Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R Coming to Japan in November 2011
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
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From: Colorado
Agree...Supernaut6
Some just will NEVER get it..I suggest you go and buy a Hyundai Genesis..sounds more your style....all you have ever done is whine about your RX-8.
MAZDA are sticking to their 10 year production program for the 8...simple.
If you cant GET IT that Mazda can not do anymore with the Renny (13B) to comply with new car regs then you have learned little over the years.
There IS a new Mazda Sports Car coming...it is called an ND MX-5 with SA engine.
Their "new decade" of all new gen cars are in the pipeline and start with the CX-5..
Remember...Mazda do not do Normal!
Suggesting Mazda resembles Toyota or starting to is just BS.
Some just will NEVER get it..I suggest you go and buy a Hyundai Genesis..sounds more your style....all you have ever done is whine about your RX-8.
MAZDA are sticking to their 10 year production program for the 8...simple.
If you cant GET IT that Mazda can not do anymore with the Renny (13B) to comply with new car regs then you have learned little over the years.
There IS a new Mazda Sports Car coming...it is called an ND MX-5 with SA engine.
Their "new decade" of all new gen cars are in the pipeline and start with the CX-5..
Remember...Mazda do not do Normal!
Suggesting Mazda resembles Toyota or starting to is just BS.
- "...all I've ever done is whine"? ...for 8 yrs...hardly.
- as I said - I believe the rotary as we know it, is dead. It's nice and all for Mazda to play the "rotary is in our DNA" card, but with physics in control and limited funds available, it's pretty much over.
- Yes I read the articles about the MX-5 two years ago. Nice idea, nothing since, I'm sure they're hard at work. However, open top cars aren't what I'm looking for, or interested in to purchase.
Nor would I consider it Mazda's 'halo' sports car. It's too cheap, too underpowered, to basic - and not that there's anything wrong with those attributes
- Dunno, but I would consider the Mazda 6, 3, and 2 all about as 'normal' as they come, even if they are nice cars.
- What I was saying is that Toyota is (re)turning to injecting some Mazda style "zoom-zoom" in its cars, while Mazda
seems more intent on producing "normal' next gen cars for the masses right now. That's something Toyota has had down to a science until recently. What
goes around, comes around I guess.
- Mazda needs to be in business to please all it's customers, of which I am one. And I do 'get it'. I get that they need constructive critique from us all
and I figure my thoughts are as valid as anyone, as any consumer. I'm simply relating the truth here as I see it, not making it up for conversation. Your opinion may differ. Hopefully they pay attention here.
- just an aside ASH, do you work for Mazda or something? Seems to me when people say something a tad negative, you get a bit defensive
or maybe it just seems that way 
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Chicago, IL
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
I will believe it when I see it..and if it not the sole power source I am not interested.
Plus I just cant see Mazda doing anything like this while the World Economy is teetering in a bog hole.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 405
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From: I am a leaf in the wind...
ONly things that **** me off about theis ia the lack of pictures. I'd complain about the lck of availability outside Japan, but I already have my Shinka.
Ido have to day... Going away from the rotary shped accents on teh seats & front/rear facias on the Spirit R is not my cup of tea (I like th eGenII rear, but the R-3 Recaro seats w/o the rotary accent are fugly & the front face looks like a badly grafted Mazda 3 bodykit)
I like the Idea of evoking the FD Spirit R (IMO the greatest rotary ever made) though.
Ido have to day... Going away from the rotary shped accents on teh seats & front/rear facias on the Spirit R is not my cup of tea (I like th eGenII rear, but the R-3 Recaro seats w/o the rotary accent are fugly & the front face looks like a badly grafted Mazda 3 bodykit)
I like the Idea of evoking the FD Spirit R (IMO the greatest rotary ever made) though.
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
Likes: 11
From: Caput Mundi
Yeah they sell rotary engines! Had Mazda have made the RX-7's and 8's with more powerful and more fuel efficient piston engines, they'd have sold even more of those cars. By building them with rotary engines they probably decreased the overall sales potential of the cars. I personally wouldn't have liked to see that but I don't represent the average buyer. Then again the newest rotary vehicle I have ever owned is from 1990 so go figure.
The reality is that if this final iteration would have had a turbo on it and bumped the power up a little bit to around 300, you guys would all still complain that it wasn't enough of an increase to be worth it and then a debate would ensue about reliability and poor mileage and all the other negative things that people talk about. The car is at the end of it's natural life cycle in terms of years. The 4 door sports car was a nice little experiment. Hopefully they'll get back to building a true 2 door non entry level sports car again someday.
The reality is that if this final iteration would have had a turbo on it and bumped the power up a little bit to around 300, you guys would all still complain that it wasn't enough of an increase to be worth it and then a debate would ensue about reliability and poor mileage and all the other negative things that people talk about. The car is at the end of it's natural life cycle in terms of years. The 4 door sports car was a nice little experiment. Hopefully they'll get back to building a true 2 door non entry level sports car again someday.
