There has been a revision to the original timeline I had posted regarding the RX-8 from the Port of Tacoma. First off, the good news is that they are definitely here. Check out the other threads with links to the video I shot on Saturday. The cars are currently parked in the Foreign Trade Zone - you can't see them from the road. There is a team from Japan who will be inspecting each car. Their command of english is that great, so it has been difficult for the crew on the ground to communicate. They will not be released one, by one, but as a group. There is evidently an identical team at Port Hueneme. I honestly don't know if this is the same team, a different team or whether the other team at Hueneme is done or not. Needless to say, if your car is at the Port of Tacoma, relatively little will be done with it this week. The process they have been told takes 4 days. There is a slim possibility that the cars bound for Woodhaven,MI could be rail loaded on Friday. They are hoping to begin the port installation procedure here in Tacoma on Friday. They would like it to be sooner. As I know more, I will keep everyone informed. As hard as it is to extend the wait, I think good communication and getting this info out helps calm people's nerves. While I don't like the news, at least I know that delivery is going to be delayed 4 days. Not knowing and living in the dark is the hardest part of the wait.

any chance of getting the name of the next ship? budaman says it is do in Port Hueneme on friday?

Narg. I don't like what I'm hearing. How slim are the chances the train leaves Friday? More importantly, how possible is it that the car will be in my hands by July 10, if it's coming thru Woodhaven?

I think the train departure will happen on Friday. They are very anxious to get these cars out. Not to mention, it looks as though there are quite a few cars right on the heels of those that just arrived. From looking at the other threads, there appear to be two more ships pn the way about 10 days apart. Monday at the latest. Of course, then port installed options in Woodhaven and then trucked to the dealer. 10 July might be close, but in the realm of possibility.

This may have been posted in some other thread, but I think it is pertinent here for us to get a feel for how long this is going to take......but how many 8's were unloaded on Saturday, and out of that total do we know how many are getting railed to MI vs. the number who will have their options installed in Tacoma?

I'm most interested in how many are getting their goodies installed in Tacoma (because my car is in that group), and if there is another boat showing up next Monday will they have to have the first set done and on trucks before the next batch is due to go into the Foreign Trade Zone? If so, could that mean that they will all be on trucks by the end of next week?

3rotor.....do you know any details on this?

So if we extrapolate a timeline from this:
For Woodhaven-bound cars:
Arrive in Tacoma: Sat 21 June *
Depart Tacoma: Thu 26 June *
Arrive in Flat Rock: Mon 7 July?
Port Installation: Tues 8 July - Fri 12 July ?
Dealer Trucking: Begin Mon 15 July

For Tacoma-reposed cars:
Arrive Tacoma Sat 21 June *
Port Installation: Fri 27 June-Wed July 2 ?
Dealer Trucking: Begin Thu July 3 ?

Is this too optimistic? Too conservative? How long is port installation projected to take?

* = confirmed

My dealer (in Kirkland, WA, just east of Seattle) told me last week that the estimated delivery would be the second week of July. Sounds like that will be about accurate.

Quite frankly I think the second wave of cars will probably go comparably faster as they will become acquainted with the process on our cars. I think the biggest determination will be where your car is in the "line" to get the Port options installed. I have posed this question several times, several different ways, but the answer remains vague. I don't think they really have a system. Everytime I think about this it reminds me of the scene in Toy Story when the little green men are in the grab it machine and they all start chanting "the claw!!!!" Our cars are probably the same way...here comes the port installer dude - pick me, pick me:)

Sorry, but I have young children... wait, the hell with that, I liked Toy Story.

I have a question I haven't seen answered here. Does anyone know precisely what options are considered "port accessories"? I'm just curious about what gets installed in port. Thanks.

.....and what about the number of cars already at port. Do you know 3rotor?

How many from that first bacth are having their stuff installed in Tacoma before they're trucked?

Did they mention any kind of process they follow as to what cars go first, second, third, etc..

We're all full of stupid questions aren't we?:D

Originally posted by jtimbck2
I have a question I haven't seen answered here. Does anyone know precisely what options are considered "port accessories"? I'm just curious about what gets installed in port. Thanks.

