TJLack

My price as it hit my credit card was $1625 including insured shipping. I considered it reasonable for the quality of watch it is - generally speaking it is of the same or higher quality than a Rolex or TAG but less well-known esp. in the US.

The watch is a Sinn 303.024. Mazda requested a watch be commissioned which was given to the first 888 RX8 purchasers (that watch has red hands). Sinn then made the watch for one model year (in yellow hands).

At the time I purchased it, I only found four that were available for purchase. They were in Singapore, Spain, UK and Germany for prices from $1600 - $2200 US. I bought from a Sinn retailer in Germany.

Here's a current link:
http://www.redfingerprint.com/watche...03.024.RX8.SET

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

I'd go gently used '04 or '05 and keep the left-over $ for aftermarket upgrades. That is one handsome watch.

RichardK

Wow. That's more than I could justify on a watch (or indeed, spend, but that argument doesn't hold water when I add up my studio/Sera expenses). This presumably isn't the same watch the 100 Limited Edition RX8s in Australia get, then?

It's not hard to be better quality than a Rolex. Horrid, crass things, and frequently inaccurate - but they are expensive.

TJLack

Thanks - I love it and wear it daily.

TJLack

Not sure of the Aussie connection. I did find a news report from a car show that referenced the red handed Sinn watch given to the first 888 RX8 purchasers but it did not state where.

Definitely expensive, but I've always loved high quality true mechanical watches and never bought one. When I heard of this one I had to have it. It was also an excellent way to celebrate both my 45th birthday and my divorce!

zoom44

C and dont look back

RichardK

It is on a press release, for a 2006MY limited edition RX8 "Revelation" in Australia (I was looking because I wanted to see Galaxy Grey).

http://www.mazda.com.au/rx8/articleZ...cleZoneID=4896

And, I know the Australian dollar is weak, but that price is still terrifying Looking at this page (the one I saw before didn't have details of it), the watch is a non-event and appears to have nothing to mark it as being related to the RX8.

truemagellen

Australian prices are way way more

the RX-8 is only a steal in the US

I went to test drive an 8 in Cape Town, South Africa and they laughed at me...only custom orders allowed there and the car costs around $80,000 for the GT model

yes you heard that right, 80K

import fees are nutz!

lawsorp_rx8

Definitely go for option C. You wont be sorry, I promise!

sunilseru

If you can pay for a 911 without touching your retirement money, then you should go for it.

I am considering one myself

StewC625

Ahh... I remember now ... sorry to hear that. Glad you guys were all OK - that could have been one helluva lot worse ...

StewC625

But, I like my Rolex ...

Krankor

The only time I've ever felt any regret for buying my 05 shinka... was when I saw the 06 shinka. Much as I love my black cherry, that copper is just amazing. C, c, c, c, all the way.

Ike

Just to throw a wrench into things... I tend to like to try new cars out, I loved my WRX, the new WRX was even better. However, I didn't get it because I just wanted to try something new and different. I was sad at first but am very very happy with my decision now. Variety is the spice of life so I say try something new. The '06 Shinka is still prettymuch the same car, if you try something new and don't like it as much in a year or two I would imagine there will be more improvements to the '07 or '08 RX-8 (if they keep making it) than just a fancy new paintjob and interior (Shinka).

yiksing

Bmw M3

RichardK

I like Chrysler 300Cs and old Cadillacs. We all have flaws

EDIT: And I'm in favour of the Shinka option, or perhaps buying something really interesting for a while and seeing what updates the RX8 gets. I personally, handed $25K in cash for a car, would need to be pinned down to stop me running out and buying a 1976 Eldorado Bicentennial or Delorean DMC-12 (well - $30K for a reconditioned one from Houston - I've been a member of the owner's club when I was considering buying one, and frankly, it put me off even considering it as transport. I'll buy one when I can afford it as 'art').

TJLack

that's for sure. House will be back to normal in mid February...

thanks,

rx8wannahave

I must have missed your original thread, I'm so sorry about your RX8...so so sad!

The Shinka is nice, but if you can get that color without being a Shinka I'd just get a 2006 6spd (with what ever options you like).

By the way, what happened to your original loan?

I've thought about this before and if something happened to my RX8 and my insurance only paid the value of the car (let's say I owe more than they would give me for example)...eventhough I have gap insurance I would be out:

My 3K down payment
A trade in car

So, possibly I couldn't get another RX8 without the above. So...how did all of that work out for you?

Elara

Oh, please go Option C- I LOVE that color, and if we didn't need to buy another slightly more "practical" car I would be all over that Shinka(I think I said that last year too about the 2005 Shinka. They're trying to torture me, I guess, with the colors).

TJLack

I financed 100% of the purchase price b4 taxes - $30,100 but on the 24 month Mazda Credit 0% loan. I only had $11k left on the loan, so I got a check for $16K+.

As I look at it - I had $34k in the car in purchase, taxes and aftermarket parts and got $28,600 settlement. $5400 to drive for one year. It sucks cuz I wasn't planning on trading or selling but in terms of depreciation could be worse.

I'm actually putting the Mazda settlement into my house (to cover upgrades on materials from what the insurance provides and to finish off a 4th bedroom as long as everything is torn up anyway). I'll figure out what to do about a sporty car in a little while.

Ordering a 2006 works well timing wise as seems they may start coming in April or May.

TJLack

I really like the Shinka - just not 100% sure on the interior color - it looks so light in the pictures...

JRichter

How come is seems like 9 times out of 10 when there is some sort of car fire, it is traced back to a Ford?

Anyways...

It sounds like your passions for the RX-8 lives on and as nice as the other cars are, you might regret you didn't get another RX-8 and will want one later.

I'd go with option C.

BlueEyes

Lot's of people do, for some reason...

TJLack

I'm thinking that's the way I'll go. It's fun to think about it though!

I have heard that from more people. Enough to keep me from considering a Ford for her new car.

Here is a thread with some more great pics of the new color my Dad sent me from the Detroit Auto Show.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/detroit-auto-show-80955/

Shinka_518

Well, as a Shinka owner, I'd have to say get the Shinka. But if they keep dragging theire feet on the launch date, and if you have the cash and don't mind paying a little more insurance, I'd go for the Porshce Cayman S.

But good luck on the new ride man....don't you just love car shopping.

Sorry to hear about your modz not being covered before...I had the same experience and I'm not adding anything to the Shinka I have. It's just not worth it anymore....unless you're completely out of warranty.

518!