New '09 RX-8 GT Owner Questions
 

Hello all,

After perusing the forums off and on since this year's New York auto show, I drove a Black Mica, Black Leather '09 RX-8 GT with Nav, Premium and Spare Wheel home yesterday. There were several things about which I was unable to get good answers from the dealer and so I was hoping some of you guys might have answers, please!

1) The audio "source" screen shows an AUX2 as well as an IPOD choice. Where is the input for AUX2? (AUX1 is the 3.5mm input in the arm rest.) Is the IPOD the Mazda "iPod Integration Module?" I have been unable to find any information out about this; does it allow you to control the iPod and view song information on the LCD screen?

2) Mazda Extended warranties are shown here: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ntyMEPP&bhcp=1 . Are these recommended? I was unable to determine when these must be purchased; when is the latest that they can be purchased? (Although I really liked my salesman, I did not particularly enjoy dealing with the person who was in charge of the warranties.)

3) I have been unable to find the Owner's Manual and Navigation Manual as PDFs. Would anyone know if those are available?

4) The owner's manual said (on page 3-3) that there should be a "Key Plate with Code" that came with the two remote control keys. I do not have this (and have an inquiry in with the dealer about getting it). Can someone comment on how important this is?

5) The MP3 CD support seems very unusual in that it seems to operate each "folder" as a different album and won't automatically switch folders with the track change buttons. Is there any way to change this? The problem is, for example, that I have made a "mix" CD of all my favorite songs but iTunes creates the MP3 CD with one folder per song (except for the few favorites which are on the same artist/album).

Anyway, I look forward to many good years with my new vehicle and getting to know it. I am sure I will have many questions in the future and hope even to be able to contribute back to the community in time.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Congrats on the R3!

Thanks! (Except it's a GT not an R3.)

Congrats and welcome!
 

Congrats and welcome. I can't answer all your questions because I don't know aht mazda has updated on their site for 2009 owners yet, but here goes my best tries:

1) The audio "source" screen shows an AUX2 as well as an IPOD choice. Where is the input for AUX2? (AUX1 is the 3.5mm input in the arm rest.) Is the IPOD the Mazda "iPod Integration Module?" I have been unable to find any information out about this; does it allow you to control the iPod and view song information on the LCD screen?

Not certain here, in the 2003 through 2008 year models Mazda has used the ipod integration module which is so convoluted that it is essentially worthless for more than shuffle. Hopefully with the 2009 these went to a straight aux input and you can control the Ipod with either the stereo controls or the ipod itself. Give it a try and let us know what you find out. Aux 2? If it isn't an unused aux input in the back ofthe stereo is an option selector for a different MP3 playback device though the 3.5 jack again, I don't know for sure.

2) Mazda Extended warranties are shown here: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ntyMEPP&bhcp=1 . Are these recommended? I was unable to determine when these must be purchased; when is the latest that they can be purchased? (Although I really liked my salesman, I did not particularly enjoy dealing with the person who was in charge of the warranties.)

You are right to stray away from the majority of the exenteded warranty plans the dealers sell through third party warranty vendors, the Mazda Extended Warranties, likewise may or may not be a good value considering the standard bumper to bumper and powertrain warranties. You are going to need to do some homework there and make an informed decision based on your own plans for the car.

3) I have been unable to find the Owner's Manual and Navigation Manual as PDFs. Would anyone know if those are available? Not sure if the 2009 manuals have been added yet, go to www.mazdausa.com, bring your VIN and create an account, the older manuals are all available for owners as PDF's if they aren't there yet, I'd be surprised if they aren't added shortly.

4) The owner's manual said (on page 3-3) that there should be a "Key Plate with Code" that came with the two remote control keys. I do not have this (and have an inquiry in with the dealer about getting it). Can someone comment on how important this is?

The key plate on the old "switchblade keys" was a tiny little metal plate about 1cm long and 1/3 cm wide with your key code stamped on it that came with the keys. If you have the keyless entry system with the little clicky cards I'm not sure if you get a Key Plate. If you have physical keys you should have that plate and it is very important to have and keep or else the dealer will charge you an arm and a leg to reprogram your locks and keys in the event that you need to replace lost or damaged keys/remotes. Defenitely stay after the dealer on that.

5) The MP3 CD support seems very unusual in that it seems to operate each "folder" as a different album and won't automatically switch folders with the track change buttons. Is there any way to change this? The problem is, for example, that I have made a "mix" CD of all my favorite songs but iTunes creates the MP3 CD with one folder per song (except for the few favorites which are on the same artist/album).

Yikes, I think you answered your number 1, sounds like you have the ipod integration module. It is set up to cycle through up to 6 playlists that you create in advance, it is also set up based on some ancient ipod software that only included about 7 menu options, there should be a manual for the ipod integration module with your car if it was an option, you will need that manual to read how it works, it is extremely difficult to navigate menus with the onscreen code system they used, but it can be done, just be prepared to spend up to ten minutes if you want to select a single track out of an ipod with a couple thousand songs. Basically, most people I have talked to, myself included fight with it long enough to get it set to random/shuffle then never touch it again. The Ipod integration module is a POS unfortunately and it something you may want to consider replacing, check the car audio section for the great threads on the subject.

Anyway, I look forward to many good years with my new vehicle and getting to know it. I am sure I will have many questions in the future and hope even to be able to contribute back to the community in time.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Welcome and congrats.

Oh My God ! You got the car from ManhattanMazda ... OH MY GOD !

Who you got the car from? Frank? Chris ? or someone else ?

Their sales department is ok IMO, not the best, but decent (prices)

but their service department is just FREAKING HORRIBLE. They even deny warranty when it should be covered. Plus the "Ultra" long waiting time ... dont go back there for ANY service needs. NEVER !

NO Great Neck Mazda, No Koppell Mazda, No Gurifei (whatever the hell the name is, is in bklyn), No Manhattan Mazda

For service, Go Wayne Mazda, its a bit far, but very worth it (If Im gonna get another Mazda, it will be Wayne Mazda)