I was surprised a moonroof wasn't listed as an option on that poll.

But do you think a moonroof can be designed into the car? I'm thinking with the pillarless design, if they chunk out more metal out of the car the chassis stiffness would suffer quite a bit. It would be a sweet option though.

Would you get it?

Mazda said that they have a stiff chassis due to strengthening in other spots than the B-Pillar. So a moonroof might not be out of the question. BTW when the moonroof was out of the poll b/c i ran outta room :P

I'm really hoping for a moon or sunroof, its going to be my daily driver i atleast want some cool options like a rear spoiler or sunroof.

I'll bet it does have a sunroof/moonrof option.

Mark me down for the cool options too. Matter of fact, mark me down for all of the options except auto tranny and power steering. :D

I'm definitely looking for a moon/sunroof. Once you have a car with one, it's hard to go back! :D

Originally posted by Dan
Once you have a car with one, it's hard to go back! :D

Looks like we have the same problems, i didn't really care about sunroofs until i bought my Rx-7 4 years ago, now i won't own a car without one :D

I also hope that a sunroof/moonroof option is available.

yah, a little more luxury is always a good thing

i'd get it.

I have to say, lack of sun/moon roof is my big deterent from getting a WRX. I had a moonroof on the 88 RX-7, I have one now on my Impreza RS...and dammit, I want another one! :)

but not a sunroof, as they're too heavy...I'd prefere a moonroof :)

Yeah, a moonroof adds a whole new dimension to a car. Almost as nice as a convertable :D I really hope the rx-8 has one.

I think that usually moonroofs are usually placed too far back on the roof so unless you are in the slow cruising laid back seating position you really just get a little additional light. There is no way it is similar to a convertible in any way having ridden in many cars with both versions... Unless they have a panorama style roof.

I'd rather see a targa roof if not an outright convertible. I've always loved sitting in my friend's Supra with the sport roof off cruising around, and I've pretty much vowed my next car will be a convertible or targa. So please Mazda announce one soon so I can stop eyeing the much less desirable 350z which at least has an announced convertible.

I'd pay for a moonroof, but only if structural stiffness wasn't too affected. With the pillarless design though, I doubt this is possible.

From what I see of other high-demand cars for sale in this price range, Mazda will be looking for every option available to get the price as high as they can. The official word may be a list price below $30K, but I don't think many will ship. For example, good luck finding a Lexus ES 300 with a sticker of $32,000 or an Acura MDX for $35,200?

Options are where the money is, so look for a long list of options and don't expect to see many "base" models until the demand slacks off some.

I agree on the options lists being expensive. I also hope they don't try "bundling" the options packages. What I mean is that manufacturers will offer a variety of option packages, but they are not always mutually exclusive.

An example of this is on the new Infiniti G35. I got all this from Infiniti's "build your own" function on their website. If you want the $2200 premium package, you also have to spend another $1000 for the sunroof. You can get the sunroof separately. Or if you want the $250 Wood trim package, you have to get the $2200 Premium package. If you dont want to spend the $2200 for the Premium Package and select the $550 Xenon option, you have to get the $900 Bose Audio. Are the Xenon headlamps controlled by the "Nd bass-boosting woofer"? Also, you can't get the $2000 Nav system without the Premium package. So what do you get for $2200?
• 200-watt Bose® premium audio system with 6 speakers and Nd™ woofer (this is available as a separate $900 option)
• Driver's seat memory with entry/exit assist
• 4-way power passenger's seat
• Reclining rear seatbacks with adjustable outboard head restraints
• Dual-zone climate control with microfiltration and rear vents
• Auto on/off headlights
• Electrochromic auto-dimming inside mirror
• One-touch open/close rear windows
• HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
Is this really worth $2200, and why do they want you to have it so badly?
I know it seem as though I'm picking on Infiniti here, but this was the most blantant example I could think of. Other manufacturers do this as well (Toyota, Nissan - same as Infiniti - I know, Mercedes, Saab, BMW). It is a cash cow of sorts for them.

Here's a Mazda example: Miata LS - If you select the $395 sport suspension, you have to get the $550 ABS option (which is available by itself). But if you get the ABS (either by itself or bundled with the Suspension system), you can't get the detachable hardtop. This is per the mazdausa website's "build your own" function.

Bottom Line: I hope the RX-8 will be available with options and packages that are not inter-dependent. This way, you can get exactly what you want. Sorry to be so long.

I just want them to make a convertible. Is this possible with the current structure?

Also any news on when the car might actually be available???

Here is my contribution to the rumor mill: I asked a Mazda salesman in Dallas when they are expected. His answer was November.

Originally posted by red_base 95
I agree on the options lists being expensive. I also hope they don't try "bundling" the options packages. What I mean is that manufacturers will offer a variety of option packages, but they are not always mutually exclusive.

The cost savings for having everything bundled is very significant. Many cars (including the Miata) are simply made in the styles the company thinks will sell. 2% get the Luxury package with dark blue paint, 3% get the sport package with convenience package 1 with black paint, etc.
With no special orders, they just pump out the cars, and can chop the price by thousands, not to mention the time it takes if they custom make half of the cars.

I agree that it gets annoying if the packages are extremely restrictive. The Miata is a good example. I think you have to spend something like 3k to get ABS, since it's not available on the base model. That's annoying, but it's part of the reason it's so cheap.

I would love to have moonroof option. That would be greatness.