timbo

I've been thinking about this for a while, with the 8 now almost two years old.

Typically, Mazda have had around 3 series of each of their rotaries, each with incremental improvements. Who knows if anyone from Mazda reads this stuff, but maybe we can give them some ideas.

Here's a template to copy and paste into your response:

Engine:

Transmission:

Suspension:

Interior:

Exterior:

Other:


My thoughts

Engine: (no change)

Transmission: (needs improvement in selection); better auto (SMG?) not that I'm that interested

Suspension: roll out Shinka suspension upgrade across the range

Interior: integrated telephony; trip computer; ability to easily connect iPods etc

Exterior: (no change)

Gibbo

Engine: Turbo Charged

Transmission: Stronger to cope with the turbo

Suspension: Sway bars

Interior: Colour coded for other colours except red, more detailed trip computer, oil level indicator like a petrol guage, boost guage for the turbo, electric passenger seat.

Exterior: Sunroof

Other: That's about it.

RXP33D

Engine: HYMENISED SUPERCHARGED 13B With large signature tips shooting flames!

Transmission:RP SHORTSHIFTER 6speed

Suspension:Thickened sway bars

Interior:More plushy leather door trims, TV?

Other: Same price D:D

mikeyr

Engine: Forced Induction Option

Transmission: Upgrade if necessary.

Suspension: Shinka plus options. Maybe a Holden "club" style pack. MS options at a more realistic price.

Interior: Sunroof (cause it's inside looking out i'm intersted in) Navi pack like the UK with DVD built in and an Ipod plug unit to replace the ashtray. Telephony inbuilt, the Renault unit is a beauty.

Exterior: MS style skirts for less than $1500!!!

Other: Better exhaust, introduce the Hymee pack or something.

dracoMJB

Engine: Newer has to be more power.

Transmission: 6 speed auto

Suspension: Newer has to be better.

Interior: No complaints.

Exterior: No complaints.

Other:
In Car Navigation available in Aus.

Just some side notes. I drove a Renault Scenic hire car when I was in the UK. It had Keyless ignition (just a square bit of plastic int a slot and a start button), an electronic hand brake, rain sensing Intermittent Wipers, Auto light sensitive headlights and anti-glare rear view mirror. I'd love some of these features in a new RX-8. The electronic hand brake was so much better than a manual hand brake.

Lock & Load

Engine: More power option of factory turbo /supercharger.

Transmission: No F$%^ng AUTOMATICS :p Dual sequential gearbox ok .

Suspension:lower firmer set up .

Interior:more stainless steel similar to AUDI TT better plastics and seats .

Exterior: choice of different wheels tyres and a proper spoiler , decent colours .

Other: An exhaust system that does not sound poofy .

cheers
michael

xxup

Engine: More low end power.

Transmission: Ok.

Suspension: Variable height and ride.

Interior: DVD and Sat NAV as standard.

Exterior: Hymee Grill Set as Standard.

Other: Decent trip computer and a gadget so that you can mess around with the PCM settings yourself!!! Tow bars that don't look like a sex aid and real retractable roof racks.

WRX spotting radar with guided missile system... :D

Inter-RX8 messaging system :p

Mother-in-law ejection seat

(from Miss 5) Variable height rear set and a TV!

Adrian

takahashi

Engine: 15B-MSP. Keep it NA though. Improved radiator and oil cooler standard.

Transmission: Better gear ratio. Shorter 3rd and 4th. Keep 5th 1.000 and perheps lengthen the 6th. Manual only version (please stop that DLG/SMG non sense, it never hold the torque when you supercharge it).

Suspension: No change on damper rate and spring rate. Better sway bar for sure.

Interior: Lighter seats, perheps go for Recardo leather or Bride leather seats. Actually lower seats will do, coz a touch too tall at present.

Exterior: Nothing change, please --- it is a series II not face lift

Other: Nav Sav standard. Baby shut up button :p. Trade in price for old RX-8 regardless of mileage = $1000.


