Regarding all the cars that are supposed to be on the dealer's lots, you're right...the numbers just don't add up. Mazda has sold 6,000 RX8s, already....in the first 1 1/2 months of production. That leaves another 6,000 that will be produced for the rest of this year. That's why all these alleged sightings of large stockpiles just don't make any sense.
Of course, if you follow the messages and contact this dealer in Atlanta, or that dealer in Orlando, or another dealer in San Francisco, the alleged stock just somehow disappeared....the dealers have no idea what you're talking about. So, they didn't exist in the first place.
Same thing can be said for the "big discounts". You try to find out a few facts about the deal or try to duplicate it, and all of a sudden there isn't any "big discount".
People in the "biz" say that the market is super strong for the RX8, yet the Nissan/Infiniti owners say the RX8 market is weak.
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what's really going on.
Pmarini - There were several reasons why I chose the buyback, not just the HP error. I just discovered that I wasn't ready for a back seat coupe yet. The car is loads of fun though! I also figure that I can get a good buy on the other car I want since we are heading into fall/winter. I've had two wonderful months with the RX-8!
graphic guy - Take advantage of that free maintenance until the cows come home!
The reason you wont see magazines publish "drivetrain loss" figures is because its no big deal, people usually relate a cars performance with its HP, not how much HP is actually going to the rear wheels. Drivetrain loss is a terminology for folks who like to dyno their cars and want to know exactly how much is actually is going to the rear wheels. Since there is no way for the common Joe to measure the HP at the engine crank, the HP is measured at the wheels using a dyno. Basically, some folks dont take the manufacturers HP claim, so they want to make sure that there car is actually producing the claimed HP. 17%-20% drivetrain loss is considered acceptable for a car. How BMW manages to get 10%, way below the norm, is incredible.
As host, I am tending to agree with those in the forum who would rather "get on with" talking about the RX8 and not hearing anymore about the "horsepower thing".
So what I'm suggesting is that if people are primarily interested in the horsepower controversy, please start a topic on that very matter to attract like interested parties.
Otherwise, I would like to reserve this forum for discussion on buying enjoying and modifying the RX8.
I'm pretty much decided on this as a proper way to "stay on topic", so please be aware that if you post any more about the HP controversy HERE I may delete it, in order to keep this forum on the topic intended.
Okay, let's get back to our regularly scheduled programming.
thank you
Shifty the Host
PS: If I can't control the direction of the topic, I will freeze it and start up the RX8 forum again with a strong moderator presence.
Hello to all! I was very pleased to find this forum as I have been shopping for an Rx8 for the last couple months. The discussions here have been very helpful. I know that there are discussions about colors from time to time and this is the main issue I am wrestling with before I make a purchase. I have seen them all, except for the Nordic Green which no dealers seem to have. All of the colors look great. The elusive Green has got me interested. Does anyone have or know of pictures of a Nordic Green RX8?
I don't have pictures, but I saw the first Nordic Green a few weeks ago. It has the typical high metal flake content as do the rest of the colors, but at dusk and definitely at night, it looks black. It also has a bluish hue to it depending on how you look at it....it's difficult to describe. It's surely the darkest green I've ever seen.
I don't recall, but do they show an example of the Nordic Green in the RX8 brochure?
Probably the two rarest colors for the RX8 is the winning blue and the nordic green.
I better explain all my numbers in my purchase. Then everyone can decide if I got a discount. First off, all of the dealer RX8's that were on the "main" lot, did have about $2,000 in add ons like the all aluminum door sill plate, the rotary symbol insert for the wheels etc. The car I purchased was "in back" with about three others that were "stock" from the factory. No Mazda aftermarket items added. The base price of the car was $26,680 and it had the 1GT Grand Touring Pkg M/T for $3,900 which made the total for the car before delivery fees, $30,580. Add the $520 delivery fee and the Mazda MSRP on the actual original window sticker is $31,100. Again, there was not any dealer add-ons on this car.
Here's how I negotiated the deal: I traded in a 2002 Protege LX with 22,000 miles that was paid for. All dealers were willing to give me only about $8,600 trade in for the Protege which I thought stunk. There certainly was a depreciation hit here even though I bought the car for a good price. I told the dealer I would give them my car and $21,000. I tried the exact same deal for a base model 350Z and they let me walk. The Nissan dealer wanted my car and $23,000 for the base Z. I couldn't see paying this price for a car with no cruise control.
The Mazda dealer was trying to sell me at this time one of the cars with the $2,000 add-ons. I told them I didn't want any add-ons. So when I was ready to take a walk (after all, I just needed an oil change on the Protege) the manager comes over and says if he could sell me one of the cars with no addons for under $21,000 would I buy one. Then we played the game of how much under $21,000. All said and done, we agreed for the car with not add ons, the Mazda MSRP of 31,100 my Protege and 20,700. They have to prep the car and I need my wife's signature etc. so I tell them I'll be back in the evening to do the paper work and I'll bring the wife. I then go to the vet and dentist and finally think, why would you trade a perfectly good car in that is paid for? Well, the RX_8 was fun to drive and I drive 50 miles a day round trip to work. The thought even crossed my mind not to go an pick up the car, but they really were decent people and they had the car ready as promised. I then tell the salesman that I want to talk to the finance guy about leasing. What I want to do now, is pay off my wife's 2002 RAV4 so we have still only one payment. Well, I knew that the actual cash value (as a trade-in) was not $10,400. (31,100 - 20,700 = 10,400. They told me that they would "cut" me a check for whatever I wanted for the Protege. So, I ended up leasing the car. I took a check for $8,800 for my Protege, and the $1,600 discount on the car. (8,800 + 1,600 - 10,400) On the lease the Gross Capitalization Cost is ..OH NO!! Some of you are correct!! Listen.. the Agreed upon value of the vehicle is 29,500 (there is the 1600 off) but the True gross Capitalized Cost Reduction is listed as $30,420 because of gap insurance, Lessor administration fees, etc. I apprears I paid 920 too much. (1600-920 = 680 off?) Hey, this is my first lease ever, and maybe I'm not so smart after all. It was late and I just wanted to take the car home.
I think some of you taught me something because I read one post where someone asked about gap insurance.
Well, listen, here it is.. I love the car, have fun driving it, I have a 3 year lease with 45,000 miles and the car will be in warranty throughout the lease. Did I get $1,600 off MSRP? Who knows. The only way to have really told was to keep the Protege, offer the dealer $29,500 cash. You guys decide on my discount. I never even pulled the papers out until today, I think I should have insisted that the Gross Capitalized Cost be $29,500 instead of $30,420. To me it looks like I got a $680 discount.
