Although I must admit my original enthusiasm about the 8 has definitely been tempered due to various issues it is still one fo the cars on my list for this spring.. that said, does anyone know how many 8's will Canada receive for 2005? I really would like to go for a serious test drive this spring, as in full warm up, maybe 15-30 mins in the city and hwy and hoping that the dealers will not be as anal with test drives like they were in the first year. Do you guys think that they will haggle on the price too?

Was just thinking.. The original allocation for the 04 model year of about 700, would that include cars that are bought in spring/summer of 2004? Another words, if I want to get one this spring, would I have to wait until fall/winter of 2004 to get a 2005 model?

Yep, 2005's aren't being delivered until about Sept. So no '05's b4 then. The last shipment of the 04's are just arriving as we speak.

How would you know that all the Canadian cars are being shipped now while I have my order for a 2004 to be delivered in May ?

Will it arrive here in winter and be stored until I get it in May ?

If you've been around a while or read back through the May to August posts, you should know that Mazda Canada works differently than the US. I don't believe any Mazda Canada dealer who says they can order a specific Mazda model and options for a certain delivery date - they can request preferences for their monthly allocations, and sometimes those requests will even be met, but it's not like you can order a specific car which gets built for you after you order it. For the first few shipments of RX-8s, Mazda Canada just delivered cars basically at random to their dealers - it didn't matter at all what the dealers had taken deposits on (as far as GS or GT, colours, etc), they got what Mazda Canada gave them, and had to decide themselves how to reconcile those deliveries with the orders on hand. Dealers can trade to find you a car that matches what you want, but...

In other words, the fact that your dealer took a deposit from you for an RX-8 to be delivered in May wouldn't reassure me at all in the slightest that you will actually be taking delivery in May of the car you "ordered".

Regards,
Gordon

Gordon, thanks for the reply.

Indeed my dealer took the order for May 2004 and wrote it in the offer to purchase. They did nit think to know that there was a problem with a given date.

I will not take delivery of the car before May and I will keep you posted of any news about delivery date.

That's fine, but don't be surprized if your car has been sitting on a lot or showroom for a while. I ordered my car for March/April delivery but I found out my car is already in port (Vancouver.) So it should be in town in about 3-4weeks.

So you suggest that I should call my dealer, find if she has a VIN number and then find out what is happening.

Anything else I should do to find the state of this car ?

Originally posted by halfon
So you suggest that I should call my dealer, find if she has a VIN number and then find out what is happening.

Yup, that would be a very good idea - get them to tell you the status of your order, and to be very specific - don't let them brush you off, ask them if the car is built yet, get the VIN, is it in transit at sea, in port, on rail, etc. If it's not built yet - ask them for the build date, or some indication (proof) that it will be built next month (May delivery would require it to be built in Feb or early Mar).

Regards,
Gordon

Halfon - ask your dealer for the SON (sold order number) for your car. The SON is like a VIN number to a dealer. Once they have a SON for your order (your model, your colour, your options), they know that they will get that exact car. Then they can follow it as it changes status from scheduled, in production, produced, at sea, at port, on rail, etc. Good luck.

Quick...

I am not sure if you want a 2005 model specifically, but there certainly seem to be alot of 8's on dealer lots right now. I know that some are not sold, and assume that in fact MANY are not sold. I counted 5 outside at Ontario Mazda weeks ago, and most were still there last time I looked.

Surely one could find a dealer in the spring that will honour a good test drive to a serious shopper...

For what it's worth, I bought mine out of dealer inventory here in Calgary. There really isn't much need for a test drive.

Cheers

there's a few rx-8 on autotrader for sale. when my wife and i checked out the new mazda3 hatch, i was offered a test drive on a grey rx8 gt. but i declined (wut was i thinking?!) as we were pressed for time and the mazda3 was the priority (we need a useable little hatch). but for sure, i will not buy a car without test driving it. heck i test drove a few 911s before making my decision and this is no Porsche. ;)

You should have no trouble getting a "real" test drive come spring. These cars aren't really a commodity any more, so if the dealer won't let you, just go to one that will.

