racerdave

Go complain to Mazda!

Go here:

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/emailMazda.action

I did, basically demanding a "Moonroof Delete" option on the GT package... and I got this response:

"Dear Dave,

I have documented your suggestion for our corporate record. These
records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning
Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products to
our customers.

Please know, Mazda does listen to customer comments and it is possible
that this could be changed in the future. Due to customer comments on
the build combinations for the 2003 MAZDA6, they were changed for the
2004 model."

Now, maybe they will offer the Moonroof Delete in MY 2005, maybe not. Probably just a stock response.

But if you want the GT package WITHOUT a moonroof, let's at least annoy the hell out of them with requests!

:D

KFence27

I am admiting ignorance on this topic but can't you just slide the cover closed and not even realize the moonroof exists. Why is this a big deal. I am curious?

zoom44

yep they did listen to us about the 6 packages there were many of us here(thanks to Rich who got us started) as well as on the atenza forum that sent in uor thoughts on the horrible packaging for the 6. it was very important to us here because we didn't want to see that kind of crap for the RX-8. the packages for the 8 in the states aren't the best but i guarantee you they are better because of our letters on the 6 situation.

so definetly send your emails and letters to them about it, because they will change things if they get enough mail. i dont understand why you can't get the touring or grand touring without one in the states any way. everywhere else it is an option on top of the packages or in a seperate package with something else- except australia where they can't get it at all yet.

Gord96BRG

Several reasons this is a big deal for some:

1) Headroom. The moonroof assembly results in about 1.5" less headroom! For taller drivers (or even those long of torso), that's very significant.

2) Stiffness - often, a moonroof-equipped vehicle is slightly less stiff than a full steel roof version, because of the big hole!

3) Weight - moonroofs and motor and rail slide mechanisms are always heavier than the plain steel panel they replace.

4) Cost and complexity - a moonroof adds cost, and potential for leaks or electrical problems in the years down the road.

FWIW (and as Dave well knows), in Canada Mazda sells the RX-8 GT leather package without the moonroof. The moonroof is a stand-alone factory option. My Canadian RX-8 GT has the leather package but no moonroof, just as Dave would like to get. Mazda does build them that way - it's just up to Mazda USA to juggle their options packages to let US customers get them that way.

Regards,
Gordon

zoom44

it takes out about an inch and a half of headroom. so some of the taller people find they touch the roof in the gt but not in the base model. and they would get the base model but they want the HID's and leather and other stuff that is not available on the base and touring packages.

also try emailing rx8orders@mazdausa.com . but be nice, the folks there have been very kind to us thru-out the pre-order process, even when we were giving them alot of grief.

KFence27

Interesting, thank you all for the enlightenment. Makes sense now. What i'd do without rx8club...hmmmm

zoom44

spend time with your family?

nah! you'd spend more time driving the car

MEGAREDS

The first person I met with an RX-8 said he bought the base package for its "helmet room." I really wanted the moon roof, but in the winter I really would like the extra 1.5 inches.

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

Now the weight that the moonroof adds, isn't too much, but it's in the worst spot on the car...the highest point in the car.

5Gen_Prelude

It's interesting that it's not an option, not just because it's an option elsewhere. In Canada, the interior color of your car is predetermined by the exterior color, as is the seat material pretermined on the two trims. So although they're obviously concerned about the number of combinations, the roof is an option - where as in the states, there are 2-3 times as many combinations.

On a side note, the Nav cannot be had without the moonroof up here.

racerdave

Yep, I used "other markets" as part of the justification in my email. Because like others have said, a roof is a separate option in Canada and other places.

I do not mind at all if they keep the moonroof as part of the GT package.

But what I would like is for them to offer a no (or even low) cost "Moonroof Delete" option on the GT package.

I want the GT package, but I *need* the headroom... therefore the moonroof must go.

And right now, in the US, there is no way to do it.

I could try to get one in Canada, but I'd be financing some of the car and I'm not sure what kind of quagmire that could be, being a US citizen trying finance a car in Canada.

I'd much rather buy in the US... but with NO moonroof, and the GT package.

Japan8

Why not a-la-carte option choices? Even if it has to ordered from the factory... so what? For example, someone might want HID, power seats, and leather, but no Bose and no sunroof.

Why no clear side markers? Is this because of some US saftey law, or is it the usual problem that someone THINKS that Americans won't like that kind of thing (I see this or the opposite happen ALL the time... idiots)??

Why no Mazdaspeed RX-8?

I'm not mentioning turbos because....

- There are rumors of it for the 7 and you don't want the 8 to be as fast as the 7
- The 8 doesn't compete with the Skyline in Japan... the 7 does.
- Adding the turbo will make getting the Renesis to pass emissions difficult.

Why no low-power 5 speed RX-8??

Why is the lip spoiler not available?

Why no sunroof or cruise control in Japan?

Who decides these things and how did he/she get their job?

Why wasn't the damn 5 door and wagon Atenza (Mazda 6) released in the US from the beginning?

