This is for those members who ordered, placed a deposit and are waiting for their cars to arrive.


So wadda think guys & gals? If it's true that we will be offered the same deal ($500 & free maintenance for 4 years) as the other's who already received their cars, then what are our options? Continue with the order or cancel? Opinions?

Also, since we ordered and our cars our on the way, do you think there still time to negotiate the price since most of us were planning on paying MSRP?

What if we are not included in the offer? Do we then negotiate the price as well (if you were going to pay MSRP)?


My 8 is due in by the second week of September and I'm not sure what to do........

going to dealer tomorrow--will hopefully get better deal -- maybe free accessories? that would be nice. my delivery date is week 1 october.

wish me luck

Other than my order of a silver (instead of blue) automatic GT, I'm in the exact same position as you. I was already disappointed in the large disparity between the manual and the auto (initial acceleration especially). This just makes it worse. I don't know if I can bring myself to spend $31K for a car that's ~197hp.

I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow (Saturday) and see if they are looking to do anything about the price. I think the best thing for those of us in our position to do is to pull back and regroup. Unless you need the car right now, a little patience might be the best (and most $$$ beneficial) course of action.

My $0.02...

My dealer told me that the cut-off date for the deal for new orders was 26th August. For existing orders if the car arrives within 6 weeks (end Sept) then the deal also applies. However that's just one dealers take on the situation, please verify with your dealership.

Thx pelucidor for that info!

jbart & joe: please post what happens here so that we can keep track of this. I'll post my experiences after I visit my dealer sometime next week (Thu, Fri or Sat).

Good luck to us all......

Count me in regarding this unfortunate fiasco. My 8 is due next week. I have a deposit holding the car for me, but now I wounder how this hp problem will affect or even benefit the previous MSRP cost factor. Are dealers now willing to negotiate a lowere price? What have you guys encountered? The $500. credit, plus scheduled maint. is a nice feature, but I believe the supply/demand could change cousing the price to drop. Any thoughts?

Originally posted by RX-MEN-8
...I wounder how this hp problem will affect or even benefit the previous MSRP cost factor. Are dealers now willing to negotiate a lowere price? What have you guys encountered?

Unfortunately, since this is breaking news (as of Fri 8/22), we are all entering uncharted territory.

My only suggestion is to keep reading all the info posted - hopefully, someone in our sitch will have talked to a dealer and will report their experiences here (not just this thread).

Well, I called my sales rep this morning and asked him about the lower hp ratings and what Mazda was offering. He said he knew nothing about it, but would look into it. He got back to me in 15 minutes with his story, which is: "My manager told me about this when I asked him, and so far, all Mazda was doing was offering the $500+service for people who already bought the car." In addition, he didn't have anything official from Mazda yet. He then went on to say that this is still the same car I test-drove, etc...

My response to him was that I was always concerned with the low hp numbers for the automatic and that this new adjustment (which I feel better reflects the lack of power in the automatic) is making me question whether I really want the car. So, I asked him to continue to find out the story and get back to me on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. I'm curious as to how long it will take for the dealer to catch up to me with the full story ;-)

The more I think about it, the more I am inclined to cancel my order and get my deposit back. I don't have any ill will towards Mazda. After reading all of the stories, it seems as if the emissions issue is what put this over the top. Anyway, I'm just not comfortable spending so much money on this car. If I was buying a manual, I might feel differently.

I'll keep you all up to date as I get more info.

went to the dealer today to confront them about the hp issue. I was immediately greeted by the sales manager who talked with me very openly about the conference call and compensation. even though my car is not coming in until october he assured me all oof my information was attached to the vehicle and would be processed properly. he said that the leters wouldf begin being mailed out on mondayanf i should recieve the official documentation by the end of next week.
I also asked about the particular conditipon of my order and he informed me that a vin had been assigned this morning and promplty printed me a status report, and offered a test drive in their first automatic to reach the lot(yes I put a deposit on blind faith in the AT) well let me tell you I had a baseline for comparison(my current AT 3000gt) and if the performance fell below the mark I was willing to cancel my order on the spot.
AS it was a very busy day at the dealership I was allowed an unoccompanie testdrive(I'm only 21) which was apleasent suprise. After my drive I was thouroughly convinced that while not perfect--( bose sstem was a little thin, and the AC was alittle weak) this was definitely the car for me.
After the test drive I attempted to haggle a little bit( not very well or successfully) they would not budge on price saying that 95% of the public was unaware of the situation and that if i didn't want the car some one else would nuy it at MSRP, I did not have a hard time beliving this as they had sold --off the lot-- 4 RX-8's that day all at MSRP. two while I was there -- I was OK with that htough as the $500 rebate and free maintenance is already cool to me as I was definitely willing to pay MSRP to begin with
Now thati've driven one I can't wait to get mine.

