Well, I took the plunge and purchased a WB MT/Touring package this afternoon. Thanks to all the great information and posts here, pro and con. And as crazy as this may sound to some, Ike was one I appreciated for offering a constant counter point to the boosters. Better to go in with eyes wide open.

I almost changed my mind at the last minute. After getting a price over the internet and while waiting for my salesman to finish with another customer, I started to have second thoughts.

I met someone there who had returned his 8 during the buyback period: after 6k miles, 12 mpg regardless of driving; heat from transmission; and AC cyling. Ok, no surprises, but the AC issue had me worried, because he said over 90 F the AC didn't help much due to all the heat from the trans.

On top of that, sitting in the showroom was a NG 8 that started to look more to my liking -- more subdued but not common. I was thinking, not again, because I've been going back and forth between all the colors. It's been maddeing that most of the colors look slightly different and better or worse depending on light conditions. In the end I decided I'd stick with my first choice, WB, which looks blue regardless of angle or light.

I pick up my car tomorrow after they finish prepping it.

Two of my first mods will be an mp3 player and strakes which look like they'd be nice on the WB.

Just out of curiosity, I started a poll for WB owners -- introverted/extrovertd. The NG, Tit, are more subdued, the WB, bubbly (the salesperson's word). I'm normally introverted but given to bouts of extreme extroversion.

 

Congratulations. Which dealer in So Cal did you purchase from? And how much?

Thanks for the info.

 

30,986 otd at Santa Monica Mazda. Not the best deal but close enough locally for the features I wanted. Ask for Reza if you're shopping around.

Pat at Heritage in Tustin had a good price on a GT, too, but I elected to go with the cloth seats. I plan to spend the money I saved on driving lessons at Button Willow Driving School.

 

I've decided on WB, partly because there's so many silver cars out there!. I'm an absolutely extroverted professional musician and that's probably just a natural progression from 'class clown' because nobody ever listened to me as a kid...

 

... and what's this 'junior' member? Have I registered as a kid? Oh dear...

 

It just means that you've got less than 100 posts to your name. You can change that text to something of your own creation somewhere in your account preferences.

Welcome to the club!