Detroit RX8

All,

I just spoke with Boshart and they still need people for the testing.

Part of the email I received:

The testeing is scheduled to be done next Monday 25th through Friday the 29th (but may change), time slots are at 7,9,11,2.

If you are interested, please let me know - current demographics needed are: Men ages 35 to 55 and women ages 21 to 55

Also as an FYI - you will be driving a prototype automatic RX8 that is not available so it could be interesting.

EDITED TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS NEEDED

Johnnyma45

I think that is the one I got for Boshart...as referenced in the other thread, as opposed to the emissions. Kelly is to call me back tomorrow or the next day for scheduling. Maybe a new auto transmission? Is there testing on the Ford track maybe? :-P One can only dream

Johnnyma45

Hmm. They called me yesterday to schedule Wednesday 4/27 at 2pm. But today when I called back they said it would be at 9am that day, or 9am the next day. ???

Detroit RX8

I do know they were calling last night to sign up for times, chances are someone had already claimed that time before you called back.

njcs

Please report back on the type of Rx-8 that you guys drove.

Redfusion3

iTrader: (2)

I'm going at 7am tomorrow, I'll tell you guys all about it.

Redfusion3

iTrader: (2)

OK, Here its goes...

The day I got the letter I called up the Boshart gave them my License number and all of the other information they wanted they said I was all set and ready to go just show up there on April the 25th at 7am sharp...

(Fast forward to April 25th...)

I got to The dearborn Inn at 7 am sharp just like I was told to do, Although there were no signs of any sort and no information anywhere. I entered the front of the Inn and looked around...no one, I went up to the front desk only to find out they didnt know anything about boshart or Mazda coming until Wednesday.

I waited till 8 am and called Bosharts offices when as soon as they opened.

The convo went something like this.

Me: Hello
Girl: Hi
Me: Um, I'm at the Dearborn in to participate in the Boshart engineering program.
Girl: Oh, Ok Well whats the problem?
Me: Well for starters, there is no one here and I have been waiting for an hour.
Girl: Hold on let me check out whats going on
(About 10 min go by...and I'm ready to hang up)
Me:...
Girl: Oh, Aaron? Are you 21?
Me: No, I'm 20
Girl: You have to be 21 so we can insure you so you can test drive.
Me: Well it doesnt indicate that on the letter you sent me and was I even scheduled?
Girl: No, your not because your not 21
Me: Were you planning on letting me know that?
Girl:...
Me: So your telling me you gave me the wrong date to begin with to even be here and you dont even have me scheduled?
Girl: Yes, Sorry
Me: Your letter says that it starts on the 25th
Girl: We wont be there till the 27th
me: ???
Girl: Yea so...
Me: Well thank you for wasting my time, Goodbye

Although I do admit I was a little harsh but, I was very mad.

The letter I received said The program is shecduled to start on April 25th and I was the first one to call in from my area so I took the first available apointment.
I don't understand why they would clearly state it begins on the 25th when the hotel doesnt have them even set up till the 27th.

I wish I could tell you how the actual test drive went but you know...I'm not 21 and all.

Later

Johnnyma45

Wow.

I do feel there is almost a haphazard way this thing is being put together. As in my previous posts, they changed my times without telling me and I had to call back to verify. I however am scheduled at 9 on the 27th...I asked them for directions and they didn't know how to get there, but they said they were gonna call the night before and confirm. I'm taking time out of work for this, so I hope it's not going to be a time-waster.

Redfusion3

iTrader: (2)

I was going to test drive a car I love not for the 100 $$... It a nice incentive especially since get mondays off.

Detroit RX8

Take 75 South to 696 West, get off on Southfield Rd and go south. Southfield will turn into a freeway, take that to Rotunda Drive and go west. Once on Rotunda, go about a mile and you will hit Oakwood Blvd, hang a right. Dearborn in is about 1/2 Mile on your left.

Johnnyma45

Thanks for the directions. They called back to confirm this morning and gave me an address...I was going to plug it into the Nav. When are you scheduled? And do we get to take this RX-8 onto the Proving Grounds?

Detroit RX8

I'm Scheduled thurs @ 9am.

And you won't be taking the car on the proving grounds That would be a blast tho!

Johnnyma45

I'm back from the test drive...or should I say a $100 appearance at Dearborn Inn. I got there right at 8:45 for my 9:00 appt to catch another guy leaving with the driver, and they told me that they double booked each slot in anticipation of cancellations. But since I showed up they gave me the $100 check anyways, and took my name for future events. I was a little bummed, I really wanted to see how an auto RX-8 drove, but hopefully in the future they'll call again (and of course they made it very worth my while). And sorry for your experiences Redfusion, but Kelly who was there was nothing but nice and professional...Chris I suggest you get there early, and let us know what the prototype RX-8 entails.

Detroit RX8

Seeing as I don't work tomorrow, I think I'll be there around 8:30

Goat

I got an 11am appointment. If they send me back I will have a few words with Dena. She was very nice and I even gave up a time slot for someone on Friday. (my birthday)

I will post what I did (if I get in) this afternoon.

Detroit RX8

Well, just finished up a little bit ago.. The route they have you take is a bit lackluster, you rarely go above 40 mph.

However, it was a 6 spd automatic and the test required that you be in manual mode for the entire drive. The automatic ***** very smoothly until you get above about 5k rpm or so, then it does have a bit of a lurch. Also, I notice you cant take an automatic above around 8.5k and it doesn't beep. Overall the transmission is very smooth with very little lag during the shift. Didn't talk to the Mazda guy riding about the engine but it does seem to have less power very similar to a current auto vs. manual.

Post up any questions and I'll answer

Rasputin

I don't get it. Do you mean it's a high power with 6AT transmission?

Did it have paddles for gear shifting?

Detroit RX8

DOn't know what you mean by high power 6at, but it did have a 6 spd auto with the paddle shifter as well as the stick..

I would guess its still the lower power 192hp engine vs the manual renesis.

Johnnyma45

I knew it. I had a feeling it would be a 6sp auto. But does that really help, if they mate it to the normal auto. engine? Chris you drive a stick right...wonder if anyone who owns an auto currently can notice a difference. Also...

You mean shifts right? sorry

Goat

I did some BSing with the guy (Cary) and he said all they really did was changed the gearing. It is still the same hp as the regular. Just a bit of a change in the gearing. I rode the R1 there so he and I talked about bikes too. Nice guy. Oh and the guy that was double slotted with me showed up just as I left. Glad I got there early.

vegeta

Goat you have an R1? sweet. I am actually looking into buying an used 600cc sportsbike, F4/F4i, R6, Triumph TT600, or Gixxer, but I can't find fair listings anywhere. Know of a good place?

rico r6er

just curious as to how you guys contacted the company to schedule, phone number? I have tomorrow off work, and I would not mind an extra $100 to check out a new auto rx8.

Johnnyma45

I think at this point they have everyone already scheduled. I was contacted through a letter that they sent out. They are running another evaluation next week or the week after (tentative) which you may be able to get on board with.

Redfusion3

iTrader: (2)

Kelly told me they were doing another one in July.

Detroit RX8

If he was saying it has the same HP as an 05 auto rx8 then he's right, if he said it's the same hp as a manual he was wrong.