So i went to the nearby Mazda dealer just to check out the new 8. Went in not expecting to drive one (cuz they are about 30k) but just wanting to look at it, sit in it, and see what i thought of it in real life. Saleswoman comes up to me and asks me if i need any help, I said "no, i just want to see if I like the 7 or the 8 better." She asked me how could i tell unless i drove the 8. So we went for a drive.

The interior of the car is phenomenal, and it rides really really nice. Everything feels solid, driver friendly, and looks great. So were drivin around, im babyin the car, and then i asked her if i could run it a little. no prob. I merge onto the highway in second gear, and floor it. Acceleration was VERY smooth and went right up to 9000 rpms without a hitch. at redline in second gear, it was at about 60 mph. Now as much as i like the car, @4500 rpm's its missing the whhhhOOOOSSHH of the turbos' as well as the bov. im unsure about the styling of the 8, and really like the 93-95 fd.

I am assuming the the 8 isn't going to have the heat problems that the previous models did, and will probably be a little bit more reliable. Either way, its gonna get ran.

Now keep in mind, iv'e never driven the 7, but my friend has one (93 FD), and i absolutely love it. Get to drive it this weekend (hopefully) to compare. Next year, when i get outta college, I plan on buyin one of these cars (an 8 or 93-95 fd).

What is the general consensus ? If you had a choice, what would you buy ... taking into account styling, performance, ability to upgrade in the future.. etc...

I'd buy an 8 if I had the cash to play with it. My FD is perfect for me though, and it gets the girls naked. That's all I ask for from my rides!

I've yet to drive the RX8, but I'm FD all the way.



That is, until the *new RX7 come's out in '05... https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...1047683473.gif

when's the new 7 supposed to come out ? it might just be worth waiting another year to make a final decision on "how to blow money i don't have." anyone have any sample pics of it or specs ?

in fact, it may not come out. If the RX8 fails miserably for some unforseen reason, the 4th gen RX7 is doomed. All pics thus far are concept sketches and artists rendetions of likely products.

that sucks. the future of the 7 relies on the outcome of the 8. and the 7 looks a whole lot sexier than the 8 does with or without a kit. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...R#>/violin.gif

You never know, though. with Nissan and Mazda reintroducing their sports/sporty cars, it's likely as long as the 8 sells.



MKV gen Toyota Supra might be something to look out for too.

The only pic I could find was the sketch in Road and Track Sept.'03



It's not a question of if, the RX7 will make a comeback, but when. Top Mazda personel have said, the new RX7 will be a 2-seat coupe riding on a shortened-wheel-base version of the RX8 platform. There will likey be two rendition's of the car: a base model powered by the RX8's Renesis producing 250hp; and a MazdaSpeed edition powered by a turbocharged rotary producing *up to 300hp.



Much of the car's basic foundation, including its RX8 derived suspension, has already been determined. It will be priced aggresively at $30,000 - 35,000.



The RX8 has met, and from what I've read, exceted Mazda's expectation's for the car in North America. The success, or lack there of; of the RX8, will determine when the new RX7 will be unveiled. The rumor is, Fall 2005 the earliest, with a slated model year release of 2006.

the only "heat" problems were related to the turbo cars.



the n/a rotaries are always pretty strong and less likely " to go pop in the night"



kevin.

i cant wait.