With Abusive Wombat's purchase of an EVO, yet another RX-8 shopper ahs fallen off the ship. It's almost been like a trend lately. We are getting closer and closer to delivery date, yet people aren't willing to wait and test drive the car, and are spending their money elsewhere. Let's see... why did they jump ship?

AbusiveWombat: Impressed by speed, uncompromised performance of EVO

J_Tek: RX-8 not sporty enough

Who else passed on the RX-8 to get something else, and why?

Could it be that Mazda's compromises are costing them some buyers? Let's hope that it gets them more people than it loses.

I had to pass on the RX-8 for now. I just don't have the money to buy it and still live indoors.

I went with the MazdaSpeed Protege. When I knew I couldn't get the RX I looked for the nearest ("spiritual"?) alternative that I could afford. Miatas are nice but I wanted a little more power and am not really looking for a roadster. Unfortunately, there isn't much out there for less than $25k with RWD.

The RX-8 presents a nice balance of performance, style, comfort, seating, and uniqueness. I think I have gotten those things in a slightly smaller (cheaper) dose in the MSP.

I still want a rotary. Hopefully by the time the RX-7 returns I will have the money for one.

I still want a rotary. Hopefully by the time the RX-7 returns I will have the money for one.

If I knew for sure an RX-7 was coming out within 2-3 years, I would wait for one and pass on the RX-8.

I think what is holding me back a bit is the speed issue. No need to hit me with a bunch of "that's not what the car is about" replies... I just would like to get the feeling from the car that Absusive Wombat describes about his EVO. Silly fast! If the RX-8 had that kind of power and performance throughout the power band, I don't think I would have any hesitation. I think it will be a fun car to drive, but probably not exciting. We'll see.

I was thinking basically the same thing. By the time the MazdaSpeed RX-8 comes out I may be in the market for a new car again (I don't typically keep cars that long, about 2-3 years). By that time I will probably have a baby, so the practicality of the 4 seats/doors will come in handy. Not to mention the extra speed! :)

For me the trend is the opposite. I had a deposit on an STI and when I found out that RX-8 was going to be the same ballpark$$ I jumped on it. I have allways wanted a Rotary, and the looks of the RX-8 were more appealing to me.

I think this happens with a lot of cars- I know it happened with the 350Z- check their boards a couple months before it came out, and you'll find the same. I don't think it means Mazda is losing customers, in fact, the closer we get, the more people we have on here saying they are going to get it. Perhaps what you're noticing is just that some of the more vocal members of the board have decided to go with something else.

I've always wanted to drive a new rotary off the dealer lot. I was loosing hope a few years ago, I was convinced that Ford's strangle hold on Mazda's RD would prevent them from bringing a new rotary to the market. Well now the RX-8 is only a few months away. I have to admit, I would drop my preorder in a heart beat it Mazda anounced an RX-7.

I've always wanted a rotary but unfortunately Mazda opened up the internet pre-orders a mere two weeks after another car I ordered came in and I took delivery. All I had was rumors at that point and the local Mazda dealers feigned ignorance (and to this day never did call me back despite having my name and number "on file" since 2000.)

I've got to admit, if the date sequences were reversed I may not have taken delivery of the car I ordered and may have forfeited my deposit and waited for the 8 instead...

I've been re-reading the reviews, re-watching the C & D Comparo tv segment, SCA's story on this board etc. etc.

Much of the decision for some may be beefy HP vs. handling (not like the RX is slow. See the C & D comparo vs. the Mustang.) The RX should be fast, thought not a muscle car, and should handle very, very well.

Do you want straight-line speed or twisties? C & D rated it whomping the SVT Mustang overall with only some straight-line speed being a plus for the Mustang.

But, at 31K fully loaded, the RX ain't cheap . . .

