I have the honour of the first thread in this regional forum! I want to keep it alive as I'm out here (even if nobody else is)!!

If anyone else has an RX-8 in or around Tokyo let me know and we can meet up and go driving (Hakone, skylines etc). I'm awaiting delivery of a fully loaded Titanium grey S-type with black/red leather.

Until it arrives I'm savouring the last moments of my S2000 with relish, getting the top down whenever & wherever possible. You've gotta love the cars this country produces!

Don't be shy!

John

Originally posted by JSG
II'm awaiting delivery of a fully loaded Titanium grey S-type with black/red leather.

John: In Japan does the "S-Type" equal the "Grand Touring" package in America (the only way we get leather)? Or is leather a separate option on the "Sport" package there?

In Japan we have:
base - cheapest 5 sp manual (210ps)
E-type - no classic Jaguar but a 4 sp auto (again 210ps)
S-type - 250ps 6 sp manual
(I don't know the technical difference between hp and ps but I'm assuming they're the same thing - it's just the docs here use ps)

I think the only difference should be naming as everything else ties up with what I've seen on the board but I'll check the docs when I get home.

With mine the sunroof, side curtain airbags and navigation were options (which I took). Bose premium audio was already in along with DSC, leather, HID etc. I get an immobiliser too. Just trying to work out at the moment but keyless entry might be a dealer option!

The drivers seat is powered and the passenger seat flips forward to let people in and out. Had a sit in 3 (all red), including the US model, at the Mazda R&D HQ near Tokyo.

No news on delivery dates although I'm hoping April/May.

John

It is interesting that the side curtian air bag is an option. I've always thought Japan's safety regulations would be stricter than the U.S. It's included in the base model here along with the keyless entry.

To answer your original question: In Japan we can build the car piece by piece....so you could have a fully loaded car with a cloth interior if you so desired. Some things are tied together but nothing too limiting. I guess they simplified it for export.

Originally posted by JSG
To answer your original question: In Japan we can build the car piece by piece....so you could have a fully loaded car with a cloth interior if you so desired. Some things are tied together but nothing too limiting. I guess they simplified it for export.
Too bad America dosen't get that. It would have saved many people a lot of trouble. Some had to get the Grand Touring just to get leather, or had to settle for the sport or touring because they wanted cloth.

Originally posted by JSG
I'm savouring the last moments of my S2000 with relish
Nice, but I'd rather have mustard on mine.

Originally posted by JSG
In Japan we have:
base - cheapest 5 sp manual (210ps)
E-type - no classic Jaguar but a 4 sp auto (again 210ps)
S-type - 250ps 6 sp manual


Interesting that there is a 5 sp in Japan. In the US, we only have the 210hp 4 sp Auto, and the 250 hp 6sp Manual.... Though I don't think the 5 speed would sell in the states anyways... what is the draw of it in Japan? I was under the impression that the reason for the 210hp was that it had a lower RPM limit because of the Auto's Torque Convertor.... so why is the japanese 5 sp 210hp (210ps... whatever)? Sounds like they best deal if its a simple ECU chance to take it back to 250hp at the cheaper 5sp price...

Re: Tokyo area owners

Hi! How do you do JSG.

You are not alone on a road of TOKYO.
I became the member of RX-8 forum .

I'm waiting my ordered RX-8 5MT Lightning Yellow
Current Car: 1992 miata J-2(1800) Yellow!

If you meet "look like a turtle " Yellow RX-8 on the Street of TOKYO,
It's me!

Thank you

wow, only 2 pre-order owners from Japan posting on this forum? Perhaps internet car forums aren't as popular in Japan as it is in US? before you know it we'll have posters here typing up messages in Japanese! :D

Hi EAST MOON! Thanks for replying...it's good to know I'm not alone! :)

When does your car come? I get mine next month.

Love your colour but couldn't get the wife to agree!

Let me know if you want to go out driving together. :cool: I want to run mine in quickly and then take it out around Hakone & Chiba.

I'll be looking out for you - you can easily see me - the only gaijin driver of a titanium RX8 around Denenchofu, or Japan I think!

Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
Perhaps internet car forums aren't as popular in Japan as it is in US?

I chance found this site in December last year�Aafter pre ordered my RX-8.
Every day, I was typing [RX-8] to net search engine for find Information about RX-8 in the world.