I placed $500 down on a car a few weeks back, set to be delivered on the 25th.

I visited my dealer yesterday and was assured that I would receive the $500 and free service.

I'll be sure to add an update once I pick the car up.

I'm in the same boat... expecting delivery next week, and wondering if I'll be eligible for the compensation package. I placed my order in April and haven't even test driven the car, yet. (I want to lose my RX-8 cherry to the one I'm going to buy :D ) I fully expect to buy the car.

Well, I ordered in April and put down a $500 refundable deposit, and my car's been built (Aug 4, on water Aug 6th)... I may have an update to port status soon, I hope. It's supposed to come into New Jersey.


...


If for some reason I am not eligible for the $500 and free maintainence, I will probably try to negotiate price, but hopefully it won't come to that.

We'll see... I haven't received any emails, but did receive the book and coffee mug/thermos, so if I get a letter this week or next proclaiming me eligible...

... I'm still gonna get the car.

Right now, I'm in a 1995 Neon, and from the test drive I took of a 6MT model with leather... it's the car for me -- way better power, performance, and handling than what I have now in a 4-door 4-seater with decent adult backseat comfort. I want to keep it a while, and we plan on having kids in the next few years.

I stopped by my dealer on Saturday and talked with the sales manager. He eagerly showed me the memo he had received that confirmed that I'm eligible. Mine is due in November and has a build date of 1st week in October.

As for what I'm going to do, and what my thoughts are. Well I still want my car. I took another test drive on Saturday while I was there, and the car has plenty of power. Not to mention that it's just a fantastic car. No, I'm not planning on using this as a negotiating tactic. I think the car is a great deal at the price I'm paying, so I don't mind paying it at all. If it turns out that I'm not included in the deal, then I might tell them they should drop my price a bit, but then again, that penalizes the dealer not Mazda, and none of this is the dealers fault. So who knows.

I really just want my car. This waiting is killing me!!!

Gah, more waiting.

Looks like my new ETA is 4th week of September. Doh.

I ordered on Aug. 8th....delivery?? Suppose to be built this week. I have decided to continue on even though I have not even test driven the car. I can cancel at any time so I am not worried about getting my fully refundable deposit. I would hate to cancel and then reorder and wait again and heck who knows what will happen. I think I may try to negotiate another $500-$1000 even with the free service and $500....does not hurt to try. I am sure they would not want me to walk. I originally negotiated $500 off MSRP anyway. Sounds like they build cars at end of the month...is that a correct assumption and then figure 2 months after that date? So, I expect a mid to end of October delivery. I feel the car will be sufficient for me...I am the one with the 2002 Mazda Protege5 sport wagon w/ 130hp and love it.....for sale...$12,500 obo. To me the RX 8 is like a realistic dream car and it's killing me to wait!!! Good luck everyone!!:cool:

Dealer called me today at work and let me know that I was eligible for the $500 and 4 years free service!

Excellent! Another thing not to have to worry about.

However, still no car...... :(

Good to hear Omegabob.....keep us posted on your delivery date!

Originally posted by OmegaBob
Dealer called me today at work and let me know that I was eligible for the $500 and 4 years free service!

Excellent! Another thing not to have to worry about.

However, still no car...... :(

i know the feeling. if i get the car by the middle of september i'm going to pay close attention to all i've learned on this forum as far as bugs and by 9-30 i'll know whether to do a buy back or not. do you know which port your car is coming in at?

Originally posted by RX-GR8
do you know which port your car is coming in at?

