lurcher

Ah, but your cars are cheaper. A base UK 6-speed (no leather, no nav, no sunroof, no metallic paint) is UKŁ21,995, ~US$35,000.

I'm half-joking though, everything is more expensive over here as you may know, so it's hard to make an accurate comparison.

There are some other slight options differences as well, e.g.
Xenon is standard on the 6-speed here, option in US IIRC.

P00Man

if a six disc changer, perferably indash isnt included witht he GT package, im liable to cancel my order upon delivery.

i could probably get a car with one standard that is probably better made and around the same price with a much higher status level, that i could also test drive.
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Yamaha wave blaster history

jonalan

Wow, the lack of a 6-disc CD changer is a deal breaker? I REALLY want one, but it won't impact my purchase. But hey, it's your car. You need to get what makes you happy.

So, what other "better made" cars in the same price range are you considering?

Wing

Sorry about being SLIGHTLY off topic here, but does it not seem as though the Canadian version will be very similar to the Europe version rather than US version?

We in Canada get the headlight pissers and the 6disc changer standard.

Apparently Canadian car buyers dislike too many options etc. Manufacturers in Canada seem to give us less choice but a better deal.

IE. We get a base GS or upper GT model only options are sunroof and nav.

Only real difference in the 2 are leather xenon headlamps and a few other things. Manual and auto are the same price.

rx8daniel

Personally, the 6CD would be nice; but the car is the best part of getting an RX-8 - it's like someone posted on the Europe forum in response to what gifts are available - something to the effect of for x pounds (+/- = $26000) postage and handling he's heard you get a free car.

P00Man

thats a nifty way to look at it
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The office dicussion

khoney

I complained to Mazda quite a while ago upon hearing about the lack of a 6-disc changer. I think it is a huge slap in the face to those of us who pre-ordered our FULLY LOADED RX-8s with PREMIUM BOSE stereo system. Was it unreasonable of us to expect that there would be 6-disc changer in the premium audio system? I naturally assumed there would be one, and had enough LOYALTY to Mazda to order without even having final specs released. My assumption was based on images of the front panel with the 1-6 and the Disc ^ and DISC v buttons. But no, it seems that PREMIUM means they added a couple of speakers (are we even getting a more powerful amp?).

We went out of our way to show our support for Mazda through the pre-order program. I don't think we should be getting the shaft. It doesn't seem fair that the U.S. would get shortchanged on the CD changer, but it is especially unfair to the pre-ordering community who demonstrated their good faith and will be the first ones to showcase the RX-8 to the public.

nhuhta

I too sent a nasty note to rx8orders@mazdausa.com. I would encourage as many of us to send emails to rx8orders@mazdausa.com, maybe then they will act.

Original Message to -- rx8orders@mazdausa.com --

Please pass this along to someone who gives a damn about those of us that have preordered a near $30, 000 new car without the benefit of being able to see, touch or test drive a sample.

There is great chatter on the rx8forums about the LACK of the 6 CD changer. See www.rx8forums.com

This option is available in the lesser vehicle, the Mazda6.

Why is it not available to those of us that have preordered?

One would think that Mazda could offer some "goodies" to those of us that have committed to this vehicle sight unseen. I would venture to say that there is NOT one person that is pre-ordering that would not want the 6 CD changer. It would be an insult to us early adopters to offer this as an option just after the pre-orders are delivered.

I suggest that Mazda should be thankful that there are significant numbers of us willing to pre-order and reward us with some "extras" as a show of appreciation. If not the much wanted 6 CD changer, then a steep discount on the upgrade when it becomes available.

Mazda Marketing should also consider including a "Welcome Package" with each pre-order car, including items with the RX-8 logo like; key fob, can coolers, sun shade, production photos, anything cool with the RX-8 logo.

For your consideration,

Ned

Response Message Follows:------------------------

Hello Ned,

Thank you for your interest in Mazda. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.

I am pleased that you took the time to bring your suggestions regarding the 2004 Mazda RX-8 to our attention. Consumer feedback is very important to Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as yours help us to achieve that goal.

Your suggestions have been documented for our corporate record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products and services to our customers.

I hope this information is useful. Please let me know if there is
anything additional I can assist you with.

Again, thank you for your interest in Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500.

Regards,

Sputnik

Is it me, or does that sound like a "form" response?

---jps

rx8daniel

I think it's safe to say all of us who have sent an email to rxorders has received the same reply. The only differnce is that sometimes between the first 'paragraph' and 2nd there is sometimes a personal response added. Usually I get one - like in reference to the watch, to the RX8 ball, making suggestions in the website - but not every time.

khoney

I don't advocate the nastygrams. Something about 'trapping flies with honey' comes to mind. I tried to be diplomatic about the issue and point out to them that many of us were misled by the apparent support for a changer because of the button labelling. Also the obvious assumption about a premium sound system upgrade having the changer. I think if we can point out