tangierc

Considering the many quality issues people have discussed and the horsepower issue verified by Mazda, what are some changes we should expect to see in the '05 model next year? I was hoping that many of you who follow RX cars more and Mazda might provide some insight. I wanted to purchase an 8, but may wait 'til next year. Could we see more horsepower? Better gas mileage even? The two cars I am considering are the 8 and the Acura TSX. I'd rather hold out for the RX-8.

BillK

Probably neither of the above.

Mazda spent long enough designing the RX-8 that the only changes likely for 2005 will probably be configurational (e.g. CD changer or MP3 player standard, outside mirror lights, rear fog light, etc.)

I most definitely would not expect any increase in HP or mileage, for example, unless they figure out a way to do it and retroactively make new ECUs available for all RX-8s...

ozbot87

Yeah, an MP3 option would be awesome. As far as any engine, as long as it's above 200, I'll be more than happy. I already test drove the car and I fell in love with it. I WILL own this car, one way or the other (legally :p ).

rotarymagic

All I can say is that it seems that when a brand new car/design comes out, only minor changes are made for at least 1-2 model years. So, no, I don't think there will be any horsepower changes.


Even so, I would much rather have the RX-8 over a TSX.

I think only a few cars compete with the RX-8 for the price. If I had not chossen the RX-8, I would have chossen the Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT.

rotarymagic

One more thing, I remember someting I heard from somewhere, I think it was from a salesman at the dealership, that mazdaspeed will work on the RX-8 and most likely turbo charge it in a year or two.

Don't take my word on this though, it's only a roomer. Does anyone else know anything about this.

bwayout

There has been talk in the different car mags and here on this forum, that an RX-8 convertible could come out next year or so ...

Keeper

The pattern I've noticed among cars:

First two years or so is spent working out kinks in the production process (fit & finish issues).

The next model year will probably have some monitor tweaks to the creature comforts on the inside (maybe some extra lights where there were none, different headunit, maybe a built in compass if one isn't there already, etc), and small cost cutting measures will probably be taken (trim down the switches on the passenger side, or combine multiple switches into a single multi-function switch, different brake calipers, etc).

After that there might be some sort of styling refresh. Minor change to the front & rear bumpers would be expected.

Towards the end of the cars production cycle, they might try to squeeze an extra few hp out of the engine depending on what the competition is doing. Or they might come up with a new package or trim level. Stopgap gimmicky things to keep customers coming into the dealership for the car instead of Nissan's next Z-car or whatever else those companies come out with.

So for '05 I wouldn't expect any radical changes, and I certainly wouldn't get my hopes up for a higher power rating.

Fynsie

One of our major Motor mags down here (Australia) posted a little side bar article this month stating that it is "confirmed" (whatever that means) that work is under way now at Mazda on a small supercharger to add aboout 20% to the power (210 Kw up from 177 Kw) and about 50% to the torque (330 nm up from 210nm).

I'm really happy with what my new black baby does at the moment, but I'm going to want a little more grunt after a while, and I've already started to do the projected finanicals on the trade up in 2005.

Dugless

Hold on..... I know this thread is about 05 models, but did I read correctly, TSX or an RX-8??!!!

Wow......

After you read this, put your computer on stanby and drive to your nearest Mazda lot. DRIVE IT

mikeb

by the time mazda releases a mazdaspeed rx8 my rx8 will look and be just as fast as one
thank god for aftermarket

zthang

The TSX isn't a bad car....i don't think Honda/Acura can make BAD cars. The interior of the TSX i think is a bit nicer than the 8, and you cant beat honda reliability. I think its also cheaper than the rx8, with similar (straight-line) performance figures (i think).

350 Formula

Not quite. I have been reading both the RX8 forum and TSX. The TSX is a lot slower than the 8 (in the 16 sec range). It is an Acura, so it is getting a LOT better gas mileage. BUT, I am surprised to read that they are having a lot of problems with rattles. It sounds like 20% or so are having rattles.

I will probably be buying one of these two, or maybe the new TL in late '04.

renegade_si

I'd want a place to rest my arm on the door/window ledge on the drivers' side....