From a couple of friends who just got back from the Consumer Electronics Show. They apparently had some decked out RX-8's there with a bunch of the latest audio/DVD/nav gear (as well as 1500 watt amp racks, which I wasn't really interested in).

They let me know that several companies are making audio cabinets and adapters for the RX-8, so that you won't be confined to the factory radio sets and Ford's circular faceplates.

For those of you out there that have been drooling over the Pioneer all-in-one head unit, a faceplate and wiring adapter kit will become available for it in the February timeframe.

I will post more info, as I get it. If anyone else has any, please feel free to extend this thread!

sweet! i can't wait to see the pics. i was hoping to not have to drop for the navigation system and bose audio. this should drop the price of my 8! Hopefully though, they'll get rid of the damn packages so I can still go for the homelink and leather seats, maybe the moonroof too. at least i know i won't have to go with the navigation system. they make better ones these days that can be integrated with a dvd/video head unit. who knows...we'll just have to wait and see.

-P23

Was anyone at CES showing an AUX-in adapter for the RX-8?

Uhhh...Portero, I don't want to rain on your parade or anything, but those all-in-one head units (like the Pioneer) start around $2500 or so. That and the digital unit to spoof the electronics on the RX-8 may make it less that desireable for most people, considering that the nav is about $1500 then can be hacked for like another $1200 with DVD.

Although my buds didn't see an AUX-IN adapter specifically, they did have a hacked Nav RX-8 with RCA inputs in the center console. They had an iROCK playing off of a 1/8" to RCA cable there, apparently.

I still can't find a shop in cali to hack my nav to play dvd's

Yeah, the touchscreen DVD/TV/Nav systems are expensive. But, you get what you pay for. Although very smoothly integrated into the dash, the factory nav just isn't worth the additional $2000. The quality of the maps and the limited upgradeability of the Bose head unit just didn't warrant shelling out that much extra cash. Being able to easily integrate navigation, bluetooth phone, cd changers, hard drive mp3, and mobile computing into one helluva system is definitely worth it, IMHO. If the aftermarket audio companies are indeed making cabinets and adapters for the RX-8, I'm definitely not going to drop $2000 on the factory nav if I can implement one better.

Without Nav and without Bose (Touring Package), the car is $3,600 cheaper. I can buy a lot of toys with $3,600, and integrate them the way I want to.

The only downside is I won't be able to get the glass moonroof or the auto-dimming mirror w/ homelink. The mirror is probably purchaseable, but I'm not going to take a chainsaw to my 8 to put in a moonroof.

Also...it seems like with the moonroof shade open, I had *more* headroom in the driver's and passenger's seat than without a moonroof. Maybe it was just an illusion. I dunno...I kinda want one, but with or without a moonroof, either option is fine with me.

Don't forget, you also sacrifice th 18" wheels and the LSD. Those aren't the easiest (or cheapest) to add as well.

I'll tell ya. I love my car. However, I do wish the moonroof were a little further forward, so that I could actually look up and see out it well. ...sigh...

I agree with you on ALL the other points, though.

I think the thread title should say 2004 not 2003. :) I still write it sometimes too.

Here in Cali, moonroof/convertibles are great.. always sunny, or mildly warm. This way I don't have to lower the window, just pop up the moonroof. I wanted to get everything now, so that if I don't want it later, I'll have the option to just change it, instead of wishing I had installed it. Only thing I didn't get is the Nav and Aero.. only because I already planned to add my own Nav and kit.

well, if you get the sport package, you get the 18" wheels and LSD, as well as a bunch of other schtuff. the savings I was talking about, $3,600, was for the $2,000 Nav system and a $1,600 savings by dropping from the Touring Package to the Sport Package. All that the Touring Package comes with that isn't included in the Sport Package is the Bose, moonroof, and homelink system.

Sorry about hijacking the thread. Nevertheless, I am very excited about the custom cabinets and adapters that companies might come out with for the RX-8.