Don't worry about all that other stuff. Leases rarely make good financial sense and there's all kinds of fees to sweeten the deal for both the dealer and the financial institurion, but they do get you lower payments. You made a deal you're happy with and got a car you love. The rest is all noise.
How long did you lease? How many miles did you get? Are there any "back end" fees (like disposition fee) that you are responsible for?
I did a three year, 15,000 miles/per lease. That way the car is in warranty throughout the lease. If I turn it back into the lease company they will charge me $300.
Hopefully I can trade it "away" and walk with a little money. Time will tell.
They haven't sold 6000 in the U.S. yet. They had sold 3500 up til the end of Aug. They HAVE sold 6000 in Japan though. Maybe that's where your information is from. http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=6354
Taht article also indicates an RX-8 sales target of 60,000 annual worldwide, 50% in the US = 30,000 units per year.
At that pace, there would be more RX-8's on the road in about 10 months than the total number of S2000's sold in the US since the car was introduced in late 1999. Once again, I think the RX-8 is an interesting and innovative car, but I think that sales target is ambitious to say the least. At least that's what I would think if I were actually in the market and contemplating paying anywhere near MSRP. January or February seems about the right time to negotiate a heck of a deal on the RX-8.
So, using the numbers, you can extrapolate them over a period of time.
3,500 units sold in the U.S. the first month they were being delivered (started getting into the hands of purchasers the end of July with 3,500 units sold by the end of August). 3,500 X 5 months left in '03 figures to be 17,500 units. They expected to sell 12,000 units in the U.S. in '03, with limited availability through at least the end of Sept. Take into account it will take another month or so before full capacity of deliveries will hit...Mazda must be pleased.
Taking that same number and extrapolating it over a 12 month period....42,000 units. That blows away the 30,000 number they want to sell for a full year.
Aside from Japan, most of the other markets are only just now starting to receive the RX8s. The 60,000 number doesn't look to be a problem at all.
If the 3,500 sales number is based on delivery numbers, wouldn't alot of pre-orders being counted inflate the early months? I might guess 1,500-2,000 (1/2?) of the early month sales are due to pre-orders taking delivery. Extrapolating 2,000 over the next 12 months and adding back an assumed pre-order number of 1,500 would be more in the 25,500 range. If the first year U.S. #'s are in fact 17k then the sales goals will be met. If the year 2 goal is 30k, it will be interesting to see what happens if the car stabilizes at a 2k a month clip - I guess it could be a success (but not necessarily a sales home run).
Of course, this in no way is a negative about the car itself! I'm trying to decide on now vs. early next yr (like Habitat) indicated for my RX-8 purchase. And the RX-8 is only car among the current crop that "excites" me:
New TL = jury is out (but back-end is kinda Pontiac looking). TSX = hybrid RSX/Accord needs a little more oomph. 350Z = rough around the edges and a little heavy G35C = close 2nd but for me the freestyle doors is much easier for child access.
Of course, maybe I will wait for an RX-7 or Supra and keep an inexpensive SUV for family chores?!
First off, I would like to say that if someone is looking for an RX8, my dealer in Tallahassee, Florida has 5 on the lot. The colors are: yellow, victory red, winning blue, titanium gray, and the rare (and gorgeous!) nordic green. This is no bull as I just checked them out yesterday. There were no "ADM" stickers on the car, just the factory sticker, and all had the 6 speed. The yellow one had cloth, sport package, and it looks like a navigation system (is navigation available separate from leather and sunroof?). The red one had the GT package with the red/black leather (beautiful seats!), seat heaters, and sunroof. The Nordic green had a sunroof, spoiler, seat heaters, power seat, 18" wheels, accessory spare tire (takes way too much space) and regular black leather (GT package again perhaps?). The blue one (another stunning color) had a sunroof, 18" wheels, and black leather. I'm not sure what the gray one had but it did have the 18" wheels so I assume at least the sport package.
The Nordiq green was by far my favorite color. It looked black until I got right up on it (it was cloudy out) and than had a bluish green tint with a lot of metallic flakes. It was a very dark green. The car is simply gorgeous, and the spoiler helps make the car look even sportier. The blue is my second favorite color.
Now, for my impressions of the car. I was impressed with some aspects of the car but disturbed by a few others. This Mazda dealer had left all their cars unlocked so I was able to sit in the RX8 at my own leisure. The seats are very comfortable and the leather is soft and high quality. The plastics used on the dash looked to be of high quality as well. Overall, the interior is a nice design. I currently own an 03 Hyundai Tiburon GT-V6 so I'm comparing the RX8's room to this car. The rear seat definitely had more legroom and slightly more headroom than my Tiburon and it was softer and more comfortable. However, the RX8 feels claustrophobic in the front seat which shocked me some. I'm only 5'6" so I usually have to sit a lot closer to the steering wheel than most guys, but the door, dash, and windshield were way too close to me. It felt like I was in a tiny closed-in cocoon. My Tiburon is hardly roomy but it feels like a full-size sedan compared to the RX8 and I can sit a lot further back and still reach the pedals comfortably. This was a major disappointment for me. Does anyone else find the front seats too confining? The second major dissapointment was in the quality of the doors. The driver's door had a loud creak when opened and when closing it, the whole door assembly front and back shuddered like it was loose and closed with a very cheap sounding tinny sound. It sounded so unconvincing that I reopened the door and slammed it shut twice and also checked to make sure the half door was closed. From the outside, you can see the whole side door flex when you slam it shut. It honestly reminded me of a 2000 Saturn SC2 with the 3rd door (a cheap car Mazda does not want to emulate). The door itself was also very light, which adds to the feeling of cheapness. This car definitely didn't have the solid door thunk that helps give you a sense of quality and solidity. Maybe something was wrong with that particular car, but it sure was disturbing.
Overall, the RX8 is a sweet looking machine and I was definitely drooling over it. The room in the car was a disappointment as was the quality of the doors, but the looks and the rotary engine may be enough to overcome those issues. I still want to test drive one for fun.
