Keeper

Your kidding?! Ick...

Ok, well, there are two "easy" ways to tell if you have a clearcoat or non-clearcoat finish (in my experience anyway).

1) The finish looks matte without wax on it
2) Whatever you apply wax with will change to the car's color (waxing will pull paint off of the car).

MaRX8

http://www.autopia.org

Toadman

When you are notified your car has arrived, advise the sales guy that you want only the white sheeting/plastic removed in and out, and only to remove the cosmoline slime from the paint(salt water protection=required for overseas transport). Maybe a soap-bath/armor-all/windex, but NO WAX OR POLISH if you want to seal the paint yourself. He will get with the service dept. to arrange your request. Dealers want a perfect delivery so will occasionally wax the hood/roof/decklid on darker cars. Let them know you want to do it yourself and you won't dink them on the Customer CARE delivery survey. I spent 3 years doing PDI's and pre-delivery detailing and prepping cars in the condition the customer wanted, from a basic wash to full paint/undercoat/scotchguard/pinstriping(*gag*). Last thing that should come out of the car upon service drive delivery should be paper floormats with a broad smile on the customer's face when you hand over the keys. (That was always the best part, helping them to adjust the seats and tune their fav radio stations, especially when they were cuties.)

I'm very excited for all you guys/gals. Congratulations! Santa Claus is making a rare summer visit, and we've been waiting a helluva long time here, haven't we?

Haze

I would guess that all the paints but the Yellow has clearcoat.

The Mazda web-site specifies that the Black is definitely clear coated. I believe that most if not all modern metallic paints have clear coat and that includes the mica paints so I would guess that they are clear coated, although I can't guarantee it without seeing it. The Yellow is not listed as clear coated and since it isn't metallic, and in the light of the specification of the Black, I would also guess that the Yellow is NOT clear coated. Which is kind of weird because most cars are clear coated these days.

Sorry that I can't be more helpful

-H

DisneyDestroyer

I just checked, the green is "Mica" as opposed to "Clearcoat". You have to go to the Mazda website and build your own - it can be CC (clearcoat), M (metallic), or MC (mica). Any idea what mica means?

91vert

Anybody else have any "nicely worded" letters or a form of some kind that they are going to submit to their dealerships before the car arrives so that they know what you want done to the car and what you don't want done?

I want to get something to them in the next couple of weeks, but I don't want to come across as some pain-in-the-*** customer to them. I just want them to be aware of what my wishes are about what is done and what is not done to the car before I take delivery.

Let's come up with some examples. I'll start working on something and post it.

You guys offer some ideas of some of the things that will be pertinent to help me out. I've got a few ideas from reading this thread, but more would be helpful.

LesPaul

This is part of a letter I sent back in March to my dealer.

March 25, 2003

On the web, the forums indicate that many orders for the RX-8 are being confirmed and VIN numbers are being distributed. Any word on my VIN yet?
>
>Also, I am very excited about getting my new RX-8 and have a few important points to make. Since I have paid a deposit and have a signed agreement, the car is mine. As such I would appreciate the following:
>
>1. The car should not be driven for any purpose except if necessary to fix any mechanical problems that needs to be addressed before delivery to me.
>
>2. No demonstrations or test drives should be given to other customers, your employees or anyone, without my permission in advance.
>
>3. 2,000 RPM on the engine should not be exceeded for any purpose. It should not be unnecessary to drive the car beyond 10 miles per hour and less than 2 miles should be on the odometer when I pick it up.
>
>4. Do not install a license plate on the front of the car.
>
>5. Do not install any dealer stickers anywhere on the car.
>
>I don't mean to be a pain about this, but I have been waiting over two years for this car and it is very important to me. I know you will understand and comply with my requests.
>
>Please, confirm that you have received this message. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

TerenceT

i'll go with the real zymol or mother or 1 Grand paste wax

dish soap with clay bar

polish, wax then seal

Quick_lude

Good letter.. don't forget to tell them NOT to wash the car. 99% of the time that's when you get your first swirls..

rxeightr

Thanks to LesPaul & DonG35miata, I have taken their suggestions and will provide the following document to my dealer within the next two weeks:

I’m writing to let you know how much I appreciate all of your and <salesperson's> help and cooperation in assisting me in acquiring a 2004 Mazda RX-8. I know there were moments when I made a pest of myself, but you were always patient and helpful and maintained your sense of humor.

Now I want to make a pest of myself one more time, and I hope you will equally understand.

My request has to do with a few matters concerning the preparation of the RX-8 before it is delivered to me. The following list covers my concerns and what I’d like the prep to include (or not include). I’m sure you will take care of these items, without exception; in the event there is an issue with any of my requests, please make me aware ASAP.

1. My car should not be driven for any purpose, except if necessary, to fix any mechanical problems that need to be addressed before delivery to me.

2. No demonstrations or test drives should be given to other customers, your employees, or anyone, without my permission in advance.

3. 2,000 RPM on the RENESIS Rotary engine should not be exceeded for any purpose. Proper break-in is essential to its reliability, and we both want to avoid possible warranty issues.

4. It should not be necessary to drive my RX-8 above 10 mph, and less than 6 miles is expected on the odometer when I inspect my vehicle at your dealership prior to taking delivery.

5. Do not install a license plate on the front of my car. A <Dealer Name> Mazda rear license plate frame may be installed, if you desire.

6. Please do not install any dealer stickers anywhere on my vehicle. The car by itself will draw spectators, and I will gladly make anyone aware of where to purchase one from. Please supply me an ample supply of business cards for that purpose.

7. Please do not put any pinstriping on my RX-8.

8. Do not wash or wax the car. I plan on using Zaino to seal the paint finish.


I hope I don’t sound like a pain in making these requests, and I am sure you follow many of these procedures. Your understanding in this is appreciated. Any Customer Survey that Mazda requests from me will include the highest marks possible, provided all of these requests are met.

It has been a pleasure to deal with you and Bentley Mazda up to this point.

I’ll follow up by telephone in a few days to discuss this letter.

Sincerely yours,

BillK

Can you even move it out of a parking space without the engine going above 2000 RPM?!?!

91vert

By the way......what is the break-in "rules". I thought you were not supposed to rev it past 7000 rpm for the first 500 miles or something like that.

I know I've read it somewhere......

LesPaul

In my original letter to the Dealer I asked not to rev beyond 6,000 RPM. The dealer agreed to all my suggestions but mentioned that his instructions were to stay below 2,000 RPM. Seems odd to me too.

RX-EVolved

THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS WONDERING! ANYONE?.. ANYONE??