In this thread:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18353
the white car has a modded interior housing a standard motorized screen. Pretty well implemented, but I hope the audio companies come out with something that still retains a bit of the original dash.

-P23

Originally posted by huhsler
They let me know that several companies are making audio cabinets and adapters for the RX-8, so that you won't be confined to the factory radio sets and Ford's circular faceplates.

Did they get the names of the companies working on those adapter kits?

I will post pics of the RX-8 tomorrow. To be honest I was only mildly impressed with it.

-Mr. Wigggles

If you upgrade to a different head unit is it possible to still use the stereo controls on the steering wheel? This may be a dumb question and has probably been answered somewhere in this forum but I couldn't find, so if it has been answered then sorry for the repost.

Ack! It's not 2003! Ahhhh!

There are two companies that were at CES. One of them was Metro, Metre or something like that (help me out here!). They didn't get the name of the other one.

Ah, I forgot about the Sport Package. You know, I was thinking that without a moonroof, a ceiling mounted DVD unit would work well for the back seats!

Jag, BOTH companies that had their RX-8's at CES had their stereo components wired to the steering wheel. Allegedly, the volume and mute take their feeds from the amp control, AFTER the head unit, while the mode switch takes it's feed from the console unit BEFORE the head.

Can anyone confirm or deny that?

there is an adapter for that, and I can't for the life of me remember who in the world makes it....Rotarygod will remember i'm sure...

I'm sure that others have better quality photos, but while we're waiting I'll go ahead and post my phone pix...

(Sorry, I didn't get much on specifics.)

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I believe that is team hybrid's rx8
very nice IMO

The name of the company that was showing the adapters for aftermarket setups would be Metra Autosound, they have a new line called the 'Turbo2' that matches the factory surround exactly, and uses the steering wheel inputs.

S

Here (http://www.cesweb.org/attendees/exhibit_floor/directory/eims_exhibitor_details.asp?exhibid=5322&) is a link from CES with a little info and a link to the Turbo2 description (although they mention the Hoda Accord, not Mazda...*shrug*)

At CES, there was also a Mazda6 with an eye-catching paint job done in matte white with blueprint-style highlights:

(Oh yeah, and matching six-string electric guitar on the roof to boot.)

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Originally posted by portero23
Yeah, the touchscreen DVD/TV/Nav systems are expensive. But, you get what you pay for. Although very smoothly integrated into the dash, the factory nav just isn't worth the additional $2000. The quality of the maps and the limited upgradeability of the Bose head unit just didn't warrant shelling out that much extra cash.

I don't know that i would dive into a toughscreen Nav system. They look great in a showroom but after you use them for a while the screens become covered in fingerprints. If you don't wipe them down regularly they end of looking like cash registers in fast food places. Thats minor but I like having the better picture without all the smudges. I do agree the maps could be a bit better but I've been real happy so far, so I'm not going to worry about it.

A guess its like most parts on a car. Some parts are just fine stock and some are not. You can almost always get a better part in the aftermarket.

FYI....METRA did not display at CES...i talked with Mike Brechue and they have not made a kit for the RX-8 and have no plans at this time to do so...He said he noticed someone here stated they (Metra) demoed there but said they are feeding everyone on this forum BS!

What? That pisses me off! What's the deal StealthTL? What's up with the misinformation?

Sorry. That was my fault, entirely.

I checked with my friend and they said that they didn't actually see a Metra panel demo'd. They saw custom panels (per pictures) and were told that Metra will LIKELY be the ones to mass-produce similar panels.

My profuse apologies. I hadn't done any follow-up on this thread since the show.

So Metra is definitely NOT producing for the RX-8? Is that absolute?

*from my email with Mike*
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"Charlie
We did not show a kit for the 2004 RX-8. We have no plans to make such a kit at this time. I read on a Mazda forum that we did that kit, but who ever posted that was mistaken.

Mike Brechue
Metra Electronics
Product Specialist
800.221.0932 x. 282
mikeb@metra-autosound.com
http://www.metraonline.com
Please include all correspondence when replying!"
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