One of Revolver's recent threads had you all discussing what else there was out there. I think it would be fair to say that the consensus was bugger all, except unless you really wanted to lay out the cash. So here's the question for all you who sniff out the winds of change out there in blogland: what's up next?

My fear is that I am being steered non too subtly towards something with a blue badge on front, and its not a Ford. Yesterday, I went mit meiner Frau to check out the latest offering from the boys from Bayern, ie., the new 3 series coupe. Nice car, but geez Louise what a price. If you go for the 325Ci with what I would regard as necessary bits and pieces, you're looking at around $95k before on roads.

I have said that there's nothing doing for another couple of years, but my dear heart is extrapolating on further business success. Aside from the money, the BMW really doesn't float my boat. I need to find another car that I can love like the 8. OK, I haven't played dress ups with mine, and I'll never take it to the track, but it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy every drive I take in it. That's not bad seeing as I've had it for over 3 years. Few love affairs last that long.

I'm really hoping that Mazda comes out with something really eye-popping as an RX-8 replacement. Our need is for a 4-seater sports coupe tourer. I have read that a replacement in first half of 2009 is on the cards, but does anyone have any harder info?

 

I hope that your "meiner Frau" isn't reading this one!

That other brand is so common in Brisbane and you have to squint at the rear badge to see the price difference as they all look the same... Imagine paying $95K for a 325i that looks almost exactly the same as a $40k 318i... I must admit that a Z4 is unusual in Brisbane, but it is incredibly useless for two adults and a seven year old.

It is time for a major update of the 8, but I guess that Mazda is very uncertain about the effect that the unstable fuel price is having on its rotary car sales.. It would be a brave investment decision nowdays to remodel the 8 or create a RX-9..

 

Marriage isn't an affair Adrian.

But playing dress-ups can assist the former.

I can see why Labby isn't keen on the 3-series - bloody expensive and difficult to decide if they're ugly or boring.

The new GTR might be worth a look but something tells me it's gonna be exxy too.

 

[QUOTE=xxup]I hope that your "meiner Frau" isn't reading this one!

It just means "my wife". She is a dear person, if over-enamoured with Teutonic automobile marques.

I have to agree with Revolver. Unless Mazda can solve or work around fuel consumption problems associated with rotary motors, the future doesn't look bright for the next generation RX-8. However, that wouldn't worry me if Mazda or another company could come out with a well-built, good looking, good performing and handling 4-seat sports tourer which doesn't cost the earth.

 

I agree with you, labrat. Other options out there at the moment simply don't shape up emotionally to the 8.

If Mazda does do some sort of RX-8 Series II that would be great. The only option for me in anther 2 years is... another 8.

The Kabura concept looks lovely and may lead to a production one day. Wasn't it about 5 years from the Evolv concept to a production RX-8?

I've observed that Mazda tends to be a lot less revealing that other car makers when new models are in development. They may come up with a pleasant surprise!

 

Had a close look at the New Audi TT , they had the car on display here on the Goldcoast before it heads to the Sydney motor show.

So far whitout driving it i was very impressed by the looks and the finish WOW if it drives as good as it looks it would be awesome apparently the 2 litre turbo version at $70,000 is a better drive than the 3.2 Quattoporte all wheel drive at $90.000.( check out article in latest MOTOR MAG

Something to consider as i am tired of the RX8 and have decided not to put another $ 15-20,000 to turbo /supercharge it .

Not interested in waiting any longer while Mazda tries to get its act together

So i am also on the lookout for a different ride .

Michael