Clavius

Was curious when another one of these threads would pop up! Thing is that the Rx-7 is a legend in most peoples eyes especialy the FD's. Just imagine if they released a "new" Rx-7 but it wasnt up to well "your standards", you'd all be on here bitching and moaning about it. How they insulted the heritage of the 7 and how they ruined the best car that Mazda ever made. We'll see exactly what happened to Pontiac with the GTO happen to Mazda. I'd rather not see that and I'm sure Mazda doesnt either. I bet in some board room meeting as the Rx-8 was being planned a few people said "Why not just call it a Rx-7" but they knew it wouldnt work in the long run.

I'd rather just see a second gen Rx-8 possibly lighter and for the hell of it make if a full fledge 2 door coupe. I highly doubt that Mazda is gonna ditch the Rx-8 with only one generation made considering that it does have a following (this board has how many members?), that and didnt Mazda make this frame themselves so they'd be losing out on some R&D money wouldnt they?? thats just my 2 cents had to say it lata

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

We can all sit and hope and speculate and wish. I would like to see both the RX-8 and RX-7 on the market in 2010. More power for the RX-8 and a well handling, speed demon in the RX-7.
So I'll be waiting to see. Time will tell.

RoXanneBlack8

fyi, if nissan called the current Z the 300zx, it would sell just as good as the new gto. they named it 350z for a reason.....(not only bc of the engine size fellas...) but to differentiate the two cars....
EVO X in an automatic
cruel intentions 2
Lotus elise with a stereo
GTO
dumb and dumber 2
bring it on again
08 wrx


all things that should not have been made but were anyway bc a couple of important ppl decided they should bring it back bc the originals were so good....see the damage it caused?!!



i couldnt agree with the last paragraph in clavius' post any more than i do. hes dead on. the expectations for the next 7 are so high, theres no way that mazda, or any company, could do it. think about it.....itd have to be fast as hell, handle like it was on rails, and be the sexiest thing outta japan.....thats a lot of work and thats a lot on the shoulders of the people at mazda.

the amount of money that it would take to achieve that is unreal.

the kabura should be the next rx-3....should be a lightweight and detuned RENESIS and cost 20k. add direct injection to both the rx8 and the rx3 and the lack of grunt in the rx3 will mkae the new added grunt in the next rx8 look even more appealing. the rx7 is gone, and since it was so great, let it stay gone....

let mazda bring back the return of affordable rwd coupes, not the next sacrilege to rotary history....

shaunv74

Not sure why you think all that?^^

The last RX-7 was underpowered relative to it's competition and was a demon because of it's light weight. Same with the 1st generation. The 2nd gen. was a bit heavier and never was a power beast out of the box either. If they stick with the light weight theory and put a sexy body on it 2 seater or 2+2 it will be a great upholder of the RX-7 name. The FD was around $30K new. The RX8 is around $30K new. They could do a base model RX7 N/A at around $30K and have the screamer electric assist turbo around $35-$37K and do really well with it. Throw in the RX8 as the 4 door 4 seat NA model and you have a hell of a little Rotary family. The other option is the miata chassis rotary power. Then your into the 2 seater 2500-2700lb range. You'd only need 275 real HP and about 200ftlbs of torque to make that a supercar.

I can't wait for the new rotary Rx7! Bring it on!

RoXanneBlack8

it was underpowered, but it was still fast against its comparo's.


the new miata IS built off the rx8 platform...

PLEASE MAZDA



NO



R





X







7



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shaunv74

^^yes I know the miata is based of the 8 platform. That's why I suggested a rotary 2 seater in that chassis. it's smaller but the same platform.

tmak26b

I would trade my Z in for a RX-7 if it comes with a sex body, handles like a RX-8, with an extra 100hp, even more fun to drive. I would sign up for it. Miata is just plain slow

John Corbitt

I would love to see the next rotary as a true mid engine. Use the RX-8 platform, but instead of back seats, put the 1.6l rotary engine there. I would like to see the lines lowered in the back to look more like the FD or an NSX. The front could be used for fuel and cargo, much like the Cayman.

John

playdoh43

uhhh, you cant just build a MR car on a FR platform, it dosnt work like that. but a MR rx7 on a brand new platform would be splendid, though it dosnt make much business sense

Spin9k

Just give us a 2-seat rotary, call it thingamagig for all I care, and give us a cheap version that anyone can own sorta (like the RX-8 is a bargain) and then give us the Full Monte version El Supremo.

I would pay significantly more for:

- Lightweight material throughout, not just here and there 2500lb range
- 275-300 RWHP
- REALLY nice electronics pkg intelligent display/gauges/vehicle dynamics data display, memory, PC sw download
- REALLY decent subwoofer and silky high end w/ flexible media center
- Electro-Magnetic coilovers w/program modes
- L.E.D. Everything
- Electro-gradiant solar shield glass
- Nicer seats that hold you in place w/multi-pt belt ready
- ummmmmm -- I would appreciate that - NOW!

The_Bark

The artist depiction in the magazine which is based on the Kabura was hideous. I like the Kabura, but would like to see a bit more cues taken from the sketch here, especially on the side with the sweeping "swoosh". Also, while I like the back end for the most part, I really think it needs some type of spoiler to balance it out as it lucks a little "nubbish". One of the reasons I don't like the styling of the 350z as much as an RX-8 is because it's smooth all over, and lacks that bit of character, especially in the tail. The Nismo, however, looks much better with a spoiler because it balances it out a bit... Otherwise, the car is the equivalent of a mongoloid with a big forehead.