Graphic Guy - Less than 6000 units sold makes those sightings and discounts of RX-8 vehicles even more skeptical. As for meeting targets, this vehicle will have no problem. It hits such an important niche in this country. No longer can one make an excuse that they can't drive a sports car due to it not being practical. The only thing which keeps the success of this car in the air will be determined at a later date. So far, there hasn't been any serious problems with reliability. It will be interesting to see what six month reviews will say.
dtran2149 - I suggest going with the RX-8 soon since it will be tough to rationalize getting a two seater (RX-7, Supra) when you have kids. I hear the longer you drive a mini van the more it sucks the sports will right out of your body. You don't want that to happen...not to mention, the sympathetic stares you get when passed by someone in a fun car. With the RX-8, there is absolutely no reason why one can't have fun while still maintaining practical discipline. January or February is probably a good date since more RX-8s will be on the market plus the seasonal discount.
The cockpit space inside the car is suppose to be tighter (than let's say your Tiburon) to give more of a sporty feel. Obviously, the more space you have, the more a car would begin to feel like a sedan. Mazda, obviously, didn't want that impression. I'm a bigger person than what you stated and I feel comfortable in the car. However, I can see that the high side window angle might give you that feeling.
As for the door, just because a door is lighter doesn't mean it's cheaper. A lot of vehicles get criticized for having heavy doors since they are too difficult to open. I do agree that Mazda could have done a better job though. My passenger door doesn't shut completely. This has happened a few times where I thought I gave it enough pressure to close, but it didn't close fully. The doors are not the strong suit of the vehicle, but I wouldn't go as far as to say they are cheap. I consider doors that appear to still be open when they are actually fully closed to be cheap. That's not the case here. The sound you experienced could be due to the cars sitting outside...moisture.
Carliker - So what car are you buying to to replace the RX-8 after the buy-back? Was just curious.
Also, I have been trying to decide on whether to go w/ the cloth seats and the Sport pkg ($28.3k) or the GT kg ($31.1 k). Is the moonroof and the leather worth it?
In terms of color, I like the Velocity Red with red/blk int as well as the Winning Blue. If I go red, I probably go with the GT package. But if I go with blue, I'm undecided on cloth/leather as there's no two-tone.
I looked on the Mazda site, and as of 6/02, Mazda stated they had 885 dealers ( w/ both sales & service) in North America. Based on the Canada/U.S. population ratio, the U.S. probably has 90% of the dealers (~ 800 dealers). Each dealer would on average have to sell about 3 RX-8's a month for sale to reach the 30k U.S. sales number. So it's probably fair to also say that most dealers have about 3-5 cars on their lots.
Two things really skew the picture though:
1) The more "flagship" dealers probably take a lion's share of orders and allocations (and also sales). It could appear that some dealers in major urban areas have plenty of inventory at any given time.
2) The delivery and sales of vehicles is probably "lumpy" time-wise so there may be periods of excess inventory and "seeming" shortage.
I guess this is just sanity checking that the wide range of observations on the car's availability could in fact be consistent, sane, and not exclusive and based on short term timing as well as urban/rural factors. Whether all this is good or bad for Mazda remains to be seen in the longer term picture. . .
I like the cockpit feel, though I thought the Tiburon was too little on headroom for me (though I just fit in the RX-8 IF I adjust the seat all the way down).
The rear doors may feel extra light because they're made of aluminum (they also sound different when you knock on them or close them...a more "dead" sound). I thought both front and rear doors on ones I've inspected opened and closed OK. They must not have properly tightened or adjusted the doors on the one you felt were loose.
Obviously, they have to be light, just like everything else on the car, to keep the overall weight down. That solid thunk you hear on some other cars is weight. Weight slows you down.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Hello everyone and I hope that you are having a great day. There is a dealership in Orlando that currently has 43 RX8s in stock for immediately delivery. I am not sure if Edmunds will let me post the dealership name but it is in Longwood Florida and they have a great website that details the inventory.
Go to the Mazda website and use the dealer locator to find the dealership.
Closer to my home is another dealership that has twelve RX8s sitting out front mostly in Velocity red.
While I consider the RX8 to be a fun car representing good value there are so many fun new vehicles coming to market that Mazda will never sell 30,000 units in the US IMO. And the Rotary while it may have some appeal that quite frankly I just do not get in my opinion will simply limit the car. I would much prefer to have a nice six cylinder engine in the car with some torque and that does not use so much oil that I have to constantly monitor.
Please understand that I like the car but there are so many great choices.
I know sports cars are supposed to feel more intimate. I just think they could have pushed the doors a little farther away from your face or moved the pedals so shorter people don't have to sit so close to the dash and windshield to reach them. I own 4 cars and one of them is a 92 Miata. That little tiny car feels less claustrophobic then the RX8, and so did my old 84 RX7. Part of the problem is the high window sill, but my Tiburon has this as well. It just seemed awfully cramped in the front for a car claimed to be roomy enough for 4 adults. The back seat room and storage is nice, but frankly, I have no kids and don't plan on having any so I rarely have the need for a roomy back seat. I would have been fine if they took a little room from the back and put it in the front, where it is most important. As for the doors, I don't mean to say they are cheap, its just that the lightness and sound quality of the doors give off a cheap feeling.
Who says driving a minivan sucks the sport right out?
I would have to say that 4-wheel drifting in my 2002 Mazda MPV counts as sporty and fun (sans wife and kids of course). It's not a bad looking beast either. (By the way, I am not recommending this. With the higher center of gravity of any minivan, there is always a higher risk of rollover.) But my MPV certainly seems to up the fun factor over any other minivan I have driven.
That's still not going to stop me from parking an rx-8 next it in the garage in a couple of years though. It may be sporty (for a minivan), but it will always be a poor substitute.
I wonder if the cheap feel of the doors is the result of the aluminum construction of the rear doors.
This is not an engineering excuse, but it might explain the feel a little. Since Mazda constructed them of aluminum to retain the 50/50 balance of the car, maybe the feel of the door is a minor complaint.
"While I consider the RX8 to be a fun car representing good value there are so many fun new vehicles coming to market that Mazda will never sell 30,000 units in the US IMO".
That's been my point since I saw the sales projections. I think we have a case of Mazda6itis. Or even Civic Si-tis since they were giving those away for a minute there.
To meet the 12,000 sales level by the end of the year Mazda will have to sell over 2100 RX-8's a month for the rest of the year. We are coming into the slow period for car sales in general let alone sports cars.
dtran2149 - I still haven't made a final decision since I have some time, but it looks like I'll be going with the new 2004 S2000. As long as the dealer near me is willing to negotiate winter sports car buying, I can easily see myself getting one. My last car was a Z3 roadster, and with the RX-8, I just never seemed to be using the back seat. I have a second car which is a sedan so it made the backseat of the RX-8 even more useless for me. I don't really two cars that both have a back seat. There is no question though. If you need a back seat, the RX-8 is the way to go.
