MarkW

Good News.........

I received an email from Mazda yesterday from my contact stating they have been reading the site and are aware that there is some confusion with regards spec etc. Particular reference was made to the Motordrive live thread.

They have suggested that I email them on a weekly basis with a small number of questions and they will do their best to answer! Their CRM manager is also included on the mail.

I have mailed them back this morning saying that I am happy to do this and asked them if they can give us an update on delivery dates, performance figures and insurance.

Watch this space and I will let you know when I get a reply.

I know I have been somewhat negative recently, but I think this is really good that these guys are making an effort to keep us updated. I am still undecided, but the more I hear and see of the RX-8 will hopfully convince me it's the right decision.

I will hopefully email them again in a week or so, so let me know what burning questions you want answered.

Lensman

Thanks for making the effort.

1. Will it void our warranty if we recalibrate the engine to 240bhp or above?

2. Will we have to use our own cars at the ProDrive event?

3. Is the current UK show car representative of the production suspension height?

4. Has the problem with the interior finishes being scratched too easily (in particular the silver trim on the centre console) been eradicated?

5. Are the performance figures in the RX-8 freebie book conservative or accurate?

6. If Mazda's insurance division won't insure the car without a Tracker being fitted why is Mazda not mentioned on the Tracker website as a manufacturer who will install at the dealer level? (LINK ) If other insurance companies require a Tracker system it means that the car can't be driven from the dealership until a third party installation company has installed the device.

7. If anyone does decide to cancel will they receive the full £1000 back as the car is not as advertised (power) when they committed to the pre-order?

etc

shahpor

This is indeed good news.

Seems like Mazda is starting to get its act together.

Any particular bits of the motordrivelive thread mentioned? Only asking cause it seems we covered quite a lot in that thread.

Shahpor

ChrisW

Or even better, could we suggest that Mazda offer this themselves as a dealer fit option?

Surely Mazda would prefer this rather than warrantying someone elses work that they have no control over. And their dealers would surely like the chance to charge a few hundred quid for ten minutes work re-programing the engine management.

oilman

Well done MarkW and good to hear that they're interested.

My initial questions you have already covered. Have plenty more but lets take it one step at a time and see what happens.

Look forward to their response.

Cheers
Oilman:D

By the way, thanks MAZDA!!!

BlueAdept

Cool, cheers... I guess I should read the UK forum more often since I'm in London... I been too busy watching the forums I moderate!!!

The question I'd like to have answered is:

Does the UK model have cruise... I plan to do a reasonable ammount of mileage and it's a good tool to help keep a clean licence...

I too noticed that the web site is now advertising a much lower power... 231PS wasn't it? what happened... was supposed to be 240, which I thought was a bit limp anyway when the US gets 250... what's going on?

RobDickinson

I havnt seen cruise control on any UK spec, personbaly I think its not worth having here anyhow, rare is the occasion you can do the same speed for any length of time.

Its droped to 231ps (down from 240ps) because mazda have calibrated it for Euro 4 emisions which come into force in 2004/5. Probably easy and legal to get the ecu remaped back to 240/250 tho.

AndyPearce

I regularly use the cruise on my T5 - either for the late night early morning motorway runs where I can set it to 99mph or for the 'don't want any points' run where I set it to 83mph!!

The advantage of doing 120 motorway miles each day (on the quiet end of the M4!)

Edo

I sent an email to Mazda Uk last Thursday after having still not got an order number/delivery date etc. Got a very quick response (within an hour or so) and a call from the RX-8 line.

Email confirmed I would have a delivery date and order confirmation when I get back from holiday in 2 weeks (as I had requested).

Looks like things are improving.

AndyPearce

Howlong after ordering did it take for you guys to receive your books? Just wondering whether I should chase it up.

BlueAdept

Agreed, I regularly do 100+ miles with the cruise on... infact most times I cover 3 separate motorways without touching the cruise at all!!!

Lensman

And you believed them, right?

MarkW

Here is a brief summary of the info I received today from Mazda...

Deliveries of Hi power will be September. Strong demand in Japan has delayed Europe and particularly UK deliveries as we are also RHD.

They are awaiting sign off of the 0-60 and top speed figures. They will be published on the website shortly once the PR dept have OK'd it. The good news is the power drop wont significantly effect performance. Confirmed that the drop was due to EU emission targets and for better fuel economy.

Insurance is still under negotiation, first figures on 4th June but if they are not happy they will need to re-submit which may take it into July. Hopefully it will be group 17 or under.

Fuel figures should be on the website this week, and they are also in discussion with CAP to predict residuals which they say are initially looking good.

Unfortunately they have no current plans to introduce ant performance mods to gain additional bhp. This means if you want to do this you may have to go 3rd party and risk your warranty.

They are looking to put together a preview tour in July with the car at dealers where customers can visit. There will be around 6-8 locations around the country for this.

Generally good news and it looks like things are now moving ahead a pace. Keep an eye on the website over the next week for new info.

Lensman

Thanks Mark, much appreciated. I had the same info from a dealer at the MotorExpo today regarding the power reclaim so that seems conclusive. A darned shame and I can't see how it will fail to affect the performance figures. The one plus side is the rosy glow we'll get from saving the atmosphere... kind of.

BlueAdept

Hmmm... not had my hands on much UK information... but this sounds like it's worth knowing... the question is, if Mazda will tell somone this by phone or email, why don't the dealers know? They're not keeping people informed again!

I'm a bit concearned about additional delays, they July/August timeframe didn't leave much summer to play in, but this may take away our sun! I can imagine people putting it off until next year, and that's no good for Mazda!

Goose

Any ideas on the expected delivery for Low Power (i prefer to refer to it as 5speed!)?

Check my sig - this is the month i was advised of with my order confirmation brochure. Can i expect this date to be knocked back another couple of months also?

If this is the case, then i can say with some certainty that if i keep my order it will be to sell immediatately - proving there is a few quid in it. We were told July, 5 months late is taking the p1ss.

MarkW

Hi goose, 5 Speed :D deliveries they told me as being October and blue,yellow,green cars will be November.

Looks like you will get yours as expected

Goose

Eexxxxxxcellllleeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnttttttt!!!!! (in a Monty Burns fashion)

Happy again, though will be happier still if the '5 speed' insurnace category is lower than the '6 speed', as that was half the reason for me ordering it!

sixspeed

Good good...

So it sounds like my Winning Blue 6-speed will be arriving in November as told when I ordered too :D


-andy-