[EvilSpoon]

Taken from Motor Trend website.

http://wot.motortrend.com/6642523/auto-news/writing-on-the-wall-mazda-rx-8-sales-to-end-in-us/index.html

We've been reporting for years now on the possibility of a revived RX-7, and it looks like Mazda may be moving one step closer to that goal with reports today that the RX-8 is due to cease U.S. sales after 2011. There will be a gap in the rotary world of at least two years, however, as the RX-7 (or whatever it will be called) isn't expected until at least 2013.

You still have a year to grab the fantastically-balanced if a bit inefficient four-seater before it goes to the big track in the sky, but with sales volumes not yet above the 500 mark in 2010, there may not be many leaping at the opportunity. It is, after all, an aging design and despite its truly graceful handling, it's a bit underpowered by today's standards, especially below 7,000 rpm.

The high-winding Wankel 1.3-liter is due to be replaced by a new RX-7, likely meaning a two-seat coupe instead of the RX-8's semi-four-door, four-seat layout. The engine in the new RX-7 is conversely expected to grow in size to 1.6-liters, to better help low-end power and torque while delivering even more top-end.

One challenge that's going to be tough to meet, however, will be the ever-tighter emissions controls being instated in Europe and the U.S.--rotaries, while efficient at generating power from very small displacements, typically burn lots of fuel and oil in comparison to conventional reciprocating engines, which in turn means relatively high emissions.

We'll hold out for the official word on the death of the RX-8 before we pronounce it final, but it's a natural progression for the car and for Mazda, so we won't be surprised when it comes. For more on the future RX-7 revival, check out our preview here.

Don't know what to say, but hopefully next RX-7 won't look like any of the previous prototypes mazda put out.

[double0seven]

Yay

[twitchyzero]

not a lot of people are going to miss it

[!Aznboi128]

it hasn't been that popular...

[asian_XL]

they should name it Rx-9

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

sweet

kill that shitty car off the list

[!Aznboi128]

the need to make a new mazdaspeed mx-5.
around 225-250hp that would be SWWEEEETTT

[orange7]

hopefully the next rotary that mazda/ford is going to make will be aggressive looking

[TheSalesman]

They still make an RX8?

[tofu1413]

They still make an RX8?

they still do.

i actually only have seen the face lifted one once or twice on the street...




oh well, like the S2000, it'll be a future classic. high winding, light weight four door rotary.

[jpark]

they still do.

i actually only have seen the face lifted one once or twice on the street...




oh well, like the S2000, it'll be a future classic. high winding, light weight four door rotary.

there wayyy too overpriced, i saw a 2010 rx8 at the dealer with 'sport package' (facelifted one) fo 43k.... thats why no one wants them

[busdriverman]

there are definitely better alternatives for that price

[tofu1413]

i think ur referring to the full load R3 model...

recaros, bilsteins and other goodies.


it depends on what you want really. i think the RX-8 is one of the few cars with knife edge handling precision, as most of the cars nowadays focus more on brute power *ahem* evos, stis, ms3 *ahem*

[Jackygor]

hope they make a better rotary next time. Something that could share the legendary status that the FD and FC has.

[StylinRed]

yeah i didnt know they were still being sold in NA

Hardly see any around they're scarcer than celicas (which btw seem to be everywhere since they stopped making them wtf?)

[Wykydtron]

The R3 is an amazing car. They just didn't do anything to promote/market it. It has a completely different engine than the others. It's "impossible to flood" so says Mazda, and def feels like the power band is smoother/comes on quicker. Overall though, I won't miss it. There are a lot better/different cars out there for that price, and that's why they aren't selling.

[Boostaholic]

people won't buy anything unless it's over 300hp these days. just look at a how much power a mustang has. Most people don't need that power, but they'll buy it just to say they have it.

Just like most people don't need 60G in their ipod. they listen to maybe 2gig of it. but they'll buy it with 60gig just because.

[ae101]

i like the rx8 & serious mazda should combine the rx7 & rx8 in to one car so it's be call the "RX78" lol

ok i know it's bad joke to start a Saturday at 12pm, im sorry

[yuusha]

i like the rx8 & serious mazda should combine the rx7 & rx8 in to one car so it's be call the "RX78" lol

ok i know it's bad joke to start a Saturday at 12pm, im sorry

I wouldn't mind a rotary-powered gundam :P

[FerrariEnzo]

I wouldn't mind a rotary-powered gundam :P

but how does the sound of a V12 gundam be like!!!

