GT worth the extra money?
 

I'm gathering all my pennies together to get the RX-8 without a Loan.
I'm wondering if the extra $4,000 Canadian is worth it, to get a GT over a GS?

I realize the main difference is the leather...but is leather worth that much?
Any thoughts or imput would be great!

Re: GT worth the extra money?
 

2 words,

Heated seats

Heh heh, I bought a Sport so my answer would be no. :)

It's all in the eye of the beholder (or title holder, as it were). For me, the leather was too splipery, the sunroof too low, and the Bose stereo too much like the base, to make it worth it. The only thing I miss is climate control, and I wasn't going to pay $4k US for that.

My thoughts exactly............

I have the GT version here in the states. I like the leather & heated seats. The moonroof is a little small, and does cut down on headroon, if you are tall. No problems for me at 6'0" tall.

Ultimately, I decided on the GT because of resale. I have found during resale, most people prefer the top-of-the-line model when they purchase used.

Go with your gut. Any way you slice it, it will be a blast to own & drive.

The leather makes the car IMO! Especially the two tone leather. The seats are not slippery, easy to clean and have heat that perfectly gets to the right temperature. Love the roof and the other extra's too. Up to you...look at both and then decide. Good luck!

I wish they'd offer climate control in the US. What's up with that!? :-/ Wonder why we just get A/C when it sounds like they equip the 8 with climate control everywhere else. Seems like it would lessen their costs if they offered it as an upgrade across the board.

-Eric

GT.......
 

My advice is - get the GT pack.
It's great value, for, I think $2750 Canadian, (way less than the same features cost in the 'States!)you get full coloured leather, the Bose, Homelink self dimming mirror with door openers, the stability control, and the xenon lights.

Those lights are incredible! I only wanted the hi-power engine, and the LSD, but when I read what the GT pack offered, and how much it was, I was SOLD.

You will be seriously pissed when you see a GT if you miss out....
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doc
edit....where did you get the $4K price, thats too much....

moonroof,leather..totally useless things IMO.

In Hellas( Greece) we are able to buy only the most expensive version(Cosmo) and we must pay 40.000 EUR for this car.
I wish I could buy the 192hps version, with no moonroof and such useless stuff.

Agreed, I decided against the GT (leather, moonroof, powered seats) myself.

I own a GT car (sig) with leather and during spirited driving it's slippery and I don't really like to sweat in them.
The powered seats weighs a lot more than the manual ones.
I'm 6'2 so moonroof with less headroom is not an option.

Re: GT.......
 

It's $2800 more Canadian for the GT package - and along with the things Doc mentioned, there's also the power drivers seat, seat heaters, and an anti-theft alarm system.

To me, the leather isn't the main difference - the headlights and stability control are the most important items. The leather, especially in a two-tone combination, is very nice, but it's when it's combined with these other items that the GT package becomes an unbeatable value.

Look at what those options cost on something like a BMW 3 series (Canadian dollars):
Leather seats - $2400
Xenon headlights - $850
Heated seats - $520
Auto-dimming mirror- $190 (no Homelink)
Harmon Kardon sound system - $950 (the 6 CD changer is $795 extra)
Lumbar support - $400
Stability Control - $500 estimated (it's standard on the 3 series now)

Total for some of the options in the Mazda GT Package (as listed above), if you were buying them from BMW - at least $5810, or twice the price as from Mazda!

Regards,
Gordon

I have GT
no regrets
this is a great mazda car

I didn't mind.. it was only a few thousand more for better resale like another member posted. Later on, people will want to buy fully loaded versions, not base..etc.

What's 3-4k more when you're already spending 25k+? It's only money, can always make more. Only thing I didn't get was the Navigation because I'm already thinking of changing the headunit to a flip screen...

How can you not do a GT?

The two tone leather interior!

The NINE speaker BOSE audio!

The 8-way POWER drivers seat!

The Heated Seats Yow!

The auto Day/Night Mirror, Moonroof, Homelink Transmitters!

Heated Mirrors!

The most AMAZING headlights (it's a thrill everytime I turn them on!)!!

18" Alloys with Tuned Suspension!

Limited Slip Differential!

Stability Control and Fog Lamps to boot!

C'mon -- you know you want it -- you know you've got to have it -- especially when it adds almost nothing to your payments -- probably a $1 a day -- woo hoo!

Tinkerer
:)

my bad, i thought it was $4,000 more, not $2,800.
People are right though, for $2,800 how can you not?

Now i just need to justify to my girlfriend spending $50,000 on car when i only drive 10 kilometers on average a day :)

My math is all over the place.

