One thing i found different between the prototype and production versions was the shifter stalk is now longer (and not as attractive). But really bothers me is that the two buttons on the central tunnel that appear to be the window buttons. It would be a clear attempt at cost cutting, but on a $30,000 car they should be on the door. I hope I am wrong about this, but i'm not sure what eles it could be.

http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=16739

Here is an interior pic of the old car to compare shifters.
http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=16740

I have seen Mercedes AMG cars wich have the buttons for the windows on the center tunnel so imo its not that bad. I think even some Ferraris have the buttons there!:D

I fail to see how locating the buttons in the center would save any substatial cost over locating them on the doors, but I totally agree with you...I'd much rather have them on the doors.

As for the shifter, I'll probably replace that with something rediculously tacky like an eight-ball or something anyway... :D

Those buttons are no doubt for heated seats.

My Millenia has them located infront of the shifter, which is a bad place so I think Mazda learned their lesson and moved them back.

Besides, I saw there are window buttons on the drivers door and passenger door, so I doubt that they moved them to the center. It would add cost because the motor of the window is located in the door, not in the center tunnel.

my mom has had a couple of vettes over the years and her window buttons were there also.

As for the shifter, I'll probably replace that with something rediculously tacky like an eight-ball or something anyway...
Or a skull....:D

Or an aftermarket copy of the super-short concept car shifter :cool:

An aftermarket concept shifter would be good but i would have to see the one on the 8 before I make any decision wether I like it or not.

It is the same size shifter. The difference is that the car is put in gear this time and thus the shifter looks longer because the leather sheath is streched.

If they put it back into neutral you'd see how I'm right :)

First how did you see a production car? But if you did can you say something about the seating. Is it two tone leather? Is the leather solid or perforated? Hopefully in my opinion, solid

Originally posted by joeandcarol2
First how did you see a production car? But if you did can you say something about the seating. Is it two tone leather? Is the leather solid or perforated? Hopefully in my opinion, solid There's a reason for a sports car to have mesh leather, at least in the ass area... it is more grippy and holds you into place, as well as breathes better. From the pictures though, it looks solid to me.

There has been mention of two tone leather on the MazdaUSA website so I'd fathom that it will come in certain colors on the cars, perhaps not all. I don't know if I'd go for the two-tone scheme, but I might... leaves me that option available at least :)

Personally I don't like any buttons there.. :confused:

I don't mind the window buttons on the center tunnel since I like to keep my left hand on the wheel when I drive. The right hand can come off the wheel for shifts or playing with the radio or window buttons if needed. I find that friends that drive automatics tend to drive with their right hands and rest their lefts on the door armrest. They probably wouldn't like it. So maybe the buttons are on the right for ergonomics?

I just hope the buttons aren't in the way of where I'd like to rest my elbow on the center console. Doesn't look like they're in a very good place considering the design of the center tunnel. I'd like 'em on the door.

Originally posted by Hercules
There's a reason for a sports car to have mesh leather, at least in the ass area... it is more grippy and holds you into place, as well as breathes better. From the pictures though, it looks solid to me.

There has been mention of two tone leather on the MazdaUSA website so I'd fathom that it will come in certain colors on the cars, perhaps not all. I don't know if I'd go for the two-tone scheme, but I might... leaves me that option available at least :)

Please spare me the conventional wisdom. I prefer solid, not perforated. Cloth is much better choice for the properties you mention anyway.

If the leather is not perforated, you could throw a cat in there with a catnip toy - it'll be perforated in @ 30 minutes :D

Seriously though, solid leather is bad in cars. Gets too hot in the summer sun, and doesn't breathe. Hopefully, if 2 tone is an option, it won't be too expensive. and perforated.

i think its going to be perforated for the heated seats. which for economic reasons means perforated for all even if you dont get heated seats.

I remember reading one of the preview articles saying North America was not getting leather, due to North American consumer preferences. Instead we would be getting some synthetic, non-cloth material (did not specify). I'll try yo look for the exact reference.

Originally posted by B-Nez
I remember reading one of the preview articles saying North America was not getting leather, due to North American consumer preferences. Instead we would be getting some synthetic, non-cloth material (did not specify). I'll try yo look for the exact reference. EEEP!

No I want leather, screw everybody else :D

Originally posted by Hercules
EEEP!

No I want leather, screw everybody else :D

my sentiments exactly, herc!

The North American market DOESN'T like leather? Huh? Say it ain't so.....I WANT LEATHER. The real stuff.

Are these mirror controls???