If you step away from wanting HP even further, you might even buy a Miata. It's a great autocross rod and used ones are around to get you into that REAL cheap . . . throw on a rollbar and SCCA yourself forever in Solo 1 and Solo 2 . . . Work on the engine yourself or with the many clubs . . . 'Course there's some RX Clubs . . .

Daily driver . . . I've seen several folks comment the 4 seats make the car just practical enough.

Test driving off a dealer lot will help many to decide. But it is NOT like track time.

Whether I physically FIT in the car is an issue. 5' 10" with short legs, long torso and broad shoulders may hose me. I could NEVER fit into some Honda's sweet VTEC's and Toyotas are a toss-up.

Whether there's room for me to fit in the RX WITH a helmet on may kill the buy hands-down. No headgear means no Thunderhill, Buttonwillow, or Willow Springs track time or even autocross . . . Such is having the torso of a 6' 1" guy.

I guess I'm wrestling with what I want the car for . . . For a FUN daily driver there is nothing to compare. For a great handling track car . . . may do it too. Beautiful look, unique . . .

Should I take the 20-grand I'd save buying that used Miata and use it for a trailer . . . lash the thing to my Explorer and hit the track . . . ? Hmm, if getting lots of seat time is the ticket . . .

But, I'm smitten by the new RX, pretty, fast, competent . . .

We'll just see. My dealer, where my pre-order is, has KILLED a lot of the pre-buy excitement by treating me pretty lousy. No returned mails or follow up at all. Just the tinyest bit of respect might help, but they're 'tude has lead me to think "F--- 'em, I'll buy that used Miata, or 510 and just hit the Solo events."

Consider:

MAZDA'S DOING 4 REVITUPS IN THIS AREA AND I'M STUNNED THE DEALERS ARE NOT CALLING PRE-ORDER FOLKS AND VIP-ING THEM SO THEY CAN SEE THE DEMO CAR!

Anyway, if my goal is to DRIVE and still "live indoors" as an earlier post said then maybe I'll go away from the RX . . .

But I may be on the road . . . so who needs "indoors" <grin>

We'll see. I should see a REAL RX-8 this Friday at a Mazda Revitup event . . . We'll see how the scales tip.

bbrammer, dont worry, once you sit in and get to feel the car (no, not in THAT way ;) ) everything will work out. Thats how it was for me. I have always been a big rx7 fan and thought the 8 was sort of watered-down. (yes I know.."not meant to replace the 7"...yada,yada) That is until I sat in one, and got to rev the hell out of it. Its a pretty bad ride and I'm sure it will satisify (sp) most everyone here. Once everyone gets the chance to sit in one and see the 8 upclose, threads such as this one will become non-existent.
billdo

Originally posted by bbrammer
MAZDA'S DOING 4 REVITUPS IN THIS AREA AND I'M STUNNED THE DEALERS ARE NOT CALLING PRE-ORDER FOLKS AND VIP-ING THEM SO THEY CAN SEE THE DEMO CAR!

They did up here, for the SF event.

Ain't everything a bit more progressive up there <grin> !

What kind of prices are they offering up there? I'm supposedly getting MSRP . . . ? I'm hearing lots about mark-ups at other dealers.

BB

Originally posted by Fëakhelek
I had to pass on the RX-8 for now. I just don't have the money to buy it and still live indoors.

I went with the MazdaSpeed Protege. When I knew I couldn't get the RX I looked for the nearest ("spiritual"?) alternative that I could afford. Miatas are nice but I wanted a little more power and am not really looking for a roadster. Unfortunately, there isn't much out there for less than $25k with RWD.

The RX-8 presents a nice balance of performance, style, comfort, seating, and uniqueness. I think I have gotten those things in a slightly smaller (cheaper) dose in the MSP.

I still want a rotary. Hopefully by the time the RX-7 returns I will have the money for one.

