TCZ

After narrowing my choices down to the RX8, G35 coupe, and BWM 330ci, I decided on the RX8. This was a difficult choice, mainly because I had a hard time getting over those rear doors (the extra seam really ruins the flow for me--besides kids can climb behind the seats easily enough witout gadgety little doors!!!). Anyway, I got over it and went to make the purchase--only to find that, in Canada, the grey and black exteriors (my 2 colours of choice) only come with that 'butterscotchy' brown 2tone interior. Is it just me or do grey and brown not mix?! A lighter beige would be ok with the black, but there's something about that brown colour (my apologies to those who like the colour--just my opinion!). The red and black or all black interiors look awesome with both colors, which brings me to my point--it is absolutley BUSH LEAGUE for Mazda (Canada) to only offer one interior choice for these exterior colors (a customer should be able to order whatever colour combo they want--as in the US!).
*Basically I feel like they wouldn't let me buy a Mazda!!! I just can't bring myself to have to "settle" for a car that I'm spending over $40000 on. So, I guess it's the G35, BMW, or move to the US!

valpac

iTrader: (2)

can you buy one in the US and bring it back to Canada?

Grabitquick

Once you work out the color issues, you'll love the rear doors. Maybe take valpac's suggestion and try to buy over the border, or think about the other exterior colors--I considered all of them before buying. Anyway, best of luck. If you do go G35 or BMW, you're still making a good choice.

rx8wannahave

Yeah, I can't stand the brownish interior...what were they thinking?

JM1FE

What's the difference between the touring and grand touring (US packages, not sure if Canadian market has the same packages)?

- Leather
- Heated seats
- Power driver seat (not passenger)
- Outside mirror defog

That's it. So, unless you HAVE to have the power seat and outside mirror defog, get a touring package and your choice of leather colour combo from www.classicsofttrim.com. At first I thought the hard plastic backs on the leather seats would be cool, but having seem them for real they're not as well-done as I imagined. I also have bad memories of hard plastic backs of seats in early-70's Cessna interiors... (ok it was Royalite, not ABS, but I can't help but imagine the GT seats looking like that after a few years).

valpac

iTrader: (2)

The difference in invoice cost between GT and Touring is $1100. Are you gonna be able to get the leather from them cheaper than that? Doubtful. And then you won't have the other stuff (heated seats, mirrors, power seat)

Plus, looking at the seats on their website, they look kinda loose fitting...

JM1FE

Mmm, can't find the thread(s) right now, but someone here had photos posted. Having had factory leather upholstery on a seat replaced a few years ago (long story...) I can attest that the 'loose' appearance goes away quickly. If you're referring to the photo on the CST website of the black seat with yellow stitching, I'm sure they installed the upholstery and shot photos for the site before it had a chance to 'settle' properly. When I had my seat redone by VW, I was pissed beyond belief when I picked it up - it didn't even look like the same kind of leather as the rest of the car. After a week, you'll never know the difference. Strange, but true.

Difference in MSRP between the packages is $2200, right? I think that CST upholstery and door trim, with seat heaters, is around $1600 installed. The key is that you can get the colour combo YOU want, with soft seatbacks and a map pocket on each seat, unlike the factory options. It's not a solution for everyone, but in some cases it may be just the thing.

valpac

iTrader: (2)

looks like sitting on a baseball glove. Dont care for it at all.

valpac

iTrader: (2)

the MSRP diff is actually 1275 between GT and touring. But who pays MSRP? Not me. Okay, 1600 and you still are lacking heated mirrors (really nice to have) and power seat (also nice) vs 1100.. A no-brainer. And I did get my choice of colors, Red and Black.

Shamblerock

The brown interior only comes in the titanium exterior. So if you buy a 2005, you can get black on black. If it's a different colour, the dealer must be showing you a 2004.

StewC625

I guess beauty is all in the eyes of the beholder - I love that Chaparral Leather package - makes the interior look like a well-worn catcher's mitt! Wish I could have gotten it on the LY car I have.

