Close to buying- have some option questions...
11-18-2003, 05:24 PM
#1
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
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Close to buying- have some option questions...
Hello everyone- I'm new on this forum. I currently own a '96 Miata M-Edition, and the RX-8 is the first car to make me want to jump ship (at a reasonable price)... I've been drooling over them since the RX-Evolve prototype came out. With two kids, the '8 just makes sense as a family sports car, if there is such a thing.
Anyway, I have some questions about some of the options available. I'm pretty set on the GT package, so that's a done deal. About the appearance package- can someone with that kit measure the ground clearance available for me? I'm in the Chicago area, so I'm going to be dealing with snow (unless I keep my Miata, which is highly unlikely) on the road- I like the appearance package a bunch, but it needs to have as much clearance as my Miata.
Also, about the single-disk CD player that is part of the GT package- does it play MP3 CD's? If I upgraded to the 6 disc changer, does it have any more functionality than just 5 more discs?
Lastly- how is the NAV system? I love the idea, but $2k is a lot. I can get it for $1700, but it's still a lot. Since it's based on DVDs, does it have any other functionality, like playing DVD's for the passenger? (Thinking about road trips with the kids).
Thanks!!!
P.S. - Are there any former Miata owners out there that miss the little roadster, or does the '8 make you forget all about it?
-Sean
http://theswamp.com/miata
Anyway, I have some questions about some of the options available. I'm pretty set on the GT package, so that's a done deal. About the appearance package- can someone with that kit measure the ground clearance available for me? I'm in the Chicago area, so I'm going to be dealing with snow (unless I keep my Miata, which is highly unlikely) on the road- I like the appearance package a bunch, but it needs to have as much clearance as my Miata.
Also, about the single-disk CD player that is part of the GT package- does it play MP3 CD's? If I upgraded to the 6 disc changer, does it have any more functionality than just 5 more discs?
Lastly- how is the NAV system? I love the idea, but $2k is a lot. I can get it for $1700, but it's still a lot. Since it's based on DVDs, does it have any other functionality, like playing DVD's for the passenger? (Thinking about road trips with the kids).
Thanks!!!
P.S. - Are there any former Miata owners out there that miss the little roadster, or does the '8 make you forget all about it?
-Sean
http://theswamp.com/miata
11-18-2003, 06:36 PM
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The MP3 player is the way to go. You can get it for $260.00 and get a whole lot more sounds for the buck. The 6 CD changer is just that it holes 6 CD's and as I have heard takes for ever to change Disks. Plan on getting a new set of wheels and snow tires for winter. I think you will have little problem driving the car that way, if you can stand the thought of driving it in all that salt.
I plan to park mine in the garage until spring. My heart always lifts a bit when the garage opens and I see the shiney Red RX8 sitting there. If you like the Miata you will love the RX8. I passed up the 240Z when it came out and then the Miata when it came out. I sure didn't pass this one up.
I plan to park mine in the garage until spring. My heart always lifts a bit when the garage opens and I see the shiney Red RX8 sitting there. If you like the Miata you will love the RX8. I passed up the 240Z when it came out and then the Miata when it came out. I sure didn't pass this one up.
11-18-2003, 06:55 PM
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6 disc i like cause im lazy.
got tape deck to use head inputes for sat radio im not a big mp3 guy.
nav i would not trade in for anything but to each his own.There is a post somewhere for the convert nav to play dvds.
got tape deck to use head inputes for sat radio im not a big mp3 guy.
nav i would not trade in for anything but to each his own.There is a post somewhere for the convert nav to play dvds.
11-18-2003, 06:56 PM
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Take it from a long time miata owner. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Everything that you love about your miata is truly exhibited in the rx8. I've learned that mazda owners are a unique breed and once you go there you never go back. At least I'm not. My miata was a beast with around 220 horses turbocharged but its got a layer of dust on it in the garage if that tells you anything. Go for it.
11-18-2003, 07:00 PM
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G8rboy - if you're able to get the navi for $1700, you must be purchasing it via the S-Plan or a similar program. I know this 'cause I bought my car through the program. Anyway, the Navi works very well and can be customized just about anyway you'd like as far as display and route planning. You can add points of interest and locate a plethora different sites by their proximity to your current location or destination. And no, you cannot use the unit to play DVD movie titles... There is a third party kit (http://www.avelectronic.com/Nav-TVTuner.htm) but I haven't heard of anyone installing it yet...
