Has any one seen any news reports on how production is going?
Do any of your dealers have "good" updated status on their deliveries of RX-8s. Seems like the Mazda news realeases have dried up.:confused:

Ho! and furthermore Ho!!!

We're all mushrooms here...

Maybe check with our friends at the Far East forum and they can scout out the plant. Production is well underway.

Last week, my dealer told me production for my car was scheduled for the first week of May-but I don't know how accurate that is.

Elara, are you on the first pre-order allocation? The dealers have production dates with their orders? I will need to ask mine.

The dealers have production dates with their orders?
Apparently, some dealers do and some don't. I was worried that my dealer had no estimated dates for any of the 24 cars on order. But RX8orders has assured me (today) the dealer does indeed have me assigned to an RX-8 as part of the pre-order.:D

Originally posted by DonG35Miata
Elara, are you on the first pre-order allocation? The dealers have production dates with their orders? I will need to ask mine.

Supposedly, yes- I'm in the first pre-order allocation. But that doesn't mean there aren't some cars being built before mine. And as nice as my dealer has been to me, I'm still not sure they're completely up-to-date on what's going on.

For instance, they were supposed to call me as soon as Accessories were announced- haven't heard a peep.
And they didn't seem to know what I was talking about when I asked about the "pre-orders," but they swore that I had a car ordered in my name. I'm just assuming June, at the earliest, will be when I see my car.

us cars started production in mid march. the cars will arrive here in may

Hate to be a downer, but I have noticed our RX8's had a ETA before and when we went to order our next allotment(including mine) they told us we have to wait another month and the ETA's magically say TBD now instead of an actual date. Dont plan on May, that is your local Mazda dealer talking out his ass. Dont worry, they will come, just late as usual.

Kyle Lancaster--Double Agent Salesman

Rep at 4/4/03 Revitup says RX-8 deliveries will be late May . . . The guy was tied to the event and NOT a guy AT the factory or with the factory shipping staff.

But, his comments match other things I'm reading and hearing.

Revitup DOES have display cars:
http://www.brammermedia.net/driving/

BB

Originally posted by N20SA22C
Hate to be a downer, but I have noticed our RX8's had a ETA before and when we went to order our next allotment(including mine) they told us we have to wait another month and the ETA's magically say TBD now instead of an actual date. Dont plan on May, that is your local Mazda dealer talking out his ass. Dont worry, they will come, just late as usual.

Kyle Lancaster--Double Agent Salesman

my dealer didnt tell me anything. it'll be here in may, count on it, i gurrantee it

Originally posted by bbrammer
Revitup DOES have display cars:
http://www.brammermedia.net/driving/
BB [/B]

Unfortunately, they are still the prototype cars, and not production.

Do you think they will readily tell you "Sorry sir, we F#@ked up and they are coming in June, oops my bad". They do not want to people to bail on it. I highly doubt this will be the case as I am a rotorhead in wait too, and I dont want anything else. But this is a simple fact. did you read my post. The factory has shown us as dealers that the ETA has been pushed back. There is not much else to say. I am not trying to bum you out as like I said before, I am waiting too. But it is the reality. I dont think they are built yet let alone on the ship. Pray that ship doesn't hit any submerged wrecks. I hope your right but I dont think so. This kinda sounds like a bet brewing?;)

Toadman
Maybe check with our friends at the Far East forum and they can scout out the plant. Production is well underway.
Hi! Toadman and everyone
The latest "clear" information which I have.
(from Japanese forum...some guy say)
18/April Mazda "Hiroshima factory" production line off.
The last week /April RX-8 deliveries to him.
(He ordered 15/ December.)

My dealer told me today,
Next week, we will receive information
about your RX-8s "production line off schedule" from Mazda factory.

probably ...My RX-8 will be delivered on The last week /April.
(my ordered 15/ December...the same day as him.)
thanks

Originally posted by tribal azn2


my dealer didnt tell me anything. it'll be here in may, count on it, i gurrantee it Why are you now "2"? What happend to your original account?

