RX-8 Rollout Comments Wanted

subject:	RX8 Rollout?
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I am puzzled by Mazda's lack of hype regarding the RX8. I have to assume they are waiting to make a big splash closer to the release date. Maybe they are avoiding comparisons to the new Z from Nissan or not wanting to dilute the splash of the Mazda6 and MazdaSpeed Protege. I can only hope they build a better and stronger brand awareness that opens the marketplace for a 4th generation RX7. THAT is the car we all want and have waited to buy (if our 401ks survive).

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I don't understand why auto companies play this semi-secret game. We all know what the RX-8 is going to look like. Why don't they show us more. I do think it is a shame that the RX-8 production prototype was not shown at the LA show or at SevenStock. I mean come on! Mazda's most potential and eager buyers where at SevenStock and they didn't show it. For Shame! I don't have a problem w/ the release date being pushed back or having to wait a little longer. Please just get it right.

I do think that Mazda is right for making the World Debut at Detroit. It's the most bang for the buck and will get the most exsposure for the US market.

I guess I'm like everyone else. Just gimmie more info.

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subject:	still waiting
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I have been very disappointed of the lack of news/specs/etc. surrounding the RX-8 considering the "official" launch is only a few months away. Not to mention that there is virtually no buzz about the RX-8 in almost all of the major auto magazines it's starting to make me wonder if we will see a 2003 launch as a '04 model.

I know it is generally customary for Japanese business' to closely guard information about upcoming products from the public because of fear of competition. In the same vane, i can't foresee Mazda's competitors rushing out to build rotary powered vehicles to compete with the RX-8. Which makes predicament all the more peculiar.

When I first heard about the RX-8 I rejoiced at the prospect of the Wankel returning to the states. Now my enthusiasm has taken a backseat to disappointment much like any news about the RX-8 has become nothing more that a side note to talk about the Mazda 6 (VERY disappointing).

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subject:	short shot
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

My wife, Lynn, and I have either owned or leased 8 different Mazda products during our married life. Lynn drives a '01 Tribute LX and I drive summer only a 1985 GSL-SE.

I have always liked and actually worked for a Mazda dealership for 3 years. I am still not sure that the "8" will be a big success or at least the success that Mazda needs to propel it into moving other project cars into production. The rotary engine is very mysterious to most of America's car buyers. The RX-7 left our shores: that is all if anything they may remember. I see a car with doors in a style that Americans in the group that will buy this car are not familiar with. The engine power will get them to the showroom floor and the curious will look . The car is too subtle and mundane in styling.

My comments are based on only the pictures I have seen. My appreciation for all things Mazda will, I am sure, go up when I see the first one on the floor at Morrie,s Mazda in Minnetonka Minnesota. Our club president has one on order.

Phil

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I think that there should be a car show in the greater boston area of all new cars including the rx-8

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subject:	one more thing
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

after seeing the poll they should have at least had an RX-8 at SevenStock. I mean, they even had a Cosmo Sport at SS5, which i'm completely amazed by considering they were never, as far as i know, sold in the states.

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

The car is looking great and with all the innovative highlights, I just keep looking for more info. You are right, you can't get any solid info except for the engine and the four doors! The wheel size and discs fluctuate from site to site. Is Mazda/Ford ever going to tell us how much this kid is - besides "trying to make it affordable". Affordable for who? One site puts the MSRP in the range of the Audi TT! WHOA! Hope they get something together for us anxious to possibly own one.

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subject:	Miata
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

Additional comments. Mazda scored a major home run and the ball is still rising with the intro of the Miata. Likewise the RX-7 was a hit when it first hit these shores because there was a demand for that style car and the price was right in line with what a "blue collar' G.I. could and would afford. The exotic engine added to its mystic.

Mazda is not building any excirement about the RX-8 coming. As a mazda salesman i had orders for 14 Miata because their was a buzz and people were intrigued by the thought of a new two seat sports car that was affordable. I wonder how much emphasis Ford has in the word affordable?

