New-gen Mazda rotary nears
#102
All this rotary bashing from MM has got me thinking ........... Is there anything good about our engines ?
This is all i could think of ......
Because of its power output in relation to its physical size, weight and cost of production , it is the perfect choice for a low priced sports car designed more for handling and driving enjoyment than outright performance - kinda like the RX8
This is all i could think of ......
Because of its power output in relation to its physical size, weight and cost of production , it is the perfect choice for a low priced sports car designed more for handling and driving enjoyment than outright performance - kinda like the RX8
Last edited by ArXate; 04-20-2010 at 05:11 PM.
#103
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I suppose it's coming for all manufacturers sooner rather than later but I loathe the early sellouts.
#107
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Man, y'all a bunch of emo bitches. lol
I guess that was to be expected, though.
Turn OFF your passion for a moment and turn ON your brain.
To answer Brett - the rotary is excellent in packaging and power-to-weight. It is also inherently smooth and its thermal characteristics lend itself to turbocharging better than any other motor, tuning aside.
But you guys are splitting hairs and looking for silver linings and, though commendable, is entirely missing the point.
Mazda built the RX-7 during a time when there was a market for such cars. To some degree, they created that market right as people could entertain such thoughts. Then they, just like Toyota and Nissan, shut the door on their own foot in the 90's by pricing themselves into a market where they couldn't compete.
These days, Toyota and Nissan can compete against Porsche and their ilk. Mazda cannot. It simply isn't part of their marketing strategy and they do not possess the market positioning that Nissan and Toyota set out to create by initiating "luxury brands" for the American market in the 80's.
The market for sportscars belongs to the powerful. The Miata is a brilliant exception to that. Even Honda has bailed from that market.
So, how can Mazda compete against their own niche?
By producing a car like the Hyundai Genesis that is positioned at a similar pricing point with the soul/handling/jinba ittai/whatever of the Miata.
But they simply cannot do that with the rotary. That would require violating laws of physics. Its too dirty, thirsty and weak to do the job.
Furthermore, they obviously don't intend to compete if Mazda's concept cars are any indication.
The Furai? Really? Does that even remotely look like a feasible automobile?
When the RX-8 was in the conceptual stages, the concept designs looked like real, functional cars. Look at the current concept cars put forth by Toyota and Nissan. They look like something you can actually drive.
Mazda concept cars look like origami! Whimsical, interesting and stylish, but completely impractical and totally contrary to the current tastes of the market.
Remember are the "designs of the future" that came out of the Big Three back in the 40's and 50's? Which got built? None of them. Not a single one. The Corvette was the most fantastic of all the designs and, underneath, it was a very plain automobile.
What you all want is a Mazda-built, rotary-powered Pony car. Ain't gonna happen. I hope I'm wrong.
I guess that was to be expected, though.
Turn OFF your passion for a moment and turn ON your brain.
To answer Brett - the rotary is excellent in packaging and power-to-weight. It is also inherently smooth and its thermal characteristics lend itself to turbocharging better than any other motor, tuning aside.
But you guys are splitting hairs and looking for silver linings and, though commendable, is entirely missing the point.
Mazda built the RX-7 during a time when there was a market for such cars. To some degree, they created that market right as people could entertain such thoughts. Then they, just like Toyota and Nissan, shut the door on their own foot in the 90's by pricing themselves into a market where they couldn't compete.
These days, Toyota and Nissan can compete against Porsche and their ilk. Mazda cannot. It simply isn't part of their marketing strategy and they do not possess the market positioning that Nissan and Toyota set out to create by initiating "luxury brands" for the American market in the 80's.
The market for sportscars belongs to the powerful. The Miata is a brilliant exception to that. Even Honda has bailed from that market.
So, how can Mazda compete against their own niche?
By producing a car like the Hyundai Genesis that is positioned at a similar pricing point with the soul/handling/jinba ittai/whatever of the Miata.
But they simply cannot do that with the rotary. That would require violating laws of physics. Its too dirty, thirsty and weak to do the job.
Furthermore, they obviously don't intend to compete if Mazda's concept cars are any indication.
The Furai? Really? Does that even remotely look like a feasible automobile?
When the RX-8 was in the conceptual stages, the concept designs looked like real, functional cars. Look at the current concept cars put forth by Toyota and Nissan. They look like something you can actually drive.
Mazda concept cars look like origami! Whimsical, interesting and stylish, but completely impractical and totally contrary to the current tastes of the market.
Remember are the "designs of the future" that came out of the Big Three back in the 40's and 50's? Which got built? None of them. Not a single one. The Corvette was the most fantastic of all the designs and, underneath, it was a very plain automobile.
What you all want is a Mazda-built, rotary-powered Pony car. Ain't gonna happen. I hope I'm wrong.
Last edited by MazdaManiac; 04-20-2010 at 05:58 PM.