Originally posted by Puppy1
Why are you now "2"? What happend to your original account?

i was banned for living too big of a sig. they r trying to reactivate it

the "second coming" of the prodigal tribal:D

i hope it's not "sequel" cause ya know the sequels are never as good as the original;) :p

Originally posted by tribal azn2
i was banned for living too big of a sig. they r trying to reactivate it More accurately, you were suspended for a short period of time, and the database gives the admins an error when they try to reinstate the ID.

---jps

Originally posted by zoom44
i hope it's not "sequel" cause ya know the sequels are never as good as the original;) :p
What about Godfather II :D or are you only talking about scary movies ;)

'Aliens', 'Terminator 2', 'Toy-Story 2', 'Police Academy 9' (err, OK.. maybe not the last one..).

Originally posted by tribal azn2
us cars started production in mid march. the cars will arrive here in may
Umm, no. Production has not yet started for US cars, unfortunately.

From the information in this forum, it sounds like it will take about 2 months (production, shipping, etc.) from start of production to arrival in the states.

So, it looks like June at the earliest (for 1st allocations).

Originally posted by jonalan

Umm, no. Production has not yet started for US cars, unfortunately.

From the information in this forum, it sounds like it will take about 2 months (production, shipping, etc.) from start of production to arrival in the states.

So, it looks like June at the earliest (for 1st allocations).

um, yes. production has started on us cars.

I believe we all (mostly) have the letter that the factory has accepted our order. When the VIN is assigned and the car begins production we are to then receive another email updating us to that fact. Has anyone received that? (I'm guessing that whoever gets the first one will post within seconds). Otherwise, how do you know production for the predelivery USA orders has begun?

http://www.media.mazda.com/news_release/management_info/2003/0217be.html

yes that was their plan then but it doesn't seem like they stuck to the timeline. rx8orders last said U.S. production to start @"1st wek of april". a little behind schedule.

Originally posted by zoom44
yes that was their plan then but it doesn't seem like they stuck to the timeline. rx8orders last said U.S. production to start @"1st wek of april". a little behind schedule.

then that means production has started anyways.


regardless, i dont think thats the case.

This waiting is killer. This past weekend me and my friend did more damage than good.. Went test driving new cars and stuff.. the 6, the WRX... all those new cars were driving me nuts. The sights, the smells.. ARRRRGH.

we all know production began mid Feb for Japan market. Not for US though. Apparently some may be made for show room / test drives at dealers before they start our US cars. And apparently they may be behind a bit. Some of it may be due to production issues. one of those may be colors since they 'presold' yellow green and blue copies here. Could be supply issues for parts. Maybe just taking their time to make sure they get it right the first time. Works for me. My "factory acceptance" email said VIN assigment and production would begin 1 - 3 months from that date, which was 3/19. So I'm not expecting it until at least 4/19 which puts mine behind 2 weeks - at least. If it doesn't begin life until 6/19 it'd be 10 weeks behind.

What exactly does VIN assignment mean.. does it mean the car is done building, or just started, or about to be started.. etc etc..

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.


yuhki does not know the nature of the trouble. but apparently they re-shuffled the japanese build schedule, taking some spots that were to go to dealers lots and making them to the specs of pre-order depositers, so instead making all the reds first (for example) they will make just enough for people who have money and then do the dealer allocations after all of the others are built.

I had e-mailed MazdaNA earlier today concerning US production, this is what they had to say:

"Mass production for United States RX-8's has not started yet. At
present, RX-8 production is scheduled to begin in the very near term.
However, it's important that I point out that the current schedule is tentative, and, as is the case with any new model, it is subject to
some change or variation."

--
Then I asked if they could confim that I would still get my car in May...

"I cannot confirm an absolute ETA of May at this time. Please understand I can only give the same information listed in today's earlier e-mail. Please feel free to check in with us later this week, or next."

