I went through the drive-through today, and they attendant asked me if I liked my RX-8. He then said "don't you have to rebuild the engine on those every 30,000 miles or so?" I told him no, that many people get 150,000 miles or more out of a rotary. How could you be so thick as to think all rotaries had to be rebuilt at least once before the end of the warranty period? How would Mazda ever stay in business.

 

I absolutely love the fact that there are so few rx8's on the road and mine is unique. If I were asked that question, I would confirm it to this moron. He'll spread the word, less people will buy them, we'll have very special (but expensive to maintain) cars, and resale prices go thru the roof in a few years!!!!!! Perfect!!!!!!!!!

 

'cause that's about how long you have between rebuilds on alot of FD's :p

 

To Labutler: If you want a "unique" car, you'll have to build it yourself. Unique means the only one. Ever. Anywhere.

I agree it's nice that my 8 is appreciated more by others because there aren't millions of them around. On the other hand, if its sales drop -- I read on a post that they are half of last year in the U.S. -- Ford won't give Mazda the money to keep developing the design, make new models, give good service support, and eventually even to keep building rotaries.

There is more danger for 8 owners in low sales than a modest increase. That's what I'm roooting for when I tell all the people who ask that I love the car. I'm too honest not to mention the mileage, though.

Mitch

 

Shoot, I was at the local Mazda dealer last week getting warrantee work and I took some time to look around the sales floor. One of the sales people tried to get to buy the new 06 MX-5 Miata. Great car by the way. He was telling me how much better and faster it was than the RX-8. He told me it was faster because, "it takes too long for the rotors to spool up, so the Miata is faster." It was very apparent that the salesman had no idea what he was talking about. Sucks, because he's supposed to be selling these things.

 

I have had some people ask me if I have any problems and I just smile and say no. I did have a friend of mine ask if my local gas station attendant knew me by name yet? That was a funny comment, mostly people say how nice the car is and ask who makes it. I always encourage people to buy the car, but I tell people it is like any car if you abuse it and dont maintain it like it needs to be you wil have problems. I dont mind seeing others on the road I agree it will just keep Mazda and Ford putting money into a different type of car instead of just another cookie cutter.

 

Ford only has a 40% share of Mazda...Mazda is the decision makers...in fact Mazda has Ford and its subsidiares by the ***** right now

The Mazda3 platform is in their:
Volvo line
Ford Line

The Mazda6 platform is in their:
Volvo line, ford line, and possibly even in their Jaguar line in the future
Lincoln line

Not to mention some other vehicles, technology and lines Ford really does have control over having Mazda's name on

Mazda may be the 4th largest in Japan but its influence in the car industry puts it at 3 or possibly even 2 as a Japanese Maker

 

I hope that you called him an idiot and told him to learn his products. Sheesh.

 

God I really love whenever this topic comes up...

Doesn't anyone even read the news anymore? Did everyone miss the big fight between Livedoor (President Horie... "Horiemon") and Fuji TV/Nihon Broadcasting?? Controlling interest in Japan is something like 33% by Japanese law. So Ford's 40% is not "only"!

Why is it so? I don't know for sure, but it would seem to come from the large amount of company cross-holdings and keiretsu (umbrella-style group companies).

The current president of Mazda is the first Japanese president since Ford took controlling interest of Mazda. Several of the key players in Ford, particularly the design group, are former Mazda people. In addition the head of MNAO is a Ford man if I remember what I read in an article correctly.

The platform used for the Mazda3/S40/Focus is NOT Mazda's. It was a joint design worked on by engineers across Ford Group. The Volvo implementation holds several "Volvo only" elements that are not shared with the other group members. You can see this again with the Mazda6/Fusion. The Fusion is BASED on the Mazda6 platform, but apparantly is not an exact "ripoff" as it has been stretched to better compete with the Accord. This kind of strategy makes perfect sense as it spreads development costs across several groups and models WITHOUT doing the old GM rebadging trick (if only Ford didn't do that with Mercury cars).

As far as Mazda in the JDM... Mazda is pretty well bitched by the top players... Toyota and Nissan. All taxis... private or company... are either a Toyota or Nissan. The stereotypical middle-age male car... Toyota Crown or Mark II. Stereotypical young couple's car... Toyota Carrolla. Typical (not even just stereotypical) company president, politician, AND Prime Minister's car... Toyota Century (http://toyota.jp/Showroom/All_toyota...ury/index.html) or Nissan President (http://www.nissan.co.jp/PRESIDENT/F50/0310/index.html). While you do see a few MPV's and Premacy (Mazda5), and an occasional Atenza (Mazda6) or Demio (Mazda2)... they lag far behind the leaders. I think I see a Legacy or Impreza moer often than a Mazda. Do I even need to mention the fact that Mazda is in Hiroshima (BFE to the Japanese) and employs less people than the top competitors? Everyone who works for these companies drives that maker's car... as well as their family and many times friends as well. In the Japanese mind... especially in business... Tokyo is the center of the world.