> johncuyle
> 2:28pm (10/23/2009)
>
> What advantages? People who swap LSx engines into third generation RX7's end
> up with a car that's lighter

IMO the swap's advantages outweigh the disadvantages, however, it results in a slightly heavier (not lighter) car with higher COG and inferior distribution.

I owned an RX8; it's got the best driving dynamics of any 4-door I've driven (though the STI was also a blast). Never had any problems with it and the engine - though thirsty and gutless down low - was responsive, smooth, and revved freely.

However, what Mazda should've done with the RX8 was come out with something closer to the 1995 RX-01 prototype: 2+2 seating, 2425 pounds, 92" wheelbase, cheap, with a NA 13B-MSP making 227 hp. Hopefully the next RX7 will take the 16X and merge the best parts of the RX-01 and Kabura (which was initially supposed to have the rotary).

wincros, you bring up a good point. However, VW has sold many old vehicles over here while Europe had the next generation version. Even recently the 2009 TDI Jetta wagon has been in high demand even though the new model was announced.

Also, given that MPG standards are becoming more and more strict, it seems like a sensible long-term strategy to bring the GTD engine over here as it could be used in other vehicles.

Having written all that, I'm only somewhat excited by this news. I drove the TDI and was underwhelmed. On the plus side, it has lots of low-end and is smoother, roomier, quieter, and nicer inside than your typical econobox. The downside is that it's also heavy, understeering, not especially quick, and its engine doesn't like to rev. But the extra 30 hp will make a difference and the GTD should make for a nice daily driver, especially for those with long highway commutes.

The DSG is the best AT I've used (it shifts faster than I can!), but it adds weight and isn't as fun as the MT.

So, 4-door, 6MT please.

If it's less than 2700 pounds, I'm interested.

> JZeke
> 2:25pm (10/02/2009)
>
> Yet I keep dreaming of one of these. I tell myself I can't drive
> a rwd 2 seater year round, but really its all I want.

I wouldn't be afraid to drive it in the Winter as I drove my RX8 year-round. The MX5 is lighter and has less clearance, but I know plenty of people who drive them in the snow (not using summer tires, obviously).

Or get a Winter beater. I have two kids, so I bought an MX5 as my daily driver and kept my wife's crappy old Forester as a utility/winter vehicle. Previously, I've always had a single jack-of-all-trades car (WRX, RX8, etc). They simply don't compare to the MX5 (which I chose over the S2000... after test driving a couple of them, I realized that though they were more powerful, they weren't actually as grin-inducing).

To me the MX5 is automotive bliss: cheap, comfortable, and fun. I'll own one for the rest of my days. I just wish I'd gotten one 10 years earlier.

I've driven many roadsters over the years (including almost every flavor MX5 sold in the USA), but it wasn't until recently that I finally got one. After test driving four NBs, an NC, and two S2000s, I settled on a '99 MX5. It's awesome.

I've owned AWD and RWD cars with almost twice the power and driven many cars with far more than that. None of them were as fun as the MX5... It's an amazing accomplishment: comfortable enough to be a daily driver, cheap enough for the average joe, and an absolute blast to drive.

The next version is due in 2012 or 2013. Here's hoping that Mazda doesn't lose sight of the LWS (Light Weight Sports) concept that the MX5 was originally based on. The most recent version is still wonderful, but it's a tad large and heavy... I'd like to see it get back down to ~2300 pounds.

I drove the MKV GTI DSG and 6MT back-to-back. The DSG was awesome... it could shift faster than I could (dropping from 6th to 2nd on the highway almost instantly) and if I and if I primarily drove in heavy city traffic or raced competitively, I'd choose the DSG.

Otherwise, I'll stick with the 6MT. Though VW's isn't as good as the S2k, MX5, or RX8's, it's still fun to run it through the gears and I just feel more connected to the car using it. To each his own.

I've driven the 6MT and DSG back-to-back. The DSG was easily the best AT I've ever used... it downshifted from 6th to 2nd on the highway almost instantly (it definitely did it faster than I could). I agree with you that it's superior to the 6MT.

However, despite the DMG being faster and resulting in better MPG in some circumstances, I still prefer the 6MT because using the stick/clutch is fun and I feel more connected to the car.

Having written that, if I primarily drove in heavy city traffic or raced competitively, I'd choose the DSG.

Ignore the bit about there being a typo as it's from another thread (my browser password program saved the last comment I entered and applied it here automatically).

Anyway, please bring the 6MT 4-door version to the USA!

FYI, there is a minor typo: "low weight of about 2,400 pounds (1,085 kilometers)"

If they can keep the cost down, this car could be very interesting.