I'm curious what the cars are configured like when they roll fresh off the truck for the dealer and what they have to do to prep for delivery.

What all detailed items are inside or in the trunk the dealer has to install - maybe bagged or boxed stuff?

What do they have to remove if anything?

Maybe pull plastic off stuff like the seats?

I presume in addition to the car you get the standard contents of the glove box like owner's manual and such as well as keys remotes. You get yoru window sticker as keepsake I suppose (I suggest keeping those for the next owner - and if you trade it rather than selling direct - stuff it under the seat so it has a chance of surviving to the next owner.)

 

the tires come overinflated so they have to be deflated alittle.

there is some sort of salt water protection on the paint that has to be removed.

the lock nuts for each wheel have to be installed.

there is a driver side mat retainer that goes under the front seat that has to be installed. mine wasnt.

front license plate holder installed if applicable.

there are a few other things but i cant recall right now.

 

The bag that contains the floor mat retainer also contains a couple of plastic plugs that are to be inserted into the underbody frame rails, filling holes that are used to tie the vehicles down during shipment.

 

I actually got to drive my car right off the truck basically (ok, the driver took it off the truck, but then I got it)

Basically they have to program the computer system because none of the power accesories would work when I got in - power locks were dead, no radio, no power seats, nothing.

I also helped them unwrap it (that was fun). The wheel locks had to be also installed, plastic bags taken off the seats/interior, liscense plate holders installed if necessary

 

Interesting. Do they ship it w/ one lug intentionally missing at each wheel then? Or does teh dealer remove a lug to install the locks?

Is the front license holder a thing for all Rx8s or just those in states that mandate front tags. (gee what if you move - you may have to buy something that someone else got for free)

I imagine those plastic plugs on the bottom are important long term for corrosion protection?

pr0ber - THAT's the way I'd like to take delivery!

Good stuff to know - you KNOW they just hire kids to do stuff like this at minimum wage in many cases - depending on the dealer may not be the ultimate QA program - things like the plastic plugs or mat retainer I might never notice myself .

thanks,

 

i work at a mazda dealership in philadelphia, PA. i got mine right off the truck with only 1 mile on the clock. here's a few things that i remember about the car before PDI (pre-delivery inspection)

plastic covering the hood, roof, and trunk,

plastic covering all the seats

plastic covering the door sills and plastic edge guards on the door

fuse has to be installed (radio and power locks don't work) and the fuse cover has to be installed) without the fuse the check engine light is on and the tire monitoring light is on

wheel locks have to be installed (it does not come with one lug missing. they actually remove one and place the wheel lock instead)

comes with a quarter tank of gas

mazda centercaps for the wheels have to be installed

carpet is in the trunk and is placed when the car is sold

front license plate bracket is in the trunk. (PA does not require front plates. woohoo!)

if you have the appearance package there is a warning on the driver's side window to be careful over bumps because of slightly lower clearance

full inspection of the car and inspection stickers placed on windshield

i think there's more but i can't think of them off the top of my head. it was a great feeling however to take the car with only 1 mile on the clock and to go thru the PDI process before i took the car home. lemme know if anyone has any questions and if you're in the philadelphia region and want to purchase an rx-8, give me a holla.

allen
pacifico mazda
215.365.7400

 

My front license plate holder (which I don't need) was in my trunk when I got the car.