Just my opinion, but rather than knocking the GT, look at the crappy touring package.

Over the Sports package, they want $1100 for the mirror/moonroof/Bose. Nobody LOVES the moonroof, it's okay. The Bose is the same as the stock pretty much, and the mirror is cool but not an expensive option.

Much better off paying $1200 more and upgrading to the GT:
Leather, Power, Heated, Lumbar Seats!
Heated Mirrors

WAY WORTH IT OVER THE TOURING.


My opinion on this car is you have 2 options:
#1 6sp manual with GT pack
#2 6sp manual with Sports Pack

Automatic and Touring just don't make any sense to ME.

I will be listening to the Bose today to give my opinion.

It is only because the moonroof takes away valueable headroom that people are upset about it.

Homelink is also a nice touch.

Combine all of them and it is worth $1100.

-Mr. Wigggles

I disagree about the moonroof taking away headroom.

The specs are the same in both. The moonroof ejects up and out of the car, not into the ceiling like some cars.

Originally posted by Magnesium
I disagree about the moonroof taking away headroom.

The specs are the same in both. The moonroof ejects up and out of the car, not into the ceiling like some cars.

They are not. From the Mazda website:


Head Room Front without sunroof (in) 38.2

Head Room Front with sunroof (in.) 36.7

I've sat in both and the 1 and a half inches is definitely noticeable.

I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam.

-Mr. Wigggles

I agree with Mr. Wiggles. I've also sat in both and the difference is alot. I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam, so my torso length is probably about the same as Mr. Wiggles. With the moonroof, I'm close to touching, without there seems a LOT of additional headroom.

I just have to vent... It's sad to see that automatic should not be an option. They serve their purpose and not everyone should have to learn how to drive stick... that's why they're considered "options". It all comes down to needs and priorities.

I disagree about the touring package. I bought mine today with the touring package and I love it. I particularly wanted the moonroof (my husband is 6'5" so he might feel differently), but I was disappointed in the quality of the leather and so I opted for the cloth seats. I guess everyone will have a different opinion about what options are best.
BTW - mine's a 6 speed, but I don't see why anyone would care if someone chooses the auto. We all want different things out of our cars.
:) Tracy

Originally posted by TracyP
BTW - mine's a 6 speed, but I don't see why anyone would care if someone chooses the auto. We all want different things out of our cars.

Out of the mouth of noobs comes such wisdom. Welcome to the forum, Tracy.

Originally posted by Magnesium
I disagree about the moonroof taking away headroom.

The specs are the same in both. The moonroof ejects up and out of the car, not into the ceiling like some cars. The difference in headroom is due to the mechanicals and trim around the sunroof itself.

---jps

Originally posted by RotoRooter
Automatic and Touring just don't make any sense to ME.

Unless of course you have an injury to your leg.... like I DO.

I am really tired of people thinking only about their needs.

There is a very simple solution to the problem...

DON'T ORDER THE OPTIONS.

I got absolute base model. no options at all, and I love my car (picked it up July 19th). It's great fun to drive, and meets all my needs.

My ultimate option package would have been sport + bose and homelink (the two things I hate in a car are a moon/sun roof and leather). But it wasn't offered, so I got base package. I didn't realize what the DSC option was when I first ordered (and more importantly the sales person didn't either - tried to tell me all the other stuff in the sports package that are standard on the manual car, e.g. sport suspension, bigger wheels, bigger brakes, etc), and I couldn't really justify spending $1100 on what I thought was effectively was a couple of fancy lights. I think I would have turned off DSC anyway, since IMO it takes away some of the exhiliration of driving a fun car like this.

I really wish Mazda had offered a la carte options, but they didn't. I saved some money, and I love my car, so it all worked out well.

I have the touring pkg. What a biased statement - and I agree with Tracy and good comment to her - welcome!
I 'do' wish Mazda (and other mfgr's) would offer 'optional equipment' as opposed to forcing pre-set packages. Would have been an especially nice touch for the pre-orders. I understand the logic. But on the other hand, if I want GT but don't want the moonroof - too bad. Or if I want the BOSE but not the sports package items - too bad. That part of it doesn't make sense.

But back to the thread theme - when I originally placed my order, it was for the sports pkg. But I decided to go with the touring because of the moonroof, even though in pictures it looked like an appendage that might break off. Now that I have it, it is great. One touch open. Tilt option. Doesn't create a windtunnel inside the car at speed. The BOSE I could have done without.

I do believe there are 8 options just using the packages alone:
base auto with sport, touring or GT, and same for 6speed - 2x4=8.

Oh, and I didn't want leather, which automatically removed it from MY list of possible option packages. I have had it, don't like it in the summer, don't like to slide in corners and don't like to sweat and stick to it in the heat.

Gotta LOVE the Canadian GT Package! ;) Everything (including 6CD changer), but no moonroof! Moonroof and NAV are the only factory options. :D

Regards,
Gordon

Man, as a displaced Canadian, I looked into getting some of those, but they do things like void the warranty if you register it in the US :(

For me personally, the Sport package appeals the most. I do want the Xenon's and fog lights, along with the DSC.

But:
Have had leather seats and don't like them.
Have had a moonroof and never use it.
Have Homelink in my current car and can't make it work... :p

The only thing I'd consider useful in the GT or Touring package is the Bose system. Not because it's Bose, but because it's presumably better than the stock stereo. Though I've yet to hear an in-depth review of the stock stereo, so who knows? Regardless, I can upgrade the stereo system for less money than the Touring or GT package if I want, so it's Sport package for me!