I am wondering this as well.

Basically all the accessories except the navigation system and the sport/touring/gt packages are port-installed. This includes the rotary accent pkg, 6-disc changer, appearance packages, spoiler, etc.

Some things are dealer installed, like side strakes & mp3 player.

3Rotor: You mentioned that the cars would be released as a group, not one by one. Do you mean released by the inspectors? Or do you mean released by the installers to the trucking company?

And do you know if the installers will work through the weekend?

-ss

Realeased as a group by the inspectors. And the contractor that does the Port Installed options have not been working on the weekends that I have been down there, so I don't think that they do.

Originally posted by laferle
Basically all the accessories except the navigation system and the sport/touring/gt packages are port-installed. This includes the rotary accent pkg, 6-disc changer, appearance packages, spoiler, etc.

Some things are dealer installed, like side strakes & mp3 player.

if you don't order what you want before the car gets into port than it will be too late and you will be paying for labor to the dealer or someone else as well as the item itself.

3Rotor: does my timetable seem relatively accurate? Any estimates on how long the actual port installation will take?

I like it, don't know how realistic it is, but I like it. I will probably wander down there in the next couple of days and see what is going on. I don't want to be a pest. To answer another question, 342 RX-8s were being offloaded on Saturday. It was my impression that 200 would be railed to Woodhaven. 142 or so would have options installed at the port of Tacoma. While I am hoping I have my car by the 4th of July, I a thinking it will be the next week:(

Well 3rotor.......any new happenings down at the shore?

I am dying to know if our cars are getting their accessories installed yet.

I WANT MY CAR ON THAT TRUCK DAMMIT!!!:mad: .......:D

I'm sure if you have been down there you would have posted something.....I just thought I'd post to keep this thread alive.

I have some good news, and some so so news. They began the process of rail loading the cars today to go to Woodhaven. I went down there and it looked as if they had loaded what they were going to load. I drove up and down the public road where you can see quite a bit since the "yard" where they park everything is right there. It looked like 6 big double decker rail cars were still there. Just a few RX-8s remained qued up to go, so I think they have sent the cars via rail by now. I am getting the distinct impression that Mazda is trying to narrow the gap between when everyone gets their cars. I think they are trying real hard to not let anyone have their car unti the 2nd week in July. I for one, am not expecting to get my car until then. My dealer agrees and when I spoke to Mazda RX-8 orders, they said the ETA for my car is the 2nd week in July. I am thinking 7-11 July for delivery.

I just got back from a dinner outing in Tacoma, and "just happened" to drive by the Port on the way back. (My wife rolled her eyes when I made the turn from Hwy 509 onto Alexander) Saw pretty much what 3rotor mentioned. A few of the RX-8s are still sitting in the lot, quite visible from the road, so I had to stop and stare. (hadn't actually seen one in person)

Saw Red, Yellow, Titanium, and Silver. Didn't notice any blue, black, or green, but I didn't get that good of a look.

Funny thing is, they look a lot like the pictures. :D

-ss

Does anyone know if the train has left for Woodhaven or arrived there? My car should be on that train.
Thanks.
Mike

Anybody that lives up there know whether any cars have been trucked out yet either?

The first rail cars left last Thursday for Woodhaven. No cars have been trucked out to dealers. There are lines and lines (hundreds of cars) just sitting at the port - a beautiful sight (however, my car in my driveway would be an even sweeter sight). They haven't been told they can release them yet, and there doesn't appear to be any concrete reason why. I called RX8orders and they had no idea what I was talking about - they said that the cars are allowed to leave the port as soon as they are ready. I, however, believe my source (because I believe they really know what's going on over that of the person being paid $7/hr to listen to my complaints) and that they are on "hold" but my source doesn't know why. I truly believe that we aren't the only ones in the dark. There are several levels within Mazda that are just as in the dark as we are!

When would you expect the railcars to be unloaded at Woodhaven?

