RX8Club.com - Just got my Silver GT RX-8 last night

Getting it though was an adventure.

Dealer #1 featured a stereotypical high pressure car salesman who wouldnt even try to find me a vehicle unless I signed the stupid 4-square worksheet. He was a friends older brother (whom I had never met) and I almost made the mistake of thinking he wouldnt try to work me over.

Dealer #2 was a certified Mazda Elite dealer who a) argued with me for 20 minutes over whether the touring package came with leather (I was right) b) tried to sell me the owners driver with 900 miles on it as a 'new' car c) sent the salesmen who were working on ordering me a new vehicle to sales training for 2 days in a row and d) told me the owner had said since I had not given them a deposit (on a car they hadnt found for me yet) finding a vehicle for me was low priority.

Dealer #3 was the dealer I ended up purchasing from but they tried to play me in their own way. They said they had found a vehicle matching my specs but it was on another lot and they would have to charge me an additional $500. I figured I could probably just go to the other dealer and save some money so I went to the dealer inventory on Mazdas website and located it myself. It was already on their lot! I gave them the vin# and they sheepishly stammered through an apology.

This dealer is about 50 miles from my home so by the time I got there after work it was already dark. I checked out the car, then went in and did all the paperwork. I got the keys and took off. The first place I stopped was my parents house to show off my new ride. After showing them the engine I closed the hood and noticed what looked like HUGE gouges in the paint. Hoping it was dirt or adhesive I lightly scratched at it with my thumbnail but it didnt come off. I was pretty upset with myself for not doing a better job of checking the car out before I bought it. This morning I woke up and decided to check it once more before I called the dealer. Turns out it was adhesive after all.
http://www.podsix.com/loot/2003_12_05/IMG_0121.JPG

While taking that pic and others I noticed 2 hard plastic sheets stuck to the paint just forward of the rear tires.
http://www.podsix.com/loot/2003_12_05/IMG_0120.JPG
Anyone know what these are? Can I remove them?

For those who might like them, you can view all the pictures I took. Sorry some of them are a bit dark or blurry.
http://www.podsix.com/loot/2003_12_05

Heres one of my roommates EVO8 parked next to me (also dark)
http://www.xmission.com/~preacher/owned.jpg

I noticed a few things while driving. For the first 1/3 of the tank I was getting 10-12 mpg which is in line with other people here. Not trying to race the engine during break in I was shifting between 3-4k. I 'm now shifting at 5-6k and not only have my transitions from gear to gear been smoother, my gas gauge doesnt seem to be dropping as rapidly. This isnt a scientific test and it could be wishful thinking, but I'll try to document what I find and post it here. The only other gripe I have is that the heater seems to be a bit... overactive. Even on the lowest fan and heat setting it heats up to an uncomfortable level quickly. Oh almost forgot. Where the heck is the pause button for the cd player? After looking through the manual it looks like it doesnt have one and that makes me a sad panda.

Finally, the dealers told me a few things during my adventure. Dealer #2 stated that buildout on the 04 model was done and all new orders would be for the 05 model. Dealer #3 said they just received their first Mazdaspeed parts brouchure for the RX-8 last week and they expect they will begin selling the parts soon.

I've been lurking on this site for several months devouring all the ups and downs of the RX-8 launch. I want to thank everyone for their contributions to the boards because not only did you educate me before I did battle with the dealers, you also helped me decide that the RX-8 was definately the car I wanted. Even with its 'quirks'.

-project