I was at the AutoShow in NYC today. The big one they have at the Jacob Javitz Center every year. They had some amazing concept cars there. I got to see the hydrogen rx8. Unfortunately not as close as I would have liked since it was on a big platform. I have to say I think the rx8 looks amazing in white (shame on mazda for not giving us the option). Also for all of you about to get an rx8 they were handing out $750 off the purchase or the lease of an rx8. With select dealers in NY, CT and NJ of course.

Just FYI :D

 

That's a bonus. I'm going to the show next week and hope to be buying a new 8 in a month or two.

 

Great but there is a minus. The coupon expires on 4/30/04 so you would have to get the car this month.

 

anybody know anything about the rx8 hydrogen model?

 

They have hydrogen RX8's that's awsome, how do i get one?

 

It's not available, though I have seen it on the web with an article about how it is relatively easy to modify a rotary to work with Hydrogen. Only a few problems - where is your nearest hydrogen station? And it only delivers about 1/2 the HP as a gasoline model. Also, you have a big fat H2 tank stuffed in the trunk. No thanks - anyone remember the Hindenburg? haha

 

Hindenburg + Hydrogen = Boom?
No. The Hindenburg was a canvas bag full of flammable gas. The canvas was coated with a very volatile chemical to seal it. Recent study suggests a spark ignited the bag and the gas then burned. Hydrogen in a steel tank is as safe as the volatile fluid we so nonchalantly pump into our car’s easily punctured fuel tanks. This is one of the myth/fears hybrids will have to overcome to get wide acceptance.

 

I could be wrong, but I believe that they think it was a static spark that ignited the paint on the outer covering of the zeppelin. If it was the hydrogen bags that had started the fire the thing would have dropped from the sky like a rock before we could ever see most of the flames. However if you watch the footage, first it burns, then it begins to sink. The hydrogen bags, however, were not very helpful once the fire was going.

Also, I'm not so sure it's entirely a myth that hydrogen tanks are dangerous. I was talking to my friend yesterday who was writing a research paper on hydrogen powered cars and he said that safely storing the hydrogen was the main obstacle that car companies (he focused on BMW) were trying to overcome in order to bring the product to market. I'll check with him and get back to you.

The Colonel

 

Out of curiosity, when do the $750 coupons expire?

-Eric

 

Simply put.. the Hindenburg was painted with rocket fuel. No joke.

 

End of april

 

I'll be hitting the show on Sunday.

If by then they still have any coupons left, does anybody want me to get one for them? I'll see if I can get a few.

So... with this kind of Mazda sponsored thing... do you negotiate your final price and financing, and THEN lay the coupon on the dealer so that they don't try to work the $750 back in there somewhere?

Is it a rebate? Or a discount?