As I came out of a local convienence store last night, a driver in a BMW 5 series lowered his window and said "That's a nice looking car" and points to my RX-8, and then asks "what kind of car is it?" so I reply Mazda RX-8 and then heard, "No kidding? well, it looks nice"

The RX-8 has been out now on the road for over two years and yet people still don't know what it is. I think Mazda needs to advertise a little bit more, who knows they might actually SELL more if people knew the car existed.

I have gotten the same thing a number of times, most people that don't know what it is seem to drive higher priced german cars. I have had people driving a bmw, lexus, and MB ask what kind of car it is. I think Mazda does a pretty good job of marketing this car in different magazines and such where car freaks read. The average 30 year old driver of a 5 series has that car for a reason, and would not drive a Mazda anyways. Just my .02

yep, just yesterday i was sitting at a red light and this older guy in a black porshe gets my attention and signals for me to put my window down. i put it down and he says "nice car, what is it". i told him a mazda rx8 and his reply was "really, that's a mazda...wow!".

I have gotten the same thing a number of times, most people that don't know what it is seem to drive higher priced german cars. I have had people driving a bmw, lexus, and MB ask what kind of car it is. I think Mazda does a pretty good job of marketing this car in different magazines and such where car freaks read. The average 30 year old driver of a 5 series has that car for a reason, and would not drive a Mazda anyways. Just my .02

Just FYI, I sold my 540i to buy my RX-8... but that was in 2004 when they were new.

I think your right, Mazda does need to advertise this car in more places than just magazines.

Just FYI, I sold my 540i to buy my RX-8... but that was in 2004 when they were new.

I assume since you had a 540i, which was the best 5 series they sold at the time (M5 now) you are pretty into cars but the average person who is buying a bmw is buying it for the the status of driving a bmw. There are always an exception to every rule. It is a common conception that when you make it big you go buy a nice house and a german car to show the world how well you are doing for yourself. Lets face it Mazda's dont carry the same effect to people when you say you drive one compared to a bmw.

I have driven the 540's and I love the power and torque in those cars, just a bit too refined for my likes.

Why do we care if other people know what kind of car we are driving?

I like that people don't know what my car is.

me 2

i sold my Bentley Continental to buy my rx8..hahahaaahah

I COMPLETELY agree that Mazda doesn't advertise the 8 enough, and I really don't get why. I've seen enough Mazda 6 commercials to make me vomit, and now I'm (understandably) seeing commercials for the new miata, but I have never ONCE seen an RX-8 commercial. Frankly, it was the same thing with my MX-6; I'd never HEARD of the thing until I saw the write-up in Consumer Reports. They don't advertise, and then they scratch their heads in wonderment that they don't sell many.

Yes, we don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry driving one, but if they sell too few they'll stop making rotaries altogether.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

Just an observation... 8's seem to be more popular in neighborhoods where there are more asians. Like, in LA in the San Gabriel Valley, I see at least several a day. But, on my commute to work (from SGV to Beverly Hills) I'm lucky if I see 2 a week.

Here in Louisville Ky. the were comericals of the 8, but they were corny with a guy standing facing the car with the doors kinda hugging him, real dopy

I really like that most people don't know what kinda of car it is. We get looks everywhere we go. I would rather it be that way.

I like that people don't know what my car is.

me 3 :D

this car isn't for everyone anyway ;) :p

yeah, me 4, i like being different, not following the mainstream.

It also gives me a chance to talk about my car. :D

They give it a 1-second mention in some of their commercials, but it's never the focus. It's like "umm.. yeah, we got the rotary-powered RX8...whatever" HEY LOOK AT THE MAZDA 3!! ZOOM ZOOM!!!

The original RX8-Hug commercial was pretty good, but other than loading it off the internet I think I saw it maybe twice on TV.

Used to be billboards advertising 8's in downtown Chicago. Now every day when I leave my apartment building there's one for a G35C on the side of a building right across the street.

I also was asked at the gas station last week if it was a Porsche. When I replied it was a Mazda I got the same, "really, that's a Mazda?" response.

maybe we as owners should do a better job at word-of-mouth advertisement :D

Just an observation... 8's seem to be more popular in neighborhoods where there are more asians. Like, in LA in the San Gabriel Valley, I see at least several a day. But, on my commute to work (from SGV to Beverly Hills) I'm lucky if I see 2 a week.


