Mazda RX-8

SPYDER98

So when you finally getting yours!?
I've been following this thread for a while and your definitely one of the most enthusiastic posters here. You definitely sound like you want this car more than anything!
I finally let go of my senses yesterday morning and splurged on a Lancer EVO last night. Drove it home and absolutely LOVE it so far!

the_big_h

my next car will definitely be a rotary car. There really aren't many cars out there with a Wankel engine right now, so the RX-8 sort of made its way up my new car list ;-)

target purchase date will be late 2004 to early 2005...

in the meantime I'll enjoy my RX-7 :-D

Mr_Shiftright

Are we done with clear tail lights yet? That is soooooo yesterday!

Okay, good idea, I'll change the topic title!

Shiftright

alphamale

Great pic of the rear! If the Rx330 and RX8 are the ones holding the clear-lens flame, you won't hear any dissention from me! The styling of the Rx is awesome! (That's obviosly an Auto RX)
    I live in NY. Any hope of a turbo/supercharger for some torque?

the_big_h

actually no, in japan they have a 5-speed manual 'standard power' 210hp RX-8 that comes with the 16" wheels.

and it probably costs quite a bit cheaper than the 250hp 6-speed version.

so it could very well be a 5-speed 'standard' RX-8.

Mr_Shiftright

If I may say, I think the clear lenses cheapen the look of the car, as they remind one of cheap knock-offs from mass-market accessory stores. Maybe my hang-up, but they remind me of too many rhinestones on someone's wrist. You know, one too many decorations on an otherwise nice birthday cake.

himiler

Kind of like the "glowing iris" headlights on BMWs?

qbrozen

I still like the look.

I think the clear is better than big red lenses, regardless of where it came from or what hang-ups anyone has with them.

However, my first choice would probably be just to have the little round red lenses that are within the clear lenses sitting alone on the sheetmetal. Would make it look more like a Ferrari or old Vette, I think.

Mr_Shiftright

I think glitz goes out of style too quickly, though. Are you done yet with studs yet on black leather belts? How about that sparkley suntan lotion? Smiley faces? I don't want my new car to look passe in 3 years.

Maybe for people who trade up to the next trend every 3 years this is no problem---even fun perhaps. Can't argue with that. I'm a "keeper" kind of buyer so enduring styling means more to me.

the_big_h

the clear taillights, once the rage is over, will settle down and become a more enduring niche style.

it's really not that bad, if you disregard the cheaply made APC aftermarket taillights. The style works if it the enclosure is designed with clear taillight in mind, and is built with quality material instead of cheap plastics found on most Honda 'Altezza' taillights.

the_big_h

here's a way to make your RX-8 look meaner!!!



RAWR!

qbrozen

Things come in and out of style. Turn, turn, turn.

Clear lenses probably will go out of style. Just like everything else. But, eventually, some folks will look back and say "ya know what, that looks kinda cool."

Fins were in style at some point, too, ya know. Then they went out. Now its considered "classic" and "stylish".

snaphook

I think there is a definite corellation between clear lenses and those huge (coffee can) after market exhausts. Maybe this is the demographic group that Mazda is aiming at. If so they might want/need to drop their price a little.

alphamale

the rear of the RX from the 6 sedan which has the red lights you would expect on a sporty Mazda.

himiler

The rear housings echo the headlights' styling, and are nowhere near as garish as the rear lenses on the Altima or IS300.

the_big_h

hell no, those dumb fools will ruin a rotary engine in a hurry...

"it's a rotary engine"

"oh, so it's a V6?"

the price is perfect where it is, let them destroy civics instead...

revdrluv

I don't really have a problem with clear tail lights. I think they look good on some cars and not so good on others, as would be expected.

Although, isn't modifying a car supposed to be about making it original or unique? So why do all these people who "modify" the appearance of their vehicle get the same darn thing? This is what I don't get. Can't people come up with something a little more creative.

I am surprised we haven't seen more auto manufacturers copying the Ferrari lights, with a body-colored backing. Or how about lights that extend away from the body? Not that these idea's are better than clear, just you'd think the tuner crowd would push for something a little more unique than what anybody can pick up at any Pep Boys across the nation.

revdrluv

I think they sell clear tail lights in Wal-Mart now as well don't they?