I think, Many Japanese RX-8 pre-order owners don't know this forum having abounds Information and Picture data on the board.
For a Japanese net People, meaning [**** forum-site] is take like(feel like ,look like) just [discussion-site] or [lounge-site].
Maybe They return from forum entrance.

And of course "English skills"! ...me too.
( everyone! sorry my poor english.)

Thanks.

hehe, your english is good enough that I can understand! :)

I wonder if the forum software supports japanese text display...

Originally posted by JSG
Let me know if you want to go out driving together. I want to run mine in quickly and then take it out around Hakone & Chiba.


Great! Let go to Hakone and let eats SAN-SAI-SOBA (soba Noodles with Wild grass)!
But, Perhaps it's in May or summer...because my children(twins) was born in this month 10 !!
my wife stopped and keeping my pocket money.

I pre-ordered 15 December Last year.
I think, my car will come to my house in April .
Let's enjoy the time of waiting for RX-8 to each other.

Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
hehe, your english is good enough that I can understand!
I wonder if the forum software supports japanese text display...

Thanks. ZoomZoomH

But...I write and send the information about RX-8 and car from Japan by "English".
That's my english study.

and...Now, I am studying how to use this board systems.
I still can not attached my pictures to this board yet!

Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
I wonder if the forum software supports japanese text display...
It does, it's just a matter of whether or not your browser will display it correctly. You'll probably have to do something like: View->Encoding->Japanese(Auto-Select). Here is a test to see if you can get it to display correctly -

‚É‚Ù‚ñ‚²

Of course, once it is rendered correctly, the problem then is knowing how to read it. ;)

Originally posted by m477

It does, it's just a matter of whether or not your browser will display it correctly. You'll probably have to do something like: View->Encoding->Japanese(Auto-Select). Here is a test to see if you can get it to display correctly -

‚É‚Ù‚ñ‚²

Of course, once it is rendered correctly, the problem then is knowing how to read it. ;)

indeed :D

Interesting that there is a 5 sp in Japan. In the US, we only have the 210hp 4 sp Auto, and the 250 hp 6sp Manual.... Though I don't think the 5 speed would sell in the states anyways... what is the draw of it in Japan?

Hello. This is my first post to this forum.

The 210 ps has different air intake system from that of 250ps.
This 210 ps has better torque at low rpm than 250ps, it is better match to Jpananese traffic situations.

This engine has a different torque curve, so I guess the 5 sp is needed to match to the engine charactraristic.

I think the draw of 5 sp is "sport" image and the draw of "210ps" is easy drive in city area and low consumption of gasoline. (In Japan, I think the price of gasoline is more expensive than U.S or other cuntories due to tax. Around 108yen/L now)

250ps 6MT 9.4 km/L (10.15 mode<- Japanese mesurement standard)
210ps 5MT 10 km/L (10.15 mode)
210ps 4AT 9.0km/L (10.15 mode)

I think the figure for 210ps 5MT would be amazing for rotary engine.

Originally posted by Yuhki
In Japan, I think the price of gasoline is more expensive than U.S or other cuntories due to tax. Around 108yen/L now)


WOW... yeah, that is expensive.. if I'm correct, that's like US$3.45/gal... compared to about US$1.60/gal where I live currently. I guess I can understand the 278HP pseudo limit in japan now too...

Welcome Yuhki! With East Moon there are now three of us in Japan on the forum! Did you pre-order an 8 or still thinking about it? Let us know your spec so we can look out for you!

Petrol(/gas) & car insurance in Japan is not as expensive as the UK....comparing against the US is comparing vs the cheapest petrol in the world!

I can't remember the UK price at the moment but for car insurance on my S2000 it's around $2000 here but I got quoted around $7000 in the UK!

Hello. JSG-san.

Uhnnn.... it seems very expensive to maintain a sport car in UK.
If I were in UK I could not buy RX-8....
Speaking of UK, UK has been producing many famous sport cars like MacLaren F1. I would like to see it before I die.
I am sure I can not buy and maintain it.


Anyway, I ordered my RX-8 at the end of January. And it would probaly be delivered around in the middle of May, I think.

My order is Type-S in red with CD & MD. And I am planning to transplant my current navigation(pionner) to RX-8. But I am not sure if it is possible.(Although Mazda says that it would be probably possible to put LCD monitor within the width of 197mm in the Home Page..)