[ae101]

actually i wouldn't mind a gundam powered rotary car, cuz that would sound sweet

[spoonek4]

sweet

kill that shitty car off the list

I can't believe that my POS Honda Fit can move off the line or do very very slow turns in parking lot with 2nd gear but I have to use 1st gear with a RX8....

[optiblue]

it was only cool since wolverine drove a blue one! When I think of "RX" I only think of the ones in initial D.

[tonyvu]

RX-8's are for girls imo

[ilvtofu]

Thank god, the car was never quite right :s

[Todd Martinez]

thank god

[Delerious]

ls-x it :P



i kid i kid.

[Redlines_Daily]

I love how half the people bashing the rx8 drive much shittier cars!

True, its underpowered for the price..it wont win many races going from stop light to stop light, but I believe it had the same top gear lap time as the E46 M3. Drive one around a track or twisty road and you'll understand why owners love them. Pick up a used one for under $20k, better than a new lancer or whatever else u can find at that price in my opinion (provided the engine doesnt die, ha!) ;)

[Momo251212]

ummm...it seems most of people doesnt like rx8? maybe people should drive it first then comment. yes it's underpower and it uses up a lot of gas, but it is fun to drive it. maybe people should understand this car a bit more.

ps: not every single rotary car from Mazda is legendary. and... it is not rx7's replacement.

[reaver64]

I wouldn't mind a rotary-powered gundam :P

Yeah, except instead of having compartments with hidden missiles there'll just be extra space to put backup bottles of oil.. just in case you gotta top it off in the middle of a fight.

[S60R]

should have been killed off when it started production.

[TomBox_N]

Rx8 is a great car for its purpose. It's not a dragster. It's a track car with razor sharp precision and very balanced handling. It's underpower in a straight but it can maintain higher speed than most cars thru turns. As a track car, it's one of the best. But as a everyday car, then yes, it is quite lacking.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[orange7]

rx-8 used to be my dream car.

[Lomac]

I love how half the people bashing the rx8 drive much shittier cars!

True, its underpowered for the price..it wont win many races going from stop light to stop light, but I believe it had the same top gear lap time as the E46 M3. Drive one around a track or twisty road and you'll understand why owners love them. Pick up a used one for under $20k, better than a new lancer or whatever else u can find at that price in my opinion (provided the engine doesnt die, ha!) ;)

How does what a person owns correlate with their opinion on a car? I've driven the RX8 before. Yes, it handles quite nicely in the corners, but as stated already, it's horribly underpowered everywhere else. I'm not a big fan of having to rev up to 6k just to have a modicum of power. I prefer having my grunt way way lower down in the rev band.

[Redlines_Daily]

Because thats like someone living in a trailer telling you that your house sucks.

[Lomac]

Because thats like someone living in a trailer telling you that your house sucks.

And if you feel that another person's situation dictates that they can or can't tell you their opinion on something, then you lead a sad and poorly misguided life. :)

[Redlines_Daily]

Actually, I live a very happy, positive and fullfilling life. I spend 60 hours a week helping the less fortunate, so don't even go there.

Obviously alot gets lost in translation when your reading/typing on a forum. Everyone is certainly entitled to an opinion. I love cars, any cars..when I go on a cruise I like learning about everyone elses ride, regardless of how old and ugly or new and cool it is..I just dont get why people are always so negative on here lol..the nature of online forums I suppose. I own an RX-8 and love it..if someone doesnt like it, thats cool but no need to be a douche about it. Alot of people say shit on here that they would never say in person..thats the part I dont get. Im not a big miata fan, but if I met a guy with a miata on a revscene cruise I would never say to him "man, your car sucks they should really just crush that thing". I treat people with respect on and off the forum, I guess Im silly for expecting the same!

Example, I never really liked the Sentra at all, but Ive met a few sentra guys over the last couple days and now I really like that car and can appreciate what those guys have done to their cars.

Anyway, again..no negativity intended in this post, its all good.