Doesn't the V6 make the car too heavy like the Altezza (IS300) since it was originally designed to have a 4 cyc.? Why didn't they just turbo charge the 4??

Why doesn't the so-called "sports model" Mazda 6 has fog lights, side skirts or the body colored grill?

Why the hell is the side skirt that half length thing on the RX-8??

Why isn't the Demio released in the US as Mazda's entry level car?

Is the Premacy really too inbetween to sell in the US... i.e. kinda mini van, kinda Protege 5 wagon-ish... so it will cut sales on one or the other? I dunno... cheaper than the MPV and 7 seater capacity would get a bunch of lower income soccer moms....

Oh yeah... why a freakin' DVD nav unit $2000 USD?? If it was a HDD unit I'd understand...

racerdave

That's a lotta questions.

But before I forget, the Lexus IS300 is a case in point. Now, all they are advertising for 2004 is packages with roofs included. It doesn't look like there's any other way to get an IS300 but with a roof.

However! They DO have an unpublicized "Moonroof Delete" option. They will have to special build the car and it will take longer, but it *can* be done, even though it's not advertised.

So if Lexus can do it, so can Mazda.

fluque

I'm with you racerdave, I just sent my email.....
The RX-8 with a moonroof does have a headroom problem for people 6'1'' and taller.
As a result I 'll have to buy the sports package, install leather aftermarket and forego all the other options.

5Gen_Prelude

Funny you should bring this up - in the C&D buyers guide they have a breakdown of their Top10 which features a Red RX8, then later on in the issue, they list all the cars. The RX8 in that listing is black with clear side markers!

MEGAREDS

I believe California law requires side marker lights be "amber." When I checked the Illinois Vehicle Code I could find nothing about side marker lights at all, but decided to play it safe and installed amber bulbs. You'd never know they were white if you were to see them at night.

By the way, the only thing that was not perfect with my car when it was delivered is that I found some grease where the moonroof was installed. This does not look like a factory install - I'm guessing they did it at the port.

The NAV costs $2000 because at this point in time, people will pay it. I sucked it up and bought it (paying invoice - $1721), but having done so I must say I'm very impressed. I think the NavTech system is rock solid.

clyde

Maybe you didn't get far enough into the process with the 325i but there is a lot that can be done about modifying the standard packages on BMWs...if you have a willing salesman. There are a number of options that aren't officially available in the US that you can get on your car as well (such as cloth seats and "Individual" paint). Those special order cars, though, have to be approved by BMWNA which is no small task and why it takes a salesman willing to put in the effort. The other thing working against you with BMW is that dealers don't want to get stuck with oddball cars that they won't be able to sell if you back out after the car goes into production.

There's a reason that Henry Ford used to say that you could buy his cars in any color you want, as long as it's black. While it would be nice to have ala carte options, costs would rise substantially for each option. It just plain costs less to build 100 cars 1 way than it does to build 100 cars 100 ways. It's one of the reasons that option prices on Porsches are so outrageous...they offer everything under the sun, in every color under the sun and you can pick and choose exactly what you want. (The other big reason is that they gouge you because they can. :p)

Japan8

You do have a point there, however... it wouldn't kill Mazda to offer a "delete sunroof" option for the Touring and Grand Touring packages. To even things out they can make the Bose stereo standard across all models. That isn't so bad now is it?

zoom44

it had to do with production capacity at the US plant as well as availability on some parts. However i still view it as a blunder on their part because they easily could have sold a a hefty amount of hatches and wagons by now. i believe the hatch with the special kurakiri folding rear seat will easily out sell the sedan once they start hitting the dealers.


and just where is mazda's TV ad campaigns for any model? i haven't seean an RX-8 or Mazda6 commercial for sometime and have still not seen really any advertising for the Mazda3 other than a C&D TV review. and i watch alot of TV.

racerdave

Actually, I was considering special-ordering lumbar on a 325i SP with the standard manual seats. I found a guy at Bill Jacobs in Naperville, IL who hadn't done it, but was willing to do so because as he said, "well, if another dealer can do it, so can we. It might not be easy, but we'll work with you on it."


While I understand this, if they only offer a "Moonroof Delete" I can't see how that will be so bad. Most customers buying GT won't take advantage of it, but with the others that do, Mazda will be effectively getting their money back by not having to install a moonroof, which would be about a $1000 option if it was standalone.

IMHO

5Gen_Prelude

I see the same ad for the 3 all the time (Canada though). Same dude over and over again who thinks the 3 is a great sedan and then out of nowhere his twin drives up in a 5 door.

NAVILESRX8

iTrader: (1)

I just wanted a Traction control/DSC delete.....I like pure driving...

racerdave

Yeah, but it's not that hard to press the button for a few seconds.

It's a bit harder to do that with headroom.

(and no, opening the roof does not count )

Nubo

I'm 5'10" and still could feel the roof if I positioned the seat for best driving position. Went sport also. In fact I can't imagine anyone getting the moonroof unless all of their friends and family are short! "Sorry, you're 6'2" so you can't fit in my car !?" That's whacked.

idle0ne

lol quit yer bitchin try riding in the back of an eclipse