and while you've got the 1-sided strongarm cliche' going on, i'll add that i did just that.

miss the car from time to time, but i'm certainly not losing any sleep over it.

 

".sports coupes *** sports cars...."

did they mean to spell it that way???

 

Latin, a la Magna *** Laude

It means with

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=latin+%22cum%22

 

Nope, no homer here. I've just been down this road before. It happened with the Camaro, the Firebird and the Mustang. It happened with the RX7 and now it's happening with the RX8. I stand by my point...it's just a car. Get what you want.

 

Definitely agree with most of the comments on here. Even after 8 years, the RX-8 still gets compliments on the handling. If only its engine put out more oomph. As we all know the 8 needs a major refresh and hopefully it'll be showing up soon. Although with the new Mazda styling it may not have a front-end it may have a big gaping mouth.

 

Mazda RX-8 has just had a refresh that is not even a year old...

 

as much as C&D loves leg humping BMW, it's amazing the 1-series only came in 2nd place...

yet, if u read the article carefully, you'll notice that they very wittingly compliment the rx-8 and elevate it above everything else and then immediately backhandedly slam it down to hell... it's almost like u finish reading the review and dont' quite get whether they loved it or hated it... maybe their reviewers have bi-polar disorder...

that said, imo, the 370z is still one fugly turtle shell of a car- no matter how well it performs... the more time u spend looking at it, the fuglier it gets.

 

As much as I hate the 350Z, the 370Z has one heck of an inviting interior. Sat in one at the Cleveland Auto Show, and was completely amazing at how nice it was. I owned an 8 for almost 2 years, and it made it's interior feel like a GM to me. Nissan definately has did their homework!

 

C+D was dead on in its evaluation. I know there are alot of 30ish guys on here that want to put their 2.2 kids(care of the man Jeremy from Top Gear), and thats all good and well, but why can't owners face up to the fact that the car cannot keep up with the cars it used to be compared with. Saying it has a great chassis is getting redudant, and outdated to say the least. The RX series for the last 20 some odd years has been a sports car brand, and its taking a departure from that tradition. The competition however, have put serious development into all aspects of their cars... chassis, engine, interior and exterior. Mazda got cheap, did a face lift with cosmetic upgrades and a few bolt on suspension upgrades. Mazda is still using plastics reminiscent of a Chevy Cavelier quality for the dash, and a powerplant that barely pushes the car faster then a Civic Si.

I love my 8, but I do realize the flaws in the design, which every car has, and I appreciate whats good. But then, I don't bleed rotary. They are 100% right about how they judged the 8, and its a fair overall test. Good job C and D

 

my other comment for all you who are oh so content with the car as it is...
The RX-8 is already a pretty uncommon car. You don't see alot because it is a niche car. Thats small sales. And further in that not even all of those who like rotary engines are happy with that it is now, and seeing the rotary continually getting beat on the track, and in tests (dont give any examples about 3 rotor because the fact is you cannot walk into any showrooms and buy it) how long do you think the car will be around for you to buy? Mazda isn't Toyota, having money to throw away on a fun little pet project. It needs something that will be in all kinds of motorsports, so that it sells, and helps justify its existance.

 

Uh oh, Mazda standards! 220-250WHP

 

Looking at the sales figures, one could very easily argue this point. The 8 hasn't exactly been flying off lots since about...ohh...05? If what you're saying is completely true, how exactly has the model survived for the last 4 years? Mazda loves it's claim to fame as the only company still producing rotaries, and that's the only reason I can see as to why they still do. If they've slummed along this far on sales that have been through the mud, i'm not gonna be at all shocked to see the car continue to be manufactered. I agree that the powerplant could use some randitions, but all said and done, someone over at Mazdas obviously got a chubby for the rotary. As long as they're still around on payroll, there also will be the 8.

 

Does "price point" mean anything? How many other new coupe drop top sports cars can you pick up with an MSRP of $20,000? The story holds true for NA and NB gen miatas as well...

I'm going to have to agree with spin9k on this one - sure power and speed are not everything in a sports car but like it or not, market standards are, and always will be present. If a manufacturer's car falls below a category's standards, the car isn't likely to be competitive.

