carpediem

*drool* Maybe I'll go for the black. Strakes are nice too. Mine would look hot in the snow we get here in Boston just like yours.

How is she in the snow? Bad with stock tires, good with snows?

About that nav you have. I'm sure it was in other posts but is there a way to ask for the updated nav software (not map) if you don't have it that won't get you thrown out of the service department? There's a couple I'm looking at that have the nav but the old version. I don't want it without the new version. I've used both and the old one sucks in comparison.

G8rboy

1) With ABS/DSC/TCS, combined with good winter tires, this car is incredible. Better than my Explorer 4x4 with all-season/all-terrain tires. With OEM tires, it's basically undrivable in any amount of snow. The OEM's are even dangerous on dry roads when it's below freezing... they just turn hard as rocks (as any good high performance summer tire will do). There are tons of threads about this, so search to your heart's content.

2) I don't think there's an easy process to get the updated NAV software yet. You can get the entire DVD unit swapped out, but that's going to take some sweet talking. For a while, there was a handful of update DVD discs floating around some dealerships to upgrade the OS, but I've heard that came to a stop. There's also a dude in the vendors forum (Thew) that will upgrade your rom chip for a fee, but you have to ship him your entire DVD drive. I'm personally waiting for the 2004 release of the map disc from Navteq, which reportedly will also contain the updated OS loader in it's boot track... killing two birds with one stone. We'll see hopefully this month.

carpediem

Snow driving is good. Boston likes snow. I'm getting rid of my mustang because of how bad it is in the snow with any kind of tires on it. I'd hate to have another bad winter driver. Of course I do understand it is still rwd so I'm not expecting too much but the DSC and weight distrobution are much better than the stang so it (hopefully) will be good.

Edit: Is the "accidental deleting of nav software" something that will not be dealt with anymore? I'm thinking of sabotaging it before I even buy it (while they are not looking) and ask them to fix it before they deliver. They keep all thier cars unlocked with keys in the cars so it would be easy while waiting for paperwork and such. I know it's morally wrong but as a human, I want the best and latest. Nothing wrong with that. Some punk kid could have messed with it before I got there, right? I know, I'm evil.

As for the nav, do you think a bunch of us could chip in for one disc and share the OS loader? I'm sure I could burn a copy or 20 that may happen to show up at some old-nav owner's doorsteps that have asked for and helped pay for it. Is that even possible?

G8rboy

I should have added that the 50-50 weight distribution to the list of snow-driving assets. I had a Miata for 5 years before the RX8, so I guess I've come to take that for granted.

I heard that the dealers got wise to the formatting-the-OS-trick, but do what you got to do to get it. Remember that you have more power as a consumer before you take delivery than at any time after you drive off the lot... so leverage that. Several folks tried to copy the current disc (for backup purposes only of course ) with no success.

carpediem

So, you think if I add the updated OS as being a deal maker, maybe I can get it?

After you buy the car, they care less about you than before? Why would they do such a thing? That's absolutely preposterous. It seems like they just are being nice to get the sale. If I wouldn't get in trouble, I'd slap my salesman... that might help me in the deal. Oh well...

dodo

Just got mine two weeks ago 2k below invoice. Here's what's on the lots:
- lots of silvers and greys
- lots of touring and sports. Few GTs.
- almost no blues. If you see a blue in a sea of silvers and greys, I bet you will buy the blue. They are either autos and/or tourings.
- almost no reds. The only one I found was not a GT.
- all interiors are either black cloth or black leather
- greens are extinct
- didn't see any blacks either
- saw a yellow with custom yellow interior, nice!

So, no, you won't be able to find the green you want at a good price. But, I wouldn't take the demo with 4k miles at a terrible price either. You will end up upside down again. I would choose another color at a great deal or get a spanking new 2005 at invoice in a few months.

markd

I'd personally stay away from Nordic Green if I were you. All things being equal, just the mere fact that it's green, in time, makes its resale value less than the 'traditional' colors of black, white, etc. Plus, I just don't think it's a very fitting color for a sports car. Others here will likely disagree; from visiting used car lots, though, it is the most traded in color I've seen.

Next time you want to haggle with a dealer, you really should have proper ammunition on you. Blue Book everything and bring printouts to show the dealer what a ridiculous ripoff he's giving you (you could check the BB value of a 4,000-mile 8, I'm sure). Also, be patient and comparison shop. Visit other dealers, get their quotes, and have them duel each other (i.e., "I went to X Dealer and he's offering me $27,000 for the exact same car. If you can't beat that price, then I'll take my money over there and you can lose a sure sale."). If you just go to a dealer and tell them they should lower their price without any good reason, even if you both know they're ripping you off, they're less likely to budge. They're trying to make as much money off of you as they can, for pete's sake!

That aside, you might look at carmax.com. If you're really into nordic green, I know they had one on a lot here in Georgia, it had less than 3,000 miles, and the transfer fee is only like $150 to your nearest carmax lot. Hope that helps.

carpediem

blue = cop magnet... but the blue is my 3rd choice.

Surprisingly enough, theres is a dealer here that has 2 6at gt nav blues on the lot. Early build date though. Doesn't have the upgraded nav in it. It is a big selling point to me. Has a silver one too so I may think on that.

Not sure if i want used but there is one here with 6k miles in black gt but no nav. They are selling it for 24k. Good price? Whats the nav cost to get installed? I'm so damn confused!

