mr_digital_uk

I got a hint from my dealer today that there may be an event for us during the bank holiday weekend (23rd-ish of August). Anyone else know any more details

bugbear

heard nothing - who's your dealer?

MarkW

Havent heard anything, Thats only a couple of weeks so if true we will have to be told soon!

renegade_si

Ive heard nothing from T W Whites in Weybridge...

however, is this a normal viewing of the blue car event?! In which case, we've had ours in Henley?!

mr_digital_uk

T W Whites in Milford .... I'm hoping it's the travelling group of cars, but we'll have to see

renegade_si

ooooh please find out.

Bugger, going to Mum and Dads in Stourbridge over the bank holiday weekend...

hmm unless its the Sat morning...

evil grin

see if you can find out, o digital one

cheers

bugbear

confirmed!

t w whites in milford will have a car this weekend. my t w whites salesman has put me in touch with them and as an existing orderer has suggested that i may get a test drive! not like for an hour he said but then as far as i know none of us uk public has had a drive, some not even heard the engine running, or me even seen it!

i'm on call back from tw whites so we'll see if it is actually true about a drive

my dealer also said that they would be holding the same event in september!

he he - i'm rather excited :p

97rsr

Bit of a surprise this, but yes, got a letter from TWWhites today inviting me to a test drive this weekend at Milford or Orpington. I haven't ordered an 8 but they've had plenty of business from me over the years. Will probably to go down to Milford on Saturday or Monday...

jimbobjoe

Milford is my local dealership, and I haven't heard zip from them on this. I wonder if they are talking to the people who didn't get to view the blue one first ?

I may have to give them a call tomorrow anyway....:D

MarkW

I wonder if they are prioritising people who HAVENT ordered?

After all, they already have our deposits and most of us are likely to go ahead anyway. If they get new customers in to test drive, they will more likely get more new orders. Or am I just being cynical?

c170673

That is what I thought about the event in Bristol at the beginning of July as there were only a few pre-order people there, the rest were "potential" orders.

Chris

morganrogers

MarkW - I think you are right.
They have our cash so why worry ?

Fair enough I suppose. (flame suit on)

Me - I dont care anymore.
My toys are sold (my Marlin and my KTM).
My garage is waiting.

8 weeks to go.

M.

jimbobjoe

OK, I have just spoke to my dealer (Milford) and here is the situation.

The press have now finished thrashing the pre-production cars that have been here for the last month or so.

These cars (about 10 I think) are now being passed around the dealership network for display and test drives.

Clearly with only a few cars and lots of people they have to avoid masses of people swamping the dealerships.

So, feel free to ring your local dealer and ask him if you will get a ride/drive but don't be suprised if you have to wait a few weeks. And call your local dealer, not those where you think the cars will be. Your local dealer will have a time allocation even if the car is not at his dealership.

For example, the Milford dealer will get a car on two weekends. They will have one this weekend and one on the weekend of 12th September.

The preorders are going to be invited on the 12th.

I know we would all like a go now, but we must accept that with lots of people and few cars we will have to wait our turn.

It doesn't really matter in which order we get to play, just as long as we all get a turn eventually.

So inquire from your dealer if you wish, but be nice

sixspeed

Well I spoke to my branch of Whites (Bookham). I have my test drive booked for the 13th September (they have cars at the Bookham branch 12th-14th).

Milford and Orpington have cars this weekend as has already been confirmed.

I suspect I will pop down to one of them if I'm not doing anything else this weekend and have a look round.


-andy-

bugbear

i'm in for monday 2pm!!!!

i get to drive the car - whoopeee

will it have a sunroof - will i fit? all these questions and more will be answered

i'm quite excited!!!!!!!

jimbobjoe

just got home to find a letter inviting me for a drive this weekend !!

Cool:D

mr_digital_uk

OK - I'm on for 1pm Monday

sixspeed

Rang Milford and they wouldn't accomodate me since "My" dealer is Bookham and they are running an event in a few weeks time. Might try Orpington, though its a bit of a trek for a test drive.

Are your appointments with Milford branch?


-andy-

jimbobjoe

T W White Milford are lovely:D :D

https://www.rx8club.com/europe-forum-36/i-have-just-driven-rx-8-a-9284/

mr_digital_uk

OK - I've at last sat in an RX-8 (at TW Whites in Milford). I'm still on for the test drive on Monday and could have had one today, but I had "her indoors" with me and she would only have told me to slow down, so I'll just be patient.

Some notes from sitting in the RX-8:

Driving position is great ... fitted me like a glove.
Gear stick (ever so short) exactly in the right place.
Boot: Looks a useful size ... just need to buy some new luggage that's the right size and shape ... any ideas?
Back seat: The seat is fine, but it is pretty cramped back there if you have a six footer in the front.
Red leather: a bit naff really ... a bit too orangey. I've ordered it, so I'll live with it 'cos I'm not waiting for my car any longer than I have to.

Colours: Red and Titanium both looked good.

Now I'm really looking forward to Monday

renegade_si

well thats interesting about the red interior - I was completely the opposite. After seeing all of the photos I did think it looked a bit over the top, and I think I posted words to that effect in the past (although not as OTT as the brown leather with the red exterior that one of our friends in the USA has).

however, when I sat in it, and especially as I DROVE the red car, it didn't matter any more. It actually broke up the black and looked ok and not over the top at all.

What did u think of the red exterior colour Mr_digital ?

As I posted on my review, great in the sun, rather dull and lacklustre in the shade I what I thought.

Remeber these are all only opinions...! Red was initially my choice until I was talked out of it by Swee at the Weybridge T W Whites back in Feb....

mr_digital_uk

For those of you who haven't seen the inside, I would say that the top of these two photos most accurately reflects the inside colour. I didn't take these photos, but tried to find one that compared real life with the brochures.

renegade_si

Just remember (and it is a simple thing, but I didn't think of it until I was actually in the car) that you can't see the red of the seats when you're sitting in the drivers seat with a passenger driving along. You CERTAINLY cant see the red of the rear seats either!
The red of the wheel is very close to the red of the body colour (which I know is something that I had assumed again but until I got into it, didn't think of too much).
So that leaves the wheel and the red in the door panels. Which as the car is very snug, you don't see loads of anyway!

renegade_si

Ps Nice Pics Mr Digital

Bugger what can we call u? Mr digital sounds so binary :D

MarkW

Its interesting to hear the different opinions on the Red leather. It seems people either love it or hate it!

Obviously I love it, and it was the main reason I went for the Velocity Red, as the all black is too sombre for me. However, having seen Velocity Red I am very pleased I chose it anyway. :D

Some manufacturers charge extra as well for two tone leather (The 350Z does I think) so it must be a bargain.

I prefer the top of the two pictures posted, so happy to hear that looks more like the real thing.