4th gen ND Mazda MX-5 Miata

[Guff]

I like this!

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by quik1987

There was talks about merging the RX-7 and the MX-5 a while ago.

Was that about using the same chassis? I thought I heard that as well. Won't it be the RX-9 and not the RX-7?

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by Dark

Now we're talking!

[Bristecom]

Having a Miata with the SkyActive piston engine and an RX-9 with a new direct injected rotary engine (in development) would be a strong offering from Mazda. The BRZ/FRS gives me hope that we will see a new era of sports cars offered from Japan like in the 90's.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Having a Miata with the SkyActive piston engine and an RX-9 with a new direct injected rotary engine (in development) would be a strong offering from Mazda. The BRZ/FRS gives me hope that we will see a new era of sports cars offered from Japan like in the 90's.

Speaking of which, any news on that new rotary. Last I heard they were thinking of using lasers on it instead of spark plugs.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Speaking of which, any news on that new rotary. Last I heard they were thinking of using lasers on it instead of spark plugs.

Not that I know of. I think they've put it aside for the moment. But I'm sure we'll see one in the next few years.

I really liked the Furai concept even though it was a race car. It would be pretty sweet if they had similar styling for the RX-9.

[quik1987]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/149215/m...8-could-merge/

[OrbitalEllipses]

The MX5 back in the neighborhood of 2200lbs doesn't need 200hp. That would be...a little stupid. Certainly fun though. I'm just saying it wouldn't need 200hp to compete. Americans have problems with tiny engines; though perhaps a tiny turbo engine would alleviate that concern. First lets see how the 500 Abarth does with that formula.

[old greg]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Speaking of which, any news on that new rotary. Last I heard they were thinking of using lasers on it instead of spark plugs.

There was an update about a month ago.

[serialk11r]

That's cool, I hope they figure it out.
I haven't thought about this carefully, but there seems to be a fairly low compression ratio limit to the Wankel design isn't there?

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by old greg

There was an update about a month ago.

Thanks for the link.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

Having a Miata with the SkyActive piston engine and an RX-9 with a new direct injected rotary engine (in development) would be a strong offering from Mazda. The BRZ/FRS gives me hope that we will see a new era of sports cars offered from Japan like in the 90's.

Just remember is the "golden years of the 90s Japanese sports cars" the cars got so expensive that only a very few could afford them new. MR2s around 30K, Supra 36K, RX7 32K, Twin turbo Nissan 300ZX 35K. It wasn't until the late 90s and early 2000s that tuners could get the cars used and the scene really exploded.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by Rampage

Just remember is the "golden years of the 90s Japanese sports cars" the cars got so expensive that only a very few could afford them new. MR2s around 30K, Supra 36K, RX7 32K, Twin turbo Nissan 300ZX 35K. It wasn't until the late 90s and early 2000s that tuners could get the cars used and the scene really exploded.

Well yeah but then again those cars probably should have cost that much considering the technology they had. My Eclipse was only $26k when new with AWD, LSD, turbo, and every luxury you could think of at the time (I bought it used). But that's a good point about the used market exploding. We were left with some pretty nice used options afterwards but now they are getting too old. So this time around I would like to see more simple, low cost options such as:

Scion FR-S (4 seat coupe FR NA 4U-GSE 4 cyl. engine) - $25000
Scion MR-S (2 seat conv. MR NA 2ZR-FAE 4 cyl. engine) - $24000
Mazda MX-5 (2 seat conv. FR NA SkyActive-G 4 cyl. engine) - $24000
Mazda RX-9 (4 seat coupe FR NA SkyActive-Rotary engine) - $26000

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by old greg

There was an update about a month ago.

With their apex sealing issues at low rpm, why don't they just gas-port them like drag racing guys do to keep pressure on piston cylinder rings?