This guy could be my doppleganger.
I also went with the Mazdaspeed Protege for the same reasons. I ran the budget, over and over, and with buying a house in the future, I couldn't swing the payments on RX-8, so Mazdaspeed, here I came. (How you liking yours Feakhelek?) As it turns out, 2 days after I sign the papers for the Mazdaspeed, I get a 50% raise and it turns out I could've gone for the RX-8! Oh well, I'll let the first-year bugs get ironed out and then we'll see where I'm at in life, eh?
I *will* be getting a Miata no matter what though. Nothing beats dropping the top on a sunny day. But right now I only have 1 parking spot in my building, and at $25000 @, I can't justify buying a second one for a summer car.
Anyway, if the RX-8 handles as good as the Mazdaspeed Protege, you guys are going to get yourself in a lot of trouble! :D

We'll see. I should see a REAL RX-8 this Friday at a Mazda Revitup event . . . We'll see how the scales tip.

bbrammer -- make sure to keep us posted. I for one really want to know what you think once you see it in person.

Originally posted by DonG35Miata


If I knew for sure an RX-7 was coming out within 2-3 years, I would wait for one and pass on the RX-8.

I think what is holding me back a bit is the speed issue. No need to hit me with a bunch of "that's not what the car is about" replies... I just would like to get the feeling from the car that Absusive Wombat describes about his EVO. Silly fast! If the RX-8 had that kind of power and performance throughout the power band, I don't think I would have any hesitation. I think it will be a fun car to drive, but probably not exciting. We'll see.

I have a 2nd gen RX-7 TII, who's 0-60 time is 6.8 seonds. I've had a blast with it for the last 16 years! I'll take sub-6 0-60 in the RX-8 and never regret it.

Originally posted by Grimace


As it turns out, 2 days after I sign the papers for the Mazdaspeed, I get a 50% raise and it turns out I could've gone for the RX-8!

Congrats on the raise, Grimace! Wish I could get one like that, but they already pay me more than I'm worth :D

I think this happens with a lot of people, more people will drop out once the car actually becomes available. On the 350Z board, many people didn't pick up their preordered car once it arrives. Some claim it's too small, some claimed it's too heavy, too expensive, doesn't feel fast enough, better alternatives, poor visibility and so on. The same thing will happen with every new car that comes out. Months of waiting and the hype is hard to live up to once you actually see the car in person.

$30k is a lot of money for a new car, especially a Mazda. For that kind of money, there are actually plenty of alternatives to fill people's needs. Barring the SUV segments, there is the S2000, 350Z, Mini Copper S (Fun to drive is the key here), WRX, Evo8, Mercedes C230, G35, Altima, Maxima, Accord, Accord Coupe..... Taking into account the whole package, the RX8 seems destined for a niche crowd: People who love the look of the car, needs some practicality, doesn't care about brand names, like fun to drive cars, can trust the rotary and Mazda, and willing to back up the desire with $30k. I still believe the RX8 will sell well though, it's got the style, the handling (have to trust magazine articles for now) and the praticality of rear seats. We'll see.

Originally posted by Skyline Maniac
Taking into account the whole package, the RX8 seems destined for a niche crowd: People who love the look of the car, needs some practicality, doesn't care about brand names, like fun to drive cars, can trust the rotary and Mazda, and willing to back up the desire with $30k. I still believe the RX8 will sell well... We'll see. WHAT IF....the thing catches on as a 'must have' vehicle ala the Miata?

In many ways I don't want that to happen. I don't want it to look like I bought the car just 'cause it is "the" car to buy now.

Those of us that have hung around on this board for awhile have spent a lot of time researching the car and found that it fits our needs, tastes and budget perfectly. I do not want to hear about people buying this car, and then bitching about what a bad purchase it was because the car is not what they thought it would be.

I would like the car to sell well enough so that other people can have their beloved RX-7 back, and that's it! (Just my 2 cents)

Just the opposite for me. I almost bought an S2000, a 350Z, then settled on the G35C. The same weekend I was bickering over the trade-in they were offering (2K below KBB trade-in) I got the E-mail for the RX8 preorder. The rest is history...or will be soon.