11-18-2003, 07:15 PM
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I am also in Chicagoland, and have the GT package. I passed on the appearance package... that front air scoop is so close to the ground that I was sure I'd plow it into the ground at the bottom of a driveway somewhere, and I really don't like the side flares.
The NAV is terrific. I've not had to stop and "reboot" it by turning off the car once, as I thought might be the case from time to time. I don't think I would have bought the car if it weren't an option, although the $1721 I paid for it could have bought an awsome laptop computer instead...
The 6-disc player is not good. I wanted an MP3 player, but the car I wanted from the dealer had a 6-disc already installed, and the dealer would not take it out. The "random" function does not span disks, which makes perfect sense when you realize it takes more than 5 seconds to change a CD... more when you go from CD 1 to CD 6. Random tracks would take forever to load and unload. Also, the steering-wheel audio controls will not allow you to change disks... only move through them. The MP3 player will play CDs, the CD player will not play MP3s. An aside: The "audiopilot" that modifies the volume to account for cabin noise changes is gimmicky and does not do anything of value, in my view.
Snow tires are a tough problem. My local Mazda dealer said not to get them, asserting that the TCS which controls slipping in the wheels is "good enough," an opinion I suspect is driven by the fact that they don't have snow tires to sell. The USA cars have pressure sensors, and it is difficult to find a vendor that knows what to do about that. Some in the Canada forum have recommended buying rims and tires without the sensors and living with the "tire pressure warning light" in the cabin. The large brakes also present a problem. Gordon seems to know everything about tires... look for his posts in the Canada Forum, but keep in mind that snow is a bigger problem for him. I think I will just garage my car when there is ice or snow on the streets. If you get a better solution, please let me know. I would probably buy rims and tires from a Chicago-area dealer, if one seemed to know what he was talking about.
I am certainly happy with this car, but it's a tough one to own in Chicago in November. I drove it home from the dealer in a very heavy rainstorm. The first weekend I got it home, it snowed. When I get home from work, its pitch dark, and the car is much more fun to drive when the sun is shining.
Three months til Spring... three months til Spring.
The NAV is terrific. I've not had to stop and "reboot" it by turning off the car once, as I thought might be the case from time to time. I don't think I would have bought the car if it weren't an option, although the $1721 I paid for it could have bought an awsome laptop computer instead...
The 6-disc player is not good. I wanted an MP3 player, but the car I wanted from the dealer had a 6-disc already installed, and the dealer would not take it out. The "random" function does not span disks, which makes perfect sense when you realize it takes more than 5 seconds to change a CD... more when you go from CD 1 to CD 6. Random tracks would take forever to load and unload. Also, the steering-wheel audio controls will not allow you to change disks... only move through them. The MP3 player will play CDs, the CD player will not play MP3s. An aside: The "audiopilot" that modifies the volume to account for cabin noise changes is gimmicky and does not do anything of value, in my view.
Snow tires are a tough problem. My local Mazda dealer said not to get them, asserting that the TCS which controls slipping in the wheels is "good enough," an opinion I suspect is driven by the fact that they don't have snow tires to sell. The USA cars have pressure sensors, and it is difficult to find a vendor that knows what to do about that. Some in the Canada forum have recommended buying rims and tires without the sensors and living with the "tire pressure warning light" in the cabin. The large brakes also present a problem. Gordon seems to know everything about tires... look for his posts in the Canada Forum, but keep in mind that snow is a bigger problem for him. I think I will just garage my car when there is ice or snow on the streets. If you get a better solution, please let me know. I would probably buy rims and tires from a Chicago-area dealer, if one seemed to know what he was talking about.
I am certainly happy with this car, but it's a tough one to own in Chicago in November. I drove it home from the dealer in a very heavy rainstorm. The first weekend I got it home, it snowed. When I get home from work, its pitch dark, and the car is much more fun to drive when the sun is shining.
Three months til Spring... three months til Spring.
Last edited by MEGAREDS; 11-18-2003 at 07:22 PM.
11-18-2003, 08:15 PM
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Just a small blurb here... see the Canada forum for more info on the 8 in snow...
I have driven the 8 in snow with the OEM tires with DCS on and off. If you have a deathwish, or want to wreck your 8 in a hurry, go ahead and try it! My tire-dealer calles those Potenzas "I wanna die" tires in these conditions. The only reason I was able to move my car out of the alley was by driving in reverse. I'm sure nobody has ever seen a car drive around an entire block in reverse
The 8 is VERY GOOD in snow/ice with good snow tires. I've been driving on sheer ice (my entire block) for the past 2 days. Gord (who lives in the same city I do) was able to drive in the snow for the past 3 weeks. We had about 11inches of it.