Bean3422 - I knew that mini-van commment was not going to be appreciated. Typically, mini-vans aren't purchased for the fun factor. It's great that you can have fun with yours, but even you said, the RX-8 is what's actually going to provide it to you in a couple years. The thing that irritates me is that I usually observe two kind of mini-van drivers on the road. The overly aggressive "I wish I had a sports car if my wife would just let me" guy who tries to speed up so you can't pass or get into his lane or the woman who has at least five kids in the maroon van who won't break the speed limit on a long one lane road -- no matter how much you tailgate her. Neither of these people are having fun driving their mini-van.
gee35coupe - Weren't you one of the people who saw tons of these vehicles in the lots?
Bean3422 - I knew someone wouldn't appreciate that mini-van comment. I'm just taking from my experience the look of disgust I see on a lot of mini-van drivers.
I saw Rick Case Mazda had 11 RX-8's out front. I'm sure they had one in the showroom(I didn't go in). Actually when you really think about it and put it in perspective, 11 would be tons in this case.
At the sales rate Mazda is at currently (3,000-3,500), that 2,100/mo shouldn't be much of a problem for the rest of the year.
I'm kind of shocked that some find the doors not being solid. Mine are some of the most solid doors I've ever come across....whether I slam them shut (very solid "thunk") or whether I'm driving over rough road....probably one of the most solid feeling cars I've ever driven.
You should ask the dealer whether the car you were in needed some adjusting.
I'm 6' tall and weigh about 175 lbs. I don't feel claustrophobic, but I probably sit with the seats further back than someone who is 5'6"
One time I looked at an RX-8 and tested the doors, the doors shut pretty solidly. The next time a month later I tried another RX-8, when I shut the front doors the back doors seemed to shake a little ... weird.
graphicguy ... does your rear door shake slightly when you shut your front doors? I am probably just imagining things, cause I did not see the rear door shake on another RX-8, in fact it had a reassuring "thunk" to it, real nice and solid.
carliker... good luck on your new S2000, that is one nice car!
Jaquino - I've had no problems with the back doors making any sound. I think it's just the vehicle you were in at the time. Graphic Guy is right about how solid the doors feel when driving --very little if any road noise.
Quote: Chrisboth - There is no debate. Either the devil owns part of the southeastern PA highway in which you made a deal with, or you are just living in some kind of fantasyland concerning your g sedan. It very well could have nice acceleration (like the Maxima), but there is just NO way it's going to compete with the cars your mentioning (even if you gave it a 5HP boost). You're starting to sound like the Iraqi Information Minister! As for pure acceleration / straight line speed (which seems to be the only racing you are doing), magazines DO give accurate or "real world" tests of the cars in question. Professionals have raced these vehicles in "real" situations and the RX-8 is just faster (even against the BMW 330) ...deal with it. It's been published in every auto magazine as such. There is no debate here! "
I'd imagine your a little high on your new purchase - hey I'd be very happy too. These be-deviled highways on the PA southeast are not in the rockies dude - from 50-150 or anyting less than hairpin after hairpin the G will outaccelerate and never look back - AT form as well. If i had 200 more bucks i'd get the 6MT which records 5.5 0-60 times as published. ANd lets not even get into the fact that the rx-8 aoutmatic times - for a true comp to my car is the slowest auto in class with that awful HP drop.
Check out the G coupe vs RX-8 at fuji. This car smoked the rx after the second set of twisties - this is on some japansese magazine I will get you info if you haven't seen it aleady - of course the 4 door is 1 mile slower in between the cones and mine does a paltry 14.4 or 13.9 (6mt) quarter, I guess you only be a little behind me. Back to the freeway - I'd be playing with my radio after about 10 seconds. These are the same cars with same wheelbase and G sedan in lighter with back door rather than reinforced c pillar. Handling is what infiniti is teaching BMW right now my friend.
Your misconception about the handling of the G is cool as long as you don't get upset when you meet your first one in the real world...fantasy's will definitely be over! If you aren't sure come on over to plymouth meeting and we'll take a ride on the northeast extension. If you can drive it will be a drivers race since I have the auto so lets see what ya got. I just got a new grill we can do some brauts and brews and check out kelly drive...if they ever do an F1 street race in philly it will be partially on kelly drive fronting the riverfront and filled with S's - of course you can only try illegal speeds at 4am there. Plenty of room and it would be fun!
The first time, you trashed the RX-8 because of a post made by Habitat, because you thought he was an RX-8 owner bad-mouthing the G/Z ... I tried to tell you that he is a Honda S2k owner that does not like the Z. I hoped by explaining this, you would stop with your comments against the RX-8 ...
I was hoping that this discussion would not turn into a heated 350Z/G35 vs RX-8 debate, as I myself own a 350Z and dont want to read any of that stuff.
Now you mention my name because you thought I was an RX-8 owner who made that quote above? Dude, that wasn't me, go back and read that post again! By the way, its post #961.
For the record, I own a 350Z not an RX-8! I know perfectly well what the 350Z can do, your G and my Z have the same exact engine and transmission!
I was one of the first people in all of Pennsylvania to have an Rx-8. What a great feeling. I have had the rx-8 for while now and am thinking about buying some of the exterior add-on's. Everything is really expensieve thats found online. Anyone know a better way to go about this? Why are the little aluminum fender strakes $200.00??! Do they make the car fly? Did anyone purchase them yet that can share how the experience went?
P.S. Is it really mandatory to let the engine idle for 5 full minutes after any type of drive in the rx-8? I haven't been following that rule as of yet really...
Not to beat a dead horse, but I think your extrapolation of annual RX8 sales from the first couple of months following introduction is way off base. There was (or should have been) significant pent up demand built up over the previous 6-12 months that dealers started taking orders and deposits. The fact that there may already(unconfirmed by me) be dealers out there with significant numbers of unsold vehicles suggests that the pent up demand has been satisfied and now it's going to go at a much slower rate. As it's been pointed out, heading into the winter months won't help either.
I'm still looking forward to driving the car. Isabel recovery has kept me too busy to get to the dealership.
P.S. A couple of other data points: When I bought a 2002 S2000 in November 2001, there were a grand total of 5 unsold S2000's in stock at the 5-6 largest Honda dealers in the Washington DC area. Only one was in my color choice. This was 2 full years after the car was introduced. As for my dream sedan or sport coupe, the M5 and M3, they are still next to impossible to find just sitting on a lot, three+ and two+ years after introduction respectively. I understand Mazda isn't trying to position the RX8 as a limited production car, but the purported volume of unsold units around, if true, simply won't support MSRP based pricing.