Not the same in this part of the country. Those places seem to be littered with Acuras. I see the RX8 all over other parts of town, esp in suburbia where the dad who wants a sports car but has to lug the kiddes has one and in the Afirican American communites as well.

I think its more of an issue in advertising. I think Mazda is planning a big campaign for the 2006/2007 where they plan to:

1. Improve gas mileage (slightly at best)
2. Offer a 6 sp manual
3. Updated interior and additional color options.

The only Mazda commericals that show one car I have seen of late are the new MX5 Miata.

we already have a 6 speed manual.... i think you mean auto...

You never saw a commercial for a Prius until recently because they were selling everything they made and there was a wait to get one. They didn't need to advertise. They increased production and stepped up the ads at the same time and now you see dealers with them in stock. Current sales or RX-8s may be equal enough to production ability that they don't need to spend the money on ads to sell what they can produce.

me 3 :D

this car isn't for everyone anyway ;) :p



I agree, but it would be better if people said "Is that an RX-8?"

Mazda advertised this car guys. Public just didn't eat it up for whatever reason. I have seen lots of magazine advertisements for the RX-8...I have even seen a couple commercials. Something just ain't attracting buyers. Or maybe they are being attracted but aren't buying it after a test drive.

I don't even remember seeing a commercial for the 350z and it sold phenomenally.

It's hard to believe that the RX-8 has been out for two years...and you still have a better chance of seeing cars that have been released a mere two months ago than an RX-8.

Don't be surprised when November comes and you're counting more Solstices than RX-8s on the freeway.

Why would anyone buy an RX8?

Were you born in the 20's?

The only thing I would consider is an SUV. Gotta be shick ya know what I mean?

Just a bunch of idots out there thinking their 13mpg guzzler is hip.

I get a lot of that car looks extremely expensive. It was mentioned a number of times that people think the car would be in the $60,000 to $80,000 range. That assumption may be driving people away. When I tell them that it was only $30,000 their chins drop. Most people here in LA think that they have to either have a BMW or a Mercedes to fit in. It is all about status. I have never had the question what kind of car is that? But I do get a lot of "Nice car" comments. alot of people think it is an Exotic car and they tend to drool from the other side of the glass rather than go into the dealer and actually look at it. Maybe they are just intimidated by the design. Who knows? But I like the fact that I see few of them on the road. But I wouldn't feel bad if there were more.

The RX-8 is heavily advertised on some shows. Formula 1 on ESPN has quite a few. I guess that isn't mainstream but then the 8 isn't a mainstream car. I bet that they don't advertise on NASCAR shows (but I really wouldn't know), that is most likely SUV territory.

at least around here people know it's an RX8.

But they think it costs at least 50K

When I tell them its 30K then they go OMG. How did they build that for only 30K.

Even I was kinda shocked at the price initially.

If Mazda advertised it as the 60K looking vehicle for 1/2 the price, they may get some mileage out of it.

I wonder if the RX8 is better known or more popular outside North America???

Any comments from folks in other continents?

funny here in vancouver most of the asians drive BMW and Benz, there is more M3's then RX-8's here, I see at least 1 M3 a day and usually see a RX-8 every 2-3 days, it's sad when you see a asian girl not even 20 that barley knows how to drive in a M3 or a S55...

at work there are 4 M3's in the parking lot and 1 RX-8, hopefully I ill make that 2 soon i just need to score a good deal...

I prefer when no one knows what it is. If debadging didn't require filling holes and painting mine would have been nekkid from day 1.

When I purchased my vehicle my dealer told me that this is an exclusive vehicle with a limit on production. Therefore they will not produce large quantaties as they do with the 6 and 3.

Therefore it would be silly to promote the vehicle if they do not have enough stock or plan on having it as a mass marketed vehicle.