Phil

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subject:	RX8 ROLLOUT COMMENT
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

Who isn't wanting more info on the 8. I mean even if it isn't an RX7 its still a rotory. This country has more than sufficiant perspective customer for anything rotory, but if there is a inkling of a rumor that I might have a chance of getting a new rotory versus a masacred used car..... well hell I'll wait search for info than save my pennies and then drool all the way down to the dealership when time comes to get one.
My point being Mazda should if anything leak a little more info to make enthusiast wanting new cars and keep the old rotor lovers wanting more. Sure there is thoughts on how they just don't want to compare the car to the 350Z or any future cars for that matter, but any good 007 fan at the Mazda Development plant should try to give the public some sort of means of finding something out about a car.( Come on Mazda this isn't a government top secret weapon... just give the public little bits and pieces more than what we have been getting in the past. ) Oh yeah about not showing in L.A. oh well I think it should be at Detroit or Japan in my opinion because for one I would love a Japanese car get more praise in an American car auto show state anyway.

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I think that Mazda should make a bigger deal on the upcomming RX-8; kind of like Nissan is doing with their new 350Z car. Mazda should of been highly advertising the RX-8 a long time ago. I live in Oregon and I would love to see the RX-8 in the showrooms. Plus I really want Mazda to put out a new 2 seater RX-7 (fourth generation). If Mazda is to do this they need to do really good on the sales of the RX-8; so Mazda should start advertising right away. Also Mazda should get rid of the kid in the commercial that says "Zoom Zoom".

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subject:	Release Date
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I currently work for a Mazda dealer in Little Rock AR. and from what I gathered at the Mazdaspeed Protege ride and drive in Houston TX., the RX-8 will hit our showrooms in late May early June. Price will be on par with that of the 350Z. The vehicle will be a mass production unit so there will not be any of the dreaded "Dealer Mark-up" or 6-month wait list. Pay close attention to the way Mazda Launches the Mazda6 on the internet. Mazda is basically testing their pre-order system on the Mazda6 launch so that it will be ready for the launch of the RX-8. As for specs, I am as much in the dark as everyone else. Thanks for time.

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subject:	Mazdausa.com
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

And on a side note, check out the new RX-8 website at www.mazdausa.com .

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subject:	Reply
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

Like most, I would like to know more, sooner. I think though that what Mazda is doing probably is a good idea. Recently there has been a flood of new vehicle announcements that some consider being in the same class such as the Infiniti G35 Coupe, the 350Z and a couple of others. They probably don't want to dilute the announcement by competing with others.
The second reason I think is that they have probably made some significant changes to make the car even more desirable, thus keeping things secret for now will play into their hand at launch.
As far as a venue for launch is concerned, there is no better place on Earth than NAIAS in Detroit in early January. It gets the most media coverage world-wide than any other show, therefore it should give Mazda thee most "bang for the buck". It is also timed pretty well assuming that customer deliveries take place not later than May. If they introduce Internet Ordering immediately after the Detroit show, they can capitalize on the immediate enthusiasm and emotions of potential buyers.
After the Detroit launch, it would be wise for Mazda to then get a production-level car into as many shows as possible to give people a chance to see the car "in person" which should further enhance the order rate.
In the end, I believe the RX-8 will be a huge success regardless of how they launch it.

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I would like to see it at the San Francisco Auto Show in Nov., as it was already introduced in Detroit this year.
As for styling, the latest photos I've seen show a blacked-out area between the side & rear windows- this doesn't look as good as the previous version, without it, in my opinion.
Also, I'd like to see it with small front & rear spoilers. Maybe these come in the after-market.

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subject:	Final Version is Different
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

The final full production version has not been introduced as of yet.

The backed out area is part of the masking they do to keep the final design under wraps. It won't be in the final version.

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

As a member of the media... I saw the RX-8 at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show... also at the Chicago Auto Show in February. It was reprsented as a con- cept, not the finished product.
It would be a mistake for Mazda not to show the 'street car' at this years shows in my opinion.

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subject:	Mr.
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

The L.A. Auto Show is being held in Anaheim, CA & there is no idication of the "8" being shown.No Tease. Cannot attend.Have been awaiting RX8 since 1st announced as concept car. "zoom-zoom" belongs to the Rotary-not the Protoget.Having had an 4 & 7, just waiting for the "8".

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subject:	Marketing...??
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

G'day from down under.

Not being from the USA, my comment of a L.A release for the car crazy CAL guys wouldn't hold much water.