Hey, at least they didn't rule out May as a possibility. I'll keep my hopes up.

hmm.. is that good or bad for us folks?

good= fix the "problem"
bad = production delayed
ugly= don't know how long the delay was

Well I hate to piss on your fire but I pre-ordered in Japan on Dec 8th and am not getting my car until May apparently (originally mid-April quoted). So what with shipping I'd say you guys would have to realistically be looking at June.

I just got this today from Mazda. My dealer had inserted my name on a pre-order slot they had taken themselves (at least that's what I understood). Evidently my name doesn't show up on Mazda's computer, and I have to go back to the dealer at see wtf is happening. Anyhow, those of you with bona-fide pre-orders read on:


Mass production for the RX-8 is tentatively scheduled to begin April 14th. For orders placed in January, expect delivery between June-August 2003. February orders: delivery between July-September. March orders: delivery between August-October 2003.

June-August... they are giving themselves three months leeway? Sheesh. If my car isn't here until August (summer almost over) I'm going to cancel and get one in Spring 2004... for under MSRP.

My dealer said as of today our cars (his and mine) are scheduled for end of June delivery. I'm convinced that NOBODY knows.

you would think they would know. being as they manufacture cars for a living and all. I wonder if anyone from "MAZDA" were watching the forum and could give us some insight. Someone in charge? Someone who knows what's going on in the maunfacturing process. anyone, anyone? well, I really can't wait to get my car much longer as my 93 mustang is starting to make some sounds that it probably sholdn't be making. And all of the other car manufacturers are starting to get their new cars out and Mazda will be missing the boat. just my opinion and all.

This almost has to occur before the production of the vehicle since it's stamped in several places on the car - the engine, door, dash, etc. I'd say the VIN assignment happens probably at least a couple days before the pieces begin assembly. Toured the Vette plant once - never thought to ask at the time.

BTW, June-August is exactly what they said when we preordered in January -nothing has changed - be patient...

Hi everyone,
I am a new member but in fact I have been checking this wonderful forum for about a month now and I am impressed with the enthusiat people here.
I just decided to subscribe to this forum after my disappointment in my sales person who screwed-up my feb. order instead of Yellow 1GT he orders me a red 1GT note that I have my car in the first allocation and I have been thinking about it almost evry hour since I am a car freek, then I asked him if he can change it but he said it is locked so I go OK how about second allocation answer No Yellow so after some talk he was able to change a blue one to a Yellow.
Now i am in a bigger dilemma should I just get the Red Mica (does that mean it is mettalic) which by the way has the two tone red/black which is very cool or wait another month (hopefully) for my Yellow baby since I was hoping to get my first alloaction in june which it looks like it is not going to happen note that summer in MI is very short!! HELP

Originally posted by ZOOOM
Now i am in a bigger dilemma should I just get the Red Mica (does that mean it is mettalic) which by the way has the two tone red/black which is very cool or wait another month (hopefully) for my Yellow baby since I was hoping to get my first alloaction in june which it looks like it is not going to happen note that summer in MI is very short!! HELP The red is awesome in person. I saw it at the L.A. autoshow and seriously thought about changing from titanium. The only reason I didn't is that I'm 40 years old and I didn't want people to think I was going thru some sort of mid-life crisis.

It's only about a 4 week difference. Wait and see if you like the red when it arrives - if you're really put off by the color, wait for the yellow - by then you'll have an idea when the yellow will get to you. I'd wait if you want the yellow - you'll have it a long time compared to the 4 week +/- wait!

Look at this closeup of the red. It has gold metallic in the red.

http://community.webshots.com/sym/image5/3/29/1/67232901IbDlMj_ph.jpg

Thank you all, I appreciate your input.
that yellow shine in the red (that you are reffering to) is one of the reason that made me dout my yellow selection since the yellow is a plain color meaning it is the only non metallic color.
Is it true that red cars are targeted by police for speeding more than any other color what about yellow you would think it is even more flashy!!
I guess by seing the red first I will have the option to wait for the yellow if the red did not do it for me I have to learn how to be patient + convince my wife that red cars are not ugly!!!!

