Typical RX8 Owner
 

I was wondering last night is there a sterotypical RX8 owner?

Or is the car one that appeals to everyone?

Personally I am 29 years old Civil Engineer, with my wife expecting our first child in December / January.

Do we have any 70 year old grandmothers or grandfathers for that matter?

Chris

You seem fairly typical... (or at least similar to me!)

Also , looks like Oilman could have a 2nd member for the 'West Country RX8 Club' :)

I think that many to-be owner are used to sports cars but are now having to compromise with the 8 being either the new family car or the 2nd car (in my case) which could take the kids if needed but still has the performance and looks of a sports car.

Age seems to be spread with some teenagers in the US and more oldies elsewhere.

rael

34 year old IT consultant who's last 2 cars both did 0-60 in sub 7 secs and topeed 145mph but had 4 proper seats. Because I commute 136 miles a day I have to lift share and so need a car to carry at least two adults. I also have a 3 yr old and a 20 week old baby so occasionally need to fit sprogs in the back but I couldn't ever drive a mundane car on a day to day basis. The economics don't make sense but sod it!!:p

Good on you Andy and nice to see some familiar faces (well usernames) round here

PhilC

Lol Philc, this becoming the new dvdforums?

For my sins I'm a 32 (on sunday) year old Software development team leader.

Currently driving a shopping trolly with a ford badge, getting the RX-8 as is the only thing with 4 seats I find acceptable, least for the price. Dont actualy need 4 seets but do commute 60miles a day , and Andy is right, the economics dont make sence :)

It's way too quiet round here in comparison - but at least you can keep up with the new posts over here!

It shows a good crossover in interests that a few of us from the DVDForiums are buying into the RX8 (and that we've got less sense than money!!)

We'll have too keep the RX8 thread over there going - make all those Leon Cupra and MR2 owners jealous!!:p

I'm a 25 year old IT Consultant. It's replacing my current daily-driver, a VW Polo G40, which I bought when I purchased the TVR to keep the miles off it.

Want something sporty and fun around the 20k mark, and want 4 seats (don't *need* them, but don't want the impracticality of 2 2-seaters).


-andy-

Have details of Mazda's target market at home, will post tonight.

I'm 43 today, run my own oil distribution business, play golf as much as possible and have 2 kids. I want a 4 seater that does 0-60 in under 7secs and looks damn good!!

Don't consider the BMW 330 or Golf R32 as an option for me as they don't look good and there are far too many around.
Looked at AudiTT 225 but don't consider it as a four seater (it's really pathetic! My 10 year old wouldn't be happy in the back!!) besides, where would I put the golf clubs??

The RX8 is the perfect combination for my needs and boy does it look great.

Cheers
Oilman;)

Now I understand the 'Oilman' user name. Presumed you worked in a garage or just ran really old oil guzzling cars:D

rael

I'm 29-year old helicopter/Herc crewmember for USAF and father of twin boys. My daily commute is also 60 miles or so. That does not include my almost daily run to Sonic for a Cream Slush ;) Need 4 seats to go to lunch with co-workers, and cruise with my wife and sons on the weekends. Wife's daily driver is a Hyundai Santa Fe. I'll have to think of something to prevent my greasy nasty flightsuit ruining the seats after my flights. Will probably end up bringing a change of clothes and changing before getting into the car.
When I gave up my 91 RX-7 a few years ago, I swore that I would one day own another rotary, and had my eye on the RX-Evolv. I was a bit surprised when my wife told me 18 months ago that she wanted me to get the RX-8, and that I deserve it. Great timing, as the preorders were not even close to starting, and NAIS had not happened yet. I was able to START the waiting list at my local dealer. Now I wait for my 1st allocation Velocity Red 6MTGT :)

Interesting to read so far that most are in IT. Me too, Support and Services manager for computer and server manufacturing company. Married, no kids yet. Wife almost 30 so the preasure is on for kids.

The 8 will be my first real sports car. Can't wait!

Well I'll just add to the stereo type that's emerging -

34, IT consultant, 2 year old daughter.

I'm hoping the RX8 will be large enough to haul a lot of windsurfing gear around. Otherwise if you see an RX8 with a towbar it'll be me!

Well, I'm 37, an ex games (ie nintendo etc) programmer who now owns a printer/laser/refill shop (coz it pays regularly!)

No kids, but married. I'm always giving lifts to people so the 4 seats suit me fine. Car is fast enough, like the looks, practicality etc.

So you want to know what Mazda think?

Letter to Uk dealers dated 18/12/2002 states as follows:

Target Customer.

Driver profile.
We are targeting independent thinkers, who are not mainsteam, but willing to experiment with innovations and who want to be seen as owning something different. Someone who is comfortable expressing individuality, is imaginative and a trendsetter, but also loves driving. (so far so good?)

Demographics
Predominantly male aged 30-50
Above average income and education (ok?)
Proffessional, managerial, entrepreneur, artistic

Current Model Owned
BMW 3 Series
Volkswagen golf
Vauxhall
Ford Mondeo (???)
Audi TT
Honda
Toyota Celica
Vauxhall Vectra
Honda Civic
Subaru impreza

Now you know, is this you?

Interesting non the less, I wonder who does their market research??

Cheers
Oilman

I fall into that Mazda bracket but then I think the demographics and cars listed including the 8 are almost interchangable.

Also, in a simalar thread on the TT Forum most owners also seemed to be IT linked.

I am a 32 year old single blond female glamour model who loves life in the fast lane. :D

rael

Well to continue the stereotype I am also in IT. I am the Infrastructure Manager for a large distribution company. Married but no kids.

A similar thread on Scoobynet a while ago had a majority of IT people on it. I think that is because there are still a large number of youngish IT people about who have a significant disposable income.

Im fairly close to Mazda's target customer:

Driver profile. - MOSTLY TRUE
We are targeting independent thinkers, who are not mainsteam, but willing to experiment with innovations and who want to be seen as owning something different. Someone who is comfortable expressing individuality, is imaginative and a trendsetter, but also loves driving. (so far so good?)

Demographics - TRUE
Predominantly male aged 30-50
Above average income and education (ok?)
Proffessional, managerial, entrepreneur, artistic

Current Model Owned - TRUE
Subaru impreza


Maybe they got their research right.

I also think theres a significantly high proportion of IT folks who spend all day posting on bbs.

Were what 20-30 of the 1000odd uk preorders, and all into IT? Hmm... and onthe web too....

Well guess what I do for a living? Thats right, I work in IT :D

I'm a 25 year old IT analyst, working for a financial company in central London.

Shahpor

hmmm. Could be onto something....

(speaking as a 31yr old IT Infrastructure Manager who loves his motorised toys...)

Morgan.

It seems that myself and Oilman are in a bit of a minority here.....

I'm a 33 year old IT director for a software company.

So much for us being 'independent thinkers'. More bloody IT people. Aaaaargh.

So Rael, glamour modelling huh. Any piccies.

How long before we It guys get the RX8 online then? That way we can XML from our laptop / PDA/ Mobile to turn the engine on and warm the seats on those cold days or turn the AirCon on in the summer!:D :p

With such a concentration the problem is that as 2nd car prices may fluctuate as the IT world goes through good and bad times.

What we need is more plumbers as they seem to be able to charge what the want irrespective of economic climate.

rael
(well adjusted mid 40's male, wife, 2 kids living in fantasy world)

nice one rael!

Me 33yrs old, sales manager, glad to break the trend.