mkh

how long has it been since mazda let any info fly about this thing?

i think they're hurting themselves in the long run by keeping interest down by keeping all specs/pricing/trim etc etc a secret.

I mean, has anyone been to a magazine stand lately? Nissan announces the specs on their 350Z and its INSTANTLY on 5-10 magazine COVERS.

I dont even think the general public realizes what the RX8 is, or if its even going to be inexistance in the near future.

I like the RX8, I think it will be a great competitor to the lineup of cars that are hitting the US shores soon, but I'd like more info..

Sorry if posts are made like this all the time, im not much of a frequent reader since..... well theres never any new info. Thoughts?

block911

Maybe they are having production problems such as emissions or cost. Anyway have patience or buy a Z in the mean time.

Rich

This has been discussed numerous times, so a search will probably yield the most results.

My take is that the car is still about 8-10 months out, so I don't see what the problem is. Compare the amount of information we've got on the RX-8 now to what we had on the 350Z almost a year ago, and I think Mazda's done a pretty good job. I think the problem is that they gave out too much too soon. People got too excited too early, and now they want more. The RX-8 was on the cover of R&T about 4 moths ago, and we got a lot of information then.

As for the general public knowing about the RX-8, I don't think that's a problem. This isn't a car that's aimed at the general public; it's aimed at enthusiasts. Besides, what's the point of getting them excited about a car that they won't be able to get for at least a year (taking into account pre-orders)?

I think I'm in the minority though. Most people think Mazda should be giving us more information, but I think we know a tremendous amount already, considering Mazda's still got so long before they start shipping.

BlueAdept

Mazda HAVE to get this car right... even if that means delaying it slightly... if this car is successful then the rotary engine could appear in others, but if not then we'll probably never see another rotary powered mainstream car.

ZoomZoom

I thought that I was the only one who thought that Mazda has already released plenty of information on the new 8 but apparently not, Rich believes so also.

What is everyone expecting from Mazda at this time? I guess that the most people here would like more information regarding pricing, colour choice, option packages, and technical specifications.

But think about it, we already know that availability will begin in Feb’03, the cost will be under $30,000.00 USD, it will have the new Renesis rotary engine that will product 250 HP with 162 ft/lb of torque, it will be available with an automatic transmission or a six speed manual transmission, the curb weight is expected to be under 3,000 lbs., the 0-60 is expected to be under 6 seconds, and the ¼ mile time is estimated to be around 14.5 seconds.

What I just mentioned is just some of the vast amounts of information that Mazda has already released; remember that the car will not available until February 2003!

The first thing I decided to do after I put down my deposit on the new 8 was not to get too excited. I had just put down a deposit for a car that would not be available for almost a year at that time. What Mazda had shown me last April was enough to convince me that I wanted the RX-8 to be my next ride.

I believe that there are many people in here are too critical of Mazda on this issue and I do not understand their rational.

Everyone relax. :D

KayakDaddy

I think there has been a good bit of information made available, certainly enough to get me hooked. I guess what I'm thirsty for is new information. I guess I should calm down though since all of the information so far has been pretty consistant.

I think it would probably be in Mazda's best interest to get the word out a little bit. Whenever I mention it to people, hardly anyone has every heard of it. Everyone knows what an RX-7 is and thinks highly of them, so it would probably be wise to link them in the early advertising.

ZoomZoom

Once Mazda finalizes the production specs I believe that there will be a glut of information forthcoming, all major automobile magazines will feature cover stories on the new rx8. I also concur with KayakDady that it is in Mazda’s best interest to get the word out about the rx8.

