Mazda RX8 For Sale

The RX-8 is Mazda's follow-up to the classic RX-7 eight years after they ceased production of it. Mazda launched the first Mazda RX-8 for sale in 2003, and has made one every year since. While the car still boasts the trademark rotary engine, the RX-8 has never managed to capture the American car buyer's imagination the way that the RX-7 once did. The 2010 Mazda RX-8 is an amazing performer in some scenarios, and it has gone a long way toward changing perspective. However, it still has some unfortunate issues, and thus a long way to go.

The Mazda RX-8 is a rear-hinged 2-door 4-seat coupe available at three trim levels: Sport, Grand Touring, and R3. The "base" Sport package includes 18-inch wheels, performance tires, cruise control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, a 6-speaker CD stereo system, and an auxiliary audio jack. There is also a rear-lip spoiler, but it is only available on manual-transmission models.

The Grand Touring package adds a limited-slip rear differential, fog lamps, automatic xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat with memory, leather upholstery, a sunroof, Bluetooth, and a 9-speaker Bose surround-sound system with a 6-CD change and satellite radio. The only option, a touchscreen navigation system with voice commands, is available for the GT only.

The premium, high-performance R3 trim includes much, but not all, of what is in the GT trim. For instance, the keyless ignition and entry, Bluetooth connectivity, xenon headlights, and the audio system, are there. The R3 package brings 19-inch wheels, a racing-tuned suspension, Recaro front sport seats, a restyled front bumper, and a rear wing spoiler.

Under the hood of the rear-wheel-drive Mazda RX-8, is the 1.3L rotary engine. Paired with the 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the engine produces 212 horsepower and redlines at 7,500 rpm. The 6-speed manual transmission increases that output to 232 horsepower, and the redline sits at an impressive 9,000 rpm. Both setups generate a limited 152 pound-feet of torque. Most tests put the RX-8 with the manual transmission at the 7-second range for 0-60 mph times. That's quick, but not quick enough for a sport car of this caliber at this price point.

The RX-8 is the only rotary-powered car on the planet, and that definitely increases the excitement level, at least temporarily. However, with the rotary power comes that low-end torque, which makes the vehicle underwhelming for everyday use. The other problem is that the high-revving nature of the engine makes the car an awful fuel performer even compared to other sports car. The mileage ratings are up there in the league of 4,000+ pound SUVs, and that is just unacceptable. While we hope that Mazda can innovate Wenkel's engine in a way that can make it palatable to modern drivers, our hunch is that this is just an outdated technology.

The 2010 Mazda RX-8 may be the right sports car for some people, especially those who simply have an affinity for the rotary engine Mazdas. Considering price starts at about $25,000, most consumers will be better off waiting for the RX-8 to be more refined. For those considering a Mazda RX-8, they may also want to experience the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Nissan 370Z, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse for comparison.

The Best Cheap Sports Car

The Honda brand is synonymous with a kind of inevitable popularity. Most car reviewers bemoan the fact that your average Honda car is populated by a toothless harridan who was probably learning to drive when the Model T Ford was first released. A reputation for being associated with the elderly have left Honda a bit baffled on how to successfully market their current vehicles to a younger audience. One way to bypass the drudgery of demographics is to release are car so blisteringly quick that anyone over the age of 30 is going to have trouble reacting fast enough to control it. I'm sure it was with great pride that Honda revealed the new Honda S2000.

I myself am quite Au fiat with the realms of the affordable sports car; having been a devout Mazda MX-5 fan for the best part of 5 years. I was sufficiently impressed with my first glimpse of the Honda S2000 to put my MX-5 keys in the drawer and leave them there for a while. In terms of looks; the S2000 is immense. The 6 speed transmission belonging to the Honda S2000 immediately makes a mockery of the Mazda MX-5's shifting choice. So often with the Mazda, I have found myself struggling to put it into 3rd, thanks to the tiny controls. The Honda has no such problem and the smooth but assured gear changes are all easily transferred to.

But don't take my plaudits at face value; the Honda S2000 [http://www.nortonway.com/new-honda-cars/new-honda-s2000] was voted Best Affordable Sports Car 2008 by US News & World Report, which is an excellent accolade to have earned. I can staunchly attest to this magnificence, as I found the driving experience of the S2000 to be smooth, quick and extremely exciting. If you are looking for an affordable sports car and fancy something a little more macho than the Mazda MX-5, then the Honda S2000 could be the car for you.