#108
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#109
Administrator
actually I have a rotary pony car- its the RX-8. Its very much a modern mazda rotary interpretation of my '65 stang coupe. Fast and fun for the family of four.
btw from 6/03 through 3/10 71,699 RX-8s sold in the US. Getting total global numbers tomorrow.
btw from 6/03 through 3/10 71,699 RX-8s sold in the US. Getting total global numbers tomorrow.
#110
Registered
I agree, that's why I said above that the RX-8 was a classic Mustang positioning. But I would distinguish between the 1964.5 'secretary's car' and the legend of the Pony car that arose later.
#111
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For every RX-8 sold, 31 BMW 3-series go out the door.
It took Mazda 24 years to sell as many RX-7s world-wide as Nissan did 350s in just 3 years.
I have a supercharged 1995 Mustang GT. It in NO WAY compares to the RX-8 in fit, finish, poise or handling.
However, it gets much better gas mileage. lol
#112
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Mazdamaniac has a mustang gt?!?!?!?!
Oh boy! Mazda only needs to sell 10 times as many in the next year to catch the AMC Gremlin in US sales.
For every RX-8 sold, 31 BMW 3-series go out the door.
It took Mazda 24 years to sell as many RX-7s world-wide as Nissan did 350s in just 3 years.
I have a supercharged 1995 Mustang GT. It in NO WAY compares to the RX-8 in fit, finish, poise or handling.
However, it gets much better gas mileage. lol
For every RX-8 sold, 31 BMW 3-series go out the door.
It took Mazda 24 years to sell as many RX-7s world-wide as Nissan did 350s in just 3 years.
I have a supercharged 1995 Mustang GT. It in NO WAY compares to the RX-8 in fit, finish, poise or handling.
However, it gets much better gas mileage. lol
#113
Administrator
hey dont knock the Gremlin A buddy of mine had one with a chevy 350 in it it hauled ***
185,020 RX-8s total sold through end of 2009. So not as much as the 2nd and third gen combined. 2nd gen did about 230k-250k sales.
185,020 RX-8s total sold through end of 2009. So not as much as the 2nd and third gen combined. 2nd gen did about 230k-250k sales.
#114
I remain optimistic .
Paul.
#116
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ok----
how many would buy this car without a rotary engine in it?
if a recip was mated to the chassis what would mazda have?
interesting---
without radical tech changes(which a lot is available) MM is right -rotary engine is not a generalized player--specially player hell yea.
OD
how many would buy this car without a rotary engine in it?
if a recip was mated to the chassis what would mazda have?
interesting---
without radical tech changes(which a lot is available) MM is right -rotary engine is not a generalized player--specially player hell yea.
OD
#117
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ok----
how many would buy this car without a rotary engine in it?
if a recip was mated to the chassis what would mazda have?
interesting---
without radical tech changes(which a lot is available) MM is right -rotary engine is not a generalized player--specially player hell yea.
OD
how many would buy this car without a rotary engine in it?
if a recip was mated to the chassis what would mazda have?
interesting---
without radical tech changes(which a lot is available) MM is right -rotary engine is not a generalized player--specially player hell yea.
OD
#118
went back to srsly broke
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Nah, you're not being detailed enough here. Did you do EXACT mileage calculations for tank after tank after tank on those trip? If so, you should post them up here, preferably to the tenth of a mpg.
I believe you when you say you can hit 25 mpg going DOWN from NY to North Carolina, but probably it's more like 24-something and probably many times 23-something.
Also, when you are going back to NY from NC, your mileage will be worse. I'd like to see the exact mileage calculations to the tenth of a mpg for multiple trips down and back.
I believe you when you say you can hit 25 mpg going DOWN from NY to North Carolina, but probably it's more like 24-something and probably many times 23-something.
Also, when you are going back to NY from NC, your mileage will be worse. I'd like to see the exact mileage calculations to the tenth of a mpg for multiple trips down and back.
I'd say the trip down was 25mpg, the return trip was probably less as you said. But I did get that 27mpg 200 mile stretch in Virginia on the return trip.
ANYWAYS - there is nothing wrong with wishing that Mazda makes another rotary sports car. I don't see what the problem is. If they do it, cool. If they don't, it's understandable. I don't see the rotary competing well in this "green" market anyways. I'm not as harsh as MM, because I put some hope in a rotary SOMETHING coming out just for the hell of it
#119
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since we've moved on to ponies ya'll remind me of something the big cheese at work always says to our fatally optimistic project managers....
"If you were to step in a pile a ****, you wouldn't care about the look or smell, or the fact that ****, is just that.... You'd ask 'Where's the pony?'".
I've put about 28K miles on my 8. About 1,400 of which were at 24-26mpg running between here and Tennessess. The remaing 26,600 miles I'm lucky to break 15. I can get 16 but gawd it's boring and painful.