I disagree...but to each their own. The touring package, in my opinion, is great because it gives the people that don't want leather everything in the GT package (minus leather, and heated seats/mirrors) without the leather.

I hate it when car manufacturers do this packaging as well, but at least they're not forcing me into leather like some (i.e. GM forcing me into leather if I wanted a WS6 package on a Firebird).

My bet is that the two most popular configurations in the US will be: (when all is said and done)

Black, Red, Silver, Gray with red/black interior GT package 6sp

or

Blue , Yellow with black cloth Sports Package 6sp


You either like the color that go with the amazing red/black leather and get the GT package because it it alot of bang for the buck, or you like yellow or blue and these don't come with matching two-tone interiors, so you settle (happily) with the cloth and sports package. Sure enough, if you go through the posts of what has been bought so far, over 75% have one or the other.

After having driven both a base 6mt and a 6mt with GT package I'm pretty mad at mazda :mad: I cant fit in the car with the moonroof in it, but I fit fine w/o it. My problem is I would like the leather, upgraded Bose and power seats. I cant get any of these options and the only ones that I would really like are the bose and power seats. I dont know how it easy it would be to go aftermarket stereowise in this car and to be honest I'd rather not. The dealer is currently trying to find a way to get the car with the stuff I want minus the moonroof...hopefully it is possible. Otherwise I will be going with cloth and the sport package.

Why cant we order options individually?!?!?!

I can answer your question: There is no way anyone in the US can split up the three designated options packages. NO WAY. There are alot of reasons why Mazda did this (marketing and manufacturing). Anyway, I do have a small thought though. Did you get in the GT rx8 and adjust the seat DOWN. You do know it can be dropped way down to the floor right. Just in case, because most salepeople don't know how to adjust it either. Let me know. Another aftermarket modification you can do is to drop the seat down the extra 1/2 inch it has left before it hits the floor or take your wallet out of your back pocket :)

Yeah I messed with the seat controls for about 5-10 mins and just couldnt fit. I wasnt able to close the moonroof visor slide and even then my head was hitting the side of the moonroof cutout. Is very frustrating, but I guess with the money I save from not buying the GT package I could upgrade the speakers! Although I really wanted the Black with Red/Black leather :(

I don't think it's a bad deal at all. I wanted to auto-dim mirror and I do L-O-V-E- LOVE the moonroof, and I've heard both stereos and can tell the difference in the Bose.

I think for $1100 it's a plenty good deal.

I just heard from my dealer that they are putting in yellow leather into an 8 from Mazdaspeed. He said that it is around $1500. Maybe this help. The company has been doing it for years in the miata, and protege lines. good luck

The touring worked for me. Coming off a convertible, I needed to have at least a moonroof, but the leather wasn't necessary. After seeing the cloth, I really like it. It's a little like the cloth in the M3 CSL :) If the power seats had seat memory I would have sprung for them, but without seat memory, I'd just as well have them manual.

I do think the GT package will be most popular, and the Touring the least, but if I was into popularity, I could save some money and get more practicality and get a Camry.

For me personally, the Sport package appeals the most. I do want the Xenon's and fog lights, along with the DSC.

Likewise, I agree.

Originally posted by RotoRooter

Leather, Power, Heated, Lumbar Seats!
Heated Mirrors


As a californian I am aware of a different set of people's needs. There are some who do not want leather (animal rights?). Heated seats and mirrors are rarely even used in Southern California. For a $100 reduction in price some might not need power driver-side and lumbar support. I personally HATE the lumbar support. The power seatch can be a pain while loading up the vehicle with laundry to take it to the cleaners.

Originally posted by deks
I do think that the GT package will be most popular, and the Touring the least, but if I was into popularity, I could save some money and get more practicality and get a Camry.

I think so too the GT package will be the most popular, but while the Sport will be the least. Cuz most ppl would probably love to have the moonroof and the BOSE sound system.
Since those aren't necessities for me, the Sport Pkg. will do.

I currently have a '93 RX-7 with a moonroof and leather seats. I, personally, will be getting the Touring package. One, I do love my moonroof. Two, I have seat covers over the leather because they are always too hot or too cold. I like what the sport and touring packages offer, but I don't think that the GT with just heated leather and power seats is enough. Besides, once I move back to San Diego, how often would I use the heated seats? Just my two cents.

Originally posted by TxAggie31
Yeah I messed with the seat controls for about 5-10 mins and just couldnt fit. I wasnt able to close the moonroof visor slide and even then my head was hitting the side of the moonroof cutout. Is very frustrating, but I guess with the money I save from not buying the GT package I could upgrade the speakers! Although I really wanted the Black with Red/Black leather :(

TxAggie31, ask your dealer if he can put in aftermarket leather. My co-worker bought a cloth forester and had leather put in later. On average, it will cost around $1000.

You can also try katzkin.com, they specialize in leather. Whether it be black, tan, red on black, blue on black... you name it they most likely can do it. The RX-8 is pretty new though, so I dont know if they have a pattern for the car yet. On their web-site you should be able to get a phone number of a local katzkin shop near you, and call them to see if they can do the RX-8.


Hope this information was useful, good luck!

Tweety-nator,

Thanks for the tip, I'll see what they say. If its too expensive or not possible I might just go with some aftermarket seats. I seem to be saving a lot of money now that I cant get leather, moonroof, bose, power seats etc.. I figure 3-5k is a pretty good amount to put new seats and speakers in!

I used to think the same way, that the GT package was a waste until I considered that I love the red and black leather, hids and fogs, and moon roof! plus if I did all these by myself it would end up the same price if not more expensive