misterius

Just picked up my new '05 Nordic Green RX8 yesterday. I thought I'd thank everybody here for a great amount of information.

Buying experience was smooth and tension-free. I can recommend Wood Mazda in Santa Rosa for anyone looking to buy a Mazda round Sonoma County.

Question: during my purchase process, I was offered a 'paint protection' package which guarantees a high-gloss appearance and wax-free maintenance for 7 years. Does such thing exist? It sounds a little bit outlandish, but honestly, I haven't followed car paint technology for a while (my car is a 1996).

Again, thanks all for tremendously useful information.

Whitey

My opinion = I think it's just another way to squeeze a few more bucks out of you. There's no such thing as a wax-free finish for 7 years....that's ridiculous. What are they guaranteeing?.....that the paint won't chip for 7 years? Seriously, you don't need that......... just get out there and wash and wax your car.......you will want to anyway because you'll always want it to be clean...... plus it'll make you love it even more! Sponge in hand = Gas pump in hand =

apotocki

Congrats on your NG! You'll love the color.....I do!

Now, I feel that unless the 'paint protection' package includes a full clear bra, it is not worth the money. I would highly recommend taking the money you would spend on the dealer paint protection and apply it towards a full front clear bra (WELL WORTH IT) and a Zaino Kit.

Enjoy you new 8.

New Yorker

"Paint protection" package is a classic dealer scam:

From Consumer Reports:
"Extras you don’t need: Another profit source for dealers is extras such as rustproofing, fabric protection, paint sealant, and etching your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on windows to deter thieves. Sometimes, these types of charges will simply appear on your bill of sale without anyone having mentioned them to you. Don’t waste your money. What could cost the dealer about $90 can cost you $1,000 or more.

Vehicle bodies are already treated to protect against rust. Upholstery is typically treated at the factory, or you can do it yourself with a can of spray-on fabric protectant. Paint sealants and waxes are available for under $15 at any auto-parts store or supermarket. Some states do require dealers to offer VIN etching, but none require that you buy it from them. If you want VIN etching, you can do it yourself with a $25 kit.

Dealer prep fees--such as checking tire pressure--should be included in the purchase price, not listed as extras. If these items are on your bill of sale, refuse to pay for them."

Hightshoe

Clear bras are great, but I would see no need to have it on the entire car, if thats even what they are talking about. just get the front end done like apotoki said because you will more than likely have a rock chip some where on the front of your car by the time you drive it home from the dealer.

misterius

Thanks for the advice! I did decline, but not by virtue of wisdom, simply survival instinct.

Despite this, I still highly recommend Wood. Not extraneous fees such as 'Dealer Prep Fees' and its ilks. Salesmen were courteous and not pushy. They even let me drove the car a few times by myself to help me decide.

I'm surprised that this car is not more popular, given the publicity it's got; 3 years '10 Best Cars' from Car And Driver and all. Not that I'm complaining since it helped me negotiate a sizable discount.

time4akshun

Mistirius,

Congrats! Nordic green is a pretty unique color!! I like it myself!!!

Please be sure to post your deal details @ https://www.rx8club.com/purchasing-financing-insurance-56/what-your-closing-price-85525/ so we know how you negotiated your deal!!

All the best.

Time

dmc27

Congrats! Good luck, especially forcing yourself to adhere to the break in.

misterius

Posted purchase details in the thread linked by time4akshun.

Anyone knows a good body shop in Sonoma County? I want to debadge the Mazda trinkets.

dmorales

That's like taking a man's *********...it just isn't a man anymore!
________
Find headshop

dmc27

^ haha
But, I have to agree with Misterius on this one. Especially since I'm a little OCD and Mazda decided to go with different size and font for the 'mazda' and 'rx8' badges. I want to pull those two, leave the wing, and just have the rx8 brake light show. Uneven badges make me

alfy28

Grats on your car. i am not sure if cali gets hot as texas. but my wife forgot to crack my windows this past weekend and ended up causing the glue that holds the visor to fall apart . any how gl i feel y ou will enjoy car alot.

misterius

I don't stick my 'trinkets' and wear them like a badge!

Keep 'em hidden, keep 'em safe.....

m477

So let me guess, they stuffed you in an isolated room and then some high-pressure sales guy came in and tried to ram this crap down your throat?

I had the same thing happen to me when I bought my car. The guy had some informational brochure that listed the "normal" price as $1,499 or something like that but he was willing make me a great deal and let me have it for "only" $300. I was actually pretty happy with the dealership up until that point. No wonder car dealerships have such a bad reputation when they do such sleasy things.

The funniest part was that I drove 6 hours to this dealership to get the options/color/price I wanted, and after inspecting my vehicle-to-be I just wanted to get the transaction over with as soon as possible and get back on the road so I wouldn't have to be driving all night. But this guy was trying to convince me that they could perform this miracle of modern science in the 15 minutes before I was to leave, and the car could be driven right away without any need to dry or set or anything. Right.

misterius

You make it sounds like it was a '24' episode.

In reality, it wasn't bad at all. It's a local dealer in Santa Rosa. We talked in the sales manager office which had a good view of the lot, and it was a very relaxed process.

The paperwork lady try to convinced my to buy some paint protection package which will save me 7 years of waxing. I declined. I was out of there in about 45 minutes or so.