FYI, if people are considering pre-orders on the rx-8 in the bay area, this is what I found out:

Oak Tree & Almaden: $5k over MSRP. They're greedy, but they do have a large allocation between the 2 dealerships (altho' the first one is prolly gone already)

Diablo in walnut creek: the guy thought $1k over, but didn't seem real sure

Fremont: $3k over

Redwood city: $3k over, but the guy was sorta clueless so who knows

Putnam & Sunnyvale: clueless about the car (uh, we won't know until it comes in...)

Capitola: MSRP!! Yes! Small allocation and $3k deposit though. I talked to (and ordered from) a helpful salesguy named Benny and their Pre-sales order guy who is named Ray. They had some actual info on the car and have seen pre-production versions - apparently they're using the Capitola dealer as a stop off point for testing/demo cars at Laguna Seca.

In calling around, a remarkable number of salespeople told me Mazda hasn't released MSRP numbers yet; I told them to look on Mazda's website.... I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but still.

Wow, capitola huh? That's a crazy drive for you but I suppose it's well worth all the trouble if you can get it msrp. That would be cool if you could get track time as a free gift to go along with the pre-order of an rx8.

Well, it's only an hour and a half, and probably the only time I need to go is for actual pickup - the rest was done by phone. Considering my commute is almost an hour anyway, it's not bad.

Plus, taking Highways 280/17 and/or 1 aren't exactly boring superslab.

Yeah, if I pre ord@capitola you better believe I'm taking my fc to carve a hole on the side of hwy 1. :D

Originally posted by deks
Putnam & Sunnyvale: clueless about the car (uh, we won't know until it comes in...)

That's Putnam alright--on NUMEROUS visits this week with various different people. I put $500 down, but have never got a straight answer on price or whether I'm getting an actual pre-order or an allotment car that closely matched my description. At least I have a receipt... (^_^)

Someone from their internet department thing finally gave me a call tonight regarding the gathering of some "information". I'll have to call her back tomorrow and see if she has anything better to say (or offer).

About a year ago, I had another experience at Putnam. Check out this old thread from the 7 forum.

http://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45739&highlight=stupid+mazda+dealers

If the link doesn't work, try a search of subject title only using "stupid mazda dealers" . My post is the fourth from the top.

-Ed

I have been to Diablo before, they are really small.

I bet if you went there in person you could get the car for MSRP.

Trying to charge $5k over MSRP is outrageous. Keep that in mind when you need to service your car--if they're that greedy before the car arrives how do you think they'll act once it does? I placed a preorder with Capitola.
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Lovely Wendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

Yeah, I'm pretty much going to avoid them, even if I'm buying some other Mazda some other time.

I will need to figure out where to get it serviced, since Santa Cruz is a little far for that. Although, for a quick service, a run down 1 and back wouldn't be the worst thing in the world....

There are lots of third party mechanics around as well. Once the RX-8 becomes better known the service options should open up.

Are Stevens Creek and Sunnyvale the only dealers trying to gouge people? We should get a list going as a resource for interested buyers.
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Five Stage Grinder (http://www.vaporshop.com)

How many of you guys have actually preordered your car already? Also did you pay MSRP and what color/options did you guys get?