G8rboy

I really wouldn't let the NAV software version sway you on this- it will eventually be handled with the upgraded disc. About this used one- the price isn't bad- I would try to go a little lower though. However, if you want factory Navi, you need to get it with the car- the cost and complexity of adding it later makes it nowhere near worth the trouble -- it's more than just the screen and DVD drive- it also ties into the vehicle's speed sensor, stability (yaw) sensor, GPS receiver on the rear deck, etc. You could consider an aftermarket navigation system, but it would be lacking these integrated features.

carpediem

Is this upgrade going to be handled under warranty or do I have to pay for it?

w0rm

Just remember you dont HAVE to deal with that dealer. Check your surroundings- IMO up to a 3 hour drive is worth not having to haggle with an unfair dealer.

I drove out of state to get mine :D

markd

Like I said, blue book the car yourself online. It's not that hard.
http://www.edmunds.com/
http://www.kbb.com/
http://carbuyingtips.com/

carpediem

Mark,

I understand how to kbb a car. However, since I have no experience with rx-8's, I'm not sure if you can get it for less. People on this forum know the ins and outs and know what you can really get the car for, usually below kbb. I know you see it as me being ignorant and lazy, but I'm really being resourceful.

-B

G8rboy

Not going to be warranty... I know it sucks, but it's still small enough that you shouldn't completely avoid a good deal on an RX8. I just checked with Navteq and they said it should be out in "a few weeks", but would likely be sold through Mazda. If it's priced the same as buying directly through Navteq, it should be around $200 or so.

quack_p

Oh they're smoking crack. You made the right decision walking out of there.

carpediem

Going out now to try a couple other dealers... wish me luck!

markd

Good luck. Hope you come back with an 8

8-up withit

The warranty was not extended, but I don't think that's unusual, it worked the same way on a few other cars I've bought in the past.

bmcc49er

Funny, I have got so many positive remarks on the green color. Love the color, especially when the sun hits it. And unless you have visited at least half the lots everywhere your saying they are the most traded in color you have seen is not a point so its not worth mentioning.. Its a beautiful color, with its metallic flakes and the way it appears to change colors. Red, blue, black all very common and look great but nothing wrong with going a different way and green was the best for me. To each his own. Resale value will be lower because its not a traditional color? Where do you get your flawed logic? You telling me that the bluebook value will be lower if its nordic green vs black? If that is indeed true then how sad is it that everyone appears to want the same color on the road? Not quite fair to those who dare to be a little different is it?

G-ReX

Actually, that makes perfect sense. If the color isn't popular now, it's not likely to be in 2 years or 5 years either, so resale takes a little hit. It's nothing compared to the difference in resale of an RX-8 and a Tiburon or a Grand Am, though. So I can't conceive passing on a color you like for a tiny bit of resale value. I love NOT seeing myself coming and going all the time. My color is so unpopular that Mazda killed it! But Lightning Yellow does draw a crowd...
You're right on when you said to each his own. The color is the most personal part of the car.

quack_p

In the scheme of things, I think color has minimal impact on resale value. Condition and mileage are the main factors. Resale value never crossed my mind, I just love the silver!

carpediem

I went back to that dealer with the Green demo car. I called him on prejudging me and not being willing to negotiate. He was rude about it at first cause I ignored him and started talking to another woman there and I think he felt threatened. He took back over from the girl (unfortunately) I offered him 28k. I told him people were getting them for less than 31k these days and a used car with 4k miles on it should not be 30k. (yes, he UPPED the price to 30k from 29k). He talked to his manager and told me that I got myself in my mess with my mustang and it wasn't his responsibility to take a hit to bail me out. He told me to leave and put it on another dealer. I told him he wasbeing unreasonable and asked him if he treated all his customers that way. He said only the ones who aren't serious and don't have the money to buy a real car!As I turned to leave, I told him he eppitimized(sp) the steryotype of a bad car salesman and that it was people like him giving the good ones bad names. Then I thanked him for prejudging his customers and that he lost a very good, loyal customer.

Anything I should do about this **** or just let it roll?

markd

My god, that's a horrible nightmare of a story!! Good for you for standing up for yourself b/c that would have made me livid. I don't understand why he would say crap like the comment he made about you and your Mustang. That's just unprofessional. I hate incompetent salesmen like that. If I were you, I would let it roll. It'll just become more of a headache for you. Imagine if you were able to get your way with them and somehow con them into a better price... You'd probably get bad service, etc. from them the rest of the time you would have to deal with them. Definitely not worth it--If you want to do anything, send a note to Mazda NA and give them the name of the dealership and salesperson.

As I had mentioned briefly before, you might give CarMax a shot ( http://www.carmax.com ) -- I just checked and they have one Nordic Green 8, leather interior, and 2k miles for $28k. If not, since you live in NH, you could go to http://www.nhautonet.com/carfinder/ and enter the car details you are looking for--they'll send the info out to all the Mazda dealers in the state and anyone who has a car with your criteria will contact you. Hope that helps

carpediem

Actually live in MA. But I'll travel New England for this car.

bmcc49er

I sent feelers out to 5 or 6 dealers, can't remember but told them specifics and had them all competing via email. Visited 1 to test drive and another to pick up my car with deal in hand, no hassle and all. Work them againest each other. Just go on the web and get the email for all the dealers you would consider driving to and let them come to you. They want to sell the 04s.