Purchase a Used Car - They Make Them a Lot Better Nowadays Than They Used To

Growing up, I often heard my parents and their friends complain that nothing was made the way they used to become when they were young. I often doubted the facts of that, but never had a method to prove it; until I thought of anything. Back in the day, in case you had a car that you can run for 100,000 miles, that was considered a supreme achievement. By the time the car did that kind of mileage, it will be practically scrap metal. Going along in this day and age with that in mind as a standard for car reliability though will be a high-priced and unfortunate mistake. A modern car nowadays can quickly go twice as lengthy with regular maintenance, and could do even better than that. Men and women making use of the old frame of reference swiftly give up a 100,000 mile car at a low cost and trade it in for new car. And that puts you, someone in the market for an excellent bargain in a used car, in an excellent place to become in. You know anything the sellers do not. You can expect excellent value if you go to purchase a used car - $5000, and when you aren't a cross-country travelling salesman or anything, you can most likely retain it forever.

Undoubtedly, a pre-owned car is nowhere near as exciting to own - you cannot park it in the driveway and have your neighbors appear approvingly over, and you cannot go out for any celebratory drive immersed in that new car smell. What you'll get in return for giving that up for the 1st three months the car stays new though may be pretty fantastic too. For little much more than the down payment you should put down on a brand new car, about $5000, a very good find would last you far longer than a lot of human organs last. If buying a used car won't help you retain up with the Joneses, it'll undoubtedly help you maintain down with Adamses - proving oneself frugal absolutely has its cachet these days in any social circle.

Let's add up what you save while you select to purchase a used car rather than a brand new one. In the US, your average midsize sedan sells for about $30,000 new, and it's financed for about five many years at about $400 monthly. Should you really spend only $5000 on a car and socked away that $400 every month for those five many years, you'd probably have about $25,000 at the end, with interest. In addition to that, you'd save about $2500 on sales tax (as opposed to $500 whenever you purchase a used car), you save about $300 on registration, you'd save about $500 a year on insurance, and what it does for your peace of mind not trying to protect the finish every time you park it on the street is anything you cannot put a price tag on.

Whenever you make your decision and go out to get that $5000 car, make sure primary which you know a excellent mechanic who can help you preserve a used car for any excellent lengthy although. Without a trusty mechanic at your side, this may be a troublesome experience. Since you do not have the manufacturer's warranty if you purchase a used car, you wish to go to an inexpensive mechanic, not the dealership workshop; and you'd probably do well to know one thing about car repair yourself. And once you've found the best well-maintained used car, you require to make sure you've the time and patience to sustain it. If you in fact go out shopping, try to appear beyond the Accords and also the Camrys. Think about finding a Mazda 626 from 10 to 12 many years ago, a Mazda Miata that's reliable, and effortless to preserve, or a 10-year-old Taurus or Impala.. And even though you're out there, make sure which you do not purchase a car like the Dodge Intrepid that even the used car dealers are wary of.

Mercury Brand Overhaul Set by 2013

The following information includes personal speculation on my part, filling in the gaps on what the Ford Motor Company has already mentioned about its Mercury brand.

When it comes to automotive brands, a number of them are "damaged" having been neglected for many years. General Motors, has several including Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer while the Ford Motor Company has Mercury, a line of vehicles its sells alongside its Lincoln line. As recently as 2007, Ford appeared prepared to consider dropping Mercury but reconsidered that move at the insistence of its current CEO, Alan Mulally. Mulally has insisted that Ford keep Mercury going, changing the brand into a small car retailer which will take Mercury in a fresh direction.

To that end, we offer the following thoughts on how Mercury will look by 2013:

Good-Bye Large Vehicles - Mercury still sells several larger vehicles but that will soon change as the brand transitions to a small car brand. The aged Grand Marquis, capable Mountaineer and stylish Sable will all go away. The Sable will end production in 2009, the Mountaineer in 2010 and the Grand Marquis by 2011.

Milan Flagship - The largest vehicle in the Mercury fleet will be the Milan which itself is a twin to the Ford Fusion. Mercury will keep the sedan as both it and the Milan Hybrid offer a cheaper alternative to Lincoln's smallest sedan, the MKZ.

Mariner Marches On - The Mariner and Mariner Hybrid's place in the Mercury fleet is unknown, but could face the ax if Ford decides to concentrate on the Escape only. The Escape and Mariner are twins, but the Mercury model will become vulnerable if sales slip. I expect that the Mariner will survive.

Return of the Capri - Back in the 1970s and 1980s, a small coupe by the name of the "Capri" was sold by Mercury. At times it was the only truly unique car to the brand while at other times it was the Mercury twin to the Ford Mustang. Look for Ford to utilize the next generation Focus or Fiesta platform to design a car that is exclusive to Mercury.

