Market research. I design and host demographic focus groups and report on the results. We basically try to get organized feedback on different aspects of Mazda products from different demographics. Its an okay job. Mazda is a good company.

 

At the Maryland Emissions Inspection Station a couple of years ago with my FC.

Them: Is that a manual?
Me Yep a 5-speed
T I'll get someone who can drive a manual
Me Thanks
T Sir please go to the waiting area. This will only take a few minutes. Nice car
What type of engine?
Me Rotary
T the usual blank stare
Me it's 1.3 liters doesn't have any pistons
T uh, it says to call it a 4 cylinder for the test
Me Ok, I go into waiting room start talking to another car nut the room
T Excuse me, The car stalled
Me I turn around. oh S*** they attempted to test it as a front wheel drive car.
T Aren't Eclipses front wheel drive?

of course it says Mazda RX-7 on the forms, on the computer screen, and on the back of the car.

fortunately no damage.
can't wait to have the 8 tested

 

lol

 

here's a fresh one for you all. Had a friend stop by and see my 8 for the first time last night....


him: Nice car. It's got a rotary eh?

me: *suprised to say the least* Yeah...1.3L

him: so it doesn't have a redline does it?

me: *suprise turns quickly to dumbfoundedness*

just when you think you've gotten past the whole v-6/v-8 question someone comes and whips you back to ground zero

 

Good lord, I have another new one, and this is really amazing:

Dumb Blonde Wife of a friend of mine: Wow, that's a really cool car!

Me: Thanks!

Husband of Dumb Blonde: That has a rotary engine doesn't it?

Me: Yup, only car out there with it.

Dumb Blonde Wife: Rotary? At a restaurant near my office, there's a sign that says "Rotary Club meets here Thursdays at 7:30 AM". Are there enough people that own these to have a weekly club for them?

Me: Blank stare ...

No ****, really happened last night over dinner. This girl is known to say a few dumb things, and she won with that one!

 

An 'outdoor' municipal worker ( an oxymoron ?) hops down from his truck in a parking lot.

OMW: "Nice! What's under the hood?"

Me: "Thanks. A rotary."

OMW:"Oh yeah, like a lawnmower engine, eh?"

Me: "Uh..no.."

OMW: "How big is it?"

Me: "1.3 L."

OMW: "No!"

Me: "Yep."

OMW: "That's real small, eh? So what'll she do?"

Me: "About six - eight bags an hour."

OMW: "Bags?"

Me: "Grass."

OMW: :OKay, now I know you're sh...g me. It's really a V6 eh?"

Me: "Uh, huh."

OMW: "Cool! Have great day, eh?"

 

thats a common misconception out there about rotary engines

"no 'redline'..... wow"

 

I once almost got into a scrap in parking lot with someone who thinks on somewhat the same level... LOL

I was this close to knocking that guy into next month.

 

I would do that other than the bum would probably sue me ...

 

I just read the most asinine complaint in NHTSA's complaint database:

Make: Mazda
Model: RX8
Year: 2004
Complaint #:10062799

Summary:
THE DUMMY PEDAL ON THE LEFT HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH ENABLES HIGH HEELS TO BE TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND THE FLOORBOARD. MY FOOT HAS BEEN TRAPPED FORCING ME TO STALL THE CAR AND PULL OVER FIVE LANES ON THE FREEWAY AND OFF THE ROAD TO REMOVE MY FOOT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE! THIS WILL AFFECT WOMEN WHO WEAR HIGH HEELS AND DRIVE A STANDARD MAZDA RX-8.*AK

Some people's kids...apparently it didn't occur to her to slide her foot out of the shoe.

 

I had my new RX-8 set as my desktop background on my work computer. Someone walked by and made a comment:

"Oh, nice car! but it looks so small, probably won't even fit your laptop in the car!"
......

 

^^Hey that person needs a laptop over the head

 

sounds like a great idea! :p

 

girl: What's that? (pointing to my RX-8)
boyfriend: Oh, that's a Miata. (adopting his best "of course I know everything honey" attitude)

I tell ya, it made me want to fold the top down there and then but I was laughing too much

 

Them: That's the new Rx-7 right?
Me: Well? It's an Rx-8.
Them: Twin turbo, right?
Me: I wish.