However I just couldn't handle it if Mazda made the same mistake they did with the FD RX-7. Released in Japan in Dec-91, Australia Mar-92, USA Jun-92. I just couldn't understand why Mazda America sold the 92 model as a as a 93 making the actual 93 model somewhat obselete a full 6 months in advance.

With the RX-8 due for sale in the USA around mid 2003, will the mistake of marketing it as a 2004 model happen again starting the whole downward slide the FD RX-7 recieved from day-1......???

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subject:	Everywhere
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

The RX-8 needs better marketing for sure.

Mazda has only teasers on it's website, but it needs it's own webpage, with some great graphics, sounds and flash to help it sell.

Mazda should take a look closely about how Nissan has marketed the 350Z.

It's commercials for the Z make it look like a fun and exciting car...in other words, Mazda simply needs to add more hype for this car.

Also, the Mazda RX-8, along with the Mazda6, Mazdaspeed Protege should all be toured state by state....keep in in a state for a half a month and let dealerships announce through newspaper advertisements it's in town on display and to come check it out in person(this will help sales).

Also, don't be shy about flaunting it around major SCCA racing events, and the import drag racing events, they always bring big turnouts.

The main thing, however, is to put someone in charge who is knowledgable about Rotary history and what the key features of the RX-8 are...by this, the person should be able to fluently speak rotary jargon with any enthusiast, yet still educate the uneducated public.

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subject:	RX8 input
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I feel the release of imformation has been good as I've followed Mazda's own web-site including their release of the rotary size CD, and I've had plenty to keep excited about. Not too long ago, Japanese car and motorcycle manufacturers would deny all information of a new vehicle until introduction at a auto show, usually in Japan or Cologne.
Last year I was disappointed at the lack of the RX8 at the LA auto show; however, this year after surviving SevenStock5, I can wait until it's available at the dealers and if Mazda must show it first at Detroit, I'll understand. How about showing the RX8 at BOTH auto shows?
I'll look for an automatic with a friendly version of a select-shift or manual shift feature. I'd look forward to contributing my feelings of a ride in a prototype to Mazda R&D. Zoom-zoom.

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

Saw the production version today (18/10/02) at the Sydney Motorshow, it's looking great, apart from all the windows blacked out as it is an official test mule.
The Mazda guys told me all there was to know other than price and range when released.
Since being shown as a concept last show, 100 deposits have been taken.

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subject:	mechanic
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

I went to a big venue here in Saint Louis to see, I thought, the RX-8. I got to see a protege and got a rotor shaped disk on the RX-8! Mazda has the right to do things as they please...guess we'll have to wait.

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subject:	No title supplied
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

Hi, I'm from Belgium, Europe.
Even more then you guys I'm quite disappointet...
The RX-8 was at the Paris and Geneva motorshow, but that was about it. There was a big Wankel-meeting in Lahr, where Felix Wankel was born, and Mazda didn't even attend!!! They have shown the car in Lindau(germany) a few days but didn't even include it in the exhibition on Wankel-engine's for the summer (Le Mans winning 787B was there, though)
If they want to sell the car they might start touring with it. In my opinion they should attend EVERY serious motorshow from now on.
On the other hand, I'm quite happy with my RX-7's, so I won't buy an 8 for a while, even if I do love it...

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subject:	You gonna make me lose my mind.
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

This whole release of the RX8 makes me mad. The idiots my local dealerships have not even heard of the RX8! Mazda keeps playing games, first saying if would be out the fall of 2002 now it is the spring of 2003. Mazda is losing my confidence, I am convinced they are having problems and that is why nothing has been released. They will not release any prospective performance numbers, price, options, or even a waiting list. I want what the RX8 is, stylish, performance oriented and unique but, I am tired of waiting. I reread my Road & Track article every time I get frustrated about the lack of informatiom but, it is not working anymore. I am going crazy. I check this site every day for new information. If any of the other car manufactures would make something worth buying that would cost less than a new house I would buy it. Mazda I do not care which show the car is at, just throw me some scraps!

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subject:	New Website
author:	No Rotor
date:	December 31, 1969 - 4:00pm

Everyone check out the new RX-8 website at www.mazdausa.com

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