The "spirit R" badge should mean upgrades. This car has no performance upgrades of any kind, just aesthetic rubbish. Even a r3 with 17 oer 18"in lightweight wheels from the factory and a 5.125 final gear would have made for a sporty improvement.
That's why i'm disappointed, Mazda bastardized the Spirit R badge.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
You're right in what you say but my post and my feelings were expanded by either stealth or spin a few posts after yours.
The "spirit R" badge should mean upgrades. This car has no performance upgrades of any kind, just aesthetic rubbish. Even a r3 with 17 oer 18"in lightweight wheels from the factory and a 5.125 final gear would have made for a sporty improvement.
That's why i'm disappointed, Mazda bastardized the Spirit R badge.
The "spirit R" badge should mean upgrades. This car has no performance upgrades of any kind, just aesthetic rubbish. Even a r3 with 17 oer 18"in lightweight wheels from the factory and a 5.125 final gear would have made for a sporty improvement.
That's why i'm disappointed, Mazda bastardized the Spirit R badge.
Look unfortunately we all know that the RX-8 was a touch an go project from the get go..
That is it nearly did not make it..
As mentioned Mazda cant get anything more out of the Renny II, no turbo or supercharger, that would have added another $7k to the price, and then the regulatory issues, like emissions, would adding a turbo pass them for Japan market or anywhere else??
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
Likes: 11
From: Caput Mundi
That's why I mentioned gearing and lightweight wheels 
Even offering it with mazda's new crash bars would have lowered the weight a bit.
Tuned suspension? It's all cheap stuff from a manufacturer point of view.
Mazda clearly had no intention to bump the performance or car "feeling", that's what is really sad about this Spirit Rice rx8.
Even offering it with mazda's new crash bars would have lowered the weight a bit.
Tuned suspension? It's all cheap stuff from a manufacturer point of view.
Mazda clearly had no intention to bump the performance or car "feeling", that's what is really sad about this Spirit Rice rx8.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Australia
OK...I don't see Bilstein Struts and HD Springs as cheap for the R3 Hard Suspension, @ around $2K
It has the lightweight Wheels, as far as SH Strength Steel Bumpers??, well they may also have to change the Chassis Rails or the technical side of their design.?
Mazda are already adding 'extras' that the normal domestic models does not have (Curtain Air Bags)...Lol..
Mazda can not do what they can not do...
It has the lightweight Wheels, as far as SH Strength Steel Bumpers??, well they may also have to change the Chassis Rails or the technical side of their design.?
Mazda are already adding 'extras' that the normal domestic models does not have (Curtain Air Bags)...Lol..
Mazda can not do what they can not do...
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
Likes: 11
From: Caput Mundi
OK...I don't see Bilstein Struts and HD Springs as cheap for the R3 Hard Suspension, @ around $2K
It has the lightweight Wheels, as far as SH Strength Steel Bumpers??, well they may also have to change the Chassis Rails or the technical side of their design.?
Mazda are already adding 'extras' that the normal domestic models does not have (Curtain Air Bags)...Lol..
Mazda can not do what they choose not to do...
It has the lightweight Wheels, as far as SH Strength Steel Bumpers??, well they may also have to change the Chassis Rails or the technical side of their design.?
Mazda are already adding 'extras' that the normal domestic models does not have (Curtain Air Bags)...Lol..
Mazda can not do what they choose not to do...
From a manufacturer point of view asking Bilstein to revalve their shocks is a cheap performance upgrade, that's what i'm saying. Of course Mazda has no intention of giving any form of justice to the spirit R badge.
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From: Australia
I am finally talking regulation....do you really believe Mazda are going to invest more money into a performance upgrade that wont pass emission?, or could cost in reliability stakes?, don't you think they have not though of all this long ago??
They cant take it any further...let alone the Yen and costs.
Yes, guys here have modded their Series 1's , get a little extra out of them, but apart from extra expense like a turbo and a MM re-tune, do you believe any of this would "officially" pass regulations (exhaust) combined??..
Anyway..it s all blah blah..., not going to happen and was never on the drawing board for the 13B...pity about the 16X...even "if" it was ready, IMO it would never have made it into current gen RX-8's...maybe an all new RX-? someday...
They cant take it any further...let alone the Yen and costs.
Yes, guys here have modded their Series 1's , get a little extra out of them, but apart from extra expense like a turbo and a MM re-tune, do you believe any of this would "officially" pass regulations (exhaust) combined??..
Anyway..it s all blah blah...
, not going to happen and was never on the drawing board for the 13B...pity about the 16X...even "if" it was ready, IMO it would never have made it into current gen RX-8's...maybe an all new RX-? someday...
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
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From: Caput Mundi
Gearing and suspension setups don't affect emission regulations. Just leave the long long 6th the s2 already have in their screwed up gearing ratios and slap a 5.125 R\P in the diff.
Mazda is giving up on the sportscar segment.
Mazda is giving up on the sportscar segment.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
An even higher diff ratio??!!...OK
I already like the ratio's in my tranny...don't see it as screwed up...I have not heard of pro drivers disliking it either.