You know it is no longer (or maybe never was) cool when…

the_big_h

"I am surprised we haven't seen more auto manufacturers copying the Ferrari lights, with a body-colored backing."

already seen people do it, but only on truly stunning show cars (with thousands of custom stuff on it), painting the taillight backing to match car's color is too expensive for the Pep Boys tuner :-D

"Not that these idea's are better than clear, just you'd think the tuner crowd would push for something a little more unique than what anybody can pick up at any Pep Boys across the nation."

well those that actually shop at Pep Boys for these 'tuner' parts usually don't have the fund necessary to really make their car unique (and looking good while at it). Sort of a half-[non-permissible content removed] modifications they do, and usually the results are less than satisfactory....

snaphook

I agree, they look even worse on the Altima. Hopefully they will have disappeared by the time Mazda decides to make me my 2 door/2 seat rotary coupe.

revdrluv

Yeah, but some people really do spend a decent amount of money for clear tail lights. I would think if I were going to spend that kind of money on something purely cosmetic, I wouldn't want people thinking they are just the same as the cheapo ones that the guy has on the old beater neon next to me at the light.

Seems to me that with so many people buying these things they would want more options than just "clear" (and no, carbon fiber behind clear is not enough of a difference to count). Stupid money could be made here if somebody thought to just stop copying and provide the consumer with different options. Hmmm…

Mr_Shiftright

Fins are only "in" in that they are fun to point to and laugh at, or say "that's outrageous". But "classic" is really abusing the word with a big stick when you're looking at a '59 Cadillac.

The term we radical design fundamentalists use to give an older car a left-handed compliment with just a touch of sarcasm is to say that the car is "period attractive".

I don't think the RX-8 will suffer this ignominy. The lenses are not a grevious fault like goofus tailfins.

qbrozen

I really think someone else has taken over shifty's postings.

Anyway, fins are classic. Really nothing to argue. I think outrageous does fit, too (some fins being more outrageous than others). But to say a 57 BelAir is NOT classic is just plain silly.

dinu01

That pic of the RX-8 with the shark-type paint on is hillarious!!! I was LMAO when I saw it this morning. Keep sending us info about this car.

Dinu

snaphook

>>Anyway, fins are classic. Really nothing to argue

That may be but I don't see them reappearing anytime soon. Classic is one of those terms that is so nebulous it is hard to argue against. The Mona Lisa was a classic beauty but I wouldn't date her. Another one of those terms is tradition. It can be used to justify doing something when no apparent rational reason exists and people will go along with it.

qbrozen

absolutely right.

jaserb

I guess it had to pop up somewhere, since the "antiques and classics" board shut down. I'm sure Shifty will chime in soon with his .02, but as it turns out, the term "classic" as it relates to cars is very well defined, and neither a '59 Cadillac nor a '03 Mazda qualifies. Nor does a '57 Bel Air, a '63 Corvette Stingray or my neighbor's rusty VW Bus.

Back to the point - I think I could stomach the taillights on the RX8, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mazda goes back to a more conservative lens in a couple of years. I agree that the clear thing is just about played out.

-Jason

qbrozen

I don't want to get into that debate (especially since I already disagree LOL). But that's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about the definition of classic as a word, not what a classic car is. And classic is "of lasting historical or artistic significance or worth" according to Webster's. Given that the 57 Bel Air pulls big bucks at auction and most people find it to be a desirable collector's car, then it certainly must be of artistic and/or historical significance (I vote for artistic... hence my argument on asthetic appeal over the years).

So I feel its entirely possible that these clear lights might define this generation of automobiles down the line and become part of its artistic appeal. (I'm not saying it WILL... i'm just saying its possible ... again, back to my fins argument, plenty of folks hated it and thought it a silly fad.)

jaserb

I still think that the clear lenses might get unceremoniously dumped, which wouldn't bother me one bit. The Maxima, for example, got egregiously Pep-boys looking lenses in '02, and by the '04 redesign they were gone. Chalk it up to the long lead time for the RX8, I guess.

