MAZDA - Getting it Right

Post by **chaos4NH** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:38 pm

The guys and gals at Mazda seem to be working overtime to provide fun to drivers

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... t-20t.html

enjoythemusic · Post by **enjoythemusic** » Thu May 03, 2007 2:03 am

Mazda is doing A LOT of things right and am glad to see them flourish. Other imports have lost their focus, now catering to the Country Club and Polo Match crowd.

rnoonan · Post by **rnoonan** » Thu May 03, 2007 9:53 am

Sounds like they got it right with your car, Sam!

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp ... le_id=5244

And they might fix the shortcomings of the RX-8 as well - Road & Track also says Mazda is working on a back-to-roots RX-7 to replace the RX-8.

The good stuff just keeps coming (from outside the U.S., at least)!

-= Rick =-

Post by **WillM** » Thu May 03, 2007 11:29 am

The Wall Street Journal had an article about Mazda a few days ago. Seems Mazda has increased US sales in their fiscal 2006 year (which ended in March) by 23% (give or take a point or two) while almost every other automaker has been down. Not bad!

Mazda does seem to be getting it, but they have yet to deliver what their long-time grassroots supporters have wanted: more power in their rear-wheel cars. Funny that their "true" sports cars, the Miata and RX-8, have yet to offer a MazdaSpeed version.

Dave_G · Post by **Dave_G** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:03 pm

WillM wrote:Funny that their "true" sports cars, the Miata and RX-8, have yet to offer a MazdaSpeed version.

There was a Mazdaspeed Miata in 2004. See, for example, http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp ... le_id=7868

BrakeL8r · Post by **BrakeL8r** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:03 pm

Will: you must mean that they have yet to offer a MazdaSpeed version of the "new" MX-5. Recall that they had a MazdaSpeed version of the NB car, right?

Post by **WillM** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:14 pm

Yes, that is what I meant to say.

The first few Mazdaspeed iterations were for end-of-life cars. It seems they came out with the "Mazdaspeed" to boost sales in the final year(s). Examples are the Mazdaspeed Protege and the Mazdaspeed Miata.

The Mazdaspeed6 changed that, but like the Protege and MS Miata, have not sold that well. Back a few months ago, you could get a Mazdaspeed6 for about 30% off MSRP.

The success of the Mazdaspeed3 will hopefully encourage more Mazdaspeed products, namely the MX-5 and RX-8. Rumors are that turbo MX-5, with either the 2.0 or 2.3, are already testing on the streets of Cali.

tmak26b · Post by **tmak26b** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:21 pm

They still havent touched the RX-8 after 4 years, i think that's pretty sad.

DanB · Post by **DanB** » Thu May 03, 2007 4:14 pm

I LOVE my wife's Mazda3. It's pretty much what forced me to buy a "new" car ('01 S2000) for myself. Outta the four cars CandD tested, the RX-8 would be my first choice for sure! I was pretty close to getting one. Commuting 70 miles per day, I picked the S2000 for gas mileage (and to have the hope of hanging with 350Z's and LS1 Fbod's at the track!).

Heresy, I know, but if they made the RX-8 with the 2.3 turbo (MazdaSpeed8?), that's what I'd have bought.

The previous MazdaSpeed Miata was kind of a disappointment. Higher price? Check. Higher weight? Check. More power? Barely. WTF?
What's the point of going to the trouble of having a turbo to only get ~10% more power? A real puzzler...

Here's hoping for a gonzo 263+hp NEW MazdaSpeed MX-5!
Take THAT, Boxster S, Solstice GXP, (ulp) S2000!

eastcoastbumps · Post by **eastcoastbumps** » Fri May 04, 2007 1:46 am

An LS1 would make that RX-8 a whole lot more fun.

Post by **WillM** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:28 am

Dan, you hit the nail on the head.

The 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata left me kind of unimpressed.
The 2.3T (or even 2.0T) in a Mazdaspeed MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top, with output similar to the MS6 and MS3, would be fun.

The 2.3T in the RX-8 (MX-8?) would be sweet.

tmak26b · Post by **tmak26b** » Fri May 04, 2007 6:07 pm

I don't know what is so cool about the 2.3L motor. It is weak down low and not very strong up top neither. I would much prefer to have a TT 13b

DanB · Post by **DanB** » Fri May 04, 2007 7:51 pm

What is so cool about the 2.3 turbo vs. the 13b TT:
1) 8 more hp
2) ~25% better fuel economy

Not to mention reduced oil consumption and (I'd bet money) much lower mortality rate above 100k (or 75k, or 50k) miles!

BTW, I do LOVE rotaries, just not enough to suffer the poor fuel mileage for a street car.

Post by **WillM** » Sat May 05, 2007 12:35 am

Actually, I'd much prefer the 2.3 without the turbo.

For example, the 300hp 2.3 Mazda YDX, massaged by Cosworth, that powers the Champ cars. The engine is essentially a 2.3 MZR (same engine in the Mazda3, Mazdaspeed6, Ford Ranger, etc), before Cosworth "gets busy" with it.

I like rotary engines as well.

tmak26b · Post by **tmak26b** » Sat May 05, 2007 11:51 am

DanB wrote:What is so cool about the 2.3 turbo vs. the 13b TT:
1) 8 more hp
2) ~25% better fuel economy

Not to mention reduced oil consumption and (I'd bet money) much lower mortality rate above 100k (or 75k, or 50k) miles!

BTW, I do LOVE rotaries, just not enough to suffer the poor fuel mileage for a street car.

I give you the fuel mileage and reliability, but the powerband on the 13bTT is much wider and user friendly

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MAZDA - Getting it Right

MAZDA - Getting it Right

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