I have driven the 8 in snow with the OEM tires with DCS on and off. If you have a deathwish, or want to wreck your 8 in a hurry, go ahead and try it! My tire-dealer calles those Potenzas "I wanna die" tires in these conditions. The only reason I was able to move my car out of the alley was by driving in reverse. I'm sure nobody has ever seen a car drive around an entire block in reverse
The 8 is VERY GOOD in snow/ice with good snow tires. I've been driving on sheer ice (my entire block) for the past 2 days. Gord (who lives in the same city I do) was able to drive in the snow for the past 3 weeks. We had about 11inches of it.
11-18-2003, 08:21 PM
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Originally posted by MEGAREDS
that front air scoop is so close to the ground that I was sure I'd plow it into the ground at the bottom of a driveway somewhere, and I really don't like the side flares.
that front air scoop is so close to the ground that I was sure I'd plow it into the ground at the bottom of a driveway somewhere, and I really don't like the side flares.
If you ask most owners with front air-dams you might be surprised to find that we've taken some pretty heinous entry-ways without a single scrape.
11-18-2003, 10:38 PM
#9
Mmmmm... Rotary Donut
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Thanks for the info everyone... glad to see the community here is strong (like the Miata one is)... especially since the 8 is so new.
Anyway- a couple more questions as follow up... so what's the deal with the MP3 option- I haven't seen that as an option on Mazda's site... just the "cassette player" and "6 CD changer". I would much rather have that than a disc changer... I've got thousands of MP3's burned to disc just waiting to go for a drive
I definitely plan on getting snow tires... I have them for the Miata and they make a world of difference. We also have an explorer, so I won't be taking the 8 out all the time- just when I get caught in the snow going to work and back. Looks like the tire pressure monitoring system is going to be a challenge. I'll check with the Canada guys on recommendations- I /think/ that Gordon is an old Miata guy that used to be on the MX5 list, if it's the person I'm thinking of.
About the pricing- yes... I found out today I can get S-Plan pricing through my employer's partnership with Ford... which is defnitely making the price tag easier to swallow... I'll have to play with the NAV system some to get a feel for how much I'll use it.
Thanks again!
-Sean
http://theswamp.com/miata
Anyway- a couple more questions as follow up... so what's the deal with the MP3 option- I haven't seen that as an option on Mazda's site... just the "cassette player" and "6 CD changer". I would much rather have that than a disc changer... I've got thousands of MP3's burned to disc just waiting to go for a drive
I definitely plan on getting snow tires... I have them for the Miata and they make a world of difference. We also have an explorer, so I won't be taking the 8 out all the time- just when I get caught in the snow going to work and back. Looks like the tire pressure monitoring system is going to be a challenge. I'll check with the Canada guys on recommendations- I /think/ that Gordon is an old Miata guy that used to be on the MX5 list, if it's the person I'm thinking of.
About the pricing- yes... I found out today I can get S-Plan pricing through my employer's partnership with Ford... which is defnitely making the price tag easier to swallow... I'll have to play with the NAV system some to get a feel for how much I'll use it.
Thanks again!
-Sean
http://theswamp.com/miata
11-19-2003, 11:45 AM
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I'm hoping that by the time these tires wear out there are some good "all season" options available. I'm not fond of switching between "summer" and "winter" tires. There is no snow here but who knows when I'd be trekking across a mountain pass and hit some hail/sleet/black ice/freak storm. Don't want to have to change wheels on a moments notice before heading out. I don't need full-on snow tires just something that has a fighting chance to handle the unexpected. I've used all-seasons on the Miata for some time and perfectly satisfied. Willing to take a small hit on performance for some peace of mind. Tires that go to zero in adverse conditions are pretty dangerous if you ask me, unless you can guarantee you'll NEVER see those conditions. I'd rather be prepared for that 1% chance.
11-19-2003, 11:59 PM
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Dear Chicago, reconsider buying the RX8 if you live in cold weather or drive any short distances like to the 7-11 on the corner. My 4 day old car wouldn't start and I have been reading online several other situations with the car refusing to start if it has not been driven for 5 minutes until it warms up. The engine floods and the spark plugs needed to be replaced after it was towed to the dealer. I drive short distances every day and am terrified every day that my brand new, very expensive car will not start. My 93 Ford Probe worked better.
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