Hello all!

I first want to say how enjoyable this forum is! Easy to read and the people seem so nice!

Before a co-worker talked me into going and looking at these, I had NEVER heard about this car (hubby had heard at work and I brushed off the first mention of looking at these), it never came up on website searches, and we hadn't even seen one driving around town! But when my hubby and I went to look... WOW!! In fact, we were only looking for one car, but have since decided to trade mine in and get two of these babies.
Now you would think we would be a car salesman's dream, but this has been a nightmare! The dealerships have been stingy on the deals that we try to work out. In our area (TN market), the sales are slower on these and the dealerships are not budging on these invoices. We have an idea of the MSRP and we aren't about to pay $37k for what is a $34k vehicle! Especially when we are buying two!
We FINALLY found an excellent dealership that is willing to deal and the only catch is the color vs. options.
Hubby found his right away... the titanium with red & Blk interior. For me, I am frugal and wanted just the touring pkg but I can only get it in Red. I wanted the sunlight silver but it is only available loaded (w/o having it shipped and we can't get as good of deal if we do that). Our friends are hubby-wife police officers, and they stand by the old tale that red cars DO get pulled over more often. Also, I was told that the red paint will fade quicker than other colors. Is there any advice that you guys can give us?

Thank you!
>^.^<

 

Hi Meow! Welcome to the forum.

I have the Velocity Red with the Touring package. I've had her since July '03 and haven't been pulled over yet... but I did see a silver one nabbed by the California Highway patrol on the freeway the other day, so go figure!

Unless you're going to park the car outside all the time and expose it to the elements, I don't think fading is going to be a problem. Don't you have a garage or carport? Once you get the car, give it a good thorough waxing using a quality three-step process like Zaino, Mothers, or Meguiars (see our Show and Shine section of the forum for tips and recommendations). Keep giving it regular care, once a month or so, and your finish will stay looking brand-new.

Read everything you can about the car here... you'll learn SO much! There are particular idiosyncracies with rotary engines that you'll need to be mindful of (like flooding, oil consumption, etc) that your dealership may neglect to tell you about. Read the manual, read the forum, and enjoy your new twin RX-8s!!

 

I have a Velocity Red RX-8. If you haven't noticed it yet, it has gold flakes in the paint job. Really cool. Haven't been pulled over yet, but I am not too concerned about that. If think about it the yellow is probably more noticeable than the red.

If you are concerned about fading, you should get some Zaino. Great car care product. Makes your car shine! It suppose to block UV, but the jury is still out on whether it will prevent fading.


I got my deal by getting five different quotes from five different dealerships using email. Of course I was willing to drive 30+ miles to save a couple of thousand on the purchase. I only deal with the Internet manager, who make their living more on volume than price over individual sales price. Every dealership should have an internet manager.

Hope that help, and have fun with your two 8's.

 

I do feel warmly welcomed :D

Thank you for the replies!

Aratinga- It will be garage kept, but will be in the blazing sun all day long. And the South is known for its sun! We also frequent my hometown in FL, and I've seen what the sun can do to red cars... OUCH. And I must say, you are very correct in your statement to look on this forum! I knew more things than one of the salesmen at a dealership! SAD

Has anyone owned a red car and have it to fade? We have never owned a red car and are confused by the masses agreeing that it will fade worse than other colors. And YES Magic8, this is the ONLY red car I have ever liked and it is only becuause of the metallic. It shines like no other!!

Thanks for the advice! I know hubby appreciates it because I am holding us up on the purchase! he he

>^.^<

 

Hello Dennis and THANK YOU for the referral!

We are in Chattanooga, TN. so ATL is not very far for us.
Of course, we both work during the week and don't know if we can wait until the weekend to get them! he he :D
But I will let you know if we go and get a deal! THANK YOU!

>^.^<
Jen and Jon

 

RED is a very good choice I might say, though.

 

Meowloud,
I got mine at Twin City Mazda in Alcoa (Knoxville Airport). Good folks to deal with.

 

Oh WOW, we can't wait to get ours... but I still don't have any idea from previous red car owners if this color does fade. Any red car owners out there? I know that paint methods have improved, but I just want to put my mind at ease.

Also, as the fourth largest city in TN... and only an hour an a half from ATL, I must say... there are NO Mazda dealers IN Chattanooga!! The only one they had here closed a few years ago (I was told). So no matter where we buy, we have at least a 20 - 30 min. drive.

I'm just REALLY worried about the color fade. I'm really not as worried now about the cop issue though... so at least I am making progress!! LOL

>^.^<
Jen

 

Why dont you get the 8 and a Miata? Thats my dream combo :p

 

Try a trio - John

 

Wow, where are the Velocity red owners at?