Habitat1 - It has to be one way or the other. People on this discussion board have been saying that Mazda won't meet their sales target of 12,000 units in the U.S. However, they keep mentioning of all these cars sitting on lots. Where is this purported volume of units? I haven't seen it. If they are actually there and in such numbers as being witnessed, the 12,000 unit target shouldn't be questioned.
There is an M3 in this almost teal blue (but darker) color that is my favorite looking car until you reach the exotics. I don't know if you have seen this color, but it's amazing. It's the one car I would pick without hesitation over any other. Maybe someday!
I haven't had any problems with the doors. Kind of reminds me of the "carpet" debate.
As for numbers of units sold, looking into a crystal ball and predicting how many will be sold, stock levels, prices paid....and all the rest, most of that is either speculation or already been debunked, so I'll let those topics die.
I love the RX8. I tested the competitors thoroughly more than once, and still love the RX8...as does just about every other major trade rag out there. So, talk of "quarts", 0-60, a this and a that regarding the RX8 will fall on deaf ears with me. Until someone can give me some definitive major "flaw" with the car, I'm going to roll up the miles. My MPG is right at what the MSRP sticker says it should be. I've done "unscientific" acceleration runs and they mirror what Mazda said it should be. I don't have any squeaks or rattles and find that the RX8 is built as good or better than anything I've ever driven (including BMWs, Hondas, Toyotas). I find the ergonomics superlative and the materials used to be all of high quality.
I find the MSRP that these are selling at to offer good value.
Really, about the only thing I'd change is where the oil dipstick is located.
Then again, that's why I bought the car and decided to keep it.
Are you referring to Estoril Blue? I used to have an M Roadster in that color and I loved it (car and color!). It's generally only an M-series only color (with the exception of an X5 that I have seen it on). This color was on the last generation M3 95(?)-99 before they replaced it with Laguna Seca Blue for the current M3. Here is an Ebay listing for a car with that color:
"If they are actually there and in such numbers as being witnessed, the 12,000 unit target shouldn't be questioned."
Huh???
The fact that there are 11 unsold RX-8's at Rick Case, a major dealership and 7 at Thornton, a small one is not a good sign for a "hot" car that hasn't been selling for 90 days yet. They delivered the first retail RX-8 July 11th. Vehicles sitting on the dealer lots does not help reach the sales goal. Just because they can SHIP the product doesn't mean it's gonna sell. Look for great buys later this year.
I don't think the Civic SI should be compared with the Mazda 6 sales wise. The 6 is selling well where I live. I saw 2 6's yesterday too. The Protege 5 has been a great seller has been a great seller for Mazda too where I live. With the Rx-8 I'm actually with Gee35 Coupe on this one maybe. I have only seen 4 Rx-8's thus far. The car is priced in the in the 28-33K price bracket and is a sports cars. Sports Cars are a tough sell in a market full of SUv's. I will give Mazda credit if they meet their target on the Rx-8 sales wise but a sports car in an SUv era is a tough sell. You never know though 6 sales are up of late. Will the RX-8 follow the same suit as the 6: sell bad at first and then sales rise up eventually? Time will tell.
Hello everyone...I'm happy to say that we can once again have a weekly Mazda chat (for those of you who remember!)
The chat will be for all Mazda owners. We are talking with the folks at Mazda to see if we can entice a few of the Brand Managers to stop in every once in a while and participate (no promises, but we are working on it!)
I'm trying to find out from the various Mazda vehicle owners the following:
1) what night of the week would work best? 2) what time? (please give the timezone) 3) what would you like the chat to be called? (e.g. the Subaru chat is the "Subaru Crew" chat)
We hope to have the Mazda weekly chat going by mid-October.
I'll check the discussions I post this announcement in - but to not distract you with scheduling details, feel free to email me your choices at sylvia@edmunds.com
More likely it will go...sales great....get even better as the advertising swings into full gear (just started seeing commercials a couple of weeks ago during NFL games only).
Mazda won't have to worry about demand for the RX8.
Intersting side note...a business colleague rode with me in my RX8 last night. He meets up to have lunch with me today and shows me his order for a titanium RX8 that he signed last night (for delivery in November).
Until I get to a Mazda dealership myself, I'm ceasing and desisting from further speculation on the RX-8 slaes volume / inventory situation. However, as gee35coupe pointed out, "shipping" units to dealers doesn't equate to sales to consumer.
Regarding the M3, I got a call earlier this week from my former hometown BMW dealer that they have three new 2003 M3 convertibles in stock that they would be willing to sell at a "great" price (which I take to be a few hundred over invoice). Personally, an over invoice deal on a coupe would tempt me, but I'm not sure I would like driving the relatively heavy M3 convertible any more than my S2000. At least not $25k more.
As far as colors, I've only seen two in the Phoenix Yellow but under the right (dusk) lighting conditions is an amazing looking car. Not for those who want to be inconspicous, however. The Laguna Seca Blue wouldn't get thrown out of my garage either.
graphicguy,
For the record, do not take any questions I have regarding the market potential of the RX-8 as a negative comment on the car itself. Once again, I applaud Mazda for being innovative and, if they can sell as many or more RX-8's as they targeted, good for them. But neither would I call the car a failure if it fell short of the target, in part because of its innovativeness. Honda sells nearly 100 Accords for every S2000 and yet no one would suggest the S2000 isn't just as successful of an execution of it's mission as the Accord.
Comments
Of course, if you follow the messages and contact this dealer in Atlanta, or that dealer in Orlando, or another dealer in San Francisco, the alleged stock just somehow disappeared....the dealers have no idea what you're talking about. So, they didn't exist in the first place.
Same thing can be said for the "big discounts". You try to find out a few facts about the deal or try to duplicate it, and all of a sudden there isn't any "big discount".
People in the "biz" say that the market is super strong for the RX8, yet the Nissan/Infiniti owners say the RX8 market is weak.
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what's really going on.
graphic guy - Take advantage of that free maintenance until the cows come home!
So what I'm suggesting is that if people are primarily interested in the horsepower controversy, please start a topic on that very matter to attract like interested parties.
Otherwise, I would like to reserve this forum for discussion on buying enjoying and modifying the RX8.
I'm pretty much decided on this as a proper way to "stay on topic", so please be aware that if you post any more about the HP controversy HERE I may delete it, in order to keep this forum on the topic intended.
Okay, let's get back to our regularly scheduled programming.
thank you
Shifty the Host
PS: If I can't control the direction of the topic, I will freeze it and start up the RX8 forum again with a strong moderator presence.
