FWIW:

I think the current RX8 is a glimpse of the future. Not the engine per se but the car. Its under 3000lbs (sport), rear wheel drive, fixed roof, nimble and handles very well.

Rumors of Toyota bringing back the A86 (whatever the old corolla was called) looks to be true. We have the heavier rwd cars covered. The new Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, G8, 300C, and the new Tiberon (rumors of 4.6L V8 with rwd) will meet this demand. But what about smaller, more nimble rwd cars? Everything that exists today is either fwd or a soft top. The awd Subaru's are really fwd cars with a diff out back.

The only dedicated light weight rwd coupe that is less than 3000lbs and priced less than 30K is the RX8. Cars such as the Elise, Z3/Z4 coupe and Caymen fit here but are a little expensive for the average person. The next 350Z might come with a shorter wheelbase, less overall lenght, and thus less weight. A 400Z at 3000lbs would rock.

I think their is plenty of room for more 22-30k cars that have handling as the primary factor in chassis design and are light weight. Take the MR2 and add the Yamaha headed 1.8L (180 hp), make it a coupe and I would consider it. Gm should make a Solstice with a fixed roof (mini Corvette). Rwd has made a come back with full size cars. I look for this trend to expand. And with gas prices a smaller rwd car is easier to live with. Unless it has a rotary of course

Just some thoughts.

 

making a car shorter doesnt necessarily mean the car is going to weigh less, they can still make it heavier with unneeded crap

 

I think you are just posting to dream, and don't understand car manufactures make products that they can sell in a reasonable volume.

 

That's why Mazda sticks w/ small to medium cars.

Except they joined the band wagon w/ the CX9

 

Anyone ever see the smart roadster? That car is damn cool. Wish it came to north america cuz it would have made my list of cars to get.

I went with the RX8 due to the whole package, and the rotary engine is a far better design then a piston engine.

 

case in point is the 3500lb 135i.

Subarus are not FWD with rear diffs at the back. It has always been designed as an AWD car around its boxer-four engine within a symmetrical configuration.
Those so-called AWD cars that you are referring are the Volvo S40 awd, MSP6, various Haldex based VAG-cars and a few more that I do not care to list.

I believe however that car mfg, will begin a trend to cut weights down. It is getting out of hand. What's next? a 4000lb A4?

 

I own 2 cars . . total weight . . . 5200lbs . . .less than 1 chevy truck


does this meen I am ahead of the times?

 

^^^ yes. Lightyears.

 

RX-8 and...?

 

Rx8 (2986?lbs) and MR-S (2200lbs)

 

Yea my girls mom has one(she lives in canada) its a fun car that gets like 70mpg. Gotta love the looks you get when you drive them into the states. But yea they are suppose to becoming to the US i believe in 2009.

 

For one there are no longer any RX-8 models under 3000 lbs. Also, you don't know a damn thing about the history of cars if you think the RX-8 and lighter cars are the future. Cars are getting heavier and heavier largely due to safety regulations and the cost of aluminum. 3000 lbs. isn't very light by YESTERDAYS standards. Hell, my '95 Maxima weighed less than any RX-8 and my '02 WRX weighed about the same. Lastly, that Suby AWD comment is one of the dumber things I've heard on this forum.

 

Agreed, safety regulations have been increasing the weight of cars. Also, car manufacturers tend to make cars to fit our ever growing asses. Smaller cars? The rating system whether it is midsize or full size keeps increasing with every generation of cars. Case - Honda Accord.

 

Its good that you think this way Bester...you won't get too many people arguing against your point around here.

It might however be a different story if you try to argue the point on the Nissan or Toyota forums...

 

You are correct. Subarus are better than what I called them.

 

The RX-8, my future tomorrow morning.

 

Ditto all your thoughts.