neXib

The amount of people that know what kind of car I have and what kind of motor it's got surprises me all the time.

I think it's a mistake if they think people don't want a rotary. The problem is that outside of America (and largely in America too, even if your gas prices are half that of ours) people need cars that use less gas and cost less.

A new RX-8 is due to CO2 emissions $150,000 here. While Norway isn't exactly it's largest market I bet they would sell many thousand more cars in total with a new and better rotary.

I hope the rotary spirit burns on in the engineers and that it's reborn sharing some of the platform from the MX-5 ND. 300hp fuelled on Prius blood please.

neXib

They have just in the last 2 seasons alone recommended people to buy the RX-8, that it's a great deal used. So I doubt that. He loves the 8, any hate of it is humor.

(and the pic in the article is a poor 3D rendering, saw it on a tutorial ages ago )

bse50

The problem relies in the customers.
Mazda could make a lightweight, not so thirsty rotary but it would cut the comfort.
Mazda could make a 16x to meet the new emission regulations but it would lack power
Mazda could make a cheap rotary but it would lack the optionals and luxury.
Nowadays cheap sportcar customers want a cheap car that is very comfortable and as luxurious as a GT. Numbers also matter to the stupids. Who would take a 1100kg 2 seater with 280hp over a 400hp 1600kg car?

I read about people saying that the 370z is "harsh" and not that comfortable... It is actually quite the opposite, it's the customer base that is spoiled. When I step in my old Ferrari... then that's what "harsh" is. The 370z is as comfy as any other modern car for instance.

Again, it's our fault. We're all spoiled brats.

neXib

They will save money by using the platform of the ND, and I suspect they are already developing that with a coupe in mind.

They need to cut the gas usage of the cruising speed mainly, it's another thing that it's a bit thirsty when you floor it. I guess the CO2 is the hardest thing to cut in rotary, and perhaps the most important aspect. I think with enough development they can squeeze power out of it, there's also smaller turbo options that doesn't kill reliability.

Also, and perhaps most importantly. Rotary adapts very easily to hydrogen. And hydrogen will be the future, electric cars is not. Mark my words

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

There is likely a built-in desire that most humans have to feel superior to others. In its milder form, one sees the effect that virtually no one buys base-model cars. (The book "Luxury Fever" is a good first read on the subject.) With the economy damaged and many family incomes in free-fall, the desire gets flipped into a desire to not feel infererior, and the desire can be a near desperation. Hence, Ford >> Chevy, becomes

http://www.decalguy.com/pd-big-boys-...al-sticker.cfm

Much ado about nothing.

Shinka_MJR

zombie engine full of holes?

dynamho

I think this is hard-wired because it's a security issue, due to the notion that superiority generally equates to more security. Enlightened ones can step away from it, but it's difficult for most, including me.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I agreed with BSE, the problem is mostly at the customer.

People these days want too much for too little, they want it to be fast anytime their 2f2f heart desires, when they don't want to go fast, they want it to be as comfy as sitting on a sofa, but on the other hand, they want this kind of car with a Kia Rio price tag.

Not saying "want more for less" is wrong, but everything has a limit, and the consumer these days are really spoiled.

Another problem is, even after 40 something years, a lot of people still have no idea what Rotary Engine is :

My Story - one time I was at DMV fixing my title, on the application, I put 0 on the cylinder. The lady behind the counter was like "how many cylinder your car has?" I just told her like 5 times that mine is Rotary Engine, it has no cylinder, but she just gave me that "oh I'm smarter than you" face and kept telling me "well, as far as I know, all engine has cylinders" UNTIL the guy next to her told her "His car is a Rotary, it has no cylinder, just put 0 the system will accept it" to shut her up.

Another time doing inspection, the guy there kept trying to enter "4" Cylinder on the computer, obviously the computer will not accept that, cuz it's wrong. I was standing next to him to watch him to try re-enter "4" couple of times. and probably wonder "Is the computer broken? Last I know this is a 4 cylinder engine!" Funny thing was there is a line written underneath it saids "PRESS 'R' FOR ROTARY ENGINE", So I was like "hey, mine is a rotary ,just press R and Enter. He looked at me with that embarrassment written all over his face.

My point is, there are too many misunderstanding or should I say, LACK of understanding about Rotary Engine.

Mazda did a great job at motorsports, I know they are trying to tell the world what Rotary Engine can do, but honestly, only people that love cars would know how Rotary Engine works. Most people, even those who watch motorsports/racing have no idea how it works. Plus all the misunderstanding that has been passing down generation after generation. like "Rotary burns oil --- they make it sound like a defect when the fact is that it's designed to burn oil", and all other crap.

*sigh* Mazda gotta think of another way to spread the word, that's the only way they can keep the engine going (of course, they gotta design something better too)

serothis

You say that like it's a bad thing. Granted a lot of times expectations become unrealistic especially with unmeasurable traits like trying to make an ideal miata but generally speaking I don't see a problem with wanting a better bang for the buck the next time around.

neXib

I don't necessarily disagree with you guys, but you (nycgps) live in a country where they need to put a warning label on hammers so people won't sue them when they bust their own head open with it. Maybe there's no pleasing them, especially not in this economy. But I think the main problem in the US might be shitty dealers, service and the total package. They need to do a "Lexus" and clean up their dealerships. I realise this might not be the best time considering the economy, but consumer happiness with Mazda is better over here than it seems to be statistically in the US. Mazda has got some of the better looking cars in it's price range.