Not at this time. I'm going to call Mazda after the holiday to check. I assume it's whatever the NJ port is...but who knows.

Originally posted by OmegaBob


Not at this time. I'm going to call Mazda after the holiday to check. I assume it's whatever the NJ port is...but who knows.

i called my dealer today. it's on the water and coming to the Newark port, yours probably is too.

Newark, eh? Kewl! We're both week 2 Sept so it makes sense! Can't wait... can't wait... can't wait.... :)

The official position in the letter to the dealer from Mazda is that people who have placed a deposit, nut not taken delivery will get the choice of receiving the free maintenance (not the $500 debit card) or their deposit back. However, if you have a completed sales contract, you get the maintenance and the $500 or the buyback. I went down and completed my sales contract on the 25th.

A few days before that I contacted Mazda USA myself and they said that since I had placed a cash deposit, they would give me the full package. It sounds like there will be some flexibility if you didn't finish the sales order and are unhappy with the offer. They don't want to let that lose the sale.

Originally was told August build but now it's September 1st(monday) so I am expecting about an end of October delivery. Test drove the RX 8 for the first time. It was a manual though I am getting automatic....good thing cuz the car had too much power for me!! That car moves but all I have to compare to is cars with horsepowers between 130-150...other than an SUV.
The car had good performance but I spent so much time trying to figure out the shifting that I did not enjoy myself as much....I was nervous with the salesman with me. It had a very short throw and the rotary had an interesting humming sound and the car seemed fairly quiet in the cockpit. Was not use to the digital speedometer etc. Overall seemed like a fun car!
Vin #JMFE17N640116358.......does that mean anything to anyone? I am in 40 miles west of Chicago, Illinois....anyone know what port and how long approx.? Waiting is excruciating!! Thanks for any input and sharing my excitement!!:D

Originally posted by JVSpiller
The official position in the letter to the dealer from Mazda is that people who have placed a deposit, nut not taken delivery will get the choice of receiving the free maintenance (not the $500 debit card) or their deposit back. However, if you have a completed sales contract, you get the maintenance and the $500 or the buyback. I went down and completed my sales contract on the 25th.

A few days before that I contacted Mazda USA myself and they said that since I had placed a cash deposit, they would give me the full package. It sounds like there will be some flexibility if you didn't finish the sales order and are unhappy with the offer. They don't want to let that lose the sale.

Thanks for the info. My sales rep called me to personally tell me that I was getting both. If I don't get the $500, I will raise hell b/c I've asked multiple times in the past to fill out everything ahead of time, and he said just to wait.

I just placed an order today for the 6MT RX-8. I had been discussing the car with the salesperson by e-mail for a few, and I e-mail her to tell her I was coming in for a test. To my suprise, I received an e-mail this morning that they were offering the car for $1000 over factory invoice. I was very surpised, but (of course ) pleased. :) They didn't mention anything about the HP issue, and I was not aware of it the time. I wonder if this issue was factor.

I have checked at several dealers in the Washington D.C. metro and everyone else is asking MSRP. The sales is only good through this weekend. Anyway you slice, this a great deal!

If anyone's interested, it's the Madza in Annapolis Maryland. Before anyone ask, I have no financial connection with the dealership.

did you get the official Mazda letter yet explaining the buy back and free maintenance?

No I haven't, but I did contact the dealership to see if I qualify. Since my order was after Aug 26th, I'm afraid I may not qualify. I'm wanting to get a response from the dealer.

i called mazda today and the woman said i qualified. but then my dealer called tonight and said he talked to mazda and they said if i haven't taken delivery by august 26th then all i get is the $500 and free maintenance option not the buy back option. i could still take the car but i wanted the insurance of having the buy back option. i dont know if the dealer is lying or not. i told him id be in tomorrow to get my deposit back. this sucks!

I test drove/decided on my 8 in NJ, although I knew I was moving to IN and didn't want to buy until there. I called locally and either a car with my specs was not available unless I wait a while (october, january, etc) or pay a markup averaging $1-2K over MSRP.