I don't get the attitude of my SoCal Mazda dealership - they grudginly took my order, waited 3 weeks before cashing the check, have never ever gotten back to me about where I am in the order line, and even have me under the wrong name! Three weeks ago I went there to be told that my order was in but they didn't know when my car would arrive. Saturday I went back and stood patiently while 2 salesmen finished their conversation - only to have them ask if I was 'being helped' - this after they saw me enter the dealership and walk over to the main desk, where they were standing! One of them eventualy found a walboard that had names on it and proudly pointed to the sticker with my name - but couldn't tell me anything other than the color of the car and that there was another order with the same color! Yippee, thanks for the info! Even showed me a copy of someone elses check to show that they had made the deposit last December!
Back in 1987 I had a GREAT experience at a SoCal Volvo dealership - and have bought 6 Volvo's since - even had the XC90 on order until I heard about the RX8. Last week I bought my 16 years old his first car - a used Volvo 850!

So, SoCal Mazda dealerships - wanna provide better customer service? Make the customer feel he made the right choice in dealerships as well as the right choice in cars?

Originally posted by Neddie Seagoon
I don't get the attitude of my SoCal Mazda dealership - they grudginly took my order, waited 3 weeks before cashing the check, have never ever gotten back to me about where I am in the order line, and even have me under the wrong name! Three weeks ago I went there to be told that my order was in but they didn't know when my car would arrive. Saturday I went back and stood patiently while 2 salesmen finished their conversation - only to have them ask if I was 'being helped' - this after they saw me enter the dealership and walk over to the main desk, where they were standing! One of them eventualy found a walboard that had names on it and proudly pointed to the sticker with my name - but couldn't tell me anything other than the color of the car and that there was another order with the same color. Even showed me a copy of someone elses check to show that they had made the deposit last December!

wow, so where in socal did u goto? I went to irvine and it was pretty good. My sales guy regularly updates meet and stuff.

Originally posted by chenpin


wow, so where in socal did u goto? I went to irvine and it was pretty good. My sales guy regularly updates meet and stuff.

West Covina Mazda.

Originally posted by chenpin
... My sales guy regularly updates meet and stuff.
Updates you??? with what? Do they offer any information you don't already have?

I'm just curious as I haven't heard a peep out of my sales guy since my order confirmation. I just figured there was nothing to share. Are you actually getting information/updates on your order?

Originally posted by jonalan

Updates you??? with what? Do they offer any information you don't already have?

I'm just curious as I haven't heard a peep out of my sales guy since my order confirmation. I just figured there was nothing to share. Are you actually getting information/updates on your order?

Basically he just sends me whatever he hears from Mazda headquarters in Irvine (irvine mazda is afterall in irvine ;) )

Look what I got today!

Andrew,
Mazda finally got their act together for the RX-8 test drive I talked to you about in the beginning of March.

The new date for the test drive is Friday, 11 April 2003. Let me know if you are still interested in attending.
Thanks!

take care,

Randy

EDIT: i started a new thread about this. go there to talk bout this subject (so we don't hijack this thread)

Originally posted by RotorGeek
For me the trend is the opposite. I had a deposit on an STI and when I found out that RX-8 was going to be the same ballpark$$ I jumped on it. I have allways wanted a Rotary, and the looks of the RX-8 were more appealing to me.

Yup, same here!

Rob

Originally posted by chenpin


wow, so where in socal did u goto? I went to irvine and it was pretty good. My sales guy regularly updates meet and stuff.

whos ur guy? i went to irvine also. my guy NEVER updates me. pissing me off

my sales woman was actually called into service at the middle east. So now her cousin (? i think) is taking care of me. He is the guy who sent me the email.

Originally posted by tribal azn2


whos ur guy? i went to irvine also. my guy NEVER updates me. pissing me off I have not heard a thing from irvine mazda either.