Originally posted by ZOOOM
...Is it true that red cars are targeted by police for speeding more than any other color what about yellow you would think it is even more flashy!! No, that's a misconception. Police don't specifically target red cars. Bright red cars (and other bright colors that jump out at you, including a bright yellow car) tend to catch people's attention. And since policemen/women are regular humans, bright colors and fast/erratic movement will catch their eye too.

One can also argue that those who tend to buy flashy cars with flashy colors are also the type to go racing around/showing off. That's a huge generalization (just like teenage drivers tend to be more reckless/less careful), but it's true. Henceforth, very general statistics seem to suggest that red cars get more tickets, but it could just as well be the demographic of people who prefer bright red cars.

---jps

Originally posted by Puppy1
The only reason I didn't is that I'm 40 years old and I didn't want people to think I was going thru some sort of mid-life crisis.

hehe, you are buying this car aren't you?........:p j/k At least you didn't buy a Harley like my old science teacher! :D

Our friends on the Far East forum seem to know of as yet unnamed 'production problems' serious enough to halt output, and change their (Japan) delivery schedule.......
.
.
.
Ominous, to say the least........
.
.
Ray.

It has to do with porting and fuel management.

Originally posted by Doctorr
Our friends on the Far East forum seem to know of as yet unnamed 'production problems' serious enough to halt output, and change their (Japan) delivery schedule.......
.
.
.
Ominous, to say the least........
.
.
Ray.

Originally posted by Toadman
It has to do with porting and fuel management.

Do we have anything firm on this? What are the sources, and how long is the delay?

This really bothers me, guys.

I sure hope there is an RX-8 is in my driveway by mid-July at the latest, with a properly running engine. If my car comes any later than July 20th, I won't be taking delivery this year. No way I am signing a note and making payments while the car sits for six months as winter quickly comes! May as well wait until next spring at that point, and get it for under MSRP with a few bugs ironed out, too.

I hate to say this, and everyone here knows I am pro-Mazda and pro-rotary, but it does not bode well at all for the Renesis if they don't have the engine management sorted out by now when production models are supposed to be coming off the line. This should have been tested to death MONTHS ago. Why the surprise now? Shades of third gen and inadequate preproduction testing? Or of the Miata with "155 hp"... NOT?

This I know: they better get it right or it could really hurt the rotary's future. I want to see a thousand rotaries bloom. I love looking at old NSUs and Citroens, and GM rotaries, OMC rotaries, etc. I want a rotary car... a rotary lawnmower... rotary snowmobile... rotary leaf blower...

Well, I don't know how current this is, but it sounds more promising. Maybe the "delays" are just rumours?

Mazda News Release (http://www.media.mazda.com/news_release/index2_e.html?product_info=menu2003_e&2003=0409_e)

well, it's dated today so who knows...

Originally posted by Puppy1
The only reason I didn't is that I'm 40 years old and I didn't want people to think I was going thru some sort of mid-life crisis.

Who cares what people think? I just turned 45 yesterday and I AM going through a mid-life crisis. And I'll go through that change, with a smile on my face. :D

Originally posted by Rexor
Mass production for the RX-8 is tentatively scheduled to begin April 14th. For orders placed in January, expect delivery between June-August 2003. February orders: delivery between July-September. March orders: delivery between August-October 2003.

Hello, I am in Japan and one of the pre-orderers.
Today I went to see my dealer.

He also said that the mass production is scheduled to begin April 14th. So, even in Japan, if you get your RX-8 within April that would be a lucky guy.
He said some of the people who pre-ordered RX-8 in last Dec, the delivery schedules were already determined. But for the rest of the people, still not determined as of now.

Some rumors exists for the reason why the delivery delays in Japan. but no one knows the root cause for sure because there are no official comments from Mazda.

RX-8 official release date is today(April 8th). But they start to receive new order from May not April.

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

I'd rather have a car that is free from a potential major engine problem a month later, than a car now and an embarrasing recall later.

