powerhead
09-03-2003, 04:36 PM
Yesterday, my dealer called, and said that Mazda Greece has in its premises 8 RX-8s for press purposes and that if I would like I could go over there and have a look (my mobile nearly fall off my hands but I tried to stay cool :D ). At last! I could see the CAR I have ordered (and waiting for delivery by the end of December) in real (not in Internet photos). Needless to say that at 8:00 AM today I was at the premises.
I will not comment on the Mazda-Greece image and behaviour towards customers. I will just say that I own a Mazda Xedos and had promised myself no to buy a Mazda again (due to the price of parts and the incompetence of proper representation - I consider myself fortunate not to have any reliability or guarantee problems). Nevertheless I easily broke my vow when I saw and learned about the RX-8. Anyway, arriving at the premises, I asked the guy to show me the cars, and he escorted me to the site where I was presented with 6 covered cars, and two uncovered. A sunlight silver and a tit grey. From the plate numbers I recognised the cars seen in some photos on this forum. They were previously in Italy and they will go next to Austria I think.
The moment I saw them, I got really excited. The cars were standing there side by side. My previous choice (sunlight silver) and my final (tit grey), after I changed my mind seeing photos in this forum. They looked much better in real (as other persons have already said).
I started going around them and looking at details taking pictures (as those I include) and I have to admit that I started to have third ;) thoughts about the colour I ordered. The grey car was dirty, and since it was quite early in the morning and the sun was low it looked very dark. The silver one looked awesome though, and very sporty. As the sun went up, and another tit grey car was uncovered (a clean one) I just thought : wow! great colour. It looks quite nicer and lighter now :eek: ). I still can't believe how the grey can give so many impressions depending on the lighting conditions. On the opposite side, the silver, with the Greek sun higher in the sky, started to glow an annoying brightness. The point is that I was always puzzled by these colours and I still am.
The interiors of both cars where black/grey, the tit one having leather. My opinion is that the one-coloured interior is not very dramatic and spoils a little bit the impression.
I sat in the grey one, and I was trembling with excitement as I realised the cockpit I was in! The glowing instruments are awesome and the piano black console startling. The wheel was just the right size and thickness. In general the interior gave the impression of a luxury sports car. I tried the clutch and felt very light, and the gear lever had short throws. I turned on the engine and the only difference I could distinguish from a four cylinder one was a light metallic whining.
I am 1m87cm tall (6'2''?) and I fitted quite comfortably. Having the front seat at my driving position I tried to sit at the back. I slipped in easily without moving the front seat, and as I sat behind the driver side, my head could hardly touch the roof, but my feet where jammed (but then the same happens with my Xedos). Anyway, my 2-year-old baby sits behind me so I don't care.
I think the back seats are quite comfortable for normal sized persons, but the visibility is poor and a bit claustrophobic. But wait a minute! This car has no moonroof!! The one I ordered has one. How can I test if I fit in there?!
Fortunately, one of the covered cars (a black with a red/black interior) had a moonroof, so I tried to sit in there too. Yippee :D !!
The roof was about 2-3 cm above my hair. I fit very nice. My biggest concern turns out OK The red/black interior was much nicer, sporty, and classy as well. I much liked it, although I ordered a tan/black interior because I think its more classy and it will last longer in my taste (and my age!!). The black car looked astonishing as well but after being too bored of continuously cleaning my dark blue Xedos and much worried about cat scratches, keys etc. I decided not to buy a dark car again.
Well these were my aesthetic impressions of the car and I have to say that I can’t wait to get mine. Marvellous!!
P.S. By the way, are there any other Greek members in this forum?! :) :)
I will not comment on the Mazda-Greece image and behaviour towards customers. I will just say that I own a Mazda Xedos and had promised myself no to buy a Mazda again (due to the price of parts and the incompetence of proper representation - I consider myself fortunate not to have any reliability or guarantee problems). Nevertheless I easily broke my vow when I saw and learned about the RX-8. Anyway, arriving at the premises, I asked the guy to show me the cars, and he escorted me to the site where I was presented with 6 covered cars, and two uncovered. A sunlight silver and a tit grey. From the plate numbers I recognised the cars seen in some photos on this forum. They were previously in Italy and they will go next to Austria I think.
The moment I saw them, I got really excited. The cars were standing there side by side. My previous choice (sunlight silver) and my final (tit grey), after I changed my mind seeing photos in this forum. They looked much better in real (as other persons have already said).
I started going around them and looking at details taking pictures (as those I include) and I have to admit that I started to have third ;) thoughts about the colour I ordered. The grey car was dirty, and since it was quite early in the morning and the sun was low it looked very dark. The silver one looked awesome though, and very sporty. As the sun went up, and another tit grey car was uncovered (a clean one) I just thought : wow! great colour. It looks quite nicer and lighter now :eek: ). I still can't believe how the grey can give so many impressions depending on the lighting conditions. On the opposite side, the silver, with the Greek sun higher in the sky, started to glow an annoying brightness. The point is that I was always puzzled by these colours and I still am.
The interiors of both cars where black/grey, the tit one having leather. My opinion is that the one-coloured interior is not very dramatic and spoils a little bit the impression.
I sat in the grey one, and I was trembling with excitement as I realised the cockpit I was in! The glowing instruments are awesome and the piano black console startling. The wheel was just the right size and thickness. In general the interior gave the impression of a luxury sports car. I tried the clutch and felt very light, and the gear lever had short throws. I turned on the engine and the only difference I could distinguish from a four cylinder one was a light metallic whining.
I am 1m87cm tall (6'2''?) and I fitted quite comfortably. Having the front seat at my driving position I tried to sit at the back. I slipped in easily without moving the front seat, and as I sat behind the driver side, my head could hardly touch the roof, but my feet where jammed (but then the same happens with my Xedos). Anyway, my 2-year-old baby sits behind me so I don't care.
I think the back seats are quite comfortable for normal sized persons, but the visibility is poor and a bit claustrophobic. But wait a minute! This car has no moonroof!! The one I ordered has one. How can I test if I fit in there?!
Fortunately, one of the covered cars (a black with a red/black interior) had a moonroof, so I tried to sit in there too. Yippee :D !!
The roof was about 2-3 cm above my hair. I fit very nice. My biggest concern turns out OK The red/black interior was much nicer, sporty, and classy as well. I much liked it, although I ordered a tan/black interior because I think its more classy and it will last longer in my taste (and my age!!). The black car looked astonishing as well but after being too bored of continuously cleaning my dark blue Xedos and much worried about cat scratches, keys etc. I decided not to buy a dark car again.
Well these were my aesthetic impressions of the car and I have to say that I can’t wait to get mine. Marvellous!!
P.S. By the way, are there any other Greek members in this forum?! :) :)