Well after driving this car since Jan 06 and getting about 420kms per tank...I got to thinking what I would like it to have...

1. Heated seats....yup precious option I know
2. Heated mirrors...so small when they fog up it's not nice
3. Felt in glove box.....$$ low cost but makes the car so much nicer
4. More ergonomic cup holders.....does anyone use them and not slop themselves or knock their drink??
5. Less plastic in the interior......(precious option)


Can you think of anything that you would like? It's a lovely car but to me a few little touches could make it awesome.

BTW...none of my wish list will weigh the car down...

Just a thought....maybe Mazda might take notice

 

Built-in Bluetooth (c'mon Mazda -- it'd cost about $50 at manufacture)
iPod integration
a better information display (although I guess seeing instantaneous fuel consumption might be a downer )
some work on cutting back tyre noise on coarse surfaces (not just more insulation...a bit of design and engineering smarts....all Mazdas fail this test)
I'm thinking...don't flame me here...a little more thought on the boot lid design. Actually, the space is ok, but getting stuff into that space is sometimes difficult
A grill that protects the a/c condensor -- sorry Hymee, but bad design needs to be addressed at source

 

You have heated mirrors. Turn on the rear demister and the mirrors demist too....

 

I agree with both of those things. I've been meaning to line the glovebox for ages but haven't got around to it. Temporary solution is to wrap "rattlers" like tyre pressure gauge, pen, flashlight, etc into a rag.

My wish list:

Well, a factory engineered and warranted forced induction option would have to be number 1. I think that change alone would justify a $10-15K price hike because the car would become even more desirable and unique but remain practical when compared to the vast majority of sports cars that simply don't have the packaging smarts of the 8.

The rest is detail stuff really. I agree with Tim about the boot lid but would hate to see the styling messed with too much as I reckon one of the car's strongest design features is the rear end.

I'm not that fussed about tyre roar. Yes it would be nice to have less of it and I accpet other manufacturers seem to do a better job with it but I'd hate to see any changes that reduce the sharpness of the handling, which I believe is the car's raison d'etre. Just be thankful we don't cop the runflats that BMW is now fitting to most of its range.

I'm sure I could nitpick my way through some other stuff but there's so much I like about this car and it gives me so much pleasure that frankly I feel a bit churlish whinging about small stuff that doesn't really matter that much. Not knocking the thread idea though Julia - I love hearing what other people come up with as wishlists. So i'll shut up now and sit back to see what those are.

 

OEM One-Touch UP/Down Windows / Sunroof,
Auto Door lock/Unlock with engine Off / On (like GM).
Ability to lock /Unlock the doors with FOB while the engine is running.
Radio that stays on after the car is turned off and turns off when the door is opened (like GM).
Puddle Lights.
Better trunk lighting.

I know, most of this stuff "could be" done but it would be nice if they shipped from the factory this way.

 

I have to say as a tall bastard my top option would be:

Telecopic Steering Column

Other nice options:
Electric Passenger Seat
Driver Seat Position Memory

Thats about it. (Other than what others ahve put.)

 

I'd change from bose on grand touring.

Also, a little more of a view from the back seat. kinda creates a blind spot.

 

Memory on elec seats
Ipod plug-in (retro fit at dealer)
Better trip computer
Coloured brake callipers (red / Gold)
GPS
Leather seats that are all leather not leather with plastic inserts
LED taillights they can do it on the 3 SP23
An oil pressure guage that moves with the change of pressure

 

definetly the oil gauge, squeeky breaks, and the bose stereo system (too little bass)

 

I agree with that one. I'm fussy about my seating position and find myself fiddling with it for ages after someone else has been in the car.

 

Random responses:

Agreed about the calipers. They are fantastic brakes IMHO and deserve to look better than they do. I wouldn't stop at painting - I'd tidy up the shape too.

Disagree about GPS but I guess that's because I'd never use it. Gadgets add too much weight.

Disagree about the seats too. The stuff they use on the bolsters, etc is much harder wearing than leather. Longterm, it'll keep the seats looking better.

Be thankful your oil pressure isn't dropping!

 

Torque would have been nice.

 

I want to have to infra red touring system that is on the lastest Merc S class.

Stop when traffic slows and speed up when it does - without pressing the brake or accelerator.

.

 

My list:

Seat position memory. Like Gibba and Revolver, I have to fiddle for aggggges to get it right and it gets annoying since I have to do that almost everytime someone gets in the drivers seat as I'm pretty short.

Get rid of the silver plastic lining the centre console - its very easy to leave scratches and marks on it when you're moving things around the car.

Better cupholders - I still havent figured out how to use them without knocking things over while driving.

 

[QUOTE=EyeBall Fixer...(o)(x)]OEM One-Touch UP/Down Windows / Sunroof,
Auto Door lock/Unlock with engine Off / On (like GM).
Ability to lock /Unlock the doors with FOB while the engine is running.
Radio that stays on after the car is turned off and turns off when the door is opened (like GM).
Puddle Lights.
Better trunk lighting./QUOTE]

Hmm...interesting the difference in specs between Aus & US
In Aus, driver's window is one-touch, we have puddle lights and the trunk lighting is (IMO) quite adequate.
Also, in Aus we don't use GM products as a benchmark for anything

 

[QUOTE=timbo]You guys get all the good stuff...
including your women...

 

The 8 would be a much better car with a factory 3rotor renesis, that extra torque to fry the tyres in second would be so desirable. Then it would definately wax gen3 crapodoores.

 

It needs more cowbell! +/_\

 

If that feature ever became standard on motor cars I'd cut my bloody wrists.

How freakin' boring would driving become then? I bought this car to enjoy the driving experience.

 

Hey thanks for that info Gomez...didn't know that!! Have taken that one off my list!

 

A better fuel economy figure would be nice. That way i wouldn't feel so bad trying to wring the torque and power out above 6000rpm =)

A few inches more head room (at 6'3" i JUST make it).


One of my biggest gripes is the stereo.
Either a better factory stereo or a more aftermarket friendly stereo setup would have been nice. Unless you want to do some serious butchering, you pretty much have to take what you get when it comes to sound in the 8.
The bass is loudish if u turn it up enough, but there is so much distortion and it lacks 'fullness' for lack of a better word. Treble is nice at moderate volumes and soundstage is well placed in the centre of the dash but for some reason loud vocals in the 8 give me a headache. In my old car I had an aftermarket SQ setup, and I could dial up the volume to much louder levels without said headache, and I'm pretty sure its due to the clarity and quality of the music from my aftermarket speakers.

If Mazda upgrade the front speakers, throw in a little subwoofer (8" would be fine), up the amplifier power output a bit to improve musical clarity and speaker control, then the factory system would leave little to be desired (unless u want to be thumping the bass down the street).

The Mcintosh system from the Liberty GT is nice and would have done well in the RX-8.

 

What, you didn't test drive it?

 

I agree with 'Mez on this one. Great for a luxury car, not so great for a sports car.

Adds weight too.

 

I was thinking the same thing when I read the Fixer's post.

Agreed on GM - even my wife won't consider one of their 'products'.

 

Who's the dance bunny in the middle?

As for Danni Minogue - please! What's good is fake and what's not is the rest of her.