I don't recall, but do they show an example of the Nordic Green in the RX8 brochure?
Probably the two rarest colors for the RX8 is the winning blue and the nordic green.
Here's how I negotiated the deal: I traded in a 2002 Protege LX with 22,000 miles that was paid for. All dealers were willing to give me only about $8,600 trade in for the Protege which I thought stunk. There certainly was a depreciation hit here even though I bought the car for a good price. I told the dealer I would give them my car and $21,000. I tried the exact same deal for a base model 350Z and they let me walk. The Nissan dealer wanted my car and $23,000 for the base Z. I couldn't see paying this price for a car with no cruise control.
The Mazda dealer was trying to sell me at this time one of the cars with the $2,000 add-ons. I told them I didn't want any add-ons. So when I was ready to take a walk (after all, I just needed an oil change on the Protege) the manager comes over and says if he could sell me one of the cars with no addons for under $21,000 would I buy one. Then we played the game of how much under $21,000. All said and done, we agreed for the car with not add ons, the Mazda MSRP of 31,100 my Protege and 20,700. They have to prep the car and I need my wife's signature etc. so I tell them I'll be back in the evening to do the paper work and I'll bring the wife. I then go to the vet and dentist and finally think, why would you trade a perfectly good car in that is paid for? Well, the RX_8 was fun to drive and I drive 50 miles a day round trip to work. The thought even crossed my mind not to go an pick up the car, but they really were decent people and they had the car ready as promised. I then tell the salesman that I want to talk to the finance guy about leasing. What I want to do now, is pay off my wife's 2002 RAV4 so we have still only one payment. Well, I knew that the actual cash value (as a trade-in) was not $10,400. (31,100 - 20,700 = 10,400. They told me that they would "cut" me a check for whatever I wanted for the Protege. So, I ended up leasing the car. I took a check for $8,800 for my Protege, and the $1,600 discount on the car. (8,800 + 1,600 - 10,400) On the lease the Gross Capitalization Cost is ..OH NO!! Some of you are correct!! Listen.. the Agreed upon value of the vehicle is 29,500 (there is the 1600 off) but the True gross Capitalized Cost Reduction is listed as $30,420 because of gap insurance, Lessor administration fees, etc. I apprears I paid 920 too much. (1600-920 = 680 off?) Hey, this is my first lease ever, and maybe I'm not so smart after all. It was late and I just wanted to take the car home.
I think some of you taught me something because I read one post where someone asked about gap insurance.
Well, listen, here it is.. I love the car, have fun driving it, I have a 3 year lease with 45,000 miles and the car will be in warranty throughout the lease. Did I get $1,600 off MSRP? Who knows. The only way to have really told was to keep the Protege, offer the dealer $29,500 cash. You guys decide on my discount. I never even pulled the papers out until today, I think I should have insisted that the Gross Capitalized Cost be $29,500 instead of $30,420. To me it looks like I got a $680 discount.
What's everyone thinking now?
Most important thing is that you love the car.
How long did you lease? How many miles did you get? Are there any "back end" fees (like disposition fee) that you are responsible for?
I did a three year, 15,000 miles/per lease. That way the car is in warranty throughout the lease. If I turn it back into the lease company they will charge me $300.
Hopefully I can trade it "away" and walk with a little money. Time will tell.
They haven't sold 6000 in the U.S. yet. They had sold 3500 up til the end of Aug. They HAVE sold 6000 in Japan though. Maybe that's where your information is from.
http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=6354
At that pace, there would be more RX-8's on the road in about 10 months than the total number of S2000's sold in the US since the car was introduced in late 1999. Once again, I think the RX-8 is an interesting and innovative car, but I think that sales target is ambitious to say the least. At least that's what I would think if I were actually in the market and contemplating paying anywhere near MSRP. January or February seems about the right time to negotiate a heck of a deal on the RX-8.
3,500 units sold in the U.S. the first month they were being delivered (started getting into the hands of purchasers the end of July with 3,500 units sold by the end of August). 3,500 X 5 months left in '03 figures to be 17,500 units. They expected to sell 12,000 units in the U.S. in '03, with limited availability through at least the end of Sept. Take into account it will take another month or so before full capacity of deliveries will hit...Mazda must be pleased.
Taking that same number and extrapolating it over a 12 month period....42,000 units. That blows away the 30,000 number they want to sell for a full year.
Aside from Japan, most of the other markets are only just now starting to receive the RX8s. The 60,000 number doesn't look to be a problem at all.
Of course, this in no way is a negative about the car itself! I'm trying to decide on now vs. early next yr (like Habitat) indicated for my RX-8 purchase. And the RX-8 is only car among the current crop that "excites" me:
New TL = jury is out (but back-end is kinda Pontiac looking).
TSX = hybrid RSX/Accord needs a little more oomph.
350Z = rough around the edges and a little heavy
G35C = close 2nd but for me the freestyle doors is much easier for child access.
Of course, maybe I will wait for an RX-7 or Supra and keep an inexpensive SUV for family chores?!
The Nordiq green was by far my favorite color. It looked black until I got right up on it (it was cloudy out) and than had a bluish green tint with a lot of metallic flakes. It was a very dark green. The car is simply gorgeous, and the spoiler helps make the car look even sportier. The blue is my second favorite color.
Now, for my impressions of the car. I was impressed with some aspects of the car but disturbed by a few others. This Mazda dealer had left all their cars unlocked so I was able to sit in the RX8 at my own leisure. The seats are very comfortable and the leather is soft and high quality. The plastics used on the dash looked to be of high quality as well. Overall, the interior is a nice design. I currently own an 03 Hyundai Tiburon GT-V6 so I'm comparing the RX8's room to this car. The rear seat definitely had more legroom and slightly more headroom than my Tiburon and it was softer and more comfortable. However, the RX8 feels claustrophobic in the front seat which shocked me some. I'm only 5'6" so I usually have to sit a lot closer to the steering wheel than most guys, but the door, dash, and windshield were way too close to me. It felt like I was in a tiny closed-in cocoon. My Tiburon is hardly roomy but it feels like a full-size sedan compared to the RX8 and I can sit a lot further back and still reach the pedals comfortably. This was a major disappointment for me. Does anyone else find the front seats too confining? The second major dissapointment was in the quality of the doors. The driver's door had a loud creak when opened and when closing it, the whole door assembly front and back shuddered like it was loose and closed with a very cheap sounding tinny sound. It sounded so unconvincing that I reopened the door and slammed it shut twice and also checked to make sure the half door was closed. From the outside, you can see the whole side door flex when you slam it shut. It honestly reminded me of a 2000 Saturn SC2 with the 3rd door (a cheap car Mazda does not want to emulate). The door itself was also very light, which adds to the feeling of cheapness. This car definitely didn't have the solid door thunk that helps give you a sense of quality and solidity. Maybe something was wrong with that particular car, but it sure was disturbing.