You find people that are 60 years old and suddenly start talking to you about the rotary, all sorts of people including people not into cars. Obviously there's a bucketload of ignorants for every one of these but that wouldn't really matter if it looks smashing and is fast enough and sellable in all markets. If they just managed to squeeze it towards 250+ on the wheels it would **** on a lot of competition. And I doubt the R3 is very unreliable. There are also possibilities to avoid stupid consumers having to think about the oil, this is 2011.

I think it's possible. But I might just be a stupid optimist. Say what you want about the rotary bad rep, it gets people talking.

Obviously, this is not the market and time to release one either way. That goes without saying. But I hope Mazda keeps it on the kitchen sink. I'm sure they have some thoughts when they design the MX-5 ND on that side of things.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Economy is one thing, but reputation/public awareness is another.

you forgot that I live in a country where people call GT-R a pig and ugly when they call Mustang is the sexiest car ever exist ...

Some people went as far as calling RX-8 a slow "chick" car ... and he drives a 1990 Civic DX that has rust all over the body ...

so maybe this is just an American thing ... I don't know.

KDispel

After years of driving some generic Ford, I made the leap to the RX-8 and am not looking back. I very much agree that most cars are too generic.

neXib

Well that's probably just envy. I overheard someone talking about my car once, first guy said "That's a nice car". Other guy said: "Nah, too slow, RX-7 is better". Does that matter when he's driving a POS diesel wagon? Not likely

When I put on new tires this spring I had it in a shop with mostly am car enthusiasts, and they approved. So I dunno, maybe there's just too much choice in the US. Or it's just some unknown thing. It's like some games and movies that are in general praised by critics, big fan group, but no success in general public, so it doesn't sell enough in this days market. I guess that's what drives everyone to this blandness.

mushkid

iTrader: (6)

i really hate it when people compare the 8 to the 7 in that maner, i feel like slapping them.

when i had the rotas on my 8, i would get nothing but looks and compliments

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

sad thing is, most of the people who said 7 is fast never even had one, again they got all their crap outa their bullshit friends who probably never had a 7 in the first place and again got it from his/her friends ... etc

theDmister

In my opinion Mazda is making a big!!! mistake in dropping the rotary line. Im sure I speak for everyone on this site when i say the that the rotary engine is the reason why we all own RX 8. Ya it lakes the torque at low rpms compared to other cars out there. But no other car out there has the sweet sweet rev and power out of the curves. I can gladly say that I have found my true love in mazdas rotary engine and am sad to see a pice of **** camry take it down. However like every great superhero movie the hero always wins!

I love you rx 8!!!!!

bse50

Did you buy your rx8 new?

theDmister

No i bought it used with 50000 miles on it.

Flashwing

Giorgio is totally correct that the problem is with the customer. Don't forget that automakers are influenced by their customers. If the Camry and the Accord were not such big sellers we wouldn't see these cars doing as well as they are and we wouldn't see other manufacturers trying to mimic them every way they can.

There might be something to the premier of SkyActiv being shortly after the RX8's production has ceased. No doubt Mazda realizes that they have to find a way to separate themselves from the rest of the market without the rotary engine. It is possible SkyActiv might be that method. Nothing catches headlines more than "Highest Compression Engine in Production".

Let's all remember one thing. The reason the automotive aftermarket even exists is because of a community of people that wanted to personalize their plain ole' vanilla car. Regardless of how hard or soft a car is, there will always be a segment of people want want to make their car their own. What we have is a tug-of-war between the plain ole' vanilla public that only want to buy an appliance and those of us that buy a car because of how it makes us feel. The appliance people look at their cars like their refrigerator or their toaster. When was the last time either of those items gave you an emotional reaction in a positive way? All they care is that their car functions properly, works as advertised and doesn't attract too much attention.

So in effect, we're simply seeing the product of decades of direction by automakers and customers. The death of cars like the RX8 were accelerated by rising fuel costs and, in the US, ever expanding fuel efficiency standards. The Cheap, Reliable, and Fast model is in full force.

bse50

That's the point. Mazda doesn't care about you (or me). They need to sell new cars in order to make up for the development costs.

ken-x8

I bought my 8 new. And I support my local dealer by going there for service.

We are close to replacing my wife's Camry with something more interesting, much as the 8 replaced my Accord.

So none of this is my fault.

Ken

theDmister

I bought it used not just because i wanted too. I would of loved to buy a 2011 R3 but i just dont have that kinda money at the moment. I just dont think they should give up with the rotary engines just yet. I read somewhere else in this thred that rotary engines are are better suited for hydrogen use. why dont they head that way with it? I mean as long as the power and performance isnt lost.

77mjd

The hydrogen rx-8 that we've already seen only has about half the power of the gasoline version. It's one thing to make these alternate fuels simply work to power a car. It's a totally different proposition giving people the power and performance they want with alternative fuels...and at an affordable price. That's what they are still many years away from.

Rote8

Who knows what the future will do for the rotary, and all of the automotive industry.
I am sure Mazda is not throwing out the triangular molds, but I suspect I should be looking for a few spare engines...

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

No Mona Lisas? We have Mona Lisas.

They are called "Ferraris". And "Lamboghinis". And "Aston Martins". Etc.

You aren't talking about Mona Lisas. The Mona Lisa is unique, unparalleled and vastly expensive. Invaluable, really.

No, all cars are appliances. Some people want Sony and some people want Bang & Olufsen.
The RX-8 was an iPhone in a Samsung world.