Hello RX-8 lovers,
I am FD3S RX-7 owner in Japan. However I am also interested in RX-8. Today Mazta has offficially announced RX-8. They have 5000 backorders in Japan. The firrst delivery will be done at the end of April. There will be no demo-car in dealer untill May so that they would deliver RX-8 to customers who ordered before.

I will also update RX-8 info in my website.
http://www.akimitsu.net/index-en.htm

Thank you, Aki

ABCNEWS.COM

(AP Photo) Mazda Unveils New RX-8 Sportscar
Mazda Motor Corp. Unveils New RX-8 Sportscar With Rotary Engine

The Associated Press


TOKYO April 9 —
Mazda Motor Corp. on Wednesday unveiled its new RX-8 sportscar the only commercially sold car in the world powered by a rotary engine.

The RX-8, scheduled to go on sale in the United States and Europe this summer, rolls into Japanese showrooms in early May. The car's starting price in the United States will be $25,000.

The rotary engine is driven by spinning rotors inside a chamber instead of conventional pistons. It tends to produce more horsepower for its size, compared to regular gasoline engines, and delivers a quiet, smooth ride.

Mazda President Lewis Booth said the rotary engine was critical for the company's brand image, adding that the technology will not be shared with other manufacturers.

"Realizing this dream is a giant step for Mazda," he told reporters. "The RX-8 is Mazda at its very best."

Mazda introduced the first model run by a rotary engine in Japan in 1967, and the technology holds special meaning for engineers at the automaker.

Fears had been growing that Mazda might scrap the rotary engine, especially after Ford Motor Co. raised its stake in Mazda to 33.4 percent in 1996.

The Mazda's previous rotary-engine model, the RX-7, has not been sold in the United States since the mid-90s.

It's unclear, however, whether the rotary engine will catch on at a time when Japanese rivals, such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., are making cars that run on fuel cells that produce no pollution. They are also making hybrid cars, which combine an electric motor with a gas engine for superior mileage.

Rated at 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 30 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission, the RX-8 is not particularly thrifty.

Mazda has already received 5,000 advance orders for the RX-8 in Japan through the Internet since January. Mazda plans to sell 60,000 RX-8 cars a year about half of that number in the United States and the other half in the rest of the world, including Japan.


On the Web:

Originally posted by gettingan8
ABCNEWS.COM

(AP Photo) Mazda Unveils New RX-8 Sportscar
Mazda Motor Corp. Unveils New RX-8 Sportscar With Rotary Engine

The Associated Press


TOKYO April 9 —
Mazda Motor Corp. on Wednesday unveiled its new RX-8 sportscar the only commercially sold car in the world powered by a rotary engine.

The RX-8, scheduled to go on sale in the United States and Europe this summer, rolls into Japanese showrooms in early May. The car's starting price in the United States will be $25,000.



sigh, early may for japan means their behind.

Grumble grumble grumble.... does this mean I am going to see a ricer with a Mazda Protege "Type S"? grrrr.....

Originally posted by gettingan8

It's unclear, however, whether the rotary engine will catch on at a time when Japanese rivals, such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., are making cars that run on fuel cells that produce no pollution. They are also making hybrid cars, which combine an electric motor with a gas engine for superior mileage.


Personally I do not believe that fuel celled engines will be in competition with the rotary engine. :)

Whoever wrote that article sounds fairly clueless about cars in general (ABC/AP?)-who has ever heard of a sports car being compared to a Honda Insight or a Totota Prius?? It's like comparing a very nice bicycle to a racing motorcycle - obviously they have rather different objectives and means of accomplishing them. An RX-8 is and never will be aimed at the 'green' machines. At least not in the next couple decades.

Originally posted by CraziFuzzy
Grumble grumble grumble.... does this mean I am going to see a ricer with a Mazda Protege "Type S"? grrrr.....

I'd love to see a protege Type S. Why shouldn't mazda be making all their cars more sporty, after all they are pushing the zoom zoom image