The Chad

How much longer will we have to wait for the Mazdaspeed RX-8 in North America?

Here's an article on the Mazdaspeed 3 at the Geneva Auta Show.
250 hp.....but still front-wheel drive
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....ticle_id=10707

BlueEyes

Almost double the 8's torque!

I don't think it'll be a very nice car to drive and I know it's not a very nice car to look at.

Neo

Don't worry Chad... the Mazdaspeed RX-8 will come out soon enough... After the 3, last I heard...

I know a few people waiting for the Mazdaspeed3...

So many cars, so little cash...

Lates,

The Chad

Not soon enough if you ask me! They've been testing since at least 2004:

http://www.spdmag.com/article.asp?se...rticle_id=1935

The Mazdaspeed3 should be all-wheel drive, don't you think? Would make a good winter-beater

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

awd would add too much weight and too much cost for its intended segment....

The Chad

Agreed - that's what the EVO and STI are for

khtm

Are you serious? What car do you think looks better than the Mazda 3 and is in its class? The Ford Focus?

BlueEyes

Any. I think the Mazda3 looks like something out of an anime cartoon that the hello kitty princess would drive.

khtm

LOL ok fair enough. I think it looks better than all the other economy cars, and so do many reviews I've read, but I guess there's always people with strange opinions...

BlueEyes

It's especially bad when I see a yellow one.

You see this:


I see this:

Shamblerock

Nicest imagineable RX8 ever. I'd buy this guy in a heartbeat, with or without turbo.

khtm

I tried to find a yellow hatchback focus but couldn't find a good picture so this'll have to do

The Chad

I think they had it on display at the design studio in California. I still have the magazine the article appeared in.....they did an awesome job.

Shamblerock

Too darn bad they don't come out with this version. With a good boost, this would be a highly coveted sports car from a wide range of ages. It will certainly put a dent in the sales of 350's, G35's and the like. The bar would have been risen to levels few could possibly engineer.

MazdaSpeed 888

Mazdaspeed 3 IS coming out!!!! AWD with 263hp.... will be one crazy car! Heard the MSP 8 is coming out next year too... bad for me after spending all the $$ on the kit!!!

Shamblerock

Hey man, post a pic of your car with the kit. Do you come out to our meets up at D & B?

BlueEyes

The article in the first post of this thread, along with every single other article about the MSP3 says it's FWD. reading>you.

MazdaSpeed 888

I haven't got the chance.... when is the next meet???

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

I really doubt the mazdaspeed 8 will get out of japan. All mazdaspeed cars that came to north america, mainly united states have been turbo'd and i really doubt that they're gonna bring a NA tuned 8 here. Thats what i think. Each mazda car made has been tuned by mazdaspeed but only a selected few are actually sold in dealerships (ie mazdaspeed6, mazdaspeed miata, mazdaspeed protoge). The trend with those cars are that they are all turbo'd. In japan, they got the mazdaspeed mpv (i want one) among other cars. I think we'll only get the parts here but no actual Mazdaspeed 8 will be sold. And yeah, i think the 3 is FWD from what was read on this thread and with a little reserach. Thats my opinion on this.

Murray16

I too highly doubt we'll see an mazdaspeed 8 in north america. Not until the second generation of the model at least. And in the case I'd kinda rather see a RX-7 by that time... which could mean we'll never get an ms 8.

BTW... the new ms3 is front wheel drive.

RX4life

i agree.. id rather see a RX-7 than a MS8...its kind a pointless to bring out a MS8 now... people wanted the look bought the kit... and people who wanted the performance got the turbo....

therefore a RX-7 is due NOWWWWW!!! a new turbo RX07 that looks as good if not better than the FDs and id trade my 8 in sooooooooooooo fast!!!LOL

The Chad

Check out the latest issue of Road & Track (April 2006 I think) with the Mazda Kabura concept on the cover. The article speculates that it could be the next RX-7.

Here's a different article from their website:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3238

Neo - any thoughts about the Kabura? Did you get a chance to see it at the Detroit show? (Was it even there....I'm too lazy to check!)

Neo

Yep, saw it in Detroit... What a great looking car!! The front end needs to be reworked a bit, and the rear is a bit too hatch like.... But that's strictly a concept. The underpinnings are based on the RX-8/Miata. So the new RX-7 will have similar underpinnings and hopefully it'll have a few things I really liked from the Kabura.

Hopefully they'll be able to retain the sex appeal the 3rd gen has!

Lates,

saturn

The MS8 with FI is exactly what I want. I don't want to void my warranty or blow up my engine by getting a turbo. Maybe if I knew what the hell I was doing, I'd give it a go, but alas, I don't.

The MS kit looks so "rice", for lack of a better term. All I see is Fast & the Furious when I look at it. And while I do live my life a quarter mile at a time, if the MS8 comes out I will get it and sell the kit and opt for the standard appearance package.

Even if the 7 comes out the next year, I'd be happy with the MS8 as I want the back seats and l33t demi-doors.

RX4life

so you would trade your car to pay the premium price for a MS8.. and then make it "look" like a stock 8..

heres a better recommendation.. by the time and if it comes out... your warranty will probably be over if not close... slap on the turbo and you will have the power of a MS8 and the looks of a stock 8 and save money ...if you are worried about the suspension.. get some K-sport or whatever coilovers for like a grand..want the short shifter buy the kit.. want the flywheel and clutch...you can get it after market and there are better ones out there any ways... want the high priced wheels you can get cheaper mazdaspeed replicas for cheaper and there are better ones out there anyway.. and i can guarantee you the total cost of all these mods will be cheaper than the difference of your 8 and theMS8!

and maybe just maybe.. bringing out an MS8 will further reduce the values of our cars!