Intro of a City Car - Ford says that as many as six of its European designed models will be sold in North America, but hasn't outlined each one. The Transit Connect, Fiesta and Focus are definite bets with the C-Max and Kuga suggested as two others. One model that hasn't been mentioned but could be just right for Mercury is the Ford Ka, a city car that seats four and is about the size of the Smart Fortwo.

All Electric Model - Ford has said that an electric car will be offered by 2012, but hasn't mentioned what that vehicle might be. Speculation is that it'll be an electrified Fusion while others have said that it  might be an all new model sharing the Focus' platform. No matter, if Ford dealers get the car then Mercury will see its own version too.

When all is said and done, Mercury may have as few as three model lines to sell but more likely will have as many as five. Together with Lincoln, the most exciting car dealerships in the country could be Lincoln-Mercury dealers who will have a good mix of luxury, premium, standard and entry level models for customers to consider.

New Mazda MX-5 at British International Motor Show

During the upcoming 2006 British International Motor Show this 18th of July up until the 30th of the same month, the Mazda Motor Corporation would be out to show off to the world its new Mazda MX-5. This would be the very first time for the company to show the world this vehicle. In fact, this vehicle comes with a power retractable hard top which is one feature that Mazda is very proud of. Aside from this vehicle, Mazda would also be revealing to the public the Mazda BT-50 which is a one-ton pickup truck.

The Mazda MX-5 that would be shown off during this auto show would be having the power retractable hard top roof which is quite unique. This would be quite an addition to this third generation of Mazda MX-5s. Mazda claims that this new vehicle would be offering a unified sense of driving exhilaration. In fact, it is a lightweight sports car that offers diversity and distinctiveness in all features that it offers.

Mazda says that this vehicle's essence is known as the "Jinba Ittai" which actually means "rider and horse as one". It simply means that with this new Mazda MX-5, there would be an emotional connection between the driver and his horse which is the vehicle itself. Do not be confused though if you hear the names Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe, Mazda Roaster Power Retractable Hard Top, and Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Power Retractable Hard Top. These names all refer to the Mazda MX-5 and these are used in Europe, Japan, and North America, in that order.

As per the new one-ton Mazda BT-50 truck, this heavy truck comes with a powerful 2.5 liter Direct Injection Turbo Diesel engine which is quite new to the company. In fact, it is during this year's British International Motor Show that such a diesel engine would be featured and shown off the European public. However, this engine that the Mazda BT-50 truck has already been part of the Bangkok Motor Show just last March where it made its world debut.

How To Repair Your Car's Power Windows

As you're driving down the turnpike and approaching the tollbooth, you reach for the switch to lower your window and nothing happens. The switch moves but the window does not budge. Not even a noise from the window motor can be heard which strongly suggests to you that the device is not functioning. You must stop your car and open up the door to pay the attendant before continuing on your trip. Thoughts of an expensive car repair bill are dancing through your head, putting you in a foul mood and tempering the anticipated fun of your getaway weekend. Don't despair: you can repair the power window yourself and save a bundle over expensive dealership charges. Let's take a look at the steps you can take to fix the problem yourself and save a lot of cash in the process.

Before assuming that the window regulator must be replaced you should first rule out the possibility of dirty electrical contacts. On most cars the main power for all switches goes through the master switch located at the driver's console. Sometimes the switch is dirty causing the window to malfunction. If this is the case, take the necessary steps to clean the contact and your problem should be resolved.

Should you determine that the contacts are clean and your switch is functioning, then it is likely that the motor has burned out and is in need of replacing. Whether you are installing a Honda window regulator or a Volkswagen window regulator, or a regulator for any other make the steps involved in replacing a window regulator are usually quite similar:

1. Remove the door panel for the affected window.

2. Locate and remove the bolts holding the regulator to the door; it is likely you will have to manually lower the window in order to access the bolts.

3. Remove the old regulator, disconnect all wiring, and replace the old regulator with a new one you have purchased from a parts supplier. Shop online to find the best value as you will pay a mint if you order one through a dealership.

4. Tighten the bolts holding the new regulator and reinstall the moisture barrier. Make sure all the wires are put back in the door before closing the door panel.

5. Engage the power window switch and the new regulator should work unimpeded.

Of course, follow your car's repair manual for specific instructions.

I've given to you a general outline to convince you that this is a task that even a novice mechanic can handle - in other words: you can do it! By handling the problem yourself, you'll save plenty of money by avoiding garages who will mark up the replacement part as well as tack on several hours of labor costs to your bill. Shop online to compare prices and to receive the best shipping and handling arrangements available.