Car and Driver:Cars worth waiting for 2016-2020 ?
 

I know this isn't an all inclusive list and we might not even know of some things that could be coming, but I'm starting to get that sinking feeling the import affordable sports car segment could be completely dead in 5 years (not that it isn't close already).

They are wrong with the name. If Mazda makes it at all, it will be a RX7, not a RX9

Three telling reasons: 1) Mazda needs the halo of that legendary name for this, their ultimate rotary car, a return to rotary glory.

2) They have NEVER sold two cars with the same number, at the same time in the US. Their newest top-of-the-line CX9 SUV comes out in the US this month or next. Too confusing for buyers.

3) They will want to release it as a 2020 model (even if it comes out late in 2019). 2020 is Mazda's 100th Anniversary. So they will want this to be the next generation of the RX7 and put to rest any association with the unfortunate unreliability of the otherwise fine RX8. (calling it a RX9 will bring too much reference that they are trying to get over the bad feelings and reputation of the RX8). But calling it a RX7 just brings back an emotional good feeling for rotary lovers and enthusiasts that will be asked to pay a hefty price for a top performing car, with many of those that will be able to afford this car, old enough to remember the RX7s

At least I know it will bring back those emotional good feelings and memories for me ! Bring it on !


77mjd, I think there will always be market room and market demand for some "affordable" sports cars. But Mazda doesn't need to build another one to compete with its MX5. They are looking to go upscale in power and performance with the next rotary, if they can get folks to buy into that.

I'm not even talking about Mazda in terms of making an affordable sports car. I'm talking about anyone. The 370Z likely won't be around much longer. The 86 and BRZ are getting a refresh for 2017, but I don't see them around long enough for a 2nd refresh. There's nothing else besides the MX-5 and no indication at this time of anything new or anyone else participating like Huyndai and Honda. And all indications are any new rotary won't be affordable. I agree with you that there will always be a market for affordable sports cars but the fact that everyone seems to be bailing on them is worrisome.

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That new Tesla hauls butt

What a load of waffle, Mazda has NEVER sold 2 cars with the same name number in USA, really. I guess in reference to a new RX-9 and a CX-9...."number"..
Gee I wonder what an MX-5 and CX-5 is ???, Thought that through well. Not.

FACT, Mazda has never gone back to an old model 'number' for an export car like RX-7 which died almost 15 years ago...either.

Who knows what any new RE will be called if and when, could be an all new name never used before as RX-9 was used in Hong Kong in late 80s

ASH , since we were talking in this thread about the RXVision/RX9 whatever it will be called, I meant one of those two numbered Mazda cars being a rotary, not just two piston cars such as the current MX5 and CX5. My bad if I didn't make this clear. Yes I thought it through, going back through the past 48 years of Mazda rotary history in the US. Can't speak for the rest of the planet, including Aussie land !

You are right that no one really knows what it might be called. I just stated my reasons why I think it makes more sense to call it an RX7 rather than a RX9. With three generations of RX7 already, why not make a fourth generation RX7 be Mazda's special new halo car and Mazda's 100th Anniversary car !

MX-5 CX-5 and Mazda 5
CX-3 and Mazda 3

I love how gwilliams6 always presents his/her opinions as if they were facts backed by hard data and then follows them up with evidence that is either circumstantial (at best) or flat out wrong.

Once the inaccuracies are pointed out, the goalposts are moved so that their logically fallacious argument still seems possible.

This is a case study in motivated reasoning.

The fact of the matter is that there are precious few facts. Given that we don't even have enough evidence to definitively state that the car is actually in production, quibbling about the name just seems... inane.

And gwilliams6, before you send me some hilariously immature PM like before, I'm not against Mazda and I'm not in doubt that they will make another sports car. I'm just saying that we can't actually draw any conclusions given the incredible lack of data available.

At the last Texas 8 several years ago we had a marketing rep from Mazda come out. He even showed up with a one off, pre production RX-8 (polished wheels and a few other options that never made it to production) and went on the cruise with us and then at the dinner, he handed out awards, and gave away a bunch of stuff from Mazda and talked at length about the new rotary sports car that would be out next summer. I mean this guy laid it on thick and had about 50 RX-8 owners believing every word.

I remember us discussing it with Team and a few others here and they all told me that the guy was full of shit and that marketing reps generally don't know shit even when they come from corporate.

Well they were right, :lol:

If people have trouble distinguish letter names.... then these vegetables should just stay off the roads.

As much as it warms my heart to see a Kia model on the same list as the Bugatti, it will be the RX8 replacement for me.

Folks, the same Mazda Rotary car number and Piston Car number are what have never been sold at the same time in the US in Mazda history. fact check it.

Anyway, good to see people are up for discussing here.

Of course we often discuss stuff on this forum that is a Mazda rumor ,from leaks from the factory or just car mag speculation . No one can predict the future with what Mazda will do. At this point even Mazda can't be sure what they will economically be able to produce, and how the car market forces will dictate what is viable.

Cheers

From Meet the RX Vision, Mazda's gorgeous rotary-engined sportscar | Top Gear

You are correct that this hasn't been done in the same time in the US, however...

The last Mazda MPV was sold in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, and Malaysia as the Mazda 8, while concurrently the RX-8 was still being sold.

Thanks hornbm for the worldwide info.

As I stated earlier, I only was speaking about the US Mazda history.

Cheers