Rob Tomlin

I dont like the Chaparral either. I would probably feel the same way.

Of your remaining options, I would go with the G35.

Nubo

I've been very happy with Classic Soft Trim in my RX-8; do a search there are several owners with good experiences. I don't know if Canada has the Sport package, but if so you might consider that package and the aftermarket leather. It's a pretty good deal.

mysql101

Chaparral is horrible. Some people like it, but not my cup of tea. It's not a lot of people's cup of tea either judging by the rx-8's on my dealer's lot. Every single car they had with Navi except one had Chaparral. They had a hard time getting rid of them.

Gord96BRG

It's just you. Anyway, you should shop from the Mazda Canada 2005 selections, not the 2004 model lineup. For 2005, the Black RX-8 GT has the Black leather interior. OR - wait for the Shinka special edition, which will have Black Cherry exterior with Parchment leather seats.

Regards,
Gordon

rotarygod

The RX-8 interior isn't Brown. My '84 RX-7 interior is brown. I have no idea what they were thinking. The exterior is Tan and the interior is baby **** brown. I only paid $300 for a garage kept car so I couldn't complain a whole lot but trust me, you aren't mad about Brown. You are mad about Beige.

Hespra

It's not just you that isn't fond of the orange'ish-brown. Looks too close to pumpkin pie for my tastes.

With black exterior, a more neutral brown would be pleasing. Something like the inclosed "swatch." Keep the black dominent so it goes with the dash and what not. Add the brown in similiar proportions as what Mazda envisioned.

Thinking a neutral color scheme would be most pleasing and easy to live with over time. The red with black, chapparal, lemon with black could get tiresome a few years from now.
H


http://www.prodital.biz/index.htm

leathers...check out those gators....have fun

quack_p

Are you sure? That doesn't sound right.

DreRX8

I like the two-tone the black/brown--I think that they should have gone with a lighter shade than the chapperal--I went with Katzkin leather and did black/tan.

BlueFrenzy

I wouldn't suggest buying a car from the US then bringing it over the border back to Canada. The import and various taxes are going to kill you!! Just for having the interior of your choice is NOT worth the extra headache.

In Canada, the RX8 comes in 2 trims ... GS and GT. GS has the cloth interior, no traction control (basically the most BASIC 8 possible). GT has the leather interior (basically the most fully loaded US version ... well moonroof, nav and appearance packages optional)

penman

They must be trying to sell you one off the lot. In vancouver, Morrey Mazda has a black w/ black interrior. A 2005 black has the choice of two tone or solid black interior. You don't have to buy chapparal - although i do like it w. tigray.

ÜberJumper

I like the Taupe (Brownish Grey) interior on my Titanium 8.

I've had others comment that the interior is really nice.

Wankeler

I was going to say: It's the dealer not Mazda.... sounds like they're trying to get rid of old stock.

But after I went to the Mazda Canada site to "build your mazda", I did notice that for 2005, the GT models all have pre-assigned interiors based on the exterior. The Titanium with GT package ONLY comes with black/taupe (no mention of Chaparral), and the Velocity with GT is the only car available with black/red. The rest of the GT's have Black interiors. Then I went to the US site, both the Brilliant Black and Titanium are available with all 3 leather interiors in the GT package.

Damn, that's lame... maybe Mazda Corp should consider renaming Mazda Canada to Mazda TIOLI (take it or leave it)

Wankeler

Rather than edit my last post, I will make another one here. I wish to retract my retraction, regarding the first line of my post.

Sounds like the dealer *IS* trying to get rid of old stock... that Brilliant Black with the two tone interior was not an option for the 2005 (based on the Mazda Canada site) Get a 2005 Brilliant Black with the GT Black interior.

Gerbraldy

Rx8's are nice, but those G35's are the ****. I'd get one of those, after the warranty goes, get a twin turbo kit.... it's be a bad bastard. IF you live in Canada why don't you just get a skyline? I guess not everyone likes them as much as me