I was wondering, are there any MP3 drives, CD changers, tape units, that are compatible with the RX-8 and that are aftermarket and cheaper? If so where can I find them, what brands etc??

Read this post: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20544 . It should give you some ideas about what's involved. You won't have the option of just a bolt-on after market deck since you will need to get a custon dash kit done. Also do a search on dash kit and you will find that others including myself are working on a dash kit for the RX-8.

Thanks, but I wasnt just talking about a deck, I was talking about specific pieces to the current deck. Like the MP3 player or the cd changer, and mini disk player... Must they be purchased through Mazda? Is there anyway we can save money?

You have to go through Mazda for these items at this time.

---jps

Is their a reason for this?

Yeah Mazda wants you to go to them for all your car parts. They like your money and don't want anybody else getting a chance at any of it. No matter what we may think of our choices :mad: .

This is bound to change no? Are any developers coming out with parts? After all this is a Japanesse car and its bound to have aftermarket parts and accessories, or am I completely off?

Originally posted by jniamehr
This is bound to change no? Are any developers coming out with parts? After all this is a Japanesse car and its bound to have aftermarket parts and accessories, or am I completely off? No, you're spot on. Give it a bit of time and you can be SURE there will be a kit available to let one put a standard-size head unit into the RX-8's dash. The car's just too new.

i'm working as fast as my hands will allow me...well..not my hands...actually it's my wife...as fast as she will allow me...seems i have to sometimes convert into merrymaid at times to help her with cleaning...i have the CF on order and am redoing the mold because my plug left to many air pockets and being stupid I tried to sand it instead of fill it and i BUSTED THAT SUCKA...93rdcurrent is working on one as well...i'm actually making new sail panels and a faceplate...

Originally posted by jniamehr
Is their a reason for this? From your posts, I assume that you are specifically refering to the drives that are installed in the RX8's audio unit chassis. The reason is because they are unstandard, proprietary items. Never say never, but you can pretty much bet that no manufacturer will put together a compatible item, simply because there won't be enough of a market for it to be profitable.

On the other hand, the RX8's audio chassis (and the Mazda 6s, and probably the upcoming Mazda 3's) is a standard double-din unit. So to put in any standard aftermarket head unit, one only needs to replace the combination faceplate/trim unit. We expect manufacturers and small companies to start coming up with such units in the near future, like several others have already mentioned.

---jps