-Jason

ambull

At least you can change the lens color if you don't like them...try that with fins!
As far as "period attractive", I prefer a car which is "attractive, period".

qbrozen

i like that.

and i do agree with you, jaserb, that the lead time was excessive.

i still love this car, lenses and all. wonder if i'll ever get to drive one....

rorr

Does anyone have any firm dates about when these will hit the showrooms for sale?

himiler

My dealer told me, "mid-June, maybe sooner."

maltb

Of course, if you haven't plunked down some cash yet, you won't see one for sale until around October.

himiler

I think that will depend mostly upon your geography.

rorr

"Of course, if you haven't plunked down some cash yet, you won't see one for sale until around October."

Reminds me of the situation at the Honda dealers back in the 80's. When I was shopping for my CRX Si, I was told I don't know how many times "oh, the waiting list for those is around 3 months"

BEE ESS!

20 minutes on the phone and I had one located. I would be willing to bet that if I want to buy an RX-8 in August, and I have the cash, I'll find a car. It may not be at $1k over invoice, and it may not be at MSRP, but they will be on the lots.

The buzz on the 350z was more than on the RX-8, and there certainly isn't a shortage of them on the lots....

himiler

My local Nissan dealers are swimming in Zs. I suspect that the RX-8 will also languish on lots.

the_big_h

this time he brings a Japanese TV commercial for the RX-8 (featuring the X-Men RX-8!)

http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/asx/cm_xmen2_300k.asx

zoom zoom!

nippononly

can't keep Z's on the lot.

I think RX8 will sell well. I just hope they are not shooting for more sales than the 6, or anything like that.

Don't underestimate the rotary fans out there. There are lots of them, and there has been a multi-year absence (almost a decade now...)

habitat1

Where are you located?

In the Washington DC area, numerous dealers are advertising 20-30+ 350Z's available. A minimum of $1,000-$1,500 off MSRP any Z is available at my Nissan dealership - with $2k off on unsold inventory on their lot.

From what I can tell, the G35 coupe is going to have a better time maintaining its pricing than the 350Z, at least in my area.

himiler

My Infiniti dealer holds to MSRP on the G35C, but I can get a Z for $2000 under sticker.

nippononly

near San Francisco, where something like 2/3 of all cars on the road are Japanese (exaggerating, but you get my point)...maybe that is the difference.

It is impossible to even find a G35 coupe at my local Infiniti dealer.

audia8q

Here in Connecticut the Nissan dealers usually have Z's in stock or a short wait...but the infiniti dealers have waiting lists and full list plus..

I would be worried if Volvo or ford was getting an exact version of the RX-8 like infiniti got a copy of the Z but Mazda put the kibosh on Ford getting the RX-8 platform, for now.

Also....does anyone know what the production numbers are for the Z and G35c?? I have been told to expect only 18K RX-8 for this year (which a large number are already pre-sold) and a grand total of 30K per year once the coupe and convertable version ramp up down the road....anyone else heard these numbers??

snaphook

18K units sounds like a lot to me. Granted there is pent up demand from rotary enthusiasts but if in fact the coupe and convertible are just over the horizon this might lessen the demand for the RX8. Afterall, most rotary fan's driving experience is in a coupe. So unless their motivation for buying their previous rotary was based solely on the powerplant chances are these people are also looking for a coupe. But maybe in the first year this sales figure is attainable due to the car's novelty appeal, even the new TBird sold well for awhile. If your 30K figure for coupes, convertibles, RX8s combined is correct I would be very surprised if the RX8 accounted for 18k of those in future years.

groovypippin

Availability in Canada appears to be quite limited. At our local dealership they will be getting one Rx-8 in June (pre-sold), one in July (pre-sold), two in August (one pre-sold, the other nailed to the showroom floor and not for sale). So the next person who walks into the dealership and wishes to purchase an RX-8 will have to wait until at least October.

This is at one of the highest volume mazda dealers in Western Canada.

the_big_h

and the picture to prove it!

nippononly

such a FRIENDLY-looking car!

It always has a smile on. :-)

maltb

The teeth look hideous in that smile. I don't expect many people to mount plates even in states that require them.

qbrozen

just buy a color that matched your state's plate.

rorr

...I might seriously consider mounting that plate hanging from a hinge down around the front spoiler. Put a little pressure switch behind it connected to a small LED in the cockpit and use it to help with parking up against a curb.

Just a thought...