Since you asked, I'll tell you, but please do not shoot the messenger - 10 to 12 days. Yes, I didn't stutter, and I asked for clarification twice, since I was in disbelief. This ain't a people train, I guess. Maybee someone with some rail experience or contacts can explain why. An interesting side point: The port installed options have been quite popular - no supply problem however at the Port of Tacoma so don't worry. Out of the 200 or so cars that stayed in Tacoma, almost all of them had the 6 disc changer installed. And yes, they have begun putting cars together in anticipation of release...it won't be long...if only Mazda would publically announce what they are up to and why the cars aren't leaving yet AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH....so close......

Wow. That borders on absurd but I suppose if you figure that trains move relatively slow (<50 mph in most cases i believe) and that they have to slow down every time they enter an urban area it's understandable.

Not of too dire consequence for me but that sucks if they're holding them back for simultaneous delivery.

Do they have all of the cars' port installed options done that were staying in Tacoma from the first boat? If so, why the hell are they not loading them on trucks and getting them out of there? Don't they need room on the lot for the news ones that came off of the second boat?

Anybody know what trucking company they use to ship them? Maybe it depends on where the cars are ending up?

3rotor....please get down there and be a pest! :D

Dig for some info......we're all dying here!!

3Rotor, how soon would you know that the RX-8's had been trucked out of the ports (that is when they do)?

Sorry to have been silent, but an "incident" involving my contacts has prompted me to quiet. Needless to say, an inquiry direct to Mazda RX8orders on this subject resulted in a chain of phone calls that ended up with the boss of my contact calling them at home. It appears that each time the comment was passed on the content of the message was distorted. I of course feel very bad and I feel that my trust was violated by Mazda and furthermore that a relationship that I value has been tainted. As such, I am letting this rest. I am thankful for the information that fubar has provided. It believe based upon everything that has been pieced together from intelligence that I have gathered, as well as those at other locations around the country, that info is 100% believable.

TO MAZDA: If you guys are truly reading this board here is my comment for you. The Mazda folks down at the Port of Tacoma truly are fantastic. They embraced the inquisitive nature of a true enthusiast without bias. They are just as excited about this car as we are. As for the senior managemant at Mazda, you have a lot to learn. I own an operate a very successful business - yes I make mistakes, but there is one thing I know - Customer Service. The information flow in the pre-order program has simply STUNK! You have taken what should have been a fun process and turned it into a nightmare because of your unwillingness to keep the most important customers you have in the loop. Really, how hard would it have been to provide an explanation as to what the process is - what is the harm in keeping an enthusiast involved in the process? We might actually learn something. I for one have gained a significant amount of respect for the work that our Port Operations folks do. I would have never guessed that they even existed, it is clearly something we all take for granted. For most of us, they are invisible. The cars are produced and them *poof* they are the dealer. As for the individual who started the chain of events as described above, shame on you, you violated my trust and you caused a new friend of mine to be called on the carpet. Mazda, next time, either scrap the pre-order program or do it right, don't do it half ass - it insults the rotary community and brings disgrace to the Mazda name. Just remember - it all started with the Rotary. Never forget your roots!
You know who I am and how to get in touch with me if you wish.

Thanks 3Rotor and ditto on the note to Mazda. It would have been so much easier and less stressful for everyone if Mazda would have just provided better communication to the enthusiast community. Anyone in marketing should know that the "early adopters" must be properly cared for -- they are the ones who will evangelize the product and generate interest from the masses.

I also own my own business and I don't think I would have any customers if I provided customer/sales service and communication in the manner we have seen with this pre-order program.:(

I hope that your contact and new friend down at the port did not get in too much trouble. If Mazda's brass had been doing their jobs we wouldn't have had to rely on getting info. from the port workers.

I would suggest that if anyone from Mazda is truely reading this forum that they make a genuine appology to the employee and recognize them for their service to the customer (us)!

I agree. I have worked in customer support before. And while sometimes it is a thankless job, I always found that customers really appreciate being informed, and will accept delays or other setbacks if you just take the time to let them know what is going on and why. They may not always like what you have to tell them, but invariably they are happy that you took the time to give them an update and/or an explanation.

To really piss customers off, just don't respond and/or give them no status. Works every time! :)

MAZDA: We are your most loyal and enthisiastic customers. It's the best and easiest PR you could ever get if you keep this customer segment happy!