mbilderback

Ok, I do own a mazda as well. And, from what I've seen from Mazda lately, I don't think that we'll see a return of the 7 anytime soon. I think that they don't want to hurt the sales of the 8 by giving the 7 option, and in the past, Mazda has been pretty hard core about releasing only one rotary powered car at a time. And since the 8 is still a new design, they can't very well ditch the car, so the 7 is somewhat of a long shot.

BTW, this is all speculation from what I've seen in the past.

I figure this is the same reason for not releasing the renesis in the Miata. Aside from gas mileage issues and questionable reliability, (No offense to 8 owners, just the renesis hasn't been on the market long enough to get any numbers on this), I don't think Mazda wants to undercut their own market in the 8 with a smaller, lighter, faster 7. And even a miata with a renesis won't be as quick as the 3rd gen 7s were. The 8s are making like 220s at the flywheel and the 7s turbos were getting it a solid 255.

sodaking663rd

i feel like i actually had more room in my '95 miata than i do with my s2k. perhaps it's just an illusion but the miata felt much more open. plus you have the rear deck lid which creates the feeling of more room as well.

Saint_Spinner

This roominess your talking about is the lower "beltline". Most newer modern cars have a higher beltline (ala 350z, S2K, TT). Basically the door is up to your ears, making it harder for you to rest your elbow on the door. This decreases the side widnow size too, giving you the claustraphobic feel, while in reality the interior space is pretty similar.

Saab9-3

BORING.

It's pretty damn fast, but understeer, no stickshift, and undefeatable traction control make it far less enjoyable than an s2k or miata for someone like myself.

PsychoBen

that and the high and wide dividing center console

rai

Can see your point. MT should be an option IMO. A friend of mine is getting a SLK350 soon I'll get to drive that around. He said he didn't get the 55 b/c it only came with AT.

SCI said you can turn off the stability control not sure about the TC

sodaking663rd

yea i agree with your statements about the new cars. the s2k isn't toooo bad with the arm resting on the door but the miata was much better. better than those two was the z3...you could almost drag your hand on the ground...a true roaster feel to it.

Saint_Spinner

Yup. Thats one thing I noticed about the Z3 (looking, but not driving)...the beltline actually "droops".

Saab9-3

Nope- you can't fully turn it off, you can only raise the point at which it intervenes. It still gives you a little room to have fun, but it won't let you have the fun that God intended in a car with 376lb ft