If they are not promoting the model then they must be meeting thier sales goals.

skc

i kind of like not many people knowing this car. make it more unique. the only thing that worries me most is mazda might cut rotaries altogether from their book if it doesnt sale that many.

this is the best car money can buy. its very hard to find a car that can please me in and out. rx8 is the one :D

We've had ours since June. During which time, Ive probably seen about another 6 in our locality. So there is still that air of exclusivity about the RX8 which I like. Also find that the other RX8 drivers either flash their lights or wave, which I also like. Its true over here in the UK that the car gets admiring glances. Only yesterday my son was sitting in the car when a couple walked past and had a good long hard look. As regards advertising, Mazda are re-running their RX8 zoom zoom campaign at the moment. Wouldnt want it to become too popular though, wouldnt be as much fun :)

No!

The RX8 is a great secret and I dont mind at all if people dont know what it is. It sort of makes the car more exclusive, alot moreso than its competition from Nissan, Honda and Infiniti. You see 350Z's, S2000's, and G35's everywhere, everyday. Once in a while you'll spot an RX8, and it makes even you (an owner) look twice. Its a special car.

The RX-8 is heavily advertised on some shows. Formula 1 on ESPN has quite a few. I guess that isn't mainstream but then the 8 isn't a mainstream car. I bet that they don't advertise on NASCAR shows (but I really wouldn't know), that is most likely SUV territory.

The problem is that this is largely a self-fulling prophecy. If you decide "oh, it's not a mainstream car, we won't advertise to the mainstream", then by definition it will never be a mainstream car. Now, granted, the 8 is never gonna sell like a camry, but they could sell a LOT more of it if the mainstream actually knew about it.



When I purchased my vehicle my dealer told me that this is an exclusive vehicle with a limit on production. Therefore they will not produce large quantaties as they do with the 6 and 3.

Therefore it would be silly to promote the vehicle if they do not have enough stock or plan on having it as a mass marketed vehicle.

If they are not promoting the model then they must be meeting thier sales goals.

skc

Wrong. Find the thread about the Shinka numbering, and why there are so many less than promised.

And by the way, do you know how I even *knew* there was a Shinka? I had to stumble on it by *me* taking the initiative and looking at the Mazda web-site. No advertising of any kind reached me.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

When I purchased my vehicle my dealer told me that this is an exclusive vehicle with a limit on production. Therefore they will not produce large quantaties as they do with the 6 and 3.

skc

Limited production? Lets not kid ourselves, this is a production car by any manufacturing standard and its production is only "limited" by how many they can sell.

In fact, one of the recent magazines story on the new MX-5 indicated that although the two cars don't share any major components, they have a few key common chassis points that allows them to share (alternate actually) on a common assembly line. That in turn, gives Mazda more flexibility to produce what ever is demanded at a given time.

Limited production? Lets not kid ourselves, this is a production car by any manufacturing standard and its production is only "limited" by how many they can sell.

In fact, one of the recent magazines story on the new MX-5 indicated that although the two cars don't share any major components, they have a few key common chassis points that allows them to share (alternate actually) on a common assembly line. That in turn, gives Mazda more flexibility to produce what ever is demanded at a given time.
Didn't they roll 100,000 out of the factory a few months ago? I like the fact that not many people know it, boosts my self esteem for about 14 seconds. It allows me to think I am "elite" for a short while. Good feeling but it gets old fast hence the 14 second thing. :p

the fact that you barely see the car out there is a major turn on. its one of the reasons i want this car.

i hope it stays that way until after (wayyy after) i get the rx8
i still have a couple of months til i get the car too :(

the fact that you barely see the car out there is a major turn on. its one of the reasons i want this car.

i hope it stays that way until after (wayyy after) i get the rx8
i still have a couple of months til i get the car too :(
Those couple of months will be long ones :p I was there about 6 months ago, I was so anxious it was killing me. The day I got it though...so satisfying. Except for the fact that I couldn't drive it home :( Hooray for me not being good enough at standard to take my own car home. Oh the rage passing through me as I drove behind my mother in her car, while she got the first drive in the 8. :mad: Heh, I'm over now though. Sorry for hijacking the thread. :o

I bought a new RX-7 in 1989. As a former RX owner, I received an unending parade of direct mail as soon as the 8 was announced. Pretty smart, and effective.

