Diver

Out of curiosity, if both the RX7 and RX8 were offered by Mazda at the same price, which one would you buy? (forget about emissions, and any other difficulties)
I know the practical aspect of the RX8 is an important factor, but I am sensing quite a few potential buyers would purchase one just because it is the closest car to the original 3rd gen RX7.
So which one would you choose, or should I ask, which one do you want?

zoom44

rx8= zoom for four. the 8 all the way!

ZoomZoom

Give me the 8!!!

Rich

Absolutely, no question, the RX-7. I actually made the decision final and irrevocable just this past weekend. I wanted a lightweight, 2-seat, RWD autocross car, so I bought a 2002 Miata (silver, base +SP). The old RX-7 made me such a Mazda fan that I've bought 2 new Mazdas in less than 2 years. I had been thinking about the RX-8 (as shown by my posts here), but I just don't want the inherent compromises that a 4-seat design has. I plan on sticking around because I'm interested in the RX-8 as a rotary car and a possible sign about whether or not the RX-7 will be back in the States.

If they announce a *real* sports car with a rotary in it, I'll absolutely put down my deposit immediately. Until then, I'll just keep my money on the sidelines and hope the RX-8 does well.

Come on Mazda, bring back the 7!

ThaBrkrs349

As much as I love "true" sports cars the styling of the 8 can't be resisted. Plus the RENESIS looks like it's gonna be awesome!

Pork Chop

Tough call.

I'm really drawn to the RX-8 because it's a practical sports car. I'm not sure if I could make the jump to owning a 2-seater, since I only have 1 car. On the other hand, blah, why not get a 2-seater while I'm still young and don't really need to cart any kids around?

It probably depends on how the two cars would stack up. The RX-7 would have to offer a lot more performance to lure me away from the RX-8.

Immi

HAHA!

KayakDaddy

I'll take the RX-8.

It's a beautiful car and it's one of a kind. Four seats, NA rotary making 250 hp, great styling, cool as all get out suicide doors, etc. It seems to be the ultimate combination of practicality and sportiness.

I wouldn't and couldn't buy and RX-7. I need a (somewhat) practical car. We have a beautiful 2.5 year old son and we may have another. A two-seater just wouldn't do it for me. I'm guessing Mazda knows there are many people in a similar situation, which is why the 8 is on the way.

red_base 95

I'll take the RX-8 for my needs. 99.9% of the time i am in my car by myself, but I have to be able to take my wife and 2 kids along occaisionally. We only have 2 cars-if one gets sidelined due to accident or maintenance, I need to haul everyone. Additionally, I do need to take co-workers to lunch once in a awhile.

There is no way I get a 2 seater any time soon. The 8 offers exactly what I want and need: coupe styling, sports car performance, room for 4, and moderate utility. Just keep it in the $26-28K range, and I'll have one in the garage.

freekwonder

im going to have to go with majority. I have a 2 year old son. and we are about to adopt another child. i guess i really dont need it with the four door MP3 and the Montero Sport. But it would be easier to convince the wife to let me get it, if if sat four people.

Diver

To complicate things even more, what would you say for a 4-seater 280ps RX-7?!!!
This is no fantasy scenario, there is a limited edition with these characteristics in Japan.

Last Limited Edition RX-7 Unleashed in Japan

That makes for a much more difficult decision...
Now which one would you choose?

wakeech

holy frig!! i can't believe all of you guys!! the 3rd gen 7 at teh sam eprice as the 8, and you'd pick the 8???? my god... maybe it's just my youth, but i am SO with Rich on this one...

the 8 looking better than the 7?? well, as a matter of taste, i have to disagree... the performance?? well, don't have to say anything about that!!

RX-7 all the way man!!

ekrampitzjr

This is a moot issue. The RX-7 goes out of production in August 2002, and I'm keying this on 31 July 2002. Say goodbye to a great car. The RX-8 won't be available in most markets until after 1 January 2003. (By the way, anyone have a production date for Job 1 for the RX-8?)

A Mazda rep said recently that it would be impractical to send the RX-7 back to the US and other markets, even if it stayed in production. (Sorry, don't have the link handy.) He mentioned requiring another evaporative emissions canister and electronics upgrading to be able to sell it in North America. Keep in mind that the last RX-7s here were 1995 models, and the feds required OBD II compatibility for 1996 for all cars and light trucks. Presumably, this would be the reason for the electronics revisions.

The RX-8 will be a better car for most markets than the all-out RX-7, which was horribly complex and prone to break down. That's why the RENESIS rotary in the RX-8 is normally aspirated and doesn't use turbos, for example, yet it produces close to the power rating of the mighty RX-7 13B-REW rotary. From a number of anecdotes I've heard, apparently most US Mazda dealers weren't prepared to service the 1993-1995 RX-7s properly or adequately. This issue should be for the better with the RX-8.

I'd take either one if someone were to give me a new one, but I'd prefer the RX-8.

Diver

This may look like a simple fictional question but it is based on real cars and real expectations. I feel that some potential buyers or fans of the RX8 are interested in it for the sole reason it is the closest thing to the original RX7. In this little statistic experiment I’d say 3 out of 10 (myself included) would choose the RX7 over the 8.
2 out of 7 who would choose the RX8 mentioned practical reasons. A four seated RX7 (even if it was actually closer to a 2+2) might change their decision as well.
I am aware of the emissions problem of the turboed RX7, and the end of its production. This is obviously an improbable scenario, a hypothetical dilemma that would show in a way the preferences of the posters.
I know the RX8 is not a substitute of the RX7. I may prefer the styling and more absolute character of the 3rd gen RX7 but I am positive the RX8 is a much better marketing deal with prospect for large sales, without sacrificing the inherited sports soul from its predecessor.