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/concept...pan-146814.php

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Take away all that because it'll be a freaking heavy rotary version of the G35/G37. Nice, simple, cheap, light, and fast.

Spin9k

Electronics weigh very little.... and about the only useless thing there is the stereo stuff. Good luck with that....

Stavesacre21

subs are clearly where you get your weight from...adds up in a mighty hurry, not to mention the massive amp you have to have feeding it if you're truely wanting a decent thump. It's all about what your all about...one way or the other.

RenoIV

The 8 is a great starting point. Take the 8's platform, shorten it and make a rotary based lightweight 2 seat sports car with superior handling, clearly define it. Price it to sell. To satisfy our enthusiast's desire, whining, need, demands for a "Halo" car make a performance version ... turbo, supercharge, electric assist, larger rotary, I don't care just don't dishonor the RX-7 if you are going to call it a 7.
Continue to develop the 8, it already holds its own essentially unchanged after 4 years from its release. It would fit between the two versions of the new 7 or 9 or 3 whatever it is called.
I just want to continue to drive a sports car with the addictive rotary engine.

tjbourgoyne

A compromise between 7 power and 8 praticability is where this thing is going and tagging it a 7 would be just wrong.

Red Devil

Why? The FD was an anomaly for the series, not the standard.

If Mazda is targeting a way to build the next RX-7, imo, the first generation is the way to go not the third.

steven000e

This reminds me back to what happen to the eclipse....
1st gen up till 94 were small, cheap, kind of good looking and fast (GST, GSX)
Then
2nd Gen came along a little more weight but still fast, extremely good looking, I remember everyone that I knew back then just wanted one. (GST, GSX)
The 2nd Gen GSX created such a big impact on its fans that they wanted more...
But what happened?
Then
The 3rd Gen came along ----> POS
And now the 4th Gen another POS

Not saying this will happen to the RX7 but
If something we can learn from history, is that history repeats its self!!
The Rx7 is a great Legend now, remembered for its greatness....
In my opinion Lets keep it that way

8rotor8

iTrader: (2)

I think Mazda like Honda doesn't bring back retired models.

Its funny how most of us mainly want more power like the RX-7. But does anyone realize that Mazda didn't do it due to smog and realibity issues. And now with gas @ $4/gal, can we really afford 12mi/gal? Do you really want to buy a 30K car that would last about 75k miles? I don't think mazda would promote a car that would need a rebuild soon after the warrenty is over. I just keep hearing people complaaining about power, I say to them, go FI it yourself and spend the same money Mazda would have added to the sticker price. Stop complaining and just enjoy how the car drives. Sorry I had to rant...

Red Devil

Not qualified statements, imo.

PhotoMunkey

Speaking for me, someday I want to add an MX-5 to my stable, and keep my RX-8. I think new front bumper/nose laws in Europe are going to dictate extremely ugly cars. We're already seeing this in the Toyota Camry, and all of our domestic "world cars".

Take said MX-5 and convert to a full RX-8 engine, transmission, and rear differential, with a custom aluminum driveshaft... Presto! Instant RX-5 for me!

Of course, I'll have to win the lottery first!

RX-Hachi

My 2 cents.

If Mazda can give the next RX car the performance credentials to out perform the next Z car and come close to the new GT-R, by all means Mazda should bring back the RX-7 name. Skyline vs. Rotary has been a legendary match up in Japan for years. I don't think Mazda will call the car RX-7 unless it can hold its own.

The Lotus Elise/Exige should be Mazda's target. If they can achieve that blend of performance, I'd gladly shell out $35-$40K for such a car. In order for Mazda to have a "halo" car, a "halo" name is also required. And for me, if I'm going to pay close to $40K for a Mazda, its name better be "RX-7"!

Sephiroth

I think the FD was just like it's predecessors...small, light, and fast for its time. The only things that kept it back were it's price and it's poor cooling design. In any case, the FD was not some super high performace monster that Mazda can't develop a successor for at this time. I think it will come back and bring some sense back into the meaning of "a true sports car". If they keep it competitive with it's traditional rivals and others, there is no reason to think the aftermarket will not pick up from there.

lone_wolf025

I think they'll keep the 8 around at least for another generation. Doesn't make much sense to introduce a new platform only to ditch it completely after a few years. Also as much as a lot of people complain about the 8's shortcomings, it has done exceptionally well for Mazda sales believe it or not. I suspect they'll keep the 8 as a 2+2 but with another rotary in the lineup that will either match or surpass the performance of the new gen 8.

Icemark

Nope, you don't get it...

think of the line up like this in Porsche terms (of course cut the prices in half for the Mazda version when compared to the Porsche versions):

911 = RX-8 (in other words: top O line GT for the line)
Caymen = RX-7 (in other words: sports car of the line)
Boxster = MX-5 (in other words: girls car and convertible of the line)
Cayenne = CX-7 (small sporty SUV)

The 7 has always been planned... its just coming out a year behind schedule due to the issues of the 03/04 RX-8