It turns out that 73JPS and I are not only buying our 8's from the same dealership but we are also buying our cars from the same salesman.

We both paid a "surprise visit" to the dealership to chew the fat with the salesman and to our surprise he shows us the latest Product Information Bulletin for the RX-8!


The global long lead RX-8 press preview was held last month in Monterey California. This successful event yielded several positive reviews and due to the press activity, we have seen a large increase in consumer interest at Mazda Canada offices this week. Full pricing and specification information will be released in conjunction with the Canadian introduction at the Canadian International Auto Show on February 12, 2003. The attached information is intended to assist your customer inquiries prior to the Canadian launch.

Power Train:
The RX-8 will be available in 2 power train configurations, a 210 hp, 4 speed automatic transmission and a 250 hp, 6 speed manual transmission. The automatic has sport shift capabilities with F1-inspired paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Trim Levels:
Two trim levels are available in each power train configuration. The price GS model has a very high level of standard equipment with the following notable items; sport suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars, 18" alloy wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, climate control air conditioning and premium "Bose" audio system with 6 disc changer, 9 speakers and noise cancellation technology. The GT trim level includes all the premium attributes listed above and adds dynamic stability control, limited slip differential, xenon headlights, leather seats and auto dimming mirror with home-link technology.

Options:
The GS model does not offer optional equipment and there are only 2 options available on the GT trim, power moon roof and GPS navigation system.

The colour and trim insert page is due out before the end of February, however, the full colour palette is shown on www.mazda.ca, simply click on the RX-8 button from the home page and click on the "It doesn't only come in yellow" hot link.

We anticipate an exciting launch and hope this information stimulates your customer's interest.

Product Planning Department
Mazda Canada Inc.

A few of interesting notes mentioned from above.

No 210 hp engines except when ordering an automatic transmission; both trim levels have 6 speed manual transmissions, sport suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars, 18" alloy wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, climate control air conditioning and premium "Bose" audio system with 6 disc changer, 9 speakers and noise cancellation technology.

The GS trim model has most of the features that most people here are looking for with the exception of the dynamic stability control and limited slip differential and xenon headlights.

Another interesting tidbit is that both trim levels have the "Bose" sound system with a 6 disc changer standard - no upgrade!

I can hardly wait for tomorrow pricing/specification announcements - sleep tight tonight! ;)

Crap I don't want the BOSE! :mad: No mp3 function either? :confused: :(

Originally posted by Quick_lude
Crap I don't want the BOSE! :mad: No mp3 function either? :confused: :(

OK, well, I understand your feelings about Bose, but I think that they have likely done a pretty good job for this car. From the Canadian Driver Article posted elsewhere on this forum:

"And if you ever tire of just driving your RX-8 and listening to the hum of the rotors, the car comes with a Bose sound system of amazingly high quality. Regardless of your musical tastes, sound quality is just about as good as it gets and it would take another feature to describe exactly how Bose achieved this. Let's just say it's state-of-the-art in sports car music reproduction. Mazda worked with Bose right from the design stage to bring RX-8 buyers the best possible stereo system."

Now I know some of u guys are all hot and heavy to put an aftermarket system in, and my personal understanding about Bose is that they are often more smoke and mirrors than good sound, but I have used a Bose noise cancelling (active noise reduction) headset, and the effect of that technology is fantastic.

SO

To put together two pieces of information from separate sources: (1) from the product information bulletin: "... 9 speakers and noise cancellation technology" plus (2) the info from the Canadian driver article: "Mazda worked with Bose right from the design stage", I will make the following supposition: The noise cancellation technology will be RX8 noise frequency specific, and will probably lead to a really low intrusion of road and wind noise in the cabin when the stereo is on. And lets face it, in a car, that crap is always interfering unless you have your stereo set to 11.

If you have never experienced noise cancellation technology, then you have missed an eerie and unbelievable experience.

Are there any other car stereos with noise cancelling technology, and if so, were they designed for a specific model of car?

I have a feeling this will be a kick-ass stereo, and might actually do better than many of your aftermarket jobs. To me, the noise cancelling stuff (plus the fact that it is RX8 specific) is the key: I always thought that would be good technology to use in a car.:D

Bummer, I was really hoping for LSD on the GS, and Xenons would have been nice. I also could have done without the Bose system. :(

I have heard the stereo... indeed it is bad ass.. for a stock facotry system.

Could use a lil more thump in the trunk... but overall a wonderful experience.

looks like my only option is to get the top of the line model. no sense getting this amazing car and going cheap on all the good stuff.

the only thing i won't get is the nav sys, i'm a geo major, i can read a map just fine :D

PLEASE LET IT BE UNDER 40G!!!!

Originally posted by 73JPS
Regardless of your musical tastes, sound quality is just about as good as it gets and it would take another feature to describe exactly how Bose achieved this.
Just about as good as it gets? Umm.. I don't think so. I admit we haven't heard the Bose in the 8 yet but I find it hard to believe that my aftermarket setup will not sound better than the Bose.. The Bose might be fine for the "occasional" listener but for the more demanding audiophile it has to be aftermarket.

I had the chance to turn up the volume on our model in Houston... and as a former IASCA competitor.. I will say.. I don't think the car will score an 18 in SQ.... but the overall sound is great.evne bordering on wonderful.... the center stage actually sounds like what it is supposed to...volume was loud and crisp with no fade or distortion as the knob was cranked up ....

now.. is it better than a $10,000 stereo in your car.. no... is it on par with the Mark Levinson sound system in the Lexus SC430... maybe.... I would imagine only the smallest percentage of owners will swap out sound systems in the first 3-5 years of ownership.....

that should mean we get the 6 disc changer in the U.S. also. i can't imagine them putting it in in one part of NA and not others. wouldn't be cost effective.

Getting the GS would be the perfect choice if it came with limited slip...especially if it weighs a few lbs. less :D

Hopefully Mazdaspeed, or someone like Racing Beat will be able to provide a good differential replacement for those who choose to buy a GS.

Originally posted by Quick_lude

Just about as good as it gets? Umm.. I don't think so. I admit we haven't heard the Bose in the 8 yet but I find it hard to believe that my aftermarket setup will not sound better than the Bose.. The Bose might be fine for the "occasional" listener but for the more demanding audiophile it has to be aftermarket.

Y' see, here's the thing: how do you know that the guy who wrote the article isn't an audiophile? Also, names come and go: Infinity USED to make a great speaker.

Originally posted by zoom44
that should mean we get the 6 disc changer in the U.S. also. i can't imagine them putting it in in one part of NA and not others. wouldn't be cost effective.

Actually, here we often get different pakages than the U.S. market. I believe because our market is roughly 1/10th of the size of the U.S., we sometimes get less choice in the packages. Unfortunately, you can't correlate the two markets.

Interestingly, there are some "Canada Only" options my Accord, most notably heated sests and mirrors.

that sucks!:eek:

Hey give us a break. We don't have a military...:D

Yeah since that US pilot bombed all 4 canadian military personnel, Canada is unable to defend itself against the marauding invaders attempting to take over the rolling hills of ice.

well, feel free to borrow ours whenever you like:D

I still think that a $40K car should have an mp3 function in this day and age.. :mad:

Oh and btw only Canadian Preludes came with heated seats, mirrors and a 1 gallon windshield washer fluid reservoir. HA! :p