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Thread: New REPU
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Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
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posted February 20, 2003 04:18 PM |
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I don't mean exactly like the pic I posted, but along the lines of that size or a bit bigger, because anything offered by Ford in america is a bit Big,unless they use a ranger frame and a whole new body.. but if they could use and existing body style, it would be less costly from a corporate stand point..and therefore more possible for mass production.. There has got to be small pickups by ford or Mazda in other parts of the world, that may fit the bill, but if not a modified ranger/b-series, would work just fine..
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nwaco
Redlining
Posts: 407
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posted February 20, 2003 07:15 PM |
 Edited By: nwaco on 20 Feb 2003 19:18 |
C'mon, Give me more.....
I want a modified tube/standard frame. I want the brakes of a 747, I want the suspension, springs, shocks and handling of an INDY car. I want the steering that would shame an RX-7. I want every thing from the square fender flares of a REPU to the carbon fiber drive shaft of an RX-8.
I want the tailgate to scream "ROTARY POWER" and the stance to be as wide as a Hummer. A bed with roller trays, tie downs and an optional hoist and winch to boot. I want flash, I want syle, and power to spare.
I Think if Mazda is serious about new innovative products, they need to look back and see not only who is buying their products now, but also to see who is the "keeper of their Flame" in keeping the products of their past alive and well and "promoting" their history by preserving and presenting them.
I can not see how any company can not value the very few people who showcase their history and progress.
They must at somepoint either acknowledge or recognize, that not everybody is a "new" customer. Many of us have been here all along, and are waiting for the Mazda we know to return.
Mazda....Do you hear us????????
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roaddancer
Hauling
Posts: 127
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posted February 20, 2003 09:30 PM |
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We and Mazda have to keep some things in perspective. Market forces being what they are, it would be b series/ranger based, cause thats whats available. Given that, and going for a retro effect, you form out the fender the same as the original and add cosmetic touches to bring us old fans on board. It's whats under that counts. Since the original repu was cutting edge in little pickups, Mazda needs to maintain that as a standard. That would mean excellent HP to weight, and better that normal handling and brakes. ABS, and serious road race type all wheel drive, like the Mitsubishi 3000 VR4. If they tech up too much in the engine bay, it will blow us potential buyers into a major financial decision/crisis. Can we blow $40,000 on a pickup? I would be happy for anything above 200 HP and below 3000 lb, with handling to blow away almost any other truck and most sportscars. That annoys the hell out of them.
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nwaco
Redlining
Posts: 407
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posted February 21, 2003 10:03 AM |
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Get it right or forget it....
If Mazda (Ford) tosses us a re-tooled rotary powered B-series uni-body make-over, they can keep it. I'll take an original classic long before I spend big dollars for a tease. And I am being practicle, that is why I won't give them $20,000 + for a minimal investment by them. If a new classic won't sell, then don't make it.
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repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
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posted February 21, 2003 03:22 PM |
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I like the "tiny" mini truck concept. Try to get this truck under 2500lbs. With the capibilities to carry at least a 1000lbs. I guess I am dreaming. But, just imagine.
All wheel drive+250hp Renesis+2500lbs
I think that would be a formula to beat a 3rd gen? A 3rd gen in stock form of course. But with that type of power to weight ratio you'd really make alot of performance cars look bad.
Let alone trucks.
A mini El Camino, except not a uni body. A truck that can carry a 1000lbs and tow at least its own weight. At the same time. I mean the old one will do it. SO the new one better.
And build it with the assumption that people are at least 6 ft tall.
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted February 22, 2003 10:36 AM |
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You got it, Guru!
'Suicide' half-doors like the rx-8 perhaps, to access behind the two bolstered buckets--but no back seats! (Those could be an option to a bit bigger cab later.) Light weight, all-wheel drive, approaching 300hp...gotta carry 3/4ton, at least. Anything that adds weight has to be optional. Lightweight, factory bed-cover or canopy options would be very cool, though... as would a factory towing setup. Can't wait to see the rally-winning desert race version!
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roaddancer
Hauling
Posts: 127
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posted February 24, 2003 09:04 PM |
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Saw a picture at an auto show site that pictured a show pickup from Mazda. Touch up the fender lines a bit, and toss in the right drivetrain, and you got it! Nice looking little truck! It would take very little to make this one look nostalgic and modern at the same time. Certainly more appealing than most of the retro crowd.
Can we convince Mazda that there are enough of us, with money, to justify building it? Consider that Mazda has been a "niche market" builder for some time. Small production runs are not out of the question, if they can use mostly existing parts. And the RX8 is waiting to donate!
We can hope!
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Jeff20B
Moderator
Posts: 661
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posted March 02, 2003 12:04 PM |
Edited By: Jeff20B on 2 Mar 2003 12:06
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I've added my two cents.
I typed a somewhat lengthy post here http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?action=read&pgid=158&articleId=158 and I hope it'll do the job.
One thing I forgot to mention was to make the REPU at least as capable as the original. That would be a payload capacity of at least 1400LBS. Towing capacity likewise. Bare minimum. The original REPU was ahead of its time. If Mazda does a new REPU, well, you know.
____________
'74 REPU
'76 Cosmo
'77 MG Midget 13B
'81 RX-7
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