Does anyone know if I wanna add in a Nav system
will that be the same as Japanese one??
Price??

 

I know that in the states, the software is completely different. I would asume the same for any english speaking country.

 

Mazda Australia confirms that they are "working at" getting the sat nav option as an upgrade in the near future.

I think the delay is because of local compatibility issues.

 

But if we add in the nav system after we got the car,
we have to cut the holes for the screen and the control
isn't it??
it will cost more

 

This is what I was told by Mazda when I asked about various options including Nav:

"At this point we are still conducting a feasibility study on the satellite navigational system for our Mazda6, which we hope to have available later this year.
With regard to this feature on the RX8, we will also make similar studies to determine cost and possible demand for this equipment.
As far as after market systems are concerned, we believe VDO offers an aftermarket unit, which is available at Autobarn stores.

We can confirm that there are no plans to introduce a sunroof for our RX8. Packaging and physical constraints preclude this, particularly with the absence of B pillars in the "freestyle" door system. We also wanted to optimise headroom to suit a wider range of customers, which isn't always achieved in many sports cars.

With other accessories like an MP3 player, our National Parts Department is always investigating suitable equipment and further development is dependant on factors as mentioned above, like costing and possible demand.

Thanks again for your email. "


Interesting comment about the sunroof and B pillars/freestyle doors... I wonder if some of our overseas friends have heard anything about this- what is the connection?.

 

Mazda had reply me concerning on the nav system:

"Navigation as a dlr fit accessory for the RX-8 is still in development.
We are planning to offer the fully integrated version as per the attached photo.

Intro timing is Sept 2003."

 

I contacted Mazda regarding sat nav feb. this year, with the following response....

> The demand for Sat Nav in Australia is extremely minimal because the
> benefit of the system is fairly limited versus the cost.
>
> A fully optioned system can cost anything up to $4000 which is simply for
> an electronic street directory.
>
> In Europe and in Japan, the Sat Nav systems are integrated with more
> sophisticated traffic management systems which allow navigation that
> bypasses traffic bottlenecks. In Europe it also overcomes language
> barriers as you move across borders.
>
> On top of the basic cost, you need to develop the mapping software to be
> compatible with any system available from the factory. Sat-Nav systems
> are available in Australia from aftermarket suppliers, and these can be
> readily installed by Mazda RX-8 prospects seeking such a system.
>
> Mazda Australia has taken the decision that sat nav is not a high demand
> feature at this time, and have not specified it for ADR models.

After getting over the usual inital insult of being considered an 'ignorant customer' it was fairly obvious to me that Mazda basically 'couldn't give a' as the demand didn't warrant the cost of Australian compliance/compatibility. Admittedly I was (and still am) pretty disgruntled on Mazda's decision as other Japanese manufactures have sat. nav systems for the Australian market - why should Mazda be any different?

It appears as if they've changed there tune given the amount of enquiries since....looks like weight of numbers might have got us there - call me a doubting Thomas though - I'll only believe it when I see it!