Why does Mazda underpower their cars?

Adding to the excess of frivolity here

The MX3 build thread made me think about how they deliberately put a downsized version of a much more perky V6 in the thing. Why?

They've got a lovely turbo 4 that would fit right into the Miata, but noooooooooooo.

The RX8 would be a right kickass car with one of the current generation of 3.5ish liter V6s. Yet......

I'm sure that in some markets there are penalties associated with big motors, but if they had the gumption to go big in the USA, they could go from a neat car company to a kick-ass one from the enthusiasts standpoint. What's holding these guys back from being the Japanese Porsche?

I wouldn't call the Mazdaspeed3, Mazdaspeed6, Mazdaspeed Miata, FD RX-7, FC RX-7 TurboII, FB RX-7 GSL-SE, or the MX-6 GT "underpowered"...

Even the RX-8 isn't underpowered, really; it's 0-60 in 5.8, 1/4 mile in 14.49. Compare to its direct competition, say the S2000, that's not bad. The S2000 is almost the exact same, faster in 2001, but slower in 2003.

I agree they could offer what we think is a better package but would it sell? The Miata has been very, very successful for them so I don't think the people that buy them new think they're underpowered...

In reply to dculberson:

Miata might need to work on it once the new Toyobaru comes out....similar weight and handling, but with more power in stock form. It's going to steal sales I suspect. Mazda will need to comeback with something.

My MX-3 Build? Lol

irish44j wrote: In reply to dculberson: Miata might need to work on it once the new Toyobaru comes out....similar weight and handling, but with more power in stock form. It's going to steal sales I suspect. Mazda will need to comeback with something.

The ND should be out in a year or 2, and word has it that it is shedding some pounds.

Mazda makes cars for tuners to be tuned.

Lets not forget the RX8 is making more power N/A than the FD was with TT, Yes technology is an amazing thing and i just don't understand the RX8 hate.

I will say though a boosted new gen RX would be a nice halo car after they produce the new MX-5 for a few years.

JtspellS wrote: Lets not forget the RX8 is making more power N/A than the FD was with TT, Yes technology is an amazing thing and i just don't understand the RX8 hate.

13B-REW makes 250+, the 13B-MSP does not.

You think Mazda underpowers? Mazdas have super powers when compared to Scion.

My daily driver Protege5 is underpowered. Little torque and runs out of breath at around 4000rpm or so. Thankfully it handles like a go-kart and is fun to drive. Think I'll keep it a little longer.

bobpink wrote: My daily driver Protege5 is underpowered. Little torque and runs out of breath at around 4000rpm or so. Thankfully it handles like a go-kart and is fun to drive. Think I'll keep it a little longer.

That would be a case of underpowered because Mazda recycled a motor they first stuck in a car in 1992 into your protege 5.

I don't hate on RX8s or any Mazda product for that matter. I've got two Mazdas in my driveway. It's just that they seem commited to subtle, nuanced cars whereas sometimes we want brute strength. Am I wrong to wonder what a VQ-equipped RX8 would feel like? Woudn't the MX-3 have been much more successful with the 200 HP version of the motor? How would the Toybaru stack up against a 263 HP turbo Miata with a faired-in hardtop?

I've never found any of my Mazdas to be underpowered. Definitely not silly overpowered, but well-balanced and equal or better than their direct competitors.

For the short while she owned it, my wife's 3 sport with the 2.5 and a 6-speed manual was not underpowered. Plenty of torque at low RPMs. I never beat on it, so I don't know how it was near redline.

Heck, even the MPV with the 3.0 Duramax has enough power for a minivan.

I do agree the RX-8 deserved more punch. They really needed to bring a forced induction version to market to satisfy the power hungry.

I think the real question is why are their new cars so visually challenging. Thier sales are down. So much so that they are looking for a corporate partner to replace Ford’s money.

I think Mazda and Suzuki are missing a huge opportunity of being an affordable leader in enthusiast cars.

Sultan wrote: I think the real question is why are their new cars so visually challenging. Thier sales are down. So much so that they are looking for a corporate partner to replace Ford’s money.

I think the 2 looks great, better than the Fiesta.

The stupid looking smiley faces are killing it, even though I bought a Speed in 2010.

That motor in a Miata (and tuned a bit more for high RPM power, than low down punch) would have me at the dealership.

i still think a renesis powered miata seems like a no-brainer.

1988RedT2 wrote: I've never found any of my Mazdas to be underpowered. Definitely not silly overpowered, but well-balanced and equal or better than their direct competitors.

The NB would lose stoplight drag races to contemporary minivans -- that's underpowered. Nothing a quick call to Flyin' Miata won't fix, though.

bobpink wrote: My daily driver Protege5 is underpowered. Little torque and runs out of breath at around 4000rpm or so. Thankfully it handles like a go-kart and is fun to drive. Think I'll keep it a little longer.

Testify My Brother!!!

It's much more fun to toss a underpowered daily (my P5 has 180K miles) ... than it is to drive a fast car slowly.

codrus wrote: The NB would lose stoplight drag races to contemporary minivans -- that's underpowered. Nothing a quick call to Flyin' Miata won't fix, though.

And elsewhere it's said that they're losing money. Perhaps they need to step up and do something bold. I'm mainly talking about taking items that they already have in their fold and adapting them. We're not talking about entire new platforms or something.

That said, if I were CEO, I'd have a standard RWD sports chasis with three levels of development. A would be a stripped-down version of the current Miata with a lower price point than present. B would be the turbo version, available in hardtop as well as soft, and C - a stretched wheelbase hardtop only model with 4 seats and over 300 horsepower.

Can i have "A" with "C" drivetrain?

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Can i have "A" with "C" drivetrain?

Sure, I'm taking deposits. Just sign the check to Tucker Delorean!

belteshazzar wrote: i still think a renesis powered miata seems like a no-brainer.

I think the Miata's fuel economy needs improved, not worsened.

i wouldn't drive a miata for fuel efficiency. they're a toy. if you're going to have a toy, it may as well have a long powerband that ends north of 200hp.