Though I wanted a rear spoiler which Euro RX-8 has, I got an answer from Mazda in e-mail which said we can not select that option in Japan.:confused:

Lucky we are in Japan!

You can get a rear spoiler - the type that comes up off the back and curves over like a low hoop/bridge. It's about 3 man as a dealer option. I was interested but in the end decided I liked the "natural" look best.

How did you choose stereo options? I ordered in November but nobody has contacted me regarding any dealer options. I'm interested in the MP3 option but nobody has any details of how it works, what features it has (eg. how many Gb).

Good luck fitting your navi.

Cheers,
John

Hi, JSG-san.

Thank you for your reply.
I also like natural look RX-8 and brige type rear spoiler(look like Mazda speed model).
They are both good to me.
I found an another type rear spoiler which you could see in some pictures at LagunaSeca (lip type rear spoiler <- is this Janglish ?)
So, I e-mailed to Mazda, then they said that they have no plan to sell it in Japan and also says that the rear spoiler is standard for Europe RX-8. I am still a little bit interested in that but I am also happy even with normal look RX-8.

For the MP3 CD player, my dealer said they went Yokohama R&D center to see new dealer options including this MP3 player at the end of January.

MP3 CD player
19,500yen(player itself) + 6,000 yen(installation) = 25,500 yen (total)
you can see the other options( pdf file) in Mazda japan RX-8 web site.(you need your reservation ID/Password. and those information is only in Japanese. So, if you can not understand Japanses, please ask me what you want to know, I can answer to you as long as the information is on Japan web site.)

Then, I am not familier with MP3 though, the player is made by pionner, comply with ID3 tag ver1.0 & ver1.1(for me ??????) and can display only album name/track/artist name.

You may be able to get some more detail information on this from your dealer.

See you.

Hi! JSG and "Ha-Ji-Me-Ma-Shi-Te" Yuhki-san
Lucky we are in Japan!

Sure! When I was a Schoolchild, it remembers that the fiast mazda cosmo (not eunos...) was the dream car.
(...TOYOTA 2000-GT It was the "Super" dream car.)

If there is an opportunity which can meet you, We will talks about Japanese car and race history.
I'm happy, if you enjoy it.

everyone! your customize plan was finish? It is very quickly!

I wait until the product of other companies comes out.
...Knight Sports, Active, etc.

Interesting. Obviously I have a bit of a communication problem with my dealer.

Can you send me the link to the mazda site you are talking about. I can't find anywhere on http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/ where you have to type in any numbers.

Where do you find your reservation ID? I have a piece of paper from the dealer confirming my deposit - is it on there? I also have a "Web Members Login" to the general mazda site.

I'll look out for the differences in spoiler that you mention as I haven't noticed the lip type spoiler (your English is fine!).

I'm interested in meeting up if you guys want to. I work in Kamiyacho and live in Denenchofu. I've been in Japan 5 years, married to a Japanese with a baby but still ???????????!

Thanks,
John

Those ???'s should read "watashi no nihongo ga heta desu yo!" but it didn't work!

Hajimemashite, JSG-san, East Moon-san, Yuhki-san !

Watashi wa Smoker-desu, Doozoyoroshiguk !

Just wanted to say hi to all and pardon my japanese, I used to work with Japanese clients for 2 years but that's 3 years ago. Since I hardly have to use Japanese here in Toronto, Canada, I have probably forgot most of them already. :(

Welcome, and please remember to take a few pictures of your beautiful new RX-8 when you get it and let us see it !

hmmmm, how do you say it .... anata no RX-8 no shashin o mesete kudasai ?

hahaha.... :D

Hi, JSG-san

I use some Japanese, so please see my reply with Japanese encoding setting.

You need "‰¼—\–ñŽó•t‚h‚c(kariyoyaku uketsuke ID)" �@to see the web site. This ID is not related to order at dealer. So, this ID is used only on the Internet. To get this ID, please go below.

http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/reserve/

At the bottom of this page, you will find "‰¼—\–ñŽó•tƒtƒH�[ƒ€‚Ö�h, so please click this. After that, you will be required to fill in some forms.
After you submit the forms, you will get kariyoyaku uketsuke ID via e-mail.

After you get the ID, click below link
http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/reserved/

Because this is "‰¼—\–ñ" = pre-resevation, you may get a call from the dealer which you select in the above form like "Will you order RX-8? "
Because you already ordered your RX-8, so you just need to say "I ordered already. No thank you"."‰¼—\–ñ" is not formal reservation order, so if you do nothing after submitting form, the right will be expired automatically after 14 days.

