TroyRX8

Mazda,

You need to offer a turbo or twin turbo RX8 for a reasonable price. I don't know if Mazda can retool the size of the eng but Adding O2+Gas will do it. Atleast give the people the option to choose slow or fast.

I watched several $33,000 350ZX's at the track yesterday and it was sad to see high 14's. I think Nissan could put a turbo in thier cars too.


I think the goal of any real $25-$35 US RWD sports car domestic or rice is to be equal or slightly better slip times than a bone stock Stick Mustang GT.

Gord96BRG

I disagree. The Mustang GT isn't a sports car, it's a muscle car. Different purpose. I didn't buy my RX-8 to be fast in a straight line. I bought it for it's light weight, room, great handling, great brakes, classy interior. Please note that in each of those categories it blows a Mustang GT away. Sports cars are much more than one-dimensional drag racers. The RX-8 is a sports car, the Mustang is not. I personally don't care how quick a Mustang is!

Regards,
Gordon

Ike

Some people like turbos some don't... Mazda and Nissan tried to up the HP without FI and it may not be the beast the FD or 300Z TT is but they are respectable cars in their own right. Keep in mind the 300Z and FD were much more expensive than the current versions of the car.

Ike

got 8

I think its a near pefect sports car that mazda could done for now, there will allways be improvment be not changes.

mikeb

mazda wants to make money and by putting turbos in everything it becomes a smaller market

Red Devil

Just be patient for the aftermarket...which, in my opinion, will be better than anything Mazda would do anyway.

As a side note, I would rather see a larger displacement two rotor engine than a factory turbo. Say from 1.3 to the rumored 1.6.

RobDickinson

Turbo's arnt the answer to everything. There a harsh way of getting more power, unless you only a low boost.

Look at VAG, effectivly dropping their 1.8T in preference of the 3.2v6.

Masda are in the business of selling cars to make a profit. Considering their recent history and their parent company's awful financial situation profit has to be mazda';s keyword at the moment. Honesly I'm supprised there bothering with the RX-8 at all, although I'm glad theres still enough enthusiasts at mazda to get it up and running.

A massive portion of the worlds feelings towards the rotary have been formed from poor rotor tips in the 70's and the RX-7 turbo heat problems (doesnt matter whats true or not).

Mazda would have to be suicidal to launch another turbo rotary without gaining the markets confidence again.

Tronics

I'd rather see a 3-rotor engine. If Mazda ever built a car to compete with z06 or viper, it would have to be something very similar to the 787b, I'd buy it in a second.

O.R.A.

Mention "turbo" and insurance companies start drooling and dreaming of overcharging...

Red Devil

I'm pretty sure the 787B was a four rotor. And a 3 rotor's gas mileage would be horrendous. Definitely worse than a Z06.

I think the idea of a 3 rotor is great also, but I can't see it happening.

Tronics

787B was a 4-rotor, I was just saying, If Mazda ever produced a 4-rotor car, it would be z06/viper territory.

stangmatt66

Actually, VAG just announced that they are replacing the venerable 1.8T with a 2.0T, with 200hp. I just sold my 1.8T Golf and let me tell you, that was one of the sweetest engines ever! There's a reason why it's offered in all of their models.

But yes, the 3.2v6 does make more power and more torque--the reason for its inclusion in the R32. But that move was necessary because a normally aspirated, high power V6 is way more drivable than an over boosted 4 cylinder. Also, a V6 is considered more luxurious and upscale compared to a 4 cylinder.

But on the subject of a Turbo RX-8, I read an article that said don't count on it. The article stated that the exhaust that comes out of a rotary engine is cooler than most engines, thus creating problems with igniting the cat. converter. A turbo would cool the exhaust even more and would not allow the cat to warm to an efficient temp. I wish I could remember where I read that.

Zonker04

I think it was Road and Track or Car and Driver. I have it at home. Actually, the EGTs (exhaust gas temps) of a rotary are higher than a reciprocating engine's, IIRC. However, I think they were saying that a turbo would cool them down too much for the cat to do its job under ULEV standards.

I just went from a 250 HP turbo Miata (2,340 pounds) to the RX-8, and for some reason the '8 still feels plenty quick to me, even though I'm at only 190 miles on it :D and haven't even redlined it or broken in the engine yet. I love its engine.

RodsterinFL

I believe Mazda did the right thing to make the car as marketable as possible. Aftermarket though, can personalize the car. I believe that Madaspeed needs to become more. Imagine this:

MazdaSpeed RX 8 supercharger available now!

Yes, you too can rely on genuine Mazda parts that are tested and do not void your car's warranty. The supercharger provides 39 more hp and 117 more foot pounds of torque. All instructions included (available for manual transmission models only)

Competitive pricing and they would probably make many performance conscious owners happy. Not having a turbo or supercharger on the car new is an insurance saver and makes it more reliable.

I also believe that Mazda should figure out a way to get cooler ambient air to the footwells.

Edge

What Mazda needs to do is put some work into the ECU maps, figure out how to lean out the engine where appropriate (low and high) rich it up a little where appropriate (middle) and get us back to 250 HP for free. Oh yeah, they still need to meet the emissions restrictions while they're at it. Actually I find it fairly offensive to be more polluting and less efficient (obviously in direct opposition to the spirit of environmental protection) in an effort to meet the specific letter of the law.

You can't tell me that doing wasteful things with gas was the intent of the CA emmissions law.