Overall, the RX8 is a sweet looking machine and I was definitely drooling over it. The room in the car was a disappointment as was the quality of the doors, but the looks and the rotary engine may be enough to overcome those issues. I still want to test drive one for fun.
dtran2149 - I suggest going with the RX-8 soon since it will be tough to rationalize getting a two seater (RX-7, Supra) when you have kids. I hear the longer you drive a mini van the more it sucks the sports will right out of your body. You don't want that to happen...not to mention, the sympathetic stares you get when passed by someone in a fun car. With the RX-8, there is absolutely no reason why one can't have fun while still maintaining practical discipline. January or February is probably a good date since more RX-8s will be on the market plus the seasonal discount.
As for the door, just because a door is lighter doesn't mean it's cheaper. A lot of vehicles get criticized for having heavy doors since they are too difficult to open. I do agree that Mazda could have done a better job though. My passenger door doesn't shut completely. This has happened a few times where I thought I gave it enough pressure to close, but it didn't close fully. The doors are not the strong suit of the vehicle, but I wouldn't go as far as to say they are cheap. I consider doors that appear to still be open when they are actually fully closed to be cheap. That's not the case here. The sound you experienced could be due to the cars sitting outside...moisture.
Also, I have been trying to decide on whether to go w/ the cloth seats and the Sport pkg ($28.3k) or the GT kg ($31.1 k). Is the moonroof and the leather worth it?
In terms of color, I like the Velocity Red with red/blk int as well as the Winning Blue. If I go red, I probably go with the GT package. But if I go with blue, I'm undecided on cloth/leather as there's no two-tone.
Two things really skew the picture though:
1) The more "flagship" dealers probably take a lion's share of orders and allocations (and also sales). It could appear that some dealers in major urban areas have plenty of inventory at any given time.
2) The delivery and sales of vehicles is probably "lumpy" time-wise so there may be periods of excess inventory and "seeming" shortage.
I guess this is just sanity checking that the wide range of observations on the car's availability could in fact be consistent, sane, and not exclusive and based on short term timing as well as urban/rural factors. Whether all this is good or bad for Mazda remains to be seen in the longer term picture. . .
The rear doors may feel extra light because they're made of aluminum (they also sound different when you knock on them or close them...a more "dead" sound). I thought both front and rear doors on ones I've inspected opened and closed OK. They must not have properly tightened or adjusted the doors on the one you felt were loose.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Go to the Mazda website and use the dealer locator to find the dealership.
Closer to my home is another dealership that has twelve RX8s sitting out front mostly in Velocity red.
While I consider the RX8 to be a fun car representing good value there are so many fun new vehicles coming to market that Mazda will never sell 30,000 units in the US IMO. And the Rotary while it may have some appeal that quite frankly I just do not get in my opinion will simply limit the car. I would much prefer to have a nice six cylinder engine in the car with some torque and that does not use so much oil that I have to constantly monitor.
Please understand that I like the car but there are so many great choices.
I would have to say that 4-wheel drifting in my 2002 Mazda MPV counts as sporty and fun (sans wife and kids of course). It's not a bad looking beast either. (By the way, I am not recommending this. With the higher center of gravity of any minivan, there is always a higher risk of rollover.) But my MPV certainly seems to up the fun factor over any other minivan I have driven.
That's still not going to stop me from parking an rx-8 next it in the garage in a couple of years though. It may be sporty (for a minivan), but it will always be a poor substitute.
This is not an engineering excuse, but it might explain the feel a little. Since Mazda constructed them of aluminum to retain the 50/50 balance of the car, maybe the feel of the door is a minor complaint.
That's been my point since I saw the sales projections. I think we have a case of Mazda6itis.
Or even Civic Si-tis since they were giving those away for a minute there.
To meet the 12,000 sales level by the end of the year Mazda will have to sell over 2100 RX-8's a month for the rest of the year. We are coming into the slow period for car sales in general let alone sports cars.
Bean3422 - I knew that mini-van commment was not going to be appreciated. Typically, mini-vans aren't purchased for the fun factor. It's great that you can have fun with yours, but even you said, the RX-8 is what's actually going to provide it to you in a couple years. The thing that irritates me is that I usually observe two kind of mini-van drivers on the road. The overly aggressive "I wish I had a sports car if my wife would just let me" guy who tries to speed up so you can't pass or get into his lane or the woman who has at least five kids in the maroon van who won't break the speed limit on a long one lane road -- no matter how much you tailgate her. Neither of these people are having fun driving their mini-van.
gee35coupe - Weren't you one of the people who saw tons of these vehicles in the lots?
Bean3422 - I knew someone wouldn't appreciate that mini-van comment. I'm just taking from my experience the look of disgust I see on a lot of mini-van drivers.
I'm kind of shocked that some find the doors not being solid. Mine are some of the most solid doors I've ever come across....whether I slam them shut (very solid "thunk") or whether I'm driving over rough road....probably one of the most solid feeling cars I've ever driven.
You should ask the dealer whether the car you were in needed some adjusting.
I'm 6' tall and weigh about 175 lbs. I don't feel claustrophobic, but I probably sit with the seats further back than someone who is 5'6"
carliker.....good luck with the S2000.
graphicguy ... does your rear door shake slightly when you shut your front doors? I am probably just imagining things, cause I did not see the rear door shake on another RX-8, in fact it had a reassuring "thunk" to it, real nice and solid.
carliker... good luck on your new S2000, that is one nice car!
Ingtonge18: Did you see if any other RX-8s were having the same "shake" thing? I would go to the dealer and have them let you try the others out.
I'd imagine your a little high on your new purchase - hey I'd be very happy too. These be-deviled highways on the PA southeast are not in the rockies dude - from 50-150 or anyting less than hairpin after hairpin the G will outaccelerate and never look back - AT form as well. If i had 200 more bucks i'd get the 6MT which records 5.5 0-60 times as published. ANd lets not even get into the fact that the rx-8 aoutmatic times - for a true comp to my car is the slowest auto in class with that awful HP drop.