It's a BEAUTIFUL color Meow- you definitely can't go wrong with it. And as long as you take care of it, you shouldn't have any fading problems.

Welcome to the forum

 

I think none of us have had our red 8s long enough to see any fading! The oldest of them are only 7 months young.

I can attest that another Mazda red, the "Classic red" that they used on early Miatas, will definitely fade if neglected. However, that is a non-mica, non-clear-coated paint; Velocity red is metallic, three-stage, and clear-coated. I wouldn't worry about fading, honestly. Just enjoy the car!

 

I live in Chattanooga and have a Velocity Red with leather. I've only had it 3 months, Zainoed twice, so I can't really attest to any fading yet. I doubt that will be a problem. Have you talked with the dealer in Cleveland? They sold me less than invoice and were real nice to deal with. Talk with Robert.

 

THANK YOU Aratinga! That makes me feel SO much better! I didn't know that the earlier reds weren't clear-coated. I have an 'all-around' good feeling about the purchase then!
Yes, fastrunner, so far Cleveland is the only dealer that is budging on our price. But we are FAR from the deal you got! They have only moved hundreds of dollars off the price for BOTH cars?!?! We were expecting a little more movement, but we are getting the 'ole "there isn't much profit in these cars... so we can't move much on the price." IF we can wait, we will go check out a couple of dealers referred by some members here :D

These cars fit our lives PERFECTLY! We both didn't like the S2000 because of the convertible top, and the lack of space... hubby just wanted it for the fast factor. He had stopped at the Honda dealer to get the brakes serviced on our prelude, and he came home with one! I about died! But being a calm, cool chic that I am (heh riiiiiight), I just pointed out that we had already agreed NOT to get one because of its inconveniencies. When I went with him to take it back, the sales guys could have burned holes through me with their eyes. I'm sure they hate wives!! ha ha

We really need the extra room of the RX-8 as compared to the Miata. And just my personal opinion, I find the RX-8 has more creature comforts.

We didn't go last evening. I need to have that warm, fuzzy feeling. I think I am feeling the love on the red one so I might as well quit beating a dead horse and go GET IT!!

Thanks guys and gals!
>^.^<

 

I have a San Marino Red 98 Prelude. At the time of purchase, I was stressed by the fading issue as well. Now, 6 years later I admit fading is a fact. The clear coats are gone and is even 'stripping' at some areas. It doesn't really have that glossy, liquid look to it anymore, but after a good wax and some clay barring, the paint will come back to life... for a few months anyway. But keep in mind that a metallic base will behave differently and will probably take more to fade. Best of luck!

 

Do not pay over the invoice. You should be able to get yours for about $30K out of the door.

 

Welcome - I have the Blue GT with Leather, everything but nav. I love it.

Jen

 

I have had 3 red cars starting with a 1969 TR-6, and more recently a 1992 Acura Vigor and now my RX8. Of the 3 the RX has the best finish but only time will tell regarding fading. Lived in Southern Calif with the TR6 and it did fade but the British were not know for quality finish or mechanical. The Acura did OK as long as it was waxed and kept in the garage. Lost access to the garage and it has been out in the Alabama sun for the past 2 years and has not done well. So, there really is no way to answer your question with confidence but I agree with others - it is a beautiful car in red and with proper care will stay that way. Good luck.

PS - not pulled over yet.

 

Hello All!

Thanks to all that have helped us! And especially the red color comments! We found a place in ATL that was willing to work with us and ACTUALLY come down on the price! It was Jim Ellis Mazda in Marietta. Seem like nice people there. We were able to get exactly what we wanted... Sunlight Silver GT and Titanium with blk and red!
After reading a bit more, I was reluctant to go with the red due to additional upkeep. I'm very busy at work and do not want to worry about the finish on the red.
We will pick them up tomorrow evening
:D

And Jen, nice to see another Jen on the forum!!! YAY!!

>^.^<
Jen and Jon

 

Jim Ellis is a good place, and nice people. That's where I got mine. They do very high volume, so makes sense you were able to negotiate a little more and find exactly what you were looking for. As far as service is concerned, however, stay away. Oh, and the F&I guy sucks.

 

Jen,

Glad you found exactly what you're looking for. I just wanted to chime in on the red paint conversation. I owned a "cherry red pearl" 300ZX for 14 years, and never had a fading issue. In fact, just a month before I traded it for an RX-8, I was stopped on the road by someone thinking it was a brand new car! I didn't get crazy with special soaps and wax. Just a mild dishwashing soap, and a coat of wax every 3 months. The main rule... true with any paint... was to not let it sit under a coat of dirt. That means washing it every week or two.

 

Hello 8 fanatics, live in Laval Quebec Canada and will took delivery of my 8 first week of april (can't wait) winter was verry long. Just want to know how easy it is to install rotary accents later on.