Rich

I took the question to be a hypothetical, ekrampitzjr. In other words, if Mazda were offering a modern version of the RX-7 (not the 3rd gen from Japan), I would prefer it to the RX-8. Picture an RX-8 without the back seats, lower weight, and a suspension tuned as a sports car instead of a sports sedan/GT car. While the 3rd gen RX-7 is, IMHO, the ultimate car, I would stay away simply due to the reliability issue.

I am extremely glad that I'm in the minority here. Hopefully the RX-8 will sell like crazy, and Mazda will be able to make a real, all-out sports car based on the RX-8 platform. If/When that happens, I will pay any reasonable price for it. Right now, there isn't a single car on the market that I'm aware of that is RWD, lightweight, and not a convertible. The Miata is closest, so that's what I have. I think Mazda and Lotus are the only companies that are still dedicated to light weight in their sports cars, although Honda isn't too far off either.

Fred Bird Jr.

That's an easy one! The RX-8 is an eyesore if there ever was one but rarely if ever do 2+2s look better than 2 seaters. The damn thing just looks too fat in the *** and is the equivalent of a bastard RX-7. I always wondered why Mazda broadcast those zoom zoom commercials of theirs when there wasn't 1 fast car to be found in their lineup. Now they make a compromise like this. Try putting the same engine in a smaller, lighter 2 seater and the thing will move otherwise its just a sad compromise or Mazda playing it safe since the 2 seater market will never be as big as the 4 or 2+2 seater market.

PS I found this board through the mention Autoweek gave it.

RXRX

I would pick the rx-7.....there is something about those turbos!..even though those turbos are the root of all evil..once you hear them..you will forget about the problems

NOTA V6

Hypothetically? I would pick the 7. But only if it is still non-turbo. Too many nightmare stories floating around about the 3rd gen RX-7. And Mazda will be stepping into the deep end of the pool if they introduce a strictly turbo 7 instead of having the turbo optional as it was on the 2nd gen RX-7.

I really need a new family car with a rotary, but the engine is just so well cast in the 2 door, 2 seater that IMO there will be no comparison between the two performance-wise. The 7 is and will be the flagship of the Mazda line, and the 8 will always be the "family" sportscar. If you think an RX-8 looks sexy, your eyes will pop right the F out when you (or any of us) get a look at the production model of the next 7.

I still intend on buying an 8, because it is the only rotary to be offered in the foreseeable future. I am ecstatic about the return of the rotary, and understand Mazda's reasoning behind offering the 8 first. However (if you have seen certain other threads I have posted on) most of you know that I have a love/hate relationship with Mazda over the treatment of the enthusiasts on matters of new product release. I already put a deposit down on an 8, but would have sacrificed my firstborn for a new 7 instead of or at the same time as the 8. Well, figuratively anyway.

Mazda better look out if some other manufacturers get back into the Wankel like they did before the '70s gas crunch. My loyalties can be swayed. It might be hard to do so, but hey, I'm only human, and life is too short to spend it in a futile search for something that isn't there. :D

BlazinDeuce

I cant wait for the RX-8 to come out but I would have to take the RX-7 if i had to chose between the two.

tyler

co0lbean

I would choose the RX-7

The RX-8 is suppose to have a 50:50 weight distibution.
Where the RX-7 has more weight in the front.
Also the RX-7 comes with smaller wheels(in manual).
With the setup it is easier to drift with the RX-7(my preferred way to drive)

Also Since the RX-8 is NA, it would use more gas than the twin-turbos.

Evolv

iTrader: (1)

Lets tally the votes.

7 vs 8

7 = better looks, (except the 2nd gen, that sucked)

7 = lighter car

7 = faster car

8 = better fuel and emmisions

n/a = handling (but I bet the 7 wins)

8 = 2+2 (no scratch that, u can get 2+2 sevens - but why would you?)

ok, whats the score

7 = 3 votes

8 = 1 vote

so lets rally Mazda, tell them to put the Renesis into a 7 body. Give us a 3rd generation all performance rocket and a 1st generation fun loving convertible. (Miata's are under powered and passe now).

Lets take wife-e and kids for icecream in the 8, and stand back, its race day with the 7.

When the renesis is in a 7, then its a winner hands down. Who will be the 1st to do the conversion?

happy rotaring !

Rich

I already posted on this topic, but NOTA put my thoughts down far better than I did. So, what he said! There are only 2 things I disagree with, I just *barely* decided that I'm willing to wait for the RX-7, and I'd be confident in a turbo RX-7. I'd probably wait a year or two to check on reliability, but I'd have to believe that after the fiasco with the FD, they'd get it right this time.

I have to agree with you on the frustration with Mazda over their treatment of enthusiasts. In addition to the things you've brought up elsewhere, Mazda forces silly combinations together with the Miata. I understand the cost savings that they can result from packaging, but come on, ABS is something like $3-4k because you have to upgrade to the LS version to get it. It also adds tons of weight because of the luxury stuff. So, no ABS on the best AutoX version. Also, the sport package comes with bigger wheels, which hurt performance.

enjoy

Maybe they should manufacture a limited amount of an Enthusiast model for all their up comming sports cars that would be nice but unlikely

Toadman

Oh, you mean MAZDASPEED?

Immi

I'll take the 8

-i dont really car if the 7 is faster or handles better - i dont race :P