Archie wrote:

Am I logistically challenged? (So. NH)
Or do I actually see a lack of new Mazda Rotary autos?
Does anyone have sales figures?
Archie

I am seeing more and more RX8's on SoCal roads. I saw some in Japan
and in Europe. Don't have the sales figures. I am also seeing more
advertising on TV.

Paul Lamar

Douglas Fir wrote:

The local buzz over here in NIPPON is that they don't much care for the RX 8
styling.  The complaint is that the car seemed to be designed for American
tastes.  I tend to like the last version of the RX 7 myself.  Hmmm maybe
I've been eating to much rice all these years.

Doug

There is no question that the RX8 styling is not everyone's cup of sake.
I too prefer the styling of the 3rd gen RX7. Perhaps scaled up slightly.
The car I love the styling on the most is the Jag XK8. both coupe and
convertible. I would love to see a four rotor in the XK8 as Ford owns
a piece of Jaguar as well as Mazda. They could call it the XK-RX.
Nice ring to that. Six hundred HP four rotor ought to be about right.
Jag XK8's are VERY popular in So Cal. Both Jag and Mazda rotaries have
won Leman BTW.

I think a big mistake that Mazda makes styling wise is they go off in
different directions from year to year. You take Mercedes for example
There is no mistaking a Mercedes from year to year. Same is true for
BMW more or less (lately). The Miata and the 3rd gen RX7 had similar
appearances which helped Miata sales IMHO.

Paul Lamar

ESI wrote:

I agree.  I am meeting Mazda's VP next month. I'll tell him your advise.  He
also remarked to my friend the other day that they don't see many Mazda cars
running around in Hiroshima:-)

I just got a copy of April 5 Automotive News. Mazda sold 6,027 RX8's in the first three
months of 2004 in the US. More than Protégé and over twice the number of Miata's sold.
2,373 in March alone. Everybody that I let drive the RX8 is highly impressed.
It never ceases to amaze me why they don't put the rotary in the Miata.
It could be made an option if they want to keep the entry level price down.
They could also detune it if they were concerned with drive train durability.
Just think what a rotary powered Miata would do in SCCA  road racing with no 
windshield.

Paul Lamar
 
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