The RX-8 is a cool car, but it has 4 doors and more weight than the
Miata. Since the primary benefit of a rotary engine is superior power to
weight ratio, it belongs in a light, nimble car. With a rotary powered
Miata, Mazda could really heat up Super Stock again at the Nationals
level.
I think the appeal of a rotary powered Corvette challenging Miata is
obvious. The appeal of the RX-8 is for a more "sedate" (and perhaps
larger) crowd.
So what if the price jumps by $5k? The Honda S2000 is selling for $36k
now. A super Miata would be the same price or less, lighter, with a
better P/W ratio.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John J. Stimson-III [mailto:john@harlie.idsfa.net]
> Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 13:34
> To: Michael R. Clements
> Cc: Nandaholz@aol.com; ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: So what IS going to happen to the Miata in 2003?
>
>
> I think that Mazda is afraid to put the rotary in any other
> car before the RX-8 is established. After all, what is the
> real appeal of the RX-8, other than being the only rotary
> powered car on the US market? The funky Saturn-esque rear doors?
>
> The new rotary might be too expensive for the Miata's
> low-cost concept.
>
> I hope that Automobile is right...are they usually? I also
> hope that when they say "just over a ton" they don't mean "a
> ton and a quarter", which is where they're at now.
>
> --
>
> john@idsfa.net
> John Stimson
> http://www.idsfa.net/~john/ HMC
> Physics '94
|