I just bought a used 2009 Black R3 with 5,500 miles for $24.5k. Still under warranty. They were asking $26.5k, but offered to sell me a new R3 for $29k. I wonder how many Black R3's there are? Maybe 100? I have never seen another one in person. Truly awesome car, I love it!

http://flic.kr/p/9r8vRd

 

Mazda sells 124 rx8s in May 2011

 

Geez, that's a really low number.

 

The dealer by me doesn't even stock them anymore

 

None of the 5 Mazda dealers here in Phoenix have new RX-8s on their lot.

Moore has a lot of Mazda 2s, though!

 

The dealer by me has one R3. However, they've sold at least 7 used Rx8's, that I've seen go on and off the lot within the first few days they've been there. (Seen them get pulled up to the front where they put the cars that they're selling, then the next day they're gone.)

The R3's been there for several months though, people come and check it out, then decide on one of the used ones due to being between a third and a half the price tag of the new R3, haha.

However, the selection of Mazda3's is at least 80+. They're lined up in rows 4 deep the entire length of the side of their dealership... Not including the used ones on the other side.

 

My dealership only has one, and it's an AT, we don't move too many of them but the 2,3,and 6 move like crazy, it's a shame that people don't even seem to want to give it a chance. I've had several customers ( that are in the RWD sport coupe market) say its just the lack of marketing and that they didn't know much if anything about the rx-8

 

Yup, I took mine in for service recently and the dealer had none. Not one RX-8.

Mazda never did market it much. A little in the beginning (everyone seems to remember the "hug your 8" campaign), but not much really. When I walked into the dealership in 04, all I "knew" about it was it had some sort of rotary engine thing, and only had two seats.

Yea, imagine my surprise, lol... hey look! rear seats! Hmmm... and so much for the Mazda3 I actually went there to buy

 

Not once since I've taken my 8 to a local dealer have I seen an 8 in their lot or in the showroom area. First time in there was summer '09, last time was a month ago for parts and still same thing.

Definitely didn't market it at all.

 

Think positive. That's one more than the 123 Ferraris sold in May 2011!

Mazda's biggest problem may be that it's US sales are up 5.7% YTD versus last year, but the overall US market is up 14% YTD versus last year.

 

I don't know why they don't market it, anyone that see's mine ends up really impressed and likes it, a lot. Hell, plenty say they'd like to get one themselves, and it's higher up the list after riding in it and all, just plenty don't know about it..

Actually, you know what'd be a sweet way to market it, that just popped into my head? What if we made a commercial, like showing our Rx8's, and everything they have to offer? We have some people on here who are rather good with making videos, and have some nice equipment and such. I dunno, just kind of daydreaming off here. (Waits to see how long before that idea gets shot down all to hell.)

I just think it'd be a sweet Rx8club project.

 

I've noticed that too. It seems the dealerships around here that have taken in used 8s have been able to sell them pretty quickly, yet the couple of Mazda dealerships near me still have new '10s on the lot (no R3s). While I do think the 8 is now overpriced (new) relative to what else is out there, a used '09 or '10 for low to mid 20's is a huge value for what you are getting.

 

This would be a pretty sweet project, throw in some footage of people running an autocross course, maybe some drifting, and hell even some show cars haha.

 

I've got one myself. Only had it about a month and a half.

 

Mazda sells 65 RX-8s in June 2011

 

Sad, the 8 I sold yesterday, an 09 Grand Touring, was wrecked not an hour after the customer left the lot...

 

I would bet the #1 reason for low sales was lack of awareness. In the 5+ years I've owned the car, I can't tell you how many times people have come up to me and ask "what is this!?" and "how come I've never heard of one before??" They always seem very impressed.

 

Yes, and they often assume it costs twice+ what it does, assuming they could never afford it anyway.

 

Let's face it sales are not expected to be stellar when the car has been out 8+ years. A new model is needed.

 

haha I love that though, considering i gave 9k for mine and its a wwp so it looks dead sexy in the summer sun