I see the R3's (Spirit R) suspension set up already very, very good....you don't?
I already like the ratio's in my tranny...don't see it as screwed up...I have not heard of pro drivers disliking it either.
I see the R3's (Spirit R) suspension set up already very, very good....you don't?
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
Likes: 11
From: Caput Mundi
The R3 package is very nice but that's not the point, releasing a repainted r3 and calling it "spirit R" is what grinds my gears.
The real spirit R had some performance upgrades, this car hasn't got any. It's just marketing bs.
I personally liked my s1 transmission\4.777 final drive better than my actual s2 transmission\4.777 final drive.
The real spirit R had some performance upgrades, this car hasn't got any. It's just marketing bs.
I personally liked my s1 transmission\4.777 final drive better than my actual s2 transmission\4.777 final drive.
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- Actually I did consider the Genesis, but the 1st gen is far too flawed, and although interesting, is not my style presently.
- "...all I've ever done is whine"? ...for 8 yrs...hardly.
- as I said - I believe the rotary as we know it, is dead. It's nice and all for Mazda to play the "rotary is in our DNA" card, but with physics in control and limited funds available, it's pretty much over.
- Yes I read the articles about the MX-5 two years ago. Nice idea, nothing since, I'm sure they're hard at work. However, open top cars aren't what I'm looking for, or interested in to purchase.
Nor would I consider it Mazda's 'halo' sports car. It's too cheap, too underpowered, to basic - and not that there's anything wrong with those attributes
- Dunno, but I would consider the Mazda 6, 3, and 2 all about as 'normal' as they come, even if they are nice cars.
- What I was saying is that Toyota is (re)turning to injecting some Mazda style "zoom-zoom" in its cars, while Mazda
seems more intent on producing "normal' next gen cars for the masses right now. That's something Toyota has had down to a science until recently. What
goes around, comes around I guess.
- Mazda needs to be in business to please all it's customers, of which I am one. And I do 'get it'. I get that they need constructive critique from us all
and I figure my thoughts are as valid as anyone, as any consumer. I'm simply relating the truth here as I see it, not making it up for conversation. Your opinion may differ. Hopefully they pay attention here.
- just an aside ASH, do you work for Mazda or something? Seems to me when people say something a tad negative, you get a bit defensive or maybe it just seems that way
- "...all I've ever done is whine"? ...for 8 yrs...hardly.
- as I said - I believe the rotary as we know it, is dead. It's nice and all for Mazda to play the "rotary is in our DNA" card, but with physics in control and limited funds available, it's pretty much over.
- Yes I read the articles about the MX-5 two years ago. Nice idea, nothing since, I'm sure they're hard at work. However, open top cars aren't what I'm looking for, or interested in to purchase.
Nor would I consider it Mazda's 'halo' sports car. It's too cheap, too underpowered, to basic - and not that there's anything wrong with those attributes
- Dunno, but I would consider the Mazda 6, 3, and 2 all about as 'normal' as they come, even if they are nice cars.
- What I was saying is that Toyota is (re)turning to injecting some Mazda style "zoom-zoom" in its cars, while Mazda
seems more intent on producing "normal' next gen cars for the masses right now. That's something Toyota has had down to a science until recently. What
goes around, comes around I guess.
- Mazda needs to be in business to please all it's customers, of which I am one. And I do 'get it'. I get that they need constructive critique from us all
and I figure my thoughts are as valid as anyone, as any consumer. I'm simply relating the truth here as I see it, not making it up for conversation. Your opinion may differ. Hopefully they pay attention here.
- just an aside ASH, do you work for Mazda or something? Seems to me when people say something a tad negative, you get a bit defensive
or maybe it just seems that way 
I can see where your coming from, Mazda's funds are very low, but in time it will definitely be back to its original standings. Mazda just needs to gather its thoughts, and get back on track. Toyota is not returning to their sports cars yet, the FT-86 is hardly anything, just another tC from them, it looks nice, but low torque and weak HP.
2 mpg ?
Will it sell like hot cakes then ?
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,439
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From: Hayward, CA
Complain all you want about the S-R 8 but I think that the Rx8 deserves a last limited edition run. The Rx8 exceeded all my expectations of it in the market and you all know that they will sell all the S-Rs. Kudos for going out with a bang and commemorating a great car. Mazda is the about the only company with any real ***** to do something different and make even "boring" cars fun to drive. I think they'll come out with something fun in the future.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,880
Likes: 340
From: Australia
..Na there will still be the Gas Guzzling Whiners.
I really cant believe how some members here who were once reserved and now bitch about everything Mazda does...
FFS...YOU ALL KNOW MAZDA CAN NOT DO ANYMORE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE to the RX-8 3 years ago.
And keep BITCHING about a car that wont be on sale ANYWHERE (so far) apart from Japan...and you think you know more than Mazda.
Now was the Spirit R FD on-sale anywhere else in the World???
Bad mood time...