I am a markerting professional, and I have to say that I believe Mazda is right to pursue a targeted, focused marketing approach (to sports car enthusiats) if they are focused on a niche strategy for the 8. It takes alot more resources ($$$) to market a product to a broad, general market. Given their relatively weak market position (compared to other car manf.) they have to focus the bulk of the marketing budget to support broader marketing of vehicles with broad appeal.

That said, I agree that if they spent more resources on marketing the 8 to the broader market, it would reinforce their enthusiat-targeted efforts and produce more sales. I suspect the the bigger picture of their business situation and strategy can't support the investment of resources.

Bob

Those couple of months will be long ones :p I was there about 6 months ago, I was so anxious it was killing me. The day I got it though...so satisfying. Except for the fact that I couldn't drive it home :( Hooray for me not being good enough at standard to take my own car home. Oh the rage passing through me as I drove behind my mother in her car, while she got the first drive in the 8. :mad: Heh, I'm over now though. Sorry for hijacking the thread. :o
i am very anxious and i have til JUNE. ahh!
being on these forums arent helping me either. all i do is think about the car and search for parts i'll put on the car.. haha

This kind of reminds me of a comercial i saw. It was one of those college comercials (like ITT Tech and Bryman), it shows a guy (supposidly super sucessful after going to it) walking to his parked rx-8, probably aiming at people who don't know that the car isnt a 50K car.

i kinda like the current situation where the rx8 is not mainstream. i work for a fairly large company with alot of engineers and executives and so far im the only one in the parking lot with the 8 and i get alot more attention than people driving higher priced cars. except for the ferrari of the VP.

i know what you feel sexual taco. i told myself to take my time before buying a new car and do my research first. after i came across the 8 and test drove it, i couldnt stop and think about it the whole day that i spent the next few days going mazda dealer hopping until i struck on the best deal that i could find and took the 8 home.

Sigh. I'll say it again: it's all well and good to be among the elite few to have an 8 (and believe me, I enjoy this no less than the rest of you), but if they don't sell 'em, they'll stop making 'em. How long was the gap between when they stopped selling us the 7 and started selling us the 8? How long do you think it will be between the 8 and the 9 (or whatever) if they feel disappointment with the sales? Like maybe 'forever'? And when do you suppose anyone else is gonna make a rotary if Mazda can't make a go of it?

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

This kind of reminds me of a comercial i saw. It was one of those college comercials (like ITT Tech and Bryman), it shows a guy (supposidly super sucessful after going to it) walking to his parked rx-8, probably aiming at people who don't know that the car isnt a 50K car.


Lol...haven't seen it, but that sounds awesome

Yes, personally, one of the main reasons I bought the car was its scarcity and uniqueness. Here in DFW, 350Zs, Corvettes, and others are just too common; it's a joy to know that other drivers have no idea what they just saw.

From what I can remember...RX-7s were never too popular when they were available either.

From what I can remember...RX-7s were never too popular when they were available either.

Exactly. Which is why Mazda gave up on them. So they seem to have decided that the problem was the impracticality of a 2-seater, hence the 8. If the 8 doesn't meet their sales expectations, don't be surprised if they throw the towel in on the whole rotary thing.

Exactly. Which is why Mazda gave up on them. So they seem to have decided that the problem was the impracticality of a 2-seater, hence the 8. If the 8 doesn't meet their sales expectations, don't be surprised if they throw the towel in on the whole rotary thing.

That is not exactly true. The RX-7 was a success when it first came out. The first and second generation cars seemed to be everywhere. Just like the 350z and the 2005 Mustang are today.

The problem was with the third generation car, it was priced too high for Americans. That was when they stopped importing the car. They continued manufacturing them but only sold them in Japan.

That is not exactly true. The RX-7 was a success when it first came out. The first and second generation cars seemed to be everywhere. Just like the 350z and the 2005 Mustang are today.

The problem was with the third generation car, it was priced too high for Americans. That was when they stopped importing the car. They continued manufacturing them but only sold them in Japan.The 3rd generation rx-7 was too expensive and too unreliable. My co-worker has one and it seems that at least 75% of the time it's inoperable.

Fast, sure. But I won't go near a turbo rotary for a while.

I'm of two minds on this - on the one hand I like the exclusivity, but on the other hand I worry that if Mazda doesn't support the car (through advertisement and continuing improvements/upgrades), sales will wither and then we can say bye-bye rotary for good.