Was was gonna get the GT but I really didnt want the sunroof- but other than that the GT is a great package. If Mazda offers 2005 models w/ the GT package without the sunroof - im there dude! Right now im in a sport package - and I love it - if the GT made me love it even more I would have to marry the car. Hope Bush doesnt try to outlaw that too. :P

Dustin4u

I needed the power seats, so the GT was the only option. If they had more variations on the options, I probably would have picked another configuration. Its also possible that buying the options in bulk costs the same or less than buying fewer options one-at-a-time. In any case I am very happy with what I have. I think the moonroof leaves less headroom clearance, that isn't an issue for me, but it would be for "tall" drivers or passengers.

My commute is about 70 miles per week, but I am pushing 200 miles per week now that I am driving an RX-8 ... Your 10km/day average may go upwards with an 8.

On the girlfriend front, well, umm, justify, RX-8, hmm. Yah, well I guess I don't know what to say on that.

I justified the base model to myself in terms of weight savings, accessories I personally do not want or need, and money I can spend on other parts to increase performance. It all comes down to want you want or need out of your car I guess.

I can do without a lot of the creature comforts, but what sold me on the GT was the power seats. I have to be able to tilt the part you sit on when I move the seat up for rear passangers, it also gives me a little more thigh support and is extremely comfortable or maybe I'm just getting old! Overall I really love this car, :D WOOT!

I did get the GT package. There are two features included in the GT package I did not think I would use: heated seats and auto dimming rear view mirror. But I was surprised that I really like them. The heated seat not only warms up the buns but the backs as well. After a long day in the office it feels good during that drive home. Overall, I think it is worth it.

I bought the GT because I've never had a car with 'all the options' and I always told myself that I will not skimp on my next car. As it turns out, I did skimp a little bit anyway - no NAV and no 6-disc changer, but I'm OK with that. And I would NEVER buy a car without a sunroof or leather seats! I don't find the seats slippery at all - in fact, the ribbing (for her pleasure!) helps keep you planted very well.

I complained at first that the heated seats did not heat enough, but it seems to be better now. I was comparing it to my friends Jetta, which as crappy as a car as it was, it had outstanding heated seats. I've never seen a better one at any price! I found that taking the jacket/coat off really helps get that nice cozy warm feeling in the 8. I still wish it was adjustable, though, because if I could I would crank it up a little bit more.

I agree on the heat level -- more is better. I had a Buick that had a high/low setting. The high would kick in and be screaming after about 4-5 minutes and you HAD to turn it to low -- really! Even on low after a while it was too much.

The heat on these seats is more like 'defrost,' but my old ones were only bottom heaters -- the back heaters are nice! I still wish I could crank it up a bit...

Tinkerer

I have it all except the nav (planning a custom flip screen for that spot for tv & dvd). Oh, and I don't have a spare. Anyway, I love all the extras. IMHO if you're going for the 8, go for it all the way! My seats are not slippery, the ribs do help. My husband HATED the leather seats in my last few cars because he always slid when I slowed down or stopped. He loves my car and says the seats are comfortable and that speaks volumes. AND since I have the velocity red, the red & black leather set it off for a nice clean look that all just flows so well.

I must also share with you the fact that I was given a sport model to drive for a couple of days while the dealership got my car out of the mall, detailed and delivered to me at work. I was soooooo glad I got the GT & appearance packages. I obviously knew what I wanted but I was more than reassured my money was well spent when I saw the two of them side by side in the parking lot outside of my office!

But really, just be sure it's exactly what YOU want, and no regrets later.

As for the girlfriend, as hard as it may be *wink* let her drive it and she'll love it, too!

Good luck,
Monique

The way I figure it, you're going to be paying around $6k in GST and PST - way less than the cost of the upgrade to the GT.

If you can convince me you are getting better value for your money via the GST/PST than from the GT, stick with the base version.

If not...

Now you all got me wondering...
Did I do ok?

I got mine for US$30.5g + tax/lic/etc/etc/etc
included the following: (to the best of my memory)
6 speed, titanium gray metallic, sport package
Black/gray cloth interior
Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror
In-Dash 6CD Changer
Bose Audio
Xenon Headlamps
Moonroof
Spare Tire
Navigation System
TCS/DSC
14" brakes
18" wheels
rear spoiler
courtesy maintenence (every 6 months)

So what have I fallen short of in comparison to the Grand Touring package? Leather interior, heated electro-adjustable leather seats, and heated mirrors? I remember the dealer offering the upgrade to me for $1800 more but I didn't feel it was worth it. The cloth seats work just fine for the time being, and I prefer manual seat controls over electronic anyhow... Any opinions?