Wait for MS or give in to temptation?
 

Alright so here's the deal - currently I have '97 lude that I paid off finally in January. It's been nice not having payments. But I want something new since it's getting on in years and it will require some major service soon (timing belt, clutch...). I love the RX8, even with its hiccups that have been reported. The MPG does not bother me since my commute is short. Having said all of that, I have not test driven one since the last time I did that I ended up buying a car that day (I lucked out and bought a good car however).

With work, timing and everything else I've decided to wait until 05's come out. If the MS version (ie > 260 HP) was available at that point, I'd definately go for that. But since there's nothing definate, I could be waiting indefinately.

So, assuming the test drive goes okay (judging by the comments here it probably will), what would you do in my situation?

a) Hold on indefinately for a proper MS version and pay for the work to be done on the current car. But save monthly payments until then
b) Get a top of line '05 when they come out and save the money on the current car but incur monthly payments

While the HP is not the be all anymore for me (30), I am guilty of wanting the best of whatever I do end up getting. If I was in the market for a Miata, you can bet I'd be looking at the MS version. I know you guys love your cars but try and put that aside for a second before you respond.

Thanks!

The Mazdaspeed Mazda6 and 3rd generation Miata are both scheduled to come out before the Mazdaspeed 8, so if you want to wait, then it will probably be a while.

There probably won't be any significant changes to the '05 models, and you'll probably be able to get a better deal on leftover '04's in the coming months. Maybe you just want a newer car, but it's something to consider...

From a Prelude 97 to a 45k+ car.. not bad jump. That is what the MS car will most likely cost here in the US.

Woah - the MS version will 15k+ more?!? None of their other versions have been 50% more? Or are you converting to CDN for me?

The chance of me getting a left over '04 by the time I want to buy one will be next to none since they're nowhere near as plentiful up here. They're just now showing up on lots instead of being presold.

If what you're saying is true and it won't happen before '07 then that is a long time...

That is 45k US dollars. At the very least. Considering that the Japanese version is in the 50k+ range.

The Body Kit alone is 3k, the Mods about 6k+, the Rims will be another 6k+, so you'll be looking at least 45k....

Try getting the Japanese version here and it'll cost about 80k+ with the import fees, etc... I tried asking for one recently.

The Japanese Mazdaspeed version costs about $33k USD (although it is most likely totally different from what the US "Mazdaspeed" version will be like).

The US-spec Mazdaspeed protege and Miata both cost about $5k more than their respective base model versions. So, realistically (comparing to existing models in both Japan and the US) the Mazdaspeed 8 will probably end up in the mid $30k range.

I highly doubt the MS version will cost $45k . $6k for rims? Yeah rite, not a chance unless they're 20"!

I'd guess that the price will be a bit more reasonable, probably somewhere closer to $35 - 37k (if mazda wants to have any chance of decent sales). This is Mazda we're talking about here, not BMW producing a upgraded performance version like the M3 (even though I hope performance can be comparable). You shouldn't have to pay that huge of a premium.

Just add up all the Mazdaspeed parts now and put one together.. it'll be about 45k+ so I highly doubt the Mazdaspeed for US will be 33k.

The Magnesium Mazdaspeed rims cost a lot... go check at Rosenthal and see...

The website you linked shows the Mazdaspeed at 3780000 Yen, so think of it more like 38k+

If you go to customize your own Mazdaspeed, it adds up to 4.8 million Yen with ALL options of the Mazdaspeed.

US $1359 each for Mazdaspeed Mag wheels.

How can the Mazdaspeed US be worth only 35k-37k? The Rims alone would push it to the 33k range... Add the 4k Kit+wing, Add the 6k+ engine mods, Add interior Carbon fiber 2k+, 6k in rims/tires, and that is way more than 37k.

If it was only 37k tops, that would make a basic GT 6speed RX-8 buy price of 19k?