 

My cowerkeraskedmetoday

Does you car have side vents behind the wheels? I saw an rx8 with them, but I didnt think yours had them.

 

It's sad when I took it to Jiffy Lube for an oil change (I know, don't yell at me for going to Jiffy Lube.. but the dealer wanted to make an appointment 2 weeks out for an oil change).. and ALL of the techs asked the same thing... how many cylinders is it? Even when the hood was open they couldn't figure it out. I just gave up trying to explain what a rotary was. Duh.

 

LMFAO.... I was waiting for that to happen to someone... HA HA HA

 

Waiting in line at gas station to pay for gas.

Nice car.

Thanks.

V6?

No, Rotary.

Wow, where do you buy fuel for that?

Chuckle.

 

<-snip->
lol! That's one of the best I've seen yet. :p

 

Not really a stupid comment, but a fun interaction.

I was driving down central expressway the other day (that's I-75 for those of you not from the Dallas metroplex) with my windows down and sunroof open. I'm going about 8mph faster than traffic. I pass a Corolla to my left with a family in it. The young boy (~10) in the back followed my car with his eyes from the rear windshield, through his window, to his mother's window, then climbs the back of the front seat to stare through the windshield as I'm now in front of them. I see him carry on a conversation with the driver (presumably his Dad), and the Corolla speeds up considerably (I'm guessing he had it on the floor).

The kid gets a huge smile on his face, tumbles into the back seat, and rolls down his window. About the time they get even with me, he sticks his head and arms out the window, makes two 'thumbs up' signs, and yells (as loud as he can) over the traffic noise "SWEET CAR, DUDE!". I give a thumbs up back to him and let them get just past me, then downshift, floor it, and move into the lane on the opposite side of them to pass. The kid follows me with his eyes now the size of silver dollars and waves as I fly past them on the left.

 

I like the fuel one.

I get the "So no red-line, huh?"
and "How do you fit a radial engine in there?"

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by StewC625
Had a new "stupiest line" from noneother than my buttheaded brother in law last night.

HIM: So, you bought a sports car.

ME: Yeah, felt like I should treat myself.

HIM: For what?

ME: For fun.

HIM: You have a family of five. This only fits four.

ME: I also have a Honda Minivan, what is your point?

HIM: What if that minivan is broken down?

ME: It's brand new too - It's not going to break down. It's my second one. The first one never broke down either. I think I'll take the risk.

HIM: You're just flat out irresponsible ... (this would be the new stupidest line!

ME: WHAT? What the hell are you talking about?

HIM: Driving something like that. Bright colored. Fast. Who the hell do you think you are anyway?

ME: I THINK I'm a guy that enjoys cars.

HIM: To me cars are simply an appliance. Anything more is a waste of money. (I should point out now that the SOB is a lawyer, and drives a Lexus. Some appliance.).

ME: And obviously, I feel that the journey is as important as the destination. This ain't no dress rehearsal. Might as well enjoy every minute of life, even those spent tooling to the grocery store.

HIM: And that's why you're irresponsible.

ME: Tell me something, [his name]. Do you ever just go out and do something, anything, just for the pure fun of it?

HIM:! NO! Who has time for that?!

ME: Thanks for clearing that up.



That guy needs to marry my wife. One of her many significant reasons for wanting a separation was that I bought a Chrysler 300M (which seats five) when we had four kids and two adults in the family. My point was that's what the minivan is for! This was but one example of me being a selfish person with no consideration for her feelings (which basically means you are not allowed to disagree with her - EVER).

Celebrated the legal separation by getting my RX-8 - picked it up on Labr Day...

 

TJLack,

Was your wife allowed to buy a three seat sofa, or did you make her buy a five seater?! :D

The good news: when she separated herself from you she separated her lifestyle-challenged family members from you too. You are now officially allowed to:
- ignore them in conversation
- not return their calls
- not return their emails
- refuse their invitations
- not invite them over
- not invite them in if they drop by unannounced
- forget their birthdays
- etc.
They no longer have any claim on your time. Only your kids have that claim, and they all fit in the RX-8 no problem! Take 'em for a zoom-zoom!

 

I'll definitely do that, right after I tell anyone I bought the car! Haven't quite gotten to that just yet...

I actually like her family just fine (and they like me). She gets upset if I speak to any of them though...