Strider

I've had this in the back of my mind for quite a while and I was wondering: was the MX-6 Mazda's answer to the Nissan 240SX/Silvia?

Thanks,
Strider-

Quick_lude

I don't think so imo. Totally different cars.. engine/drivetrain layout..

Toadman

240SX = 2.4L 4 cylinder RWD
MX-6 LS = 2.6L KL-series V-6 FWD shared with the Probe platform.

Owned both in the past. Both are good coupes, although handling goes to the RWD 240SX. The MX-6/Probe motor is silky-smooth and the car is sexier and more refined, imho. The body style is timeless.

fuz

That's sort of like a market segment between the 6-hatch and the MPS protege. I don't think mazda has an answer for those people just yet. I think a stripped 8 would work, but might not have enough anemities compared to the RSX/celica which have taken over what's left. A mustang or camaro is not something I would consider, but is also in that segment.

Supposedly the next gen silvia is coming back to the US though.

Strider

Where did you hear that the next gen silvia was coming back? Please post a link if you can find it. Also are there pics of the next gen Silvia?

Strider-

Takumi

poopy poo to bad it dont say silvia here in the us

Tragedy

The S16 will not make it to US shores. The Sentra SE-R and the 350Z are the only performance-oriented cars from Nissan the USA will see for a long time. Sad, but true.

fuz

It was a posted clip from a news article (Motortrend I think) that I found on the http://www.freshalloy.com forums. They said that there is a strong possiblitiy that the next gen Silvia will come to the US to take on the Celica and RSX.

BlueAdept

Don't you guys get the Skyline? Hmmm don't know if I could live in the US... No Elise, No TVR, No Skyline, No Supra, practiaclly no VTEC...

You guy's gotta sort it out... go campain to get your cars!

We weren't gonna get the 350Z but Nissan UK got a load of people to sign a pettition and persuaded nissan to sell it here!

Toadman

Well there's always the LH drive, crash testing, and emissions regulations to overcome. Overall it's a ROI(Return On Investment) issue for all makers.

BlueAdept

I suppose the UK is easier for Jap makers... but I would have thought that the US was a HUGH market to sell in and it'd have to be worth it?

TVR i can understand, mostly because they can't make enough cars to satisfy the demand in the UK... But I bet nissan could sell enough skylines to make it worth while? No?

Here the Rx-7 is a big import here... you can take a jap one, change a light cluster... get it tuned for emissions and registered and bingo!

Toadman

In a depressed Western market, the bean-counters rule the roost. A LHD Skyline would make a killing for Nissan in the States.

Hercules

You have to understand, that most Americans have an obsession for power (as you can see with the many posts made on this board about the RX-8's power), instead of handling. That's one thing I really admire about Europe, is that the car buyers there know that a good handling car is more fun than a fast one.

I'd love to move to Europe but then the gas would be expensive. Besides the RX-8's in the states

fuz

Americans are also fairly abusive to their cars. There aren't many other places in the world that have so much open road, and so many idiots on them.

So reliability is a big question as well, with all the driving that we do. CA has ridiculous emmision requirements as well.

Takumi

the silvias for the comming year is sexy after 30 minutes of navigating thru the japanese mazda site i found it. I gotta go to bed so i'll repost tomorrow ith th elink

Pork Chop

Skyline: I had always wondered why they never sold it in the US, but then again, most of the expensive Japanese sports cars didn't sell too well either. It's rumored that they'll bring over the next gen Skyline to the US and sell it at $60K+ I don't think it will sell well...

S16 Silvia in the US : I'll believe it when I see it. They have to be careful with the pricing; if it's too high, then they'll compete too closely with the 350Z. IMO, the only way they could successfully sell that car here is if it's in the $22-24K range. I doubt they would bring over the hot version (w/ 250hp IIRC) and sell it at that price.

Macabre

The new skyline is already for sale in the US market, just not the new GT-R, which isn't for sale anywhere else either (looks like 2004 for that). You can go see them at your local infiniti dealership. The new GT-R concept car can be seen here. It will very likely be offered in the US and should compare favorably to the M3s and S4s it will be competing with. Haven't heard anything about the S16 coming..

Tragedy

As far as cars go, America sucks. When I am in Japan, I take for granted all the cars I see. Skylines, Supras, RX-7's, Lancer EVO's etc etc are an everyday sight. When I return to the states, I realize how far behind America is.

zoom44

just because a vehicle is not available in the states does not mean that America is "far behind". many different people have many different tastes. perhaps the reason for the companies choosing not to import certain vehicles to the U.S. is because there just isn't enough demand to justify the expense. or maybe there isn't enough poduction volume. or perhaps they choose not to make the car meet emissions or safety standards. as far as the rx7, mazda produced the car everyone said they wanted and then got caught when not enough would pay the price to own one and put up with the problems that the turbo's caused. and don't forget the production has ended in japan now. and the evos? who the hell wants one when we can get a wrx. the skyline, nissan chooses to not sell it here and as far as the next one reaching these shores they are going to have to do a lot more work in the styling dept. besides just redrawing some lines on the body of the 350z and slapping corvette tailights on it to sell here

Tragedy

Whoa champ, when I said "America is far behind" it was merely my opinion. Going to Japan on a regular basis has really changed my view of the automotive industry in America. I love America, I'm just not fond of the selection of cars here. Like you said, different people have different tastes....no hard feelings!

zoom44

no hard feelings tragedy, i seem to be in a ranting mood today

Takumi

skylines are avalable thru skylinegtr.com
They Import And do the nessacesarry emissions conversions , keep it as left hand drive but thru their prices it's not worth it.
Too bad skyline would be a good car specially in the winter. I still may import one in about 10 years thats if they arent here by then.

Rexman

Different cars with differing points of attack. One front wheel drive, the other rear. One V-6, the other 4 cyl. I prefer the V-6 but I prefer the rear wheel drive any day. If the Mazda was rear wheel drive, I think it would have had more success.
Design wise, the Mazda looks far more attractive. The lines more sensous and that interior paid more attention to detail.

pelucidor

I miss European cars like Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Peugeot, Citroen etc. They have bags of styling and character, and are usually great handling and cheap.
However we are very fortunate that there are many cars sold in America that are unavailable elsewhere in the world such as Oldsmobile, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Mercury, Dodge, Buick and Pontiac, - wonder why Detroit doesn't export them . At least Chrysler have enough courage to export the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Neon to the UK (although the Neon isn't doing too well even though it is dirt cheap by UK standards).

BlueAdept

Perhaps the fate of the Neon is the reason that the other manufacturers don't export those cars... In large part, American cars are designed for a road system that doesn't exist in Europe!