KAuss

Hi, I was wondering where exactly do the Ca. RX-8s get their roofs stamped? I heard from the Steven's Creek dealer that they are all done port side... I forgot what the company name is and what part of Ca. they're located in... (Fresno I think?)

I stired this up when I told them I wanted the roof on the base 8 (which isn't possible without the package) but then he told me that they can do it after purchase and it'll be the same because all the 8's get stamped port side...

I'm not interested in the other aftermarket offers, just the specific one they use for the Ca. cars...

Don't know if I made any sense...

Mazdax605

Pure Lies my friend.I was told the same by a local dealer here in MA that all imported cars get their sunroofs here in america,and that they could put one in here and it would be the same.Pure Bull$hit.There is no way they can cut a hole it roof of your car and have it be the same as the factory roof,trust me.The factory has all sorts of reenforcments,and drains,and such that it would be impossible.Find a dealer that knows what the hell they are talking about,and that doesn't lie(well that may be toug h they all lie).Good luck

Gord96BRG

Agreed, it was a dealer lie. The factory sunroofs are installed on the production line in Hiroshima before the interiors are installed. They certainly aren't done in port.

There are sunroofs manufactured for aftermarket install, but the fit and finish and quality will not be identical to the factory-installed. I'm a sceptic, so I'd NEVER go for an aftermarket sunroof. YMMV (Your mileage may vary)

Regards,
Gordon

94medition

What the dealer said was nothing but lies. Personally, I would never have an aftermarket sunroof either. I have worked in a body and assembly plant and have seen how different the roof structure with and without the sunroof. The one with the sunroof has a lot more cross members, reinforcement and weld spots, not to mention, like Mazdax605 said, proper drainage. You may have to go with a Touring package if you want a sunroof.

trainoffools

I've had two ASC sunroofs and both were very good quality, no leakage problems or any other problems and noise was just as quiet as my other vehicles I've had with factory installed sunroofs. The warranty I got from the aftermarket installer (who was did all the Toyota dealers in the area) was actually longer than my Toyota auto warranty (five years).

I really wanted a sunroof on my RX-8 but was only looking for a used 2004 (I don't believe in buying new anymore, I'll let someone else take the big depreciation hit) and found one with everything I wanted that was only 8 months old except it didn't have a sunroof. I thought about another ASC sunroof in my RX-8 but the style/look of the Mazda factory-installed just looks so much better that I'm forcing myself to live without it. Next RX-8 purchase in a few years I will make sure to get the factory sunroof. But my point is, I've had good experience with aftermarket if another opinion means anything.

Maolin34

Aside from what has already been said that is all correct, there is a large difference in headroom between thoughs with sunroofs vs without...and not just in the location of the sunroof. Dont think the rerun the header and interior at port.

mysql101

rx8 roof is curved at the edges, so your moonroof will have to either be tiny, or be able to match the curves.

Sig-Sauer

I would agree about the ASC sunroofs also i have seen many of them done and they do a great job. In many cases you cant tell them from factory. At any rate i would still get factory if its any way possible.

KAuss

Thanks for the info guys... Maybe ASC was what they were talking about...

On a side note... Why did Edmunds.com raise the TMV price of the RX-8? I've seen the same thing with the 350Z... I remember going to the dealera whlie back and getting quoted the TMV pricing which was $23,xxx... Now the car is like $24,xxx

Even the MSRP don't match the description of the vehicle... After you click it, you get the inflated price...

Is there something new with the 2005 line up or did Edmunds take a bribe to raise their TMV value and MSRPs to help dealers make more money?

I would love a roof, but the packages just seem a bit steep since I only want one thing out of all of it...

Gord96BRG

Just a guess, but you know about the fire in the RX-8's production facility in Hiroshima, right? Basically, RX-8 production was halted Dec 14, and won't resume until mid- to late-March. They have a couple of months supply of cars, but it will be getting tight by April, and it will take at least a month to re-fill the pipeline once production resumes. That could be a reason why there will be less of a discount available on RX-8s over the next few months.

Regards,
Gordon

KAuss

Well, right now I have an order on a 05 X-Runner, but this thing has taken 3 months and yet I still have my *** in my computer chair...

The 8 was the best damn test drive I've ever had in any car (partly due to Mazda's philosophy in the way they deal with test drives, "rev it like I am not here" they say) So the 8 is next on the list if my Taco isn't delivered next week...

The only reason why I went with the truck was because it's a piston engine by which I'm more comfortable with... The rotary gave me one huge kick in the high end by which I've never felt, but I'm too lazy to keep a 8 in tip top form year round...

Just a shame that the few hundred bucks that got risen puts the 8 a bit out of my range since $23,xxx was stretching as it was...

I'm still looking for deals and as some say, they were going for 2-3K under MSRP easy... Lucky few get theirs with 4K under... Base is all I can afford and if things go sour by time next week, I'll be 8 hunting very soon...

Thanks once again for the info guys... (been here for 2 years and been with the 8 for a year before production, seeing it in person is truely a blessing)

NomisR

This would be a good news for the rest of us Rx8 owners, our car gets to retain more of it's value :D

As for the original topic, I would rather not have a sunroof as I did with my GT. I got it because it has some of the stuff I want, especially the Homelink mirror which was only available to the Touring and GT package. But since I NEVER use my moonroof, and hardly ever open my windows unless to air out the car, it's not much use to me. Oh well, maybe they'll actually do it like Canada and have Sunroof as a selectable option in the future.

KAuss

Living in SF, a sunroof is dearly missed if you ever owned one... I have one in my 90 Integra LS, but the truck won't have one... Don't expect one from the truck, but if I was to get the 8... I'll surely miss the fact you can open the top and enjoy a good view of the night sky or a bright sunny day...

DrKillJoY

I have to agree.

I think however that ASC on a completely different level of quality regarding any roof modification vs. anyone else in the US.

Have you seen their 300C yet? OMFG

trainoffools

You mean this?

DrKillJoY

yup... I have always been a fan of BIG convertibles. early 60's Lincolns and late 60's Caddys especially.

irish8

Lies!! That 300C is very, very noce!! I'm not a fan of big cars, but wow. Nice and clean!

- Irish

NomisR

Hmm, how would a drop top Rx8 look?