Sure, people love the car, myself included, but a small group loving a car that may be "slowest in class" is not going to help sales much.

I think I had this debate with NYC a while ago, pertaining to power

 

I never said Mazda didn't like to have a claim to fame as the only rotary producer. But speaking purely from a business perspective, you cannot produce a car solely for a small audience in the price world that the 8 is in. Ferrari can do it, because they charge so much for the car that they still make money. Mazda is not in that market. They are in the market where comparisons and side by side tests make or break a company. As for why the Rotary is still around despite not having any big developments is because Ford (owner of Mazda if you didn't know lol) cannot afford to update it on gasoline, and Ford is using Mazda and the hydrogen rotary as its only big development for alternative power sources.

Ford knows that Hybrid technology is not a permanent solution, and right now not worth its cost when compared with its gains.

This is purely a speculation, but if Mazda can perfect the hydrogen program, the way Honda is working on it, but produce a much more powerful engine than the Honda engine, that gives Ford a big heads up when the world leaves gasoline engines behind. Ford will back the Hydrogen Rotary, and finally put themselves back on top of the automotive world

Provided they survive hahahahahaha

 

Where do you get off saying Mazda got cheap with the 09 RX-8, on the contrary Mazda have done over 60 mechanical changes and improvements over the Series 1.

They addressed almost all of the owner complaints that were warranted...the ONLY one they dd not change was the engine's size or power, many owners of SI's who have changed up to S2 (and R3's) are very happy with the gearing and performance, some even saying fuel economy has improved????..don't know about that one.

We know that the 16X is on the cards, when and if it shows itself is another matter, certainly not in the present climate.

The Series II was well into development and scheduled for production way before the "World Meltdown", I guess Mazda thought it would boost along sales for a few more years, well that has not happened like it has not happened for EVERY other car maker out there.

Mazda really have never been a maker that has to one-up because the opposition does.
The RX-7 was a 13B for all of it's life (apart from the first 1979 12A), we then got Fuel Injection then a turbo, but still a 13B), the 7 lasted with 6 series.

Mazda are not going to launch the 16X if they can't improve on fuel economy/emissions.

It is a very safe bet that we will see it WHEN there is an ALL new RX~ model released in a few years.... and that is a big IF and WHEN.

BTW, Ford no longer controls what Mazda does now...I have mixed feelings about that one as I think Mazda paid too much money to Ford and I believe Mazda will be more "cautious" than ever when it comes to making a car that will have only limited sales appeal.

All I wish for is the car market bounced back very soon and fast.

 

Actually Ford still has a controlling interest on the Mazda BOD with the highest stock holder rights. With Sumitomo bank following Ford's Mazda board member suit. The controlling interest is still there.

Mazda hopefully can still use some of Fords leverage for parts though. That was the key there. Getting parts from suppliers at Ford corp pricing was a big thing helping to bring Mazda back from the brink it was at 12 years ago.

 

Representative Director and Chairman of the Board ***Hisakazu Imaki
Representative Director; President and CEO*** Takashi Yamanouchi
Representative Director; Executive Vice President*** Philip G. Spender
Representative Director; Executive Vice President*** Masaharu Yamaki
Representative Director; Senior Managing Executive Officer and CFO*** Kiyoshi Ozaki
Director; Senior Managing Executive Officer*** Seita Kanai
Director; Senior Managing Executive Officer***Masazumi Wakayama
Corporate Auditor (Full time)*** Junichi Yamamoto
Corporate Auditor (Full time)*** Shigeki Wakamatsu
Corporate Auditor*** Kenichi Komatsu
Corporate Auditor*** Ichiro Sakai
Corporate Auditor*** Isao Akaoka

BOLD: Stands for the Executive Officers who also hold the post of Director.

There is now only ONE Ford EO that is on the Board. (P G Spender)

 

Yep, that's what I remembered from last year's announcement about Ford selling off 20%. 2 Ford guys stepped down and one remained on the board.

