Comments on: Mazda hires former VW, Mini ad exec

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:14:41 +0000

autonut: I was so into rotary Mazdas my first real job out of high school was salesman at a local Mazda dealership. Needless to say I used to boot around in RX-7s all day. Couldn’t keep enough in stock, but you’re right, resale was not their strong suit. In their defense, remember the day and what else was out there for the money. The thrash factor was very high.

By: Get Real

Get Real — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:33:36 +0000

VW marketing ????? Is this a joke ????

The Mini was true marketing, but it had a super-cool car.

VW….the door licking and sign-and-driver commercials were horrid. How not to sell junky product.

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:15:15 +0000

johnny, funny you mentioned ‘79 RX-7. I bought ‘79 BMW 320 and my buddy bought RX-7 in 1980. He was passing me from every red light and outmaneuvering on every curve. I traded bimmer in 2 years for the same price I payed for it, but he could not get anything for his RX-7. But it was sweet ride.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:20:50 +0000

I’m not so sure, Global_lightning. As an enthusiast/track piece a rotary Miata would be as much fun as you can legally have on 4 wheels, but I doubt it would be a big volume mover.

My first three cars were Mazda rotaries, but 30 years later I’m still wondering where they’re going with this thing. With those imposing CAFE numbers just around the corner you know the Rotary will never make it into a 3 or a 6.

I do agree that the current car should never have been a 4 seater. The original RX-7 is still the purest in concept. Detroit retro is big again these days so why not some Japanese retro to counter? It’s 1979 all over again- I’d buy one in a heartbeat.

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:30:42 +0000

I was looking up 3rd gen RX-7’s for sale last night. You still can’t touch a decent one for less than $15K (or one that hasn’t been modified to death). That’s what Mazda needs, not a bloated ‘Family GT’car. Now what would really sell is an optional rotary Miata!

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:59:04 +0000

What a waste of $$$, considering I would handle all of their advertising for free. My new ad slogan would be: “Mazda. Oh what a feel.”

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:41:49 +0000

Sounds good for Mazda, although I can’t stand advertising. They’ll put the crap on anything possible.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:31:10 +0000

the RX8 would be hot if they offered a normal otto-motor.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:30:10 +0000

They should do some cross-marketing, the oil burning RX8 with Quaker State.

Toyota should do the same w/Serta for obvoius reasons. ZzZzZzZz

By: Fletch

Fletch — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:26:48 +0000

Mazda RX-8 new ad campaign: A properly manitained Wankel can last up to 50,000 miles with some luck and proper maintenance !?!