This thread has me thinking back about the vehicles I've purchased over the years, and the disturbing number that I purchased without a test drive. In several cases, without ever having seen one.

My 1999 Civic SiR... owned the first one in the province... pre-ordered it.. owned it 3 weeks before I'd even seen one... first time I drove it was off the lot to take it home.

My RX-8... saw a prototype in Miami, but the first time I saw mine (or a blue one at all) was when mine came off the train... first time I drove it was on the dealers lot back to the bay so they could do the PDI.

Both of my bikes I bought without a test ride... I didn't realize I was such an easy sale. :)

Originally posted by BARK
. There really isn't much need for a test drive.

Cheers
Why would you say that? Are you rich enough to buy a $45K car without driving it extensively first? :confused:

Especially one with a rotary engine that I haven't driven before.. well once at 16 but that was a long time ago.. :P

I'll admit, I haven't been looking around but thought since the 2004 allocation was about 700 they would be all gone.. I guess not. I am serious about getting A car this spring and the 8 is on the short list but I'm not making any decisions without a 1/2 an hour testdrive city/hwy combined...

Oh and did I mention I'm not willing to pay msrp either? :P Those days are over imo..

Hi Quick:

No - what I intended to convey was that, based on my experience with both test-driving and purchasing my 8 was that a test drive is unlikely to negate a purchasing decision. In fact, my first month of ownership continues to reinforce the "buy" decision.

In general, the car has exceeded my expectations. In fact, with the possible exception of our Miata, of all the cars I've owned, it may well turn out to be the one I least regret having.

Cheers

Hey Quick

Just talked to my ol' salesman buddy: current info on the 8 is still MSRP no ifs, ands, or buts. Given that they probably expect to sell some in the spring, I am sure that that attitude will at least continue until the 2005's are on the horizon.

On the other hand, if sales are slow...

I understand Bark. :)

Hmm.. I hope sombody will budge on the msrp otherwise I probably won't buy it, I don't think msrp is right for various reasons (this is my own opinion so don't jump on me :D ) and I don't believe in paying msrp for any car, period. :p I'll cross that bridge in the spring I guess..

Hey Quick,

Being a principled guy myself I would find it hard to critisize your "no MSRP" stance. Having said that, if you say that the "days of paying MSRP are over IMHO", then you are probably not realizing whose opinion is important in this argument.

Rightly or wrongly, RX8s are still going out the door right now at MSRP. I was just at Ontario Mazda (I don't know why I go there, I don't know anybody there...) and realized that of the five cars I counted on their lot 3 weeks ago, four are gone. Checked with a sales manager there, and indeed they were all sold. Not only that, they have another one (black, fully loaded) that wasn't there before. Seems they are still selling in the winter after all...

I guess my point (and I do have one) is that if you really liked the car (lets say you liked it the best ), and every dealer was able to sell all of their product at MSRP within a reasonable length of time, would you stick your principle of not paying MSRP or would you choose the car you liked best? I mean, EVENTUALLY (maybe sooner than later) these cars will be sold at below MSRP. Its just that you won't be allowed to decide when that is... :(

But like you said, I guess you'll cross that bridge in the spring. I certainly understand sticking to principles...

There is another consideration on the MSRP, which relates to relative value in relation to what else is available for comparable amounts. Is there another vehicle in the 8's price range that comes close? I concluded that the 8 was fair value for the asking price, particularly when compared the premiums attached to its competition. In addition, I think Mazda Canada has done well in equipping and pricing relative to the U.S.-spec 8's.

Cheers

That's true Bark, the problem is that the 8 is pretty much in a niche of it's own, there aren't that many sporty performance RWD or AWD cars out there in this price range ~40K :( If I was looking for FWD then I would have a lot more choices..

