest. I got just as much teasing from my colleagues at work about the 350Z I originally intended to buy because in Japan it's called the 'FairLady'. I get teasing for my current Rover 214 because it's an 'old man's car'. It's just a bit of light hearted banter and received in good cheer. :) Oh and BabyLou: I don't connect my car and my sexuality, I have a very nice girlfriend who knows how big my penis is and so there's little point in trying to make her think it's bigger via a car ;)

The Miata had a similar stigma attached to it at first, but I'm sure we can all agree the concern (if there was actually any) was unfounded, as I'm sure will be the case with the RX-8.

The only way I could see the RX-8 being referred to as a "chick's car" is because its sexy shape does resemble a shapely "femme fatal". Nice curves with the power and performance to put away the competition! (wait, am I still talking about the car??? LOL)...:D

Besides, my current car is a Volkswagen Jetta which has been frequnetly referred to as a "chick's car", but then again, I've humbled many a braggart in it in their various "manly" cars. Must be my lightly modified 1.8 Turbo and 5 speed manual tranny...not to mention a little driver skill...;)