In may case, I got a call from a dealer, but I just said "No, I am still considering" and the right to reservation was expired. Even after that, the "‰¼—\–ñID" kept remain, I can see the web site with this ID. Then I got e-mail from Mazda to invite me to R&D center based on this ID, I could see the RX-8(Of course, there was no test drive allowed). After that, I went to an another dealer(different one which I filled in the submitted form)and placed an order. If you worry about to do "‰¼—\–ñ", I will let you know my ID via e-mail, please let me know!

More information.
If you did not register "RX-8 mail magazine" yet, click below link.
http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/mail/?ref=bab03
By registering this, you will be kept updated on the RX-8 web site.

Hajimemashite, EastMoon-san & Smoker-san.
Yoroshiku Onegai Itashimasu ;)

Smoker-san. your Japanese is very good and correct
I think you can speak fluently in Japanese than I speak in English.
For me, it is very hard to use English....

Anyway, I will try to update any new information on RX-8 here in Japan !

See you.

Yuhki

‚±‚±‚Å“ú–{Œê‚ª‚Å‚«‚Ü‚·‚©�H

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‚Ç‚à�AJohn

Hi, JSG-san. Good Japanese. :)

It seems 6CD system and MP3 CD system can not be installed at the same time according to the comments in the accessary list.

Keyless entry !!
I am also wondering if the key less entry system is standard or not. I expect that the "hands free(tebura) key less entry system" is option but "key less entry" is standard for RX-8. Anyway, I need to check with my sales person..

Originally posted by Yuhki
Hajimemashite, EastMoon-san & Smoker-san.
Yoroshiku Onegai Itashimasu ;)

Smoker-san. your Japanese is very good and correct
I think you can speak fluently in Japanese than I speak in English.
For me, it is very hard to use English....

Anyway, I will try to update any new information on RX-8 here in Japan !

See you.

Yuhki

Hi Yuhki-san,
Thanks for your compliment but I still think your english is 10 times better than my Japanese.

Like everyone here on this board I'm very eager to see how this car would be like in the hands of some Real-Life, everyday drivers like us. Since you guys are going to be the first in the world to be able to drive this car, I'm definitely looking forward for your comments and driving impressions when you get the car.

Hopefully this RX-8 will deliver everything as promised.

-Smoker

Hi! Smoker and Everyone

This is a special gift from JAPAN MAZDA to Pre-ordered Users.
This product made from zinc ( 1/43 scale modle )

The body color is painted the same color as the ordered car.
and Owner's name is stamped on the metaled plate.

Every one,Did you get some thing else from your local MAZDA ?

http://www.egroups.co.jp/files/eastmoon/rx8_gift_01.jpg

that is a wonderful gift east moon! thank you for sharing it with us.:)

Wow, that's nice... congrats. ;)

Originally posted by EAST MOON
Hi! Smoker and Everyone

This is a special gift from JAPAN MAZDA to Pre-ordered Users.
This product made from zinc ( 1/43 scale modle )

The body color is painted the same color as the ordered car.
and Owner's name is stamped on the metaled plate.

Every one,Did you get some thing else from your local MAZDA ?



East Moon-san,
Thank you for sharing that with us. WOWOWOW, that is one very very nice gift. Pretty sure we are not getting that over here in Canada. But Wow, Owner's name and matching body colour too, what a nice touch ! That's why I always say you boyz in Japan got all the best stuff !

Enjoy !

-Smoker

Hi, East Moon-san, The yellow one is pretty beautilful.

Here is a gift from Mazda. Red one.

some of the british forum members (oilman in particular) that post in the UK section will be very envious of your gift from mazda. they really like the red. thank you for showing it to us.

Hi! Thanks Yuhki-san
a na ta no AKA(red) ni khoun wo!

I chose yellow color eight years ago, and this time chose yellow too...
yellow color say to me "Hey! take it easy!" ...always
Probably, I will choose yellow next time...

wa ta shi no inchiki-eigo yo ro si ku!
good luck

Hello, JSG-san,

Just FYI.

I checked with my sales rep. The key less entry system is standard.
On the other hand, "hands free" key less entry system is optional.