EDIT: I have some afterthought after I read though all of your choice. You seriously cannot like the gear ratio! I hate the 4th gear with EXTREME passion. It is just too tall for my liking that I risk the speed to be all out to put a 4.7 final drive in. Then I use a GPS to get the real speed. Damn Mazda - get the gear ratio right Mind you.. I am coming frome a Honda Integra DC2 and in 5th gear 110kmh it is running at 4000rpm :o

EZZY

why would you buy a series 2 rx8

Engine: better than series 1
Transmission: better than series 1
Suspension: better than series 1
Interior: better than series 1
Exterior: better than series 1
Other: anything that series doesnt have

Gr8M8

Don't want a Series2 RX-8 unless I'm in the market for one - it'll kill my resale value :p

Noddy

Engine: As is - maybe a bit more low down would be nice (I'm talking about the car!)

Transmission: Slightly taller 6th, and more difference between 4th and 6th on the gearknob (I still mistake 4th for 6th when I grab it)

Suspension: No change for me thanks

Interior: Three button memory drivers seat. Change the "digital watch" audio/aircon panel for something with a bit more class. A glovebox that fits something more than the car manual. Push-button start

Exterior: A bigger boot entry (as someone said, "big belly, small mouth"). A Mazda tow-bar mount.

Other: Self-cleaning front wheels to keep that *$#!* brake dust off.

Revolver

I reckon as follows:

Engine: Definitely more low down torque. Leave the turbos, etc for the aftermarket crowd - I can live without the inflated insurance premiums.

Transmission: I don't have a problem with it. No sequential - would drive the price up. again, those who are fussy can fit short shifters, etc.

Suspension: Thicker sway bars.

Interior: Trip computer, telephony, something to easily clean the dust off that piano black! Oh, and a hook to hang your takeway bags on! No sun roof for me.

Exterior: Hard to improve on the current model. Maybe strakes as standard.

Other: A lot of what I'm reading suggests we all like different things. One of the fun things about this car is the ability to personalise it (huh Hymee?). We get too much of what we wish for and all of a sudden the price sky rockets and there is no after market fun to be had. One of the reasons why I like this car is it didn't cost $80K.

timbo

Good point about the price. I emphasise again incremental improvements, but then I promptly broke it when I said I'd like to see DSG (which, by the way, would easily handle the torque of a FI rotary)

I also agree with taka on gear ratios -- I hate 4th -- I often find myself going from 5th to 3rd. And 6th could be a bit taller.

Gibbo

I like what we are talking about as options, the don't have to be standard. I just like the idea of factory warranties on these things.

idolo

Engine: Turbo for sure. Nothing sweeter to drive than a turbo rotary.

Transmission: Not too many complaints with the current box but reverse is too tall. I have a steep driveway.

Suspension: Current setup is pretty good and does not ratlle your teeth. Maybe stiffer swaybars.

Interior: Is fine, the handbrake looks *****. Maybe leather to match the colour as Gibbo said. Integrated phone.

Exterior: Love the current look

Other: An oil level not pressure. Larger cat back as standard. Ability to easily and quickly turn on/off DSC. Maybe even launch control

capncrunch

Well I've only clocked up about 1500kms so far but here goes;

Engine: Yes a little more power would be good - 20kw or so even. No turbos thanks. I like the fact this is not another 'hey look at me, my car makes a noise when I change gear' jap import.

Transmission: Yes better high gear ratios would be good. 6th still revs a little high for my liking.

Suspension: Improved sway bars.

Interior: More options would be nice - sat nav, for example. Driver AND passenger electric seats.

Exterior: No change. Maybe a bigger opening on the boot.

Other: Better high beam.

kiwimeat

Presuming we can all afford petrol by the time Mazda graces us with a Series 2 .......

Engine: Better low gear fuel economy (this "urban-cycle" commuting is killing me), a bit more torque at low rpm never goes amiss

Transmission: 6 speed auto (similar to BMW & MB) that can take the full power engine. For when my knees get too buggered. Then we can have launch control like a M3!