 

Senior Managing Executive Officer***Yuji Harada
Senior Managing Executive Officer*** Nobuhiro Hayama
Managing Executive Officer; President and CEO,Mazda Motor of America, Inc. (MNAO)*** James J. O' Sullivan
Managing Executive Officer*** Akira Marumoto
Managing Executive Officer*** Keishi Egawa
Managing Executive Officer***Toru Oka
Managing Executive Officer; President and CEO, Mazda Motor Europe GmbH ***Jeffrey H. Guyton
Managing Executive Officer*** Nobuhide Inamoto
Managing Executive Officer*** Yasuto Tatsuta
Managing Executive Officer***Satoshi Tachikake
Managing Executive Officer*** Hirotaka Kanazawa
Managing Executive Officer*** Masamichi Kogai
Managing Executive Officer*** Koji Kurosawa
Managing Executive Officer*** Kozo Kawakami
Managing Executive Officer*** Yuji Nakamine
Executive Officer*** Shiro Mikami
Executive Officer*** Noriaki Yamada
Executive Officer*** Toshinori Kusuhashi
Executive Officer*** Hiroshi Yamamoto
Executive Officer*** Tatsuji Ikeda
Executive Officer*** Minoru Mitsuda
Executive Officer*** Masafumi Nakano
Executive Officer*** Kazuki Imai
Executive Officer*** Kiyotaka Shobuda
Executive Officer*** Kiyoshi Fujiwara
Executive Officer*** Masahiro Moro
Executive Officer*** Akira Koga


Yes Ford are the largest Single Shareholder (13%), but they don't have controlling interest no more with only one board member instead of 3.

Executive (Board) Officers Resigned.
Daniel T. Morris
David E. Friedman

General Managers Also Resigned.
David F. Stickel
Anthony S. Pastor

 

I was doing some Lotus Elise research (don't ask) and came across this: http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=1158

Scroll down, check the RX-8 number, and compare it to the rest of the numbers. I was amazed.

 

Interesting information on Torsion Rigidity, I am not surprised about the RX-8...I must check the RX-8 book, I am sure there is something about TR..

Here are the numbers posted on the Maserati Forum..

Aston Martin DB9 Coupe 27,000 Nm/deg
Aston Martin DB9 Convertible 15,500 Nm/deg
Audi TT Coupe 19,000 Nm/deg
BMW E36 Touring 10,900 Nm/deg
BMW E36 Z3 5,600 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Convertible 10,500 Nm/deg
Chrysler Crossfire 20,140 Nm/deg
Chrysler Durango 6,800 Nm/deg
Dodge Viper Coupe 7,600 Nm/deg
Ferrari 360 Spider 8,500 Nm/deg
Ford GT40 MkI 17,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang 2003 16,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang 2005 21,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang Convertible (2003) 4,800 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang Convertible (2005) 9,500 Nm/deg
Jaguar X-Type Sedan 22,000 Nm/deg
Jaguar X-Type Estate 16,319 Nm/deg
Lambo Murcielago 20,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Elan 7,900 Nm/deg
Lotus Elan GRP body 8,900 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise 10,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise 111s 11,000 Nm/deg
Lotus Esprit SE Turbo 5,850 Nm/deg
McLaren F1 13,500 Nm/deg
Mini (2003) 24,500 Nm/deg
Pagani Zonda C12 S 26,300 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo (2000) 13,500 Nm/deg
Porsche 959 12,900 Nm/deg
Volvo S60 20,000 Nm/deg

Rolls Royce Phantom: 40,000 Nm/deg
BMW E90: Supposedly 25% higher than E46, look above
BMW Z4: 21Hz... :scratch: Now I just need to figure out how to convert that...
Audi A2: 11900 Nm/deg
Audi A8: 25,000 Nm/deg
Audi TT: 10,000 Nm/deg (22Hz)
Golf V GTI: 25,000 Nm/deg
Chevrolet Cobalt: 28 Hz
Ferrari 360: 1,474 kgm/degree (bending: 1,032 kg/mm)
Ferrari 355: 1,024 kgm/degree (bending: 727 kg/mm)
Ferrari 430: supposedly 20% higher than 360
Renault Sport Spider: 10,000 Nm/degree
Volvo S80: 18,600 Nm/deg
Koenigsegg CC-8: 28,100 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo 996: 27,000 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo 996 Convertible: 11,600 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise S2 Exige (2004): 10,500 Nm/deg
Volkswagen Fox: 17,941 Nm/deg
BMW Z4: 14,500 Nm/deg
Ferrari F50: 34,600 Nm/deg
Lambo Gallardo: 23000 Nm/deg
Ford GT: 27,100 Nm/deg
Mazda Rx-8: 30,000 Nm/deg
Mazda Rx-7: ~15,000 Nm/deg