If I am critical of Mazda it is because they never have done a good job educating the general public about the virtues of their rotary engine. For the rx8 (and hopefully an upcoming new rx7) to be truly successful, Mazda must educate the general masses.

hamx0r

another side to this is that these general masses have learned about rotary engines through experience, and even though there are a fair amount of advocates out there, there are also a lot of people who think the old rx7 was crap. now, just like most of you, im a rotary enthusiast, but i still ackowledge that the first generation rx7s were faulty, and i think we owe most of those problems to lack of developement along with bad luck on their entry to the market during the first gas wars. just when oil prices were soaring and emissions control was tightening, the car was introduced to the american market and was not really allowed to be all it could be (go army!...nevermind). what i mean is, so far, the american general masses have only seen a somewhat crippled version of a good rotary engine (or else an over-priced version in the 3rd gen), so only after the rx8 has been in the market for a long enough time to set a new reputation for rotaries will the general masses be interested. as far as the rest of us not-so-general masses, we know the potential and it is us who should be educating by offering rides to the uninformed or whatnot.

as stated by others earlier, the rx8 is sort of a novelty car for people who spend time in rotary car forums and whatnot, not for everyone. sure, people fear what they dont understand therefore mazda should tell everyone about the rotary engine. but also, experience is the best teacher, so not until people can experience a rotary engine will they really learn how to accept it.

ZoomZoom

hamxOr makes some good points.

RX-pecting

I just want to remind everybody at this point that a lot of the knowledge we play with is largely uncertain:

we DON'T know the cost! yes the Road n Track guy kinda sorta got the gist of it for us, but nothing is certain (and I for one will be mighty pissed if he was off by a few thou on the plus side, because my feasability calculations will be off)

we've always considered the power figure in a car in dev to be volatile and Mazda is does change final figures somewhat before release.

So theres really little we see as given. What sith the push start prolly not there and the rotary bumper-light uncertain (any one know about that one?), little can be taken for granted.

ps the rear arm rest in the previous pictures (the PS'd oficial interior pics) differ from the newer (sadly, uglier) pics (there's like a silver rotor shaped lock, has any one noticed that?) just a little added info there for those who didn't know...

mkh

until i see that information on mazdausa.com, i dont believe it

really, we dont know ANYTHING about the car, besides rumors and skepticism that you pick up online which doesnt happen to be the most reliable of sources.

ZoomZoom

Well then, let’s all wait for Mazda to announce what the real numbers are and not get upset with Mazda. Mazda will probably announce the real numbers sometime in October or November, if not earlier.

There is no one in here that has the right to know what the real numbers are today, but some of you in here sure act like you do. In sort give them a break and quite with all of the negative comments.

ZoomZoom

It’s not that I am disagreeing with you but would you not take independent testing results a little more seriously?

Mazda can print anything they like on their web sit to promote interest and car sales, but if independent testing cannot very their claims? I am more impressed when Car & Driver or Road & Track run full test articles on the different manufacture’s cars rather than reading what the different manufactures claim.

Besides the specifications on the rx8 are in a constant state of change right now, let’s wait and see what the production specs will be.

WankelWannabe

Can you expand on why the 1st gens were "faulty"? Don't you mean the 3rd gens???


Thanks

Toadman

Word is they were shooting commercial footage in LA this weekend with a red one.

BlueAdept

Wow... now that's a source!

Anyway, I doubt we'll see that footage in the UK, so can somone make an mpeg if it appears on TV?

Or perhaps spy footage?

ZoomZoom

Where did you hear this?

zoom44

i would be so psyched to see a commercial!

mkh

i'd wet my panties if they told us of any colors besides yellow that are going to be used.

SpreeGuy

I was checking out one of the local college's campus. And notice a big poster sized ad for the Rx-8.

it didn't give any info, but showed a pic of the yellow rx-8 and said "coming soon" or something to that extent.

BlueAdept

Do you have a digital camera?

zoom44

picture of a picture?

BlueAdept

Why not?

http://www.thehumorarchives.com/atta...s/bmw_wind.gif

That's a picture of a picture... and i BET microsoft were pissed off!

Rich

ROFLMAO!

Thanks for the link, Blue!

btw, I've been very curious where you got your screen name. I can think of a few places, but I doubt I've got it. Care to enlighten?

BlueAdept

Aprentice Adept, Piers Anthony.