Suspension: Improved to at least special edition levels

Interior: Less of the fake "metal" plastic (scratches too easily), better lights for rear passengers (ones that can be on but not interfere with driver visibility). More thermal insulation on the centre tunnel (I would like my Thickshake to still be vaguely "thick" and cool when I get home). Oh and my colour-coded options.

Exterior: Doesn't need a change to styling. However, need some paint options should include a yellow (preferably a darker Sunburst Yellow tone) and possibly a a lighter true Red (like Ford GT).

Other: Better Trip Computer (& fix the fuel gauge so it is more accurate), MP3 playing by default in 6 stacker, option for USB or similar flash media, SAT NAV as standard, integrated telephony, alarm as standard (at least basic with upgrade option including tracker), Wireless ScanAnalyser interface, 2 oil coolers & Hymee grill (licensed of course ) as standard.


For ridiculous options: -
Brakes that catch fire like the McClaren/Mercedes Benz SMG - nothing like a quick rotary dash followed by pulling up at lights with flames coming from your wheels to make those "ricers" and TLGP advocates feel totally inadequate without you needing to race them. :p

Gomez

Engine: No change.

Transmission: Improved shift feel (eliminate notchiness, esp 1st to 2nd). Short throw standard.

Suspension: 20mm drop, sways 10% stiffer, recal DSC to suit. 245 tyres std.

Interior: Complete cup-holder redesign (in-dash). Console lid redesign (sturdier). Console insulation upgrade. Accelerator foot footrest. Oil pressure gauge. Trip computer. Stereo upgrade. Memory drivers seat and exterior mirrors.

Exterior: Delete std body-kit. MS front std. Euro boot-lip spoiler std. Grille kit std. Delete mudflaps. White, Ferrari Red available. Strakes std.

Other: 30% tint std. Hymee style exhaust (no 44 gallon muffler). 50% reduction in cost of accessories.

RIX XXX

Engine: wouldn't mind trying a 20B (i get free petrol).

Transmission: current manual box is nice - why change

Suspension: current is quite nice - again why change

Interior: more options (incl Sat. Nav.) and oil level gauge

Exterior: more options eg mazdaspeed front spoiler http://www.desktopmachine.com/cars/2...allpapers.html

Other: Pearl White exterior.
Note: i drove a renault in france with that remote entry/ credit card style key and it SUX. you can't attach any other keys to it and so looking for your keys in the morning is worse because the"car" key doesn't fit in your wallet so you have to look 4 two sets of keys, innovative - yes. practical - no! rain sensing wipers would be a nice touch though...

jax8

Not mentioned so far:
boot release beside fuel cap release;
eliminate driver's door open chime;
dashlight dimmer where you can find it;
glare-free readout panel for sound/air con.;
pearlescent white.

Gomez

G'day Jack. Long time no here .

I've done this. Check my DIY.

atridge

Engine: Any forced induction would be good, we can always do with extra torque

Transmission: RP Short Shifter is a good start but they need to change the gear ratios for sure

Suspension: Thicker Swaybars definetly

Interior: Sat Nav and oil temp gauge

Exterior: Cheaper MS body parts

Other: Maybe harder brake pads, xenon high beam, throw away the Potenza RE040 and put 245's as standard and get rid of the wimpy sounding exhaust

Noddy

One that came to me as I performed the traditional weekend RX8 contortion:

Engine: A bloody oil dipstick that is accessible! /<rant>/ (I mean really - they build a car where checking the oil level is not just an annual event, and then stick the damn thing down in the bowels of the engine where it is impossible to get to cleanly, not to mention all the hot parts around it - so if an oil level gauge is difficult/expensive (and probably not even in the Mazda parts bin since they took them out of MX5's) then why not just increase the length of the sucker by three inches to make it easy) /<end rant>/

Tim Tam

Hang on, aren't Xenon's meant to be the duck's guts?

Gomez

They are if you have them. The Cloth Pack comes with halogens.....