************************************************** *************************

More info..
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/torsional-rigidity-why-i-like-rx-8-a-10961/

************************************************** *************************

 

REORDERED.....

Rolls Royce Phantom: 40,000 Nm/deg
Ferrari F50: 34,600 Nm/deg|
Mazda Rx-8: 30,000 Nm/deg
Koenigsegg CC-8: 28,100 Nm/deg
Ford GT: 27,100 Nm/deg
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe 27,000 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo 996: 27,000 Nm/deg
Pagani Zonda C12 S 26,300 Nm/deg
Golf V GTI: 25,000 Nm/deg
Audi A8: 25,000 Nm/deg
Mini (2003) 24,500 Nm/deg
Lambo Gallardo: 23000 Nm/deg
BMW E90: Supposedly 25% higher than E46, 22500
Jaguar X-Type Sedan 22,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang 2005 21,000 Nm/deg
Chrysler Crossfire 20,140 Nm/deg
Volvo S60 20,000 Nm/deg
Lambo Murcielago 20,000 Nm/deg
Audi TT Coupe 19,000 Nm/deg
Volvo S80: 18,600 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/o folding seats) 18,000 Nm/deg
Volkswagen Fox: 17,941 Nm/deg
Ford GT40 MkI 17,000 Nm/deg
Jaguar X-Type Estate 16,319 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang 2003 16,000 Nm/deg
Aston Martin DB9 Convertible 15,500 Nm/deg
Mazda Rx-7: ~15,000 Nm/deg
BMW Z4: 14,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Wagon (w/folding seats) 14,000 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo (2000) 13,500 Nm/deg
McLaren F1 13,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Sedan (w/folding seats) 13,000 Nm/deg
Porsche 959 12,900 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Coupe (w/folding seats) 12,500 Nm/deg
Audi A2: 11900 Nm/deg
Porsche 911 Turbo 996 Convertible: 11,600 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise 111s 11,000 Nm/deg
BMW E36 Touring 10,900 Nm/deg
Lotus Elise S2 Exige (2004): 10,500 Nm/deg
BMW E46 Convertible 10,500 Nm/deg
Renault Sport Spider: 10,000 Nm/degree
Audi TT: 10,000 Nm/deg (22Hz)
Lotus Elise 10,000 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang Convertible (2005) 9,500 Nm/deg
Lotus Elan GRP body 8,900 Nm/deg
Ferrari 360 Spider 8,500 Nm/deg
Lotus Elan 7,900 Nm/deg
Dodge Viper Coupe 7,600 Nm/deg
Chrysler Durango 6,800 Nm/deg
Ford Mustang Convertible (2003) 4,800 Nm/deg

?????
BMW Z4: 21Hz... :scratch: Now I just need to figure out how to convert that...
Chevrolet Cobalt: 28 Hz
Ferrari 360: 1,474 kgm/degree (bending: 1,032 kg/mm)
Ferrari 355: 1,024 kgm/degree (bending: 727 kg/mm)
Ferrari 430: supposedly 20% higher than 360

 

That's...insanely awesome. Another bragging point :D

 

While i appreciate the improvements on the Series II, its updates provide no performance improvement and only increases reliability to where the Series I cars should have been if they would have done their homework correctly.

The fact is they used a whole generation of cars just to fix the bugs while the competition uses a new gneration to up their game.

 

Such is the problem with an engine only developed by one company, in one car. There is no accrued learning across the universe of engine designs, cause there's only one design, and that's ours. It's nice to be unique, but there are downsides.

Welcome to the bleeding edge