laferle

Stopped by my dealer on a whim today (first time since ordering, actually), and when I told the receptionist I was looking for status on an RX-8 order under LaFerle, I just about choked when she said "ooh yeah, I heard them talking about that order today..."

Turns out that this morning, they had gotten VIN numbers for two of the RX-8s on order. One of them was mine. Yes, I do mean VIN number rather than order number or any garbage like that; I have the VIN number in hand.

The sales guy quoted an early July delivery ("late June if you're really lucky"). I asked about a demo car arriving ahead of the orders and he said that my RX-8 would be the first the dealership would see.

Just for the record, my dealer is Suburban Mazda in Troy, Mich., and the vehicle ordered was a Velocity Red 4AT (yes, I know, an auto, feel free to look down on me, but the choice wasn't mine), with GT, red/black leather, and a Nav system.

rxeightr

Congrats on being the first one to post here -- to actually know your Vin #.

Exciting for the rest of us -- soon come

wakeech

soooo, is it FE or that other one??

laferle

FE... here's the number format
JM1FE17N9401#####
Deconstructing this using RX-7 conventions would yield:
JM1 = Mazda
FE = RX-8 chassis code
17 = body style (whatever you'd call the 8)
N = misc ID field (perhaps N for North America?)
9 = check digit
4 = model year code
0 = Plant Code (Hiroshima = 0)
100xxx = serial number

What i fail to understand is the serial number part of it, since historically mazda has used the first digit to indicate production year, and then subsequent digits for the serial of the car. If this is true, it would make my car among the first 600 produced...

VWjet

I'm working with Bill Cook in Farmington. I've gotten them to throw some of the options in for free. Also, let me know how your insurace compares to current for MI. I'm anxious to see how MI insurance is going to treat the 8.

Oh, congrats!!!

rx8racer

I got my VIN today too. It looks like the same format. I have a Titanium RX-8 with the GT package coming soon I hope. They are still saying late June for it. I keep hoping. It is supposed to be their first car at this dealership in northeast Ohio. My VIN number is: JM1FE173540100XXX Our cars may be riding the same truck from California!

JSG

Is the VIN different for each country? The main number on my car that I assumed is the VIN is of the form SE3P-123456. It's on a plate in the engine bay in front of the driver plus etched into the bodywork in the middle of the engine bay under the windscreen. I don't have any numbers like those you're mentioning. That's the number I used for my insurance etc. Just curious...

laferle

Hello to a fellow michigander... What options did you get the guys at Cook to add to yours? Suburban's been pretty staunchly following MSRP but I'd love to see if I could get some stuff thrown in...

I haven't yet looked at insurance and will probably not until it gets closer to delivery. Sorry I can't help you out more in that dept.!

ZOOOM

Congrats Laferle just one silly question was your car a Pre-order or an allocation My salesman at Sterling goofed and put me as an allocation so I am wondering if that is going to affect the arrival of my car (first allocation).
And in terms of insurance do not worry State Farm quoted me $591/6mths. here in Michigan note that was $18 more than a 2000 4Runner.

ACRX8

rx8racer,

Is there anyway you can give me the complete VIN # so I can get a quote from my insurance company?:D

ACRX8

Check this out!

Called my insurance company to get a quote for the RX-8. I currently drive a 1994 Mazda 626 4 cylinder. I pay $1,400 per year.
He said for the same coverage I would pay $2,000 for the RX-8 (not accurate - need vin #). I asked for a quote for the 2003 Infiniti G35C - $1,400 per year. I would pay the same for my 1994 Mazda 626 with 120,000 miles, which is worth around $2,500 as I would for a new 2003 Infiniti G35C that's worth 30K?

WTF is that all about??

laferle

I think it was ordered as an allocation, since they didn't have my e-mail address on the order. I had them add my email to the order yesterday, which I think made it a preorder.

rx8racer

ACRX8,
You should be able to give them any 3 digit number in place of the "XXX" for a valid VIN. I'm at work and don't have the number with me but it was 6XX (six hundred something). Hope this helps.

Mike

BRx8

hey my dealer just called me too and told me my VIN is in...he didn't have it on hand, he had the reference number, but told me mine was built during the first week of April...still no definitive ETA...

he also just called to inform me that he's got a brochure waiting on his desk with my name on it...

i really didn't expect such great service from Mazda after reading all those customer service ratings...:D

EDIT: the feeling that my baby is probably crossing the seas right now is pure bliss...i don't think i've ever really wanted a car as bad as this one!

VWjet

Right now, they just added the cargo net and Rotary Accent Pkg and were firm that they would not charge more than MSRP. I'm still hoping for S-Plan!!!

Has Suburban kept in touch with you at all? I've called once to see when it would be delivered and they said sometime in June. I'm wondering if I called now if they would change their tune?

brownchiro

Why hasn't Mazda sent these VINs out to you people? We were to get emails when the cars started. Why hasn't Mazda sent us the new brochures since we are on there lists? Why are allocation cars starting before preorders?

zoom44

my dealer says he doesn't have my vin yet

VWjet

State Farm insured me for $487.31/half. That's good considering my Jetta is under Progressive for about $600/half.

m477

So did you run a carfax on it yet? :D

Anyway, cool to see so many MI people. I have a preorder at SESI Mazda near Ann Arbor, a 6-speed Silver/Black GT.

ACRX8

Mike,

If you can post your Vin # that would help me out for an insurance quote.

Thanks
AC:D

RX-Nut

where are the emails?!?!!?

I have a clueless dealer thus I need all the ammo I can get to have them get off their @$$.

rx8daniel

brownchiro - 'don't know', don't know, 'don't know' - good questions, but ... stay tuned...

miata2rx8

my dealer doesnt have my VIN either, but did say he did see my car on his inventory list- slated for late June delivery. He also said he saw that the cassette I added is listed on the car.

I'm working with Nelson Mazda, Nashville, TN.

TheSaCK

Oh well, nothing compares to getting the first RX-8 VIN .. but i was playing Grand Toursimo for PS2 and i passed a stage, i did get a RX-8. was able to modify it up to 399 hp. AHHHHHHHHHH how pathetic that im writing about a ps2 car.

Hope who ever gets the RX-8 is happy with it.. (even if its auto) maybe it better to have a PS2 GT3 RX-8 rather than a real life rx8 auto? LOL jk =) ENJOY THE RIDE

I ll see you RX-8 er in my 04 Maxima. LoL RX-8 better beat my car or im gonna laugh =X

tomiata

You guys are lucky to have a VIN. As someone else posted previously I have yet to even receive the promised e-mail with VIN. I do have an order number and it states "Estimated/Acutal Procuction date: APR WK/1 (EST)". I placed my pre-order 1/14/03!

I did stop by Irvine Mazda today and picked-up the brochure (they claim to have just received them today). Pretty cool brochure - but none of the sales people knew anything about either the port options, or potential delivery dates - typical.

Re: insurance, I just checked with my insurer (21st Centruy) and they quoted approx rates of $464/6 mos for the RX-8 and $539/6 mos. for the G35 Coupe (I have orders submitted for each). Not enough t help me decide either way. I'll just have to wait to drive the car.:p