I also understand the supply and demand issue, heck if I was the dealer and the cars were moving at msrp, I wouldn't budge either. :D This is why I was hoping that more cars would be showing up on the lots this spring as part of the second year allocation and not the original first year 700 or so.

the key is "Be ready to walk out the dealership". to me the rx8 is one of many choices...which range from a 350z, g35c, STi, WRX (maybe), s2000, used boxsters, Z4s.... so if the mazda guy wants my sale then he better earn it. heh!
but to those who wants an rx8 and nothing else then be prepared to pay msrp right? all's fair.
also quick_lude if you want to be a smart buyer, it's best to get a slightly used car. You save so much on depreciation and sometimes GST too! ;)

They were selling for under MSRP in Nov Dec in Ottawa, so find yourself a dealer that isn't so busy and you might find your deal.

Broose, thanks for your answer.

__________________________________________________ __
ask your dealer for the SON (sold order number) for your car. The SON is like a VIN number to a dealer. Once they have a SON for your order (your model, your colour, your options), they know that they will get that exact car. Then they can follow it as it changes status from scheduled, in production, produced, at sea, at port, on rail, etc. Good luck.

__________________________________________________ __

It took me a week but now I have the SON. Can I track it the car on the Internet myself ?

Thanks

Alrite Quick_lude got some great news for you. I've been looking around Toronto to find a real RX-8 in showroom so I can at least go in and check out the interior and the visibility. I got a lot of "We don't have any, sold all of ours" and many more "no Test Drives, you have it order it first". You probably have the similar experience as I had.

Just last week, I drove by the brand new built Avante Mazda at Major Mackenzie and Yonge. The corner of my eye saw the back end of Blue RX-8 in the showroom. So this past Sat, I called and told them I'm very interested at ordering a RX-8 and ask if I can arrange a time to come in and take a look at the car. Sure enough they schedule in a time for me and ensured me that there will someone there to show me the car in the showroom.

Went over there at my schedule time and this Sales Person greeted me and immediately went over and opened up that beautiful Blue RX-8 at the showroom for me. I was like COOL ! FINALLY !!! (which surprised me since someone told me that a lot of the other Sales guys there are very anal and wouldn't even let you sit in one) Then he suggested that why don't I look at the DEMO car instead since it got EVERYTHING on it. I was like DEMO CAR ???!!! At the back they got a Titanium Fully Fully Loaded 4-Sp AT RX-8. And as we all know what is a Demo car for ? that's right for TEST DRIVES !!!

Get this, This Sale Guy not only took me around the entire car and show me all features in great details, he even offered me a test drive without me asking. I was like what a cool sale person.
Since I was busy that day I scheduled it for tonite.

So I got there Tonite, and he pulled up the Demo Car in front for me and to my surprise again, he just tossed me the keys and told me to bring it back in about 45 mins. I was like OOOOOHH YEEEAAA...... :D

Anyhow, after test driving it, no question about it, I was very very impressed by the car. But I'm more impressed with this Sale Guy for being so cool about it. I highly recommend anyone who is interested at this car to go see him so you can actually see the car in details. (Just on Sat. while I was at the dealership, this Sale Guy was selling these two guys the RX-8 and he didn't even open up the showcar for them to see it !!! yea ok, guess who I'm gona buy my car from ? the guy who won't even let me touch it or the guy who gave me the test drive).

Anyway, go to Avante Mazda at Maj. Mac. and Yonge, ask for Arthur Chong . Tel: 905-780-9999.

Hey Smoker, thanks for the update :) but the AT and MT are two totally different animals.. I would need to test drive an MT version.

I see, I was more interested in just getting the feel of the car so the AT was good enough for me. But I agree, in terms of performance the MT and the AT are definitely two different animals.

I heard from a friend that Avante and Yonge and Steele got a MT but I cannot remember for sure. I'll ask him again on the weekend and confirm this for you.

Thanks, let me know. :) The AT would give me insight for the handling I guess and the breaking but need the MT to see how I like the power/drivetrain.

I fellow 8 fans, i order my 8 before chrismas for delivery in april04, i was able to deal on the total price of my GT + acces. version, i visited 4 differents mazda delears around Laval (Quebec) was able to test drive twice and get the best deal at Albi Mazda in Mascouche who was the biggest Mazda dealer in North America in 2003 and got it at $ 1000.00 less than the other dealers visited. Looking foward to get it .