I've been trolling a while, learning the low down on the 8. I love the way the car drives and I've had 3 RX-7s so I love rotaries. I'm fairly convinced that most bugs have been worked out, so I'm on the fence trying to make a few decisions and thought others here might help. My big question now is should I wait for the '05s and what will the MS version be like? I've had 2 dealers tell me that white will be added to replace yellow (white would be my first choice as all other 7s I've had were white) and one dealer salesman and his service manager told me the MS version due next year will be supercharged (not turbo like the Miata due to heat issues). Also, they can't say if the MS will come out early or late '05. I have researched the JDM and Euro MS 8s do not have SC or TC and most here seem to think we will get the same treatment. Does anyone here have information to backup what the dealer told me regarding color choices, MS due date and SC? Thanks.

 

well the only thing i can say for sure is that white will be replacing yellow for the '05 year.

I'm not sure if there will be a turbo / supercharger setup in the MS8 for the US market, nor can i say for sure if there will be a MS8 in the us market ever. sorry to disappoint.

 

Can you say you "know for sure" or are "not sure" because you are a dealer or you have read something other than forum forecasting? I just want to know the reliability of your source information.

Come on, 176 views and only one reply. Surely there must be dealers or Mazda reps here that could substantiate or refute what I've been told. Not even a welcome to the forum?

 

I've read in more than one mag that there are no plans to make the full mazdapspeed version of the RX-8 available within the united states.

That doesn't mean it's not going to ever happen, but with no plans, it seems unlikely to expect it within the 2005 year.

 

I think Mazda is being tight lipped about intro of new RX-8 models as the would like to keep the sales of the current model brisk. And yes, I've heard that white will be available.

 

When I bought my 8 last weekend, the dealer was certain that they were going to replace yellow with white (a disappointment to me, since I like the yellow).

 

I work for a Mazda dealer (non-Mazdaspeed dealer though) and we don't know anything about a MS model, but I heard the white is coming too. The thing is that even the dealers won't always know until the last minute what is coming out and changes if any. Some salesmen will bullshit you to keep you interested until they can find out for sure what's going on.

I am not in sales, but service. All I can say is that I hope they do away with the AT 4port.

 

Thanks - That is what I've always been told, that dealers are usually the last to know, and that is why I am suspicious of what this dealer has told me about the MS version. Car companies will sometimes "leak" information to generate hype and get their names in magazines but not say a word to their dealers. I was just wondering if maybe the dealers information came Mazda or from somewhere else. Thanks for confirming it didn't come from Mazda.

 

I know of a dealer that has a real cool sales manager who I happen to speak with on occasion, that speaks with a Mazda of North America Operations Rep who actually took a demotion from a much higher up position at Mazda of North America just so that he can stay close to home with his wife and kids. This guy has always been very forthcoming about new Mazda models and never been "tight-lipped" about any model until now . . . when he is asked about the next edition of the RX8.

Last month's Car & Driver had a very small "blurb" that stated that Mazda would debut the new RX8 at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, which only occurs every 2 years ( on odd numbered years ). The only problem is that this motor show comes towards the end of the year, in late October!

Atleast Car & Driver did say that the new MS version of the RX8 would come with an electrically assisted turbocharger. We just have to wait till the end of 2005 to see the dang thing!

Also, the fact that this North American Operations guy is so "tight-lipped" tells me that Mazda doesn't want anything to leak out to the competition. Moreover, the fact that the next RX8 version is still a year and a half away tells me that there might just be some BIG things in store for the next version's powerplant. It just doesn't make much sense to take so long to put out a MS version. If they were going to put out the MS version that is now currently in Japan ( with all of the bodywork upgrades ) they could do that immediately.

I can't think of any other reason why a new RX8 would take so long to debut, aside for some big time changes in the powerplant, perhaps including bigger displacement. Only time will tell . . .

 

im not a dealership, but i know that 04 production has stoped or will stop in the VERY near future, and that the yellow color will no longer be produced for the us market. white will replace it.

oh and welcome to the forum

 

I am myself deciding if to get the new 2005 or the 04 RX-8.
Just got this response back from the mazda website :

Hi Oakey!

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

In regards to your inquiry, there are very minimal changes to the 2005
Mazda RX-8. Here are the changes:

- added Snowflake White Pearl exterior color
- deleted Lightning Yellow
- retractable key replaces normal key
- Satellite radio compatible tuner

The horsepower remains the same as the 2004 model year.

I hope these information will be helpful. Please let me know if you
have any additional questions.

Zoom-Zoom!

 

I don't think there will be a MS8, I was thinking the same thing, that I just bought a Gt everything option 8 and here comes the MS8! DOH!. I think the MazdaSpeed will never come here to the states because of emmisions, just like the Honda/Acura Type R's only one the integra has come the states and it was a wimpy version of the JDM version because of emmisions.

 

Quote:

retractable key replaces normal key

Huh?

Someone please enlighten me.. as for some odd reason, I cannot think what they are refering to.... (Probably one of my infamous brainfarts going on!)

:o

 

i think they are talking about those keys that shoot out of the plastic...saw it in some movie once...don't remember which one, but the guy presses a button, and the key shoots out...kinda looks like you are just carrying the remote when they key is inside...at least that is what i think they are referring to...can't wait to see it, and replace mine with it, if it looks nice.

 

Thanks, that is good information. I am now reconsidering my decision to wait until '05. I am partial to white, maybe nostalgia for my previous white RX-7s, but I think I like the blue better. The Mazda website answer above didn't make any reference to the MS version. With it already out in Japan, even if it is not blown I think it could come out with the new '05s. The JDM version does have a few more HP mostly due to ecm reprogramming, but with our emissions can they do anything more with the existing program? If there is no HP gain, I don't know if I would want it. Any thoughts on Mazda tweaking more HP from the ecm of US versions?

 

My wifes VW passat has one of those keys that fold into the remote for the door lock and panic alarm. I imagine it's the same type deal.

 

Thanks for the great info.

I'm wondering, will this be a Metallic White? It sure sounds like it. If so, I'm waiting for an '05!! Also the Sat radio compatible tuner is great news. I have XM in my Audi and love it. The Audi also has the retractable key, I love that too. It's nice and compact, having the key and remote all in one tidy little package. Mine works like a switchblade.

Wow! I was going to get an '04 at the end of the year, but the '05 may be worth waiting for.