[keifun]

it may be underpowered and shitty on gas, but when I drove it around once..it handled great.

I was thinking of gettting that car, but instead I went for a WRX instead ;)

[RE-Jo]

RX-8 are seriously underpowered... It looks nice, and is "relatively" practical, but I don't believe in compromises when it comes to a sports car... so the next Rotary car has to be a 2 seater sports car :P I always believe they should just revive the FD's and incorporate new technology somehow...

[tofu1413]

Actually, I live a very happy, positive and fullfilling life. I spend 60 hours a week helping the less fortunate, so don't even go there.

Obviously alot gets lost in translation when your reading/typing on a forum. Everyone is certainly entitled to an opinion. I love cars, any cars..when I go on a cruise I like learning about everyone elses ride, regardless of how old and ugly or new and cool it is..I just dont get why people are always so negative on here lol..the nature of online forums I suppose. I own an RX-8 and love it..if someone doesnt like it, thats cool but no need to be a douche about it. Alot of people say shit on here that they would never say in person..thats the part I dont get. Im not a big miata fan, but if I met a guy with a miata on a revscene cruise I would never say to him "man, your car sucks they should really just crush that thing". I treat people with respect on and off the forum, I guess Im silly for expecting the same!

Example, I never really liked the Sentra at all, but Ive met a few sentra guys over the last couple days and now I really like that car and can appreciate what those guys have done to their cars.

Anyway, again..no negativity intended in this post, its all good.

well, welcome to rs. :thumbsup:

[Raid3n]

joseph, the 8 wasn't really meant to be a sports car per se. if it was it wouldn't be a 4 door (even if it is suicide doors). and the back seats wouldn't be as practical as they are. look at FC's and FD's, some have rear seats (mine does) and they are almost pointless.

it was more of a sport luxury car. a tourer you could take to the track on weekends.

[orange7]

wait... hold on..
after 2011 ?

so wouldn't that be 2012???


i knew it... 2012

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

it may be underpowered and shitty on gas, but when I drove it around once..it handled great.

I was thinking of gettting that car, but instead I went for a WRX instead ;)

smart choice

[Lomac]

Actually, I live a very happy, positive and fullfilling life. I spend 60 hours a week helping the less fortunate, so don't even go there.

Obviously alot gets lost in translation when your reading/typing on a forum. Everyone is certainly entitled to an opinion. I love cars, any cars..when I go on a cruise I like learning about everyone elses ride, regardless of how old and ugly or new and cool it is..I just dont get why people are always so negative on here lol..the nature of online forums I suppose. I own an RX-8 and love it..if someone doesnt like it, thats cool but no need to be a douche about it. Alot of people say shit on here that they would never say in person..thats the part I dont get. Im not a big miata fan, but if I met a guy with a miata on a revscene cruise I would never say to him "man, your car sucks they should really just crush that thing". I treat people with respect on and off the forum, I guess Im silly for expecting the same!

Example, I never really liked the Sentra at all, but Ive met a few sentra guys over the last couple days and now I really like that car and can appreciate what those guys have done to their cars.

Anyway, again..no negativity intended in this post, its all good.

Heh, good to hear. I'm just so used to a holier-than-thou attitude that a lot of people tend to exhibit on the internet (I'm looking at a select few of you, guys! lol) that it's sometimes hard to tell when one is being serious about it and when they aren't.

No hard feelings, I hope. I'm a huge car guy too and will give almost any vehicle a chance to prove itself, regardless of how badly critics may slam it.

[Redlines_Daily]

H
No hard feelings, I hope. I'm a huge car guy too and will give almost any vehicle a chance to prove itself, regardless of how badly critics may slam it.

Of course not, hope to see you on a cruise sometime.:)

[tofu1413]

you wont really know until you drive one imo.


i used to think B series vtec motors were just some weak sauce motors with a slight kick in the top end.

boy was i wrong after driving a B16A SIR... then a B16A wagon... and now a B18C in my own ITR.

quick revving, screaming top end power.. isnt that bad.

[CC2]

Not gonna lose any sleep over this demise. Don't know what they were thinking when they designed this one. http://forums.clubrsx.com/images/smilies/facepalm4.gif

[tofu1413]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA