flomulgator

Fortunately, it sounds like you've never suffered the inside of a minivan. Int the electric version of a pop-out window, the servo is built right into the rotating bit. The wire from the dash to the window would probably weigh more than the motor. Maybe the counter the added weight w/ stock magnesium wheels? :D

JeRKy 8 Owner

I just threw auto door locks in there to add to my argument because it's another simple bullshit feature that most of the "classy" cars have.

CarAndDriver

A trip computer that uses the Ambient/Outside temp display. The space is already there. Average speed, miles to empty, instant MPG, avg MPG, trip timer, etc. My mom's Passat and dad's Chevy pickup have it. That's a nice lux feature.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Mazda did a lot of R&D before releasing the car.

The drivetrain changes they have made were for the AT (adding gears), and where the Oil fill tube breather goes into the intake manifold.

Anything I missed?

toxin440

Heh while I do love those little gadgets like you are saying to get MPGs, projected miles till empty.... on THIS car that might be a bad idea when people are tooling around and seeing numbers on their little screen in the teens for MPGs lol

CarAndDriver

Well at least we could tell whether cruising downhilll at 65MPH with a hurricane force tailwind actually gets us mileage above 25MPG.

flomulgator

I did that once in my old GTI in Wyoming in the winter. 40+ mph tailwind across the entire state for like 400 mi. increased my gas mileage at least 8 mpg. That's like a 40% improvement!

time4akshun

Looks like we have our first 2007 owner on the boards...

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...=1#post1547741

Time

6speed8

[QUOTE=4 years to Supercharge]Mazda did a lot of R&D before releasing the car.,,
QUOTE]

I think "a lot is" a relative term, and certainly nowhere near the R&D some other Japanese car companies do.

CarAndDriver

Forget power rear windows.

How about getting auto up and down windows for the driver and passenger first.

time4akshun

???

My 2006 Shinka has auto down for the driver, yours doesnt? Not for the passenger.

Time

manyhats

talk about spoiled....this is a friggin sports car, not your Momma's Caddy. Less gadgets, less weight, more power.....not kissy kissy little toys. regards, manyhats.........

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

[QUOTE=6speed8]Thanks for "clarifying" that.

I am Sorry I didn't say how many man hours they spent on research and development. I didn't have the RX-8 project manager's report on hand...

Do you happen to have it 6speed8?

6speed8

No, (I wish I did), but since we are almost through the alphabet with flashes and I predict there will be a few more indicates that some aspects weren't tested in regards to starting and drivability. Go ahead and tell me ONE PERSON in/on the Mazda R&D checked the oil while the engine was hot (if they did they WOULD have asked for a relocation of dipstick). DId the R&D discover the squeaky brakes or HUGE amount of brake dust from the original pads (the REVISED pads are much better) DID they R&D the RX-8 in climates where they had to use the A/C? Did they test with the original starter motors? batteries? Heat shields? OBVIOUSLY testing in HOT DRY climates was not performed for ANY length of time!


EXACTLY what was R&D'd? and for how long? Like I said it's a relative term, and I think Mazda did a really POOR job on the R&D of this car, the fact that it is still a great car is a tribute to the designers, NOT the R&D team.

Razz1

Nice marketing article.

They did a great job.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Wow,

I agree with you on the dipstick location.

CarAndDriver

They all auto down for the drivers side, it'd be nice to have up/down for both windows.

Also how about being able to close the sunroof when you turn off the ignition, just like you can operate the windows after.

6speed8

Before I bought the RX-8, I had a 2000 Celica GT-S (my first non-Mazda in 10 years). I got it in Dec 1999. ( I Got my RX-8 in Sept 2003). Celica owners waited right up to the day Toyota cancelled the car for more performance, but never got it. Toyota DID give more colors to choose and some VERY minor facelifts, but nothing changed in the performance of the car, in fact some MYs actually lost peformance due to an ECU revision.

The path Mazda is taking with the RX-8 sounds IDENTICAL to what Toyota did to/with the Celica, which was a great car when it first came out (it was the BEST in its class), but 4 years later it ranked near the bottom as the competition caught up and surpassed it.

I would really HATE to see that happen with the RX-8, but it's like Deja-vu (for me).

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

I see that makes sense. It is clear as day that Mazda has been going this way.

Geez the first year the car lost power... How much is in their control with emissions standards though? That may be why it is hard for them to add a turbo or supercharger as an OEM add on. I hope I am surprised and proven wrong.

6speed8

I hope so too, but as far as emissions, every car company should (big should) realize that the emission standards get tighter each year. As for adding FI, I think Waranty and reliability are the main concerns.

rotary crazy

I think one big hold back is the recall, I mean how is it gona work for the public if mazda launches a turbo version in the midle of a recall?

Nick Alvarado

Thanks for the link....

patrick_andraste

maybe because they do not want you to see the 14mpg?

I would like the little trip computer, Working Coolant Temp and oil pressure gauges, auto off headlights and one of the rear seat backs to fold down at least.

hedgecore

Funny, RSX followed the celica...now it's going away too, w/o any meaningful changes...i'd hate to see the rx8 follow suit.

CarAndDriver

You'll figure out the low MPG when you have to fill up every 250-300 miles on a tank every week.

I hate how car makers have dumbed down the gauge clusters on nicer cars now to idiot lights. The 8 has penty of gauge real estate to have put an traditional speedometer in as well as digital along with working oil, voltage, and coolant temp gauges. The Z has a better gauge set in their crappy interiors.