I also heard that my dealer has more than 10 pre-order.
The dealer will have White/Red/Green/Yellow/Silver RX-8, but, as of now there is no bule one.

P.S. Still, there is no catalog available.
-------------------------------
Best Regards.
Yuhki

Thanks for the info! The next obvious question is: what is "hands free" entry?! The car sees you coming? :)

I'm still having a hard time finding info (other than price) on the MP3 system. I have a simple question - do you know if it stores the MP3's on a hard disk (what I want) or whether it just plays MP3 CD's in addition to normal CD's (in which case I'll just get the 6 CD changer).

Tomorrow is the start of April - I really hope my dealer contacts me soon with some information! I think he is asleep.

Thanks,
John

Hi, JSG-san.

Hands free key less entry is almost what you imagined.:)
If you go closer to the car, the doors are automatically unlocked.
If you go away from the car, the doors are automatically locked.
The same option exists for mazda demio.
If you are familiar with Toyota, CELSIOR(known as LS430 in U.K.) has a similar option.

For the MP3 CD player, I should have asked my dealer about the MP3. So, I do not any info on that.

Some guys in other BBS in Japan says that they already got a new video and catalogue from dealer today(3/31). So, you may be able to get some more detail info on the MP3 CD player.
I will also check with my dealer if they get some new information.

Yuhki

Originally posted by Yuhki
Hi, JSG-san.

Hands free key less entry is almost what you imagined.:)
If you go closer to the car, the doors are automatically unlocked.
If you go away from the car, the doors are automatically locked.
The same option exists for mazda demio.
If you are familiar with Toyota, CELSIOR(known as LS430 in U.K.) has a similar option. This must be where the bluetooth comes in. This kind of automation must be secure. You do not want other people to hide out around your car and intercept your RF signal. Bluetooth is an encrypted signal, perfect for this type of application.

Originally posted by Puppy1
This must be where the bluetooth comes in. This kind of automation must be secure. You do not want other people to hide out around your car and intercept your RF signal. Bluetooth is an encrypted signal, perfect for this type of application. It doesn't have to be any more secure than the code systems that are currently included in key-less entry and aftermarket alarm keyfobs. That's all it takes for something like this. This kind of system has been available for more than 10 years now, in the aftermarket. It's nothing new or complex.

Bluetooth, meanwhile, is a much much more involved code system that requires "conversation" and other processing on every device involved. It is more than overkill for such a relatively simple application. It's like carrying around a notebook when all you need is a calculator. I highly doubt that they use any "Bluetooth" connectivity, especially since the processing it would require would significantly decrease battery life in the transponder, something on the order of 1/3 - 1/4 the lifetime.

What's more, anytime you walked within range of another Bluetooth device, it would try to connect to that too. I'm not saying that the DVD-ROM drive of your blue-tooth enabled notebook will open everytime you walk by it, but it would decrease battery life even further.

---jps

I didn't get any video or catalog from the dealer but yesterday I got another present from Mazda...a book on the development of the Eunos Roadster. I can look at the pictures but the text is a bit tricky! It's a thick book and Mazda say it shows their approach towards building sportscars.

I'd have been a lot happier if they sent me a letter telling me the date my car comes!

John
P.S. I had a Eunos before my S2000 so it was fun to find my exact model details etc in the book.

Hello, JSG-san

Oh! you had a Road Star before S2000.
It seems you really like sport cars. I think you are lucky because you had owned the Road Star before and the book was delivered only in Tokyo.(I think the book came from "Tokyo" Mazda)

Today, I went to the dealer, but I also could not get any video and catolgue... I will wait until 4/9.:)

By the way, as you may already know, there seems to have been some troubles on the production line(no offical anouncement from dealer and Mazda), so they are now re-planning the assignment of the RX-8 to meet the first planed delivery schedule.
Some dealers(including my dealer) are saying that they will assign their cars(to display in their showroom) to the pre-order customer. So, they say there will be some shortage of RX-8 for dealer display in April.

Because the situation is still confusing, it seems that no one knows the correct date when their cars come.
Anyway, I will just keep waiting ;)

Originally posted by Yuhki

By the way, as you may already know, there seems to have been some troubles on the production line(no offical anouncement from dealer and Mazda), so they are now re-planning the assignment of the RX-8 to meet the first planed delivery schedule.


do you have any idea what the troubles were, Yuhki?

No, I do not have any idea on that trouble.


------------
Yuhki