Does anyone know if the rear seats will fold down in the RX-8? It's a convenient feature when you want to carry large/bulky items. Our AE86 has lots of room in back when you fold down the rear seats - it'd be nice to have this kind of utility from the RX-8, too.

Welcome to the site.

While I'm not sure, it is unlikely that there will be fold down rear seats. Just by looking at the pics of the rear seat I could not find any type of release button. Also, those seats are so uniquely shaped/designed that to have them fold down would be too costly. Remember, Mazda must compete price wise with other manufacturers, and fold down rear seats would not likely be a high priority for most people looking at this car, though, I too occasionally would appreciate fold down seats.

There was a thread on this a while ago, where people brought up pictures, and pointed out possibilities where latches could be, which turned into a discussion about what those marks in the rear panel were/could be :rolleyes:.

The thing is, nothing has been announced about that little detail, and noone has been able to get close and personal enough to one of the prototypes to see. All that we've heard is empty speculation like above.

---jps

Take a gander here: http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=5589

Remember, everyone said a sunroof was impossible too... then look what pops up! (No pun intended.)

what do you mean look what pops up?:confused:

Originally posted by zoom44
what do you mean look what pops up?:confused: Someone had posted what appears to be an option list from Germany, and it included a sunroof.

---jps

oh right and the vp of mazda that was at sevenstock also said it would be an option:D

Nothing that's not in the public domain. Yes. there is a sunroof option. Fold down rear seats? I'm thinking NO. Mazda did tell us publicly at Sevenstock last weekend that the trunk space was something like 10.8 cubic feet. If there is a fold dddown option, you would think that they would have said something like "10.8' with the seats up and XX.X' with the seats folded. Nothing's for sure in the seat department yet. i do agree, it would be a nice option.:cool:

Originally posted by boowana
...Mazda did tell us publicly at Sevenstock last weekend that the trunk space was something like 10.8 cubic feet. If there is a fold dddown option, you would think that they would have said something like "10.8' with the seats up and XX.X' with the seats folded... That's reading a little too much into what they were saying, IMHO.

---jps

here's a view through the top rear glass.

those seats fold! now we have to wait until naias in jan:mad: to see if they made it to production. great pic snowman!

Originally posted by boowana
Mazda did tell us publicly at Sevenstock last weekend that the trunk space was something like 10.8 cubic feet. Nothing's for sure in the seat department yet. i do agree, it would be a nice option.:cool:

10.8 cubic feet is about the same amount of space in the BMW 330i trunk, and marginally more than that in the IS300 trunk. Of course, how trunk-space is measured varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so grain of salt and all, but still... Mazda quotes 14-odd cubic feet of trunk space on the 626, so about 2/3rds that amount of space.

Originally posted by Snowman
here's a view through the top rear glass.

First of all, good picture! I haven't seen an angle like that. I especially like the "Zoom zoom" reflected on the sheetmetal and glass!

I think they look like they fold too. BUT there is another possibility: My old FC had two shallow storage bins behind the seats, and they popped open with handles at the front similar in appearance (if my memory serves) to those handles in the picture.
I've outlined what could be the bin lids in red, and the handles in blue.

http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=9290

I think its more likely the two seats fold individually, and what I've outlined in blue is the releases for those seats. It wouldn't make much sense to have bins behind the rear seats in the RX-8 (inconvienient to get anything out without exiting the car), but on my 2-seater FC, they came in handy, because you could just reach around and grab out tapes, CD, etc. when stopped at a light.

Edit - horrible spelling of "memory". :P

Originally posted by PatrickB


10.8 cubic feet is about the same amount of space in the BMW 330i trunk, and marginally more than that in the IS300 trunk. Of course, how trunk-space is measured varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so grain of salt and all, but still... Mazda quotes 14-odd cubic feet of trunk space on the 626, so about 2/3rds that amount of space.
i just checked bmw's site and they list the trunk of the 325 sedan as 11 cubic feet. i am still amazed at the space in this car. it seems like it is bigger on the inside than outside. there once was a vehicle in a scifi show like that... called a tardis... i wonder if one of the mazda engineers is an alien or a wizard? ;)

Originally posted by Grimace
...BUT there is another possibility: My old FC had two shallow storage bins behind the seats, and they popped open with handles at the front similar in appearance (if my memery serves) to those handles in the picture...There is another more practical possibility. They could be connection points for baby seats.

I'll bet that there are speakers/subs under those red-outlined items instead. ...I think its more likely the two seats fold individually... They'd almost have to with the center tunnel in the way. ...but on my 2-seater FC, they came in handy, because you could just reach around and grab out tapes, CD, etc. when stopped at a light. My FC didn't come with storage bins, so I put a pair of subs and their amps in those locations instead ;).

---jps

Rear folding seats would be excellent, as long as the fold down individually because if you have three people and a pair of skis, if they folded down together one person would have to be left behind.

Originally posted by Mazda man
Rear folding seats would be excellent, as long as the fold down individually because if you have three people and a pair of skis, if they folded down together one person would have to be left behind.
Skis go into the passthru :)

There's a passthru!!

:D

Originally posted by Mazda man
There's a passthru!!

:D
That's a definate according to Boowana who has his unknown sources :)

So far they have been right... I don't mind not having a fold-down because I won't ever use it. I just wanted a back seat so I can throw some crap there and not worry about it, and if I *need* to, I can take a few friends somewhere.

Unfortunately, there will NOT be fold down rear seats, however the is a pass-through for things like skis.:p

i dont think the rx-8 will do well in the snow. but im glad they got a pass through, im sure i'll find some use for it.

Anyone into pole vaulting?:confused:

hrmm wonder if i will have to take my bindings off my snowboard to beable to fit it thru