Except for the local mazda dealer in my town (Lafayette, IN) -- they have a very small number of 8's coming. One arrived and sold immediately. The 2nd and 3rd one are not here yet. I put a nonrefundable deposit on the "3rd one" which was exactly my specs, I mean exactly! I attempted haggling in NJ and saw nothing better than MSRP or MSRP + markup. I barely even attempted haggling with this guy -- he was nice though. Test drove (again for me), loaded-up car with people as per my request, called me up about the HP thing.

I'd like to get $500 or so off MSRP but I don't know how to "do it" -- I want the car and hope it arrives in +2 weeks, $500 or so off would be nice but dude knows I want the car.

I almost think its better to keep relationship cool with him since he's the only local Mazda dealer, etc. $500 off $35500 (after taxes) is nice but doesn't make the expense of the car tremendolously different.

Opinions, recommendations?

-superocho.

Just got my letter today!

Now, all I need is my car and my mug set....:(

did the letter offer the buy back or just the free maintenance since you hadn't taken delivery of the car.

Check your PM for more details.

Briefly for everyone else, the options are
1 - $500 + free maintenence
or
2 - Refund of deposit

Originally posted by JVSpiller
The official position in the letter to the dealer from Mazda is that people who have placed a deposit, nut not taken delivery will get the choice of receiving the free maintenance (not the $500 debit card) or their deposit back. However, if you have a completed sales contract, you get the maintenance and the $500 or the buyback. I went down and completed my sales contract on the 25th.



When I've talked to Mazdausa, twice now, they indicated that people who put money down and placed an order for the car before August 26th *will* get the maintainence and $500 debit card... they didn't say anything about having to have the sales contract completed.

Just repeating what they've told me. I have not completed a sales contract, but I did put $500 down, and the order went through in April.

That's my understanding as well. I ordered in July. And I'll take the money and service please............thank you.:D

OK let me see if I could help here. I placed an order Late March. I was not able to pick up my car when it came in (July 15th) They put in another order for me and it will be in production September 20. I just called Mazdausa to ask where my letter was and they did'nt have me listed in the system. They asked me for my information and added me on the spot. They will verify the deposit with the dealer later. Even if your car does'nt get produced this year you are ok. As long as you put a deposit before the cutoff date

Hope this helps

I ordered my RX-8 on 8/11 and my dealer actually came to where I work to tell me personally about the $500 and free maintenance being offered to those of us who had placed orders and to ask me if I still want the car. I've been wanting this car since the moment I saw the yellow one on the cover of Road & Track in February of last year. I'm not passing it up!

I have a question....how do you guys know your build/ship dates? I've never ordered a car before so I'm clueless.

Waiting not so patiently.....

Originally posted by ALWAZL8
I have a question....how do you guys know your build/ship dates? I've never ordered a car before so I'm clueless.

Hi Alwazl8! Welcome to the forum!

Your dealership should be able to tell you your build date. However, it seemed to me that my dealer's inv report wasn't as up-to-date as it could have been. Your best bet into finding out this info would be to call Mazda directly: 800-222-5500 - option #4. You can also try emailing them at: rx8orders@mazdausa.com. I'm not sure that the 800 # can help you until your car is assigned a vin #, which is done directly before or during the actual build.

Here's what I'd do: call or visit your dealer every two/three weeks or so to find out the status of your vin#. When one is finally assigned, call or email Mazda directly. Continue to call them once every two/three weeks to check on your car's status until you receive the car.

Originally posted by ALWAZL8
I ordered my RX-8 on 8/11 and my dealer actually came to where I work to tell me personally about the $500 and free maintenance being offered to those of us who had placed orders and to ask me if I still want the car. I've been wanting this car since the moment I saw the yellow one on the cover of Road & Track in February of last year. I'm not passing it up!

I have a question....how do you guys know your build/ship dates? I've never ordered a car before so I'm clueless.

Waiting not so patiently.....
Alwazl8, My cars build date was July 7th and it made it to port on August 8th. It was held up for three weeks at port because of the appearance package. All other port options were installed right when it arrived. It left port on the 3rd of September and I expect to receive it today. I don't have the most informative dealer in the world so I have had the best of luck talking directly to Mazda NA.

Thanks for the info OmegaBob and JVSpiller. I'll let you know what I find out about when mine will be here.

JVSpiller, I KNOW you're excited about today! :)