Check out the G coupe vs RX-8 at fuji. This car smoked the rx after the second set of twisties - this is on some japansese magazine I will get you info if you haven't seen it aleady - of course the 4 door is 1 mile slower in between the cones and mine does a paltry 14.4 or 13.9 (6mt) quarter, I guess you only be a little behind me. Back to the freeway - I'd be playing with my radio after about 10 seconds. These are the same cars with same wheelbase and G sedan in lighter with back door rather than reinforced c pillar. Handling is what infiniti is teaching BMW right now my friend.
Your misconception about the handling of the G is cool as long as you don't get upset when you meet your first one in the real world...fantasy's will definitely be over! If you aren't sure come on over to plymouth meeting and we'll take a ride on the northeast extension. If you can drive it will be a drivers race since I have the auto so lets see what ya got. I just got a new grill we can do some brauts and brews and check out kelly drive...if they ever do an F1 street race in philly it will be partially on kelly drive fronting the riverfront and filled with S's - of course you can only try illegal speeds at 4am there. Plenty of room and it would be fun!
You made a mistake again!
The first time, you trashed the RX-8 because of a post made by Habitat, because you thought he was an RX-8 owner bad-mouthing the G/Z ... I tried to tell you that he is a Honda S2k owner that does not like the Z. I hoped by explaining this, you would stop with your comments against the RX-8 ...
I was hoping that this discussion would not turn into a heated 350Z/G35 vs RX-8 debate, as I myself own a 350Z and dont want to read any of that stuff.
Now you mention my name because you thought I was an RX-8 owner who made that quote above? Dude, that wasn't me, go back and read that post again! By the way, its post #961.
For the record, I own a 350Z not an RX-8! I know perfectly well what the 350Z can do, your G and my Z have the same exact engine and transmission!
Chris, you gotta let it go!
P.S. Is it really mandatory to let the engine idle for 5 full minutes after any type of drive in the rx-8? I haven't been following that rule as of yet really...
I'm still looking forward to driving the car. Isabel recovery has kept me too busy to get to the dealership.
P.S. A couple of other data points: When I bought a 2002 S2000 in November 2001, there were a grand total of 5 unsold S2000's in stock at the 5-6 largest Honda dealers in the Washington DC area. Only one was in my color choice. This was 2 full years after the car was introduced. As for my dream sedan or sport coupe, the M5 and M3, they are still next to impossible to find just sitting on a lot, three+ and two+ years after introduction respectively. I understand Mazda isn't trying to position the RX8 as a limited production car, but the purported volume of unsold units around, if true, simply won't support MSRP based pricing.
There is an M3 in this almost teal blue (but darker) color that is my favorite looking car until you reach the exotics. I don't know if you have seen this color, but it's amazing. It's the one car I would pick without hesitation over any other. Maybe someday!
As for numbers of units sold, looking into a crystal ball and predicting how many will be sold, stock levels, prices paid....and all the rest, most of that is either speculation or already been debunked, so I'll let those topics die.
I love the RX8. I tested the competitors thoroughly more than once, and still love the RX8...as does just about every other major trade rag out there. So, talk of "quarts", 0-60, a this and a that regarding the RX8 will fall on deaf ears with me. Until someone can give me some definitive major "flaw" with the car, I'm going to roll up the miles. My MPG is right at what the MSRP sticker says it should be. I've done "unscientific" acceleration runs and they mirror what Mazda said it should be. I don't have any squeaks or rattles and find that the RX8 is built as good or better than anything I've ever driven (including BMWs, Hondas, Toyotas). I find the ergonomics superlative and the materials used to be all of high quality.
I find the MSRP that these are selling at to offer good value.
Really, about the only thing I'd change is where the oil dipstick is located.
Then again, that's why I bought the car and decided to keep it.
Are you referring to Estoril Blue? I used to have an M Roadster in that color and I loved it (car and color!). It's generally only an M-series only color (with the exception of an X5 that I have seen it on). This color was on the last generation M3 95(?)-99 before they replaced it with Laguna Seca Blue for the current M3. Here is an Ebay listing for a car with that color:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- - =2433715638&category=6131
DT
Huh???
The fact that there are 11 unsold RX-8's at Rick Case, a major dealership and 7 at Thornton, a small one is not a good sign for a "hot" car that hasn't been selling for 90 days yet. They delivered the first retail RX-8 July 11th. Vehicles sitting on the dealer lots does not help reach the sales goal. Just because they can SHIP the product doesn't mean it's gonna sell. Look for great buys later this year.
Obviously, this doesn't include the RX-8, but interesting nonetheless.
The chat will be for all Mazda owners. We are talking with the folks at Mazda to see if we can entice a few of the Brand Managers to stop in every once in a while and participate (no promises, but we are working on it!)
I'm trying to find out from the various Mazda vehicle owners the following:
1) what night of the week would work best?
2) what time? (please give the timezone)
3) what would you like the chat to be called? (e.g. the Subaru chat is the "Subaru Crew" chat)
We hope to have the Mazda weekly chat going by mid-October.
I'll check the discussions I post this announcement in - but to not distract you with scheduling details, feel free to email me your choices at sylvia@edmunds.com
I'm happy this weekly event will be back.
Mazda won't have to worry about demand for the RX8.
Intersting side note...a business colleague rode with me in my RX8 last night. He meets up to have lunch with me today and shows me his order for a titanium RX8 that he signed last night (for delivery in November).
Until I get to a Mazda dealership myself, I'm ceasing and desisting from further speculation on the RX-8 slaes volume / inventory situation. However, as gee35coupe pointed out, "shipping" units to dealers doesn't equate to sales to consumer.
Regarding the M3, I got a call earlier this week from my former hometown BMW dealer that they have three new 2003 M3 convertibles in stock that they would be willing to sell at a "great" price (which I take to be a few hundred over invoice). Personally, an over invoice deal on a coupe would tempt me, but I'm not sure I would like driving the relatively heavy M3 convertible any more than my S2000. At least not $25k more.
As far as colors, I've only seen two in the Phoenix Yellow but under the right (dusk) lighting conditions is an amazing looking car. Not for those who want to be inconspicous, however. The Laguna Seca Blue wouldn't get thrown out of my garage either.
graphicguy,
For the record, do not take any questions I have regarding the market potential of the RX-8 as a negative comment on the car itself. Once again, I applaud Mazda for being innovative and, if they can sell as many or more RX-8's as they targeted, good for them. But neither would I call the car a failure if it fell short of the target, in part because of its innovativeness. Honda sells nearly 100 Accords for every S2000 and yet no one would suggest the S2000 isn't just as successful of an execution of it's mission as the Accord.