Just got RX-8
 

Hi to all,

Just got a 2005 RX-8 and it only had 9800 miles on it. Something is weird, though. It has all the options (yep, double checked and had the dealer check as well) that a Shinka has but it is a Pearl/white/mica exterior with the standard red/black interior.

Looked up the vin and it is listed as a Shinka as well there too. I thought that they all came in the Dark Cherry color with the beige interior. :dunno:

Anyone heard of or seen a Shinka for this year that was a different, stock color?

Thanks for any help with this.

Congrats on the new RX-8 and welcome to the club!

As far as the Shinka goes, I thought 2005 Shinka models were only Black Cherry Red. Unless it was removed, you can tell its a Shinka because it should have the word "Shinka" on the B-Pillar.

I think in 2006 they had a Coper Red Shinka.

Where do you live?

In the USA I believe they only had Cherry Red.

Regardless what it is listed at I would check around

Worst case, send the vin the MAZDA and they will confirm what it is.

Could this have been a custom-built shinka?

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the car.
Please add location to your profile.

I've never heard of a Shinka done up in Pearl/white/mica exterior with the standard red/black interior. Weird.

It might just be custom leather.

accident respray?

New (Sort of) RX-8
 

Thanks for the responses.

The actual name of the color is Whitewater Pearl Mica. I've been doing more research and 2005 was the first year that this color was offered. I am in Arizona and according to the CarFax/Autohistory reports, the car was sold in 2005 (early) and then repossesed about a year later. Then it sat on dealer lots until I ran into it a month ago.

It does not have the Shinka badge on the pillars, but has every accessory offered on the Shinka. Maybe the previous owner custom ordered the car in this color or took off the badges and replaced the pillar covers. (Why? Who knows.) The satellite radio, I did find out, was not available on some of the early 2005 Shinkas' but had the button for it. You had to take the car back to the dealer to install it. Something about limited supplies or problems with the integration, from what one of the dealers in Tucson told me.

Anyway, it runs great, feels great, but wish it had better gas mileage. Though right now I am working on that.

Again, thanks for the replies. Does anyone know anything else?

Yes :rolleyes:

Welcome and congrats!

So what specifically does it have that a Grand Touring doesn't?

Light tan interior, foam in frame, Shinka sticker.

i am pretty sure you could order a shinka in the non-exlusive color if you were so inclined... otherwise i've seen a few new gt's at the dealer wearing the sticker ;-)

where did you go to lookup the VIN?

Congrats on the 8. Sounds like you have a GT though. Enjoy it, it's not that different from the Shinka, at least that's what I hear. Red and black interior is very sporty imho.

That is weird. Is this the VIN list you checked it against: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/...on_Numbers.pdf ??

i have an 06 shinka in brilliant black. i might be wrong but i think the 06 shinkas came in brilliant black, copper red, and galaxy gray. not sure about white. strange though

Dont worry about it ....

Just enjoy it......

Welcome .......

I have an 06 Shinka in Whitewater w/ the alacantara interior.

Hi to all again.

I sent the VIN to mazdausa.com and am waiting on a response. AJ could be right about the GT, though. The original way that I checked the VIN was through CarFax and they listed it as a "2005 Mazda RX8 Shinka". After that, I checked with a dealer in Tucson and he sent me a list of options that came on the Shinka.

Really do enjoy driving this thing. I will try running the VIN with the link New Yorker posted. Thanks.

Another note
 

Hi to all,

I ran my VIN on the link that New Yorker posted and my car didn't show up. So I guess it isn't a Shinka, but was probably ordered with all the options. Oh well, :rolleyes: , it's still a great car and I've already put 2400 miles on it.

Doesn't matter whether it's an "official" Shinka or not. Who cares? As long as you have options you like, and you enjoy the car, you're home. Have fun!

someone can always order the Shinka b-pillar and throw it on....

no tan leather, no shinka.