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Are these mirror controls???

nope those are NAV(!) controls:D

Well that pic puts to rest my idea of those being window buttons. Definetly heater controls. Btw RotorMotor where did you get that pic?
http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=17045

It was on the second or third page of this japanese site (http://www.auto-g.jp/news/200212/18/newcar01/index.html ).

I didn't know that nav had been finalized Zoom44. Bad ass!!!

Here's another BEAUTIFUL pic from the same site...

http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=17088

well the nav hasnt been confirmed for the states yet and since it isn't available on the mazdz6 we may not get it:mad:
on your last pic where is the hood prop rod?

No that's like a mouse for the navigation system... other systems have different pointer devices, but for the RX-8 I thought it kinda neat :)

Originally posted by RotorMotor
http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=17088
Umm.. personally I hate all that plastic covering the engine.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the plastic either....

Zoom, it looks like the prop rod is still in the down posistion (along the bottom of the pic). Somebody's probably holding the hood up.

Check this out too! Looks like the center console in the rear will have some real function as well. If I'm posting a bunch of stuff you guys have already seen, let me know. I'm just stoked because I haven't seen most of this yet..... :D

http://www.rx8forum.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=17099

Ewwww, gross. If were to get this car, first thing I'm doing is ripping all that out and showing of that powerplant instead of a big piece of plastic. I much prefer the way I have my integra, polished valve cover, big shiny wastegate and BOV, turbo visible, stainless headers. Looks so much better than a big slab of plastic.

Originally posted by Br1t1shYank
Ewwww, gross. If were to get this car, first thing I'm doing is ripping all that out and showing of that powerplant instead of a big piece of plastic. I much prefer the way I have my integra, polished valve cover, big shiny wastegate and BOV, turbo visible, stainless headers. Looks so much better than a big slab of plastic. Don't be suprised if they void your warranty then :(

It's there so that techs from Mazda do all the work instead of your local mechanic as well as for aesthetics :)

I personally don't mind it myself... but whatever.. it's about how it drives and its power delivery.. I can stand the cover being covered by the hood anyway :)

Lol, well I'm not too worried about my warrenty. If I get one of these, I'm either getting the shortest warrenty I can find and using that up, or just forgetting about it and going right into modding it. Right now my integra is pushing over 300whp at 15lbs of boost, so as far as power output i'd probably be abit underwhelmed. But my teg is still a fwd, reletively low-range sports car, and since the rx-8 comes fast from the factory, I'm sure I could do even better with it than my teg. I mean who needs to wait for someone to develop a turbo kit (my tegs setup was put together by me). Gimme a good exhaust shop, an HKS GT t3/t4 turbo and the rest of the assorted goodies and I'll be boosting before that thing even leaves the lot ;-p.

Originally posted by Br1t1shYank
Lol, well I'm not too worried about my warrenty. If I get one of these, I'm either getting the shortest warrenty I can find and using that up, or just forgetting about it and going right into modding it. Right now my integra is pushing over 300whp at 15lbs of boost, so as far as power output i'd probably be abit underwhelmed. But my teg is still a fwd, reletively low-range sports car, and since the rx-8 comes fast from the factory, I'm sure I could do even better with it than my teg. I mean who needs to wait for someone to develop a turbo kit (my tegs setup was put together by me). Gimme a good exhaust shop, an HKS GT t3/t4 turbo and the rest of the assorted goodies and I'll be boosting before that thing even leaves the lot ;-p. Your funeral :)

Rotaries don't respond well to turbos unless they are properly engineered to fit the car.. that being said, look at the 93 RX-7s with the TT setups that went bad, and those were put together by some damn good engineers...

Originally posted by Hercules
Don't be suprised if they void your warranty then :(

It's there so that techs from Mazda do all the work instead of your local mechanic as well as for aesthetics :)
Ok I know you are speculating here.. Mazda better not even try crap like that with me.. voiding my warranty.. haha.. good one.

Simple solution - keep the plastic crap and when/if the car is doing something wrong, put it back in the engine bay before taking the car in for service. :)

It dosen't nessecarily have to be window buttons. I mean in a car with a mini-disc player, it could be anything. Plus I have no problem with the windows button being right there, I mean while I have my hand on the shifter, what is the harm reaching back to hit the button. That is much easier then if it is on the door. Plus it could be something like heated seats, which is not likely since that hasn't been listed as an option anywheres. But for the sake of an example it could be for anything. SUCH AS EJECTION SEATS, for a guy who seats beside you and comments on how good a 350z looks like......phhhhhwooooobooommm and he is out of there baby!:p

I'm pretty sure someone already said this, but those are heat switches for the heated seats. I hope that they have two diff settings (high and low). Thatd be ILL blahAHAHA
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