So where's that pony?
"If you were to step in a pile a ****, you wouldn't care about the look or smell, or the fact that ****, is just that.... You'd ask 'Where's the pony?'".
I've put about 28K miles on my 8. About 1,400 of which were at 24-26mpg running between here and Tennessess. The remaing 26,600 miles I'm lucky to break 15. I can get 16 but gawd it's boring and painful.
So where's that pony?
#121
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^dunno - I wish my phone kept zip codes or something. Maybe one of the other guys I drove with can give locations, but it was between a Sonics in VA (mile 208) and a Starbucks in VA (mile 408). Time difference was 12:51PM to 4:58PM, but I can say we spent about an hour at Sonic at least.
#123
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I am definitely a fan of the rotary engine. It's a lot of fun and absolutely unique. That said, I'm going to pick the car with the feel and performance I like when I drive it. Aside from the space, I would, without a doubt, choose a 370z over the 8.
I think it would be interesting to see 2 engine options for the next car... piston and rotary. I doubt that would work as an idea, but it would be a way to increase the sales of the car. If it was a well designed piston engine, it would almost undoubtedly destroy the rotary version's sales. It would be interesting none the less.
Quick edit: Mazda can't rely on rotary fans to keep buying these cars. Though I do believe the future of the rotary depends on rotary fans, the RX-8 did not create/continue enough fandom. If the next rotary car does not do better, then we'll almost definitely be looking at the death of the rotary. Mazda needs to step up and make this a car that will not only bring in rotary fans, but also create new fans.
I think it would be interesting to see 2 engine options for the next car... piston and rotary. I doubt that would work as an idea, but it would be a way to increase the sales of the car. If it was a well designed piston engine, it would almost undoubtedly destroy the rotary version's sales. It would be interesting none the less.
Quick edit: Mazda can't rely on rotary fans to keep buying these cars. Though I do believe the future of the rotary depends on rotary fans, the RX-8 did not create/continue enough fandom. If the next rotary car does not do better, then we'll almost definitely be looking at the death of the rotary. Mazda needs to step up and make this a car that will not only bring in rotary fans, but also create new fans.
Last edited by 8 Maniac; 04-20-2010 at 09:56 PM.
#124
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Thread Starter
I am amazed...who and the HELL cares about FUEL Economy when buying a SPORTS CAR...ANY SPORTS CAR??..
FFS, I get a consistent 500 KMS a Tank or 20MPG...I am happy with that, I rev her hard most of the time.
Journalists ALWAYS complain about the RX-8's economy, but when they road test a Porsche they say NOTHING about it's MPG..!!
Going back a few pages, what was inexcusable Mazda with the Renesis 1 in not having an Oil Supply for the middle of the Apex Seals, like they have done with EVERY other 13B RX-7 since Direct Oil Lubrication...a Huge error.
Charlie, I don't believe Mazda have made any money out of the RX-8 after all the engine rebuilds, what $5K per engine?..
I will say this again, IMO I believe Mazda lost a HUGE opportunity to throw a Rotary into the NC MX-5, even just for a limited few years, the tooling and overall cost would be negligible.
IMO it would not have hurt the RX-8's sales as an RX-5 would cater for those who want 2 seats in a lightweight convertible.
FFS, I get a consistent 500 KMS a Tank or 20MPG...I am happy with that, I rev her hard most of the time.
Journalists ALWAYS complain about the RX-8's economy, but when they road test a Porsche they say NOTHING about it's MPG..!!
Going back a few pages, what was inexcusable Mazda with the Renesis 1 in not having an Oil Supply for the middle of the Apex Seals, like they have done with EVERY other 13B RX-7 since Direct Oil Lubrication...a Huge error.
Charlie, I don't believe Mazda have made any money out of the RX-8 after all the engine rebuilds, what $5K per engine?..
I will say this again, IMO I believe Mazda lost a HUGE opportunity to throw a Rotary into the NC MX-5, even just for a limited few years, the tooling and overall cost would be negligible.
IMO it would not have hurt the RX-8's sales as an RX-5 would cater for those who want 2 seats in a lightweight convertible.
#125
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I am amazed...who and the HELL cares about FUEL Economy when buying a SPORTS CAR...ANY SPORTS CAR??..
FFS, I get a consistent 500 KMS a Tank or 20MPG...I am happy with that, I rev her hard most of the time.
Journalists ALWAYS complain about the RX-8's economy, but when they road test a Porsche they say NOTHING about it's MPG..!!
FFS, I get a consistent 500 KMS a Tank or 20MPG...I am happy with that, I rev her hard most of the time.
Journalists ALWAYS complain about the RX-8's economy, but when they road test a Porsche they say NOTHING about it's MPG..!!
I don't think most people get that kind of mileage on the 8 anyways. I know I definitely don't come close to that kind of mileage in my 8.