I saw a MS RX-8 in the show-room of my dealer a couple of weeks ago (actually it was one week after I bought the car) and it looked quite impressive. I didn't feel that bad though because it was 7500 dollars more than what I paid for mine and was a half inch lower. I have problems getting my 8 up the driveway as it is now so the lower body kit would deffinatly be a problem. I heard the car run and the Exhaust sounds really really nice, very throaty. I would consider getting at least that.

Re: Wait for MS or give in to temptation?
 

Yeah, right! :D

seems like outlaw did his homework

You have to consider economies of scale in production outlaw.....once they ramp up production on for the MS parts the cost of each will be reduced drasticly. The only reason they are so expensive right now is that they can only make so few of them and still have to recover their startup costs

Give in to temptation.

As an aside, you can't use current retail prices for MS parts as a means for calculating or even estimating the cost of a factory MS RX8. If you could, imagine the cost of an RX8 by calculating retail costs for replacement parts. Call your local Mazda dealer and start with the retail cost of a new engine, chassis, and other basic parts. When you surpass the MSRP on the car before you've even uttered the words "OEM stereo" you'll understand what I mean. If the MS RX8 approaches or surpasses the $40K mark it will fall flat on its face.

Prices on the MS RX8 will be subject to marketing estimates, exchange rates, brand and model image, ROI, etc. If the MS RX8 is mass produced and shipped to this side of the pond, the costs of mass producing that model should diminish procurement and production costs associated with the MS parts....but don't hold your breath on a price cut for MS parts. They want to sell MS RX8s...not urge you to build one at home.

-Eric

Since you're not interested in HP, why not buy now and do your mods?
+45K? i'd consider a BMW

I wish this was true... but we have to be resonable here. It's not like all the prices will drop 50% once everything is out...

The Mazdaspeed looking cars now in the US have just the limited parts that the JDM spec one does. The Kit ya, the Struts, maybe some minor engine work... but not the entire fit like the one in Japan.

40k for a car these days isn't that unreaonable. On average here in So Cali, you see 40k BMWs and 100k SL 500 Benz like it's nothing. So if the Mazdaspeed does come out at 40k, think of it like WRX STi, people will fork over that extra dough if they want it badly enough. Personally, when it does come out to US, I'm going to test drive it, and if it does show significant performance difference, I'll buy one as my weekend car, and keep my existing car as a daily driver.

give in. MS would not be 45k I believe. Most i think would be 40. usual MS cost 5 k more. You can always buy it now and put parts on what you want. PLUS, would MS have heated seats? MUST HAVE FOR WINTER. GET IT :). Also, MS would come out after the 6. So maybe a year wait. Or more.

I think the Mazdaspeed RX-8 will be cheaper than most think. For one thing, it's not like you have to pay for a base RX-8 and then buy extra parts to put them on to turn it into a Mazdaspeed version. Where would all the extra stock parts have gone? If you sold off all the parts that have been replaced then surely the cost of the total package would have gone down.

Go with the garden variety 8- it's great as is....
 

It's a perfect balance of sport and everyday livability. A MS version might be a little loud and little loud for everyday driving. Then again, if it's your second or third car, go for it.

The previous 2 US-spec Mazdaspeed editions didn't have J-spec aftermarket parts. What makes you think the US-spec Mazdaspeed 8 would be any different?

As for the J-spec Mazdaspeed special edition, it is 3780000 yen after tax, the price of the car is only 3600000 yen which is about $33k at the current exchange rate.

Does that make any sense to you m477? Why would a Mazdaspeed version cost only 3k more than the regular GT version?

Get an 8 now and keep your current car as a rain/work car. Life is too short. Put a perma-smile on your face.

Well thanks for the input guys!

You are right - the MS version is going to be at very least 5k more which starts to get out of my price range anyway. If I had to guess, it'll be around 35-37k for no other reason than it will start to outprice similar cars without the performance.

And there's no way I can wait 2+ years so I guess it's time to save up that down payment ;)

remember, u can always mod it to your own preference.