I'm going to Japan for a short vacation this week. I'm planning to visit the Mazda plant in Hiroshima and try to convince a dealer to take me for a spin in the RX-8.

Does anyone have any other RX-8 activities I should try out while I'm there?

maybe you should buy some japanese acessories and sale them here in the states..

Ya, buy a few start buttons, I'm sure you could sell them no problem.:D

buy some start buttons, clears, and rear fog lights. ill buy em from u

So does anyone know if the Start button is compatible with the North America RX-8?

Originally posted by Jsuzuki
So does anyone know if the Start button is compatible with the North America RX-8?

i talked to the tech here he says it is just wired into the starter wiring harness, the harness might even have a connector already, im going to have him look at mine when it gets here. he says it would be real easy to install.

Arg... So I may come back with a suitcase of difficult to install buttons. I'll wait for some confirmation, and if it's good, I have contacts in Japan that can ship some over.

Does anyone have any other RX-8 activities for Japan?

Well, not RX8 specifically, but could you please give me a bit of information on the cost of living over there? Seriously, I am looking at a (remote) job opportunity over there, and I need a bit of info...

Originally posted by Jsuzuki
Arg... So I may come back with a suitcase of difficult to install buttons.

imagine the scene at customs: "but officer, i swear none of these buttons control anything!" then to show them you proceed to push each one, and they wrestle you down with guns drawn. etc. etc.

sorry... i'm bored at work and i watch too many movies...

Originally posted by 73JPS
Well, not RX8 specifically, but could you please give me a bit of information on the cost of living over there? Seriously, I am looking at a (remote) job opportunity over there, and I need a bit of info...

Funny, I've actually researched it. Living in Japan is as expensive as living in San Francisco it seems. Everything appears to be expensive but you have to keep in mind that wages are very high. It's plus minus zero. You are going to be giving up a lot luxery that we enjoy in North America. Space is a premium, cars are a premium, entertainment is a premium, etc. The one thing I wish NA have that JP does is convenience. Lots of public transportation, vending machines that sell everything, super integrated cell phones, and convenience stores that act like supermarkets within 5 minutes walking distance from anywhere.

Once my tech job over here runs it's course, I'll be uprooting and moving back... I'll have to find a buyer for my RX-8.:)

Jsuzuki -

Do you know any recruiters and/or contacts for jobs in Japan? I'm actually trying to find a job in Japan right now. I'm an experienced programmer.

73JPS, I've lived in Japan twice for a total of 4 years. Once as a bachelor (@240 yen/$), once with wife and kids (@110 yen/dollar.) Muy expensivo the second time since, as a Navy guy, I was paid in dollars. (just checked and it's 117 yen/dollar right now.) If you will be paid in dollars you will be in the poor house. If you're paid in yen (Japanese employer) you might be ok. Here's a clue: $60,000 annual salary is not even in the ballpark; don't let anyone snooker you that it's a good salary there. It ain't.

If you're taking a family you will want lots of allowances: Housing allowance, school allowance (or paid tuition at an intl school for yer kid), utility allowances, cost-of-living (fluctuates with the exchange rate), etc etc.

All that said, I had a blast both times living there. But as a Navy guy, I could shop in the commissary and exchange which made a huge diff. Plus my kid went to school onbase for free.

If you are really serious about getting a job there I will happily spend mucho time discussing the how's and why's of Japan with you (or anyone else.) I have activated email so you can contact me through the forum and I will definitely reply. On balance, given the chance to go to Japan I would definitely say do it! It's a wonderful experience if you are properly prepared and have the right expectations. The other comments posted about crowded, small, expensive, etc were all right on the mark. But it can be dealt with.

Hey, isn't there a far east forum? Post there as well. But it might be good to talk to someone who doesn't live there anymore to get the whole perspective. Good luck!

test drive the rx-8 and the rx-7 bathurust .. that rx-7 has 280 hp

http://www.mazda.com/museum/

Make sure you make a reservation before you go and eat some oishii okonomiyaki!!!!

while you are there, take a trip to the Super Autobacs store. its a Wal Mart of cheap car parts. We didnt buy anything really cool there(except some hard to find Advan stickers, and a Hello Kitty blank key) But it was pretty cool to look around.

Originally posted by med_mx6


imagine the scene at customs: "but officer, i swear none of these buttons control anything!" then to show them you proceed to push each one, and they wrestle you down with guns drawn. etc. etc.

sorry... i'm bored at work and i watch too many movies...
I'm still laughing while picturing this scenario.. :D