I just purchased a 2004 8 so im new to the game...Anyway last night I watched the Top Speed episode on the 8 and I noticed the dash navigation well im jealous mine doesnt have that and I want it where can I pick one up at?

 

Don't feel bad, in many ways the newer portable GPS systems—like the Nuvi 660 or the Garmin 2620—are better than OEM factory GPS:

• Can download software (newest maps) easily and cheaply. Upgrading OEM nav can cost hundreds of dollars, and new maps don't come out very often.
• Can take your portable GPS from car to car.
• Portables offer the newest, best technology (like user-friendly traffic avoidance). The factory GPS in the RX-8 is 2003 technology—that's pretty old!

Just my 2¢. You can read GPS reviews on gpslodge.com—and, of course, CNET.

 

Is the navagation something I will kill my self if I do not get it? How good is the stock system??

 

i hear the software can be considered dated/difficult, but it look really smooth.

 

I would definitely go with a portable unit. No they don't look as nice suction cupped to your windshield, but you can shop around and get the latest and greatest.

 

Actually if you have a spare $3,000 (or maybe it costs a little less) lying around and are good with electronics, you can buy all the necessary components to the stock navigation system and install it in your car. Do a search there are several threads on here with instructions and diagrams on how to get the pain in the *** job done. In my opinion though, if you want a navigation screen and all that crap, you're better off spending the time and money on building a carputer for your 8.

 

+1. You're better off buying a stand alone nav system for $300 ~ $500 for the reasons mentioned above, than you are paying $2k for a built in system that you can only use in that one car.

 

I went through a lot of the same about 4 months after i bought my 8...even went to the extent to find out how much all the parts were. Price of parts aside, the labor would be so ridiculous that a straight up trade on the 8 for one with Navigation would almost be cheaper, not to mention a lot less quirky. I quickly dismissed that idea...

I've did a lot of in depth research lately on aftermarket navigation, and was baffled to find that one of the leading portable GPS systems, the Garmin Nuvi 350, ha dropped from $900 to $500 in just over a year. It can be had for $512 from buydig.com, and will blow your mind with all of its features for the FRACTION of a price of other systems, not to mention the mear $1500 LESS then factory nav.

Give it a look...although not factory, i've found it to be a seemingly amazing replacement.

 

I have a nav on my RX-8 and an aftermarket system, let's just say the only thing good about the stock system is the cool factor.

 

I thought about it before, but after reading the information on this board, my plan has changed.

I would rather get the Dash only, and Build a CAR PC. More features. Less hassle.

its a REAL pain to install Factory NAV, because you have to take almost everything in your car out, including the whole dash, center console, couple of seats,etc. (and if you accidently set the airbag off it might kill you, or couple thousand bucks to replace it)

 

As many already know, I installed some aftermarket hardware on my navigation system which allows me to watch tv and DVDs on my nav screen whenever I want. Just to give you an example of how useful the navigation system is in this car, I haven't even used the damn thing ever since I've instaled the DVD player and tv tuner in my car. If I could start all over again, I would have bought a carputer. While having the stock navigation system in the car may look cleaner than installing an aftermarket system, the performance and functionality of the RX-8's nav is laughable. Certianly not worth the hassle of putting the whole thing together yourself.

 

from experience with other OEM car navigation systems, i can defientely concur with Jerky. For significantly less, you could get a top of the line nav system. For about the SAME price as adding factory Nav, you could easily add a substancially remarkable computer into yur 8. Not to knock the factory system, because it's flush factor and whatnot is nice, but as mentioned, functionality for the same price is not even in the same league as other units 1/2 it's price.

Have you looked up anything aftermarket yet?

 

I will do Car PC whenever I have the time. Work and School and Girlfriend(......) took all of my time !

Trust me, CAR Pc is the way to go, dump a 750 GB hdd and a blu-ray drive (thats what Im planning to do) and u're ready to go.

 

I just bought the jdm nav hood--after that just get the appropriate components and you can have a factory looking nav that is eons better for about $1000-$1500.

 

Thanks I appreciate all the info looks like aftermarket for me. I'm going to start looking around

 

lemme know what you decide and how the outcome goes...

Ironically, i'm only minutes from tossing my order in for a Garmin Nuvi 350. I've read up on it, studied ALL the market, and even tested some out. Seems to me like a sure-fire win-win situation.

Best of luck to you too bud!

 

No, you won't kill yourself. The Navigation system on the 8 in 2004 was good for it's time....but things have changed. Even the new navigation systems seem outdated. Also, you'll notice things in the RX-8 that really don't make any sense (to lock the door, you have to press the lock / unlock button the opposite way that you would normally do it in any other car), and the same goes for the Navigation System (up should be down, etc).

Get an aftermarket GPS Navigation System. It'll be a lot cheaper than the 2,000 option, and it'll work better.

 

Ok sounds good to me. I dont do much driving to place i dont already know where it is. So I dont really have a use for one, so that is good news that I dont need to spend another 2k, woot.

 

Actually, the door locks make a lot of sense. They're designed that way so they're more difficult to accidentally bump.

 

depends how much u really think u need a navi. personally, i think every car should have one. and, maybe someday all car makers will get a clue and start including them as standard.

objectively the 8's stock navi sucks compared to those of other car makers (acura, honda, lexus, bmw etc.) despite its flaws tho, it works adequately for most people. yes, it's a bit pricey compared to aftermarket. but, it will never, ever get stolen. (a LOT of ppl get their aftermarkets stolen.) s-plan on the navi is $1700, but u can probably get it for less if u're a good haggler.

 

gpslodge.com LOVES the Nuvi 660—their review says it's the best one they've ever tested! Especially if you take advantage of the built-in traffic feature. If I were getting one, the 660 would be it.

 

yea, that 660 looked pretty nice...and the external required traffic reciever for most other GPS systems (anything sub nuvi 360) for another $160 has never been all that exciting.

The 660 looked a lil bulky, as it does have a larger screen. Still lookin round...as i'm sure there are many others out there right now.

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but who else out there is looking for navi right now?

 

I actually think you're wrong regarding this. That would make sense, but I don't think that's why Mazda did it.

I have the 6 disc in dash CD changer, and you have to hit the arrow pointing up to change the CD from Disc 1 to Disc 2, from disc 2 to disc 3, etc. , and vice versa for the arrow pointing down. I don't understand why Mazda decided to do everything backwards, including the Navigation / Door locks / 6 Disc CD Changer.

 

if someone asked me to count up from 1, i'd probably say 2 next...

i'm really failing to make this connection. always thought it made perfect sense.

 

Maybe I'm not explaining it right, but it really is backwards. After a couple of days of using it, it all makes sense. But it does take a little bit of time (I'm not the only one to comment on this....it was published in a review by one of the car magazines. I'll try to find it).