I have experience owning the "red-headed stepchild' of an auto manufacturer's line - my old Ford Probe GT, which was a fine car for what it was. But after years of poor advertisement and virtually no modfications, Ford dropped production citing poor sales. Go figure.

The economics of auto manufacturing is very different today than it was 10 years ago. Computer design and simulation and flexible manufacturing plants allow manufacturers to build any model in lower quantities profitably.

Time will tell.

I was in a Taco Bell line when I overheard some guy telling some dude about 'his' car and how he just loved it. So the dude looks outside and says "Wow! that is nice!"..." How does it drive?"

The guy said "great!" Then the dude asked him "is that it out there -the red one?" The guy said "yeah!".

The dude asks " What is that a RX-7 or RX-8?"

The guy looks outside, startled, said "no".... not that one mine's the Vette (points to a red late model C4).

The dude says "oh". "Well I thought that red Mazda...."

Thats the best compliment yet.

its all about marketing. Mazda's marketing budget is pretty small for the rx8. I see 350Z comercial during prime time NFL football games... while i havnt seen an RX8 tv ad for a while, let alone prime time. I mean, you cant really blame Mazda for it... they just dont have the deep pockets that Nissan has. And as far as marketing is concerned, theres much better return when they invest the advertisment money in mass market vhehicles such as the mazda 3 and 6 than on a niche market car like the RX8 that has a very limited audience. Theyd figure people who are interested in the RX8 are enthusiasts who are usually well informed about the car already.

on the s2k community seems to be thriving, despite not having a lot of comercial exposure.

about 6 or 7 people asked me ,"what car is that?Its a very nice car" and its been three months since I bought the RX-8. I kinda liked it when people dont know what car it is. Its better in low profile.

I am pretty sure this has happened to other 8 drivers, but I am all the time getting asked "Is that a Mustang?". It just happened twice this morning while at the gas station. I haven't thought of a witty answer to the question though. I just give a general "No, it's a Mazda Rx-8". How do you other 8 owners answer the question?

I've been asked if it's a Porsche...... :o

You guys are all right. I think that Mazda needs to advertise this car a bit more, but on the other hand, I love the fact that everywhere I go, heads turn toward my 8 and people stop me on the street just to find out what type of car it is. Just yesterday I pulled up to a fast food restaurant in my 8 and almost everyone inside the lobby stopped me to ask questions about the car. That type of attention really makes my day.

The problem with exclusivity is that it means your resale value is nothing and the potential exists for the car to be dropped quickly. The RX8 looks to be a quality car with uniqueness. Mazda needs to advertise and educate about what this car can do if they want to boost sales. A non-roadster that sells 20kish units a year is not going to last too long.

Chevy sold 8k units of the New HHR in one month and how many 300 C's has Chrysler sold since it came out in April? 150k?

Sale for the 8 should be 40-60k per year I think. Its a coupe that seats four with incredible handling what's not to like?

Chevy sold 8k units of the New HHR in one month and how many 300 C's has Chrysler sold since it came out in April? 150k?

you're comparing 2 different market segments. The market for small utility wagon and large family sedan is A LOT bigger than sporty coupes, hence a larger number of potential buyers to sell to.

40k is unrealistic for this car, the rotary engine WILL keep some people away, that's just the nature of being unique :o

The best was when I pulled in to a Jack in the Box drive thru. I rolled up to give the guy the money, and he gave that double look and was like WOW nice car! I was like oh thanks, and then he called like 2 other guys and was like “check it out” and began to ask me questions like “how much” “what car is it” but the best was “is it fast” lol..i love it.. I’m so glad I didn’t get a BMW 3 series!

a) I've seen a lot of ads for the car in Wired Magazine. They seem to do small amounts of very targeted advertising which, for the productio size of the car, is probably the right move.

b) I personally love the fact that no one knows what the hell my car is. I have to say, however, that I'm not really sure what's going on when I see middle-aged men in porsches staring at me. Are they simply admiring the car? Or are they wonderig why they spent all of their midlife-crisis money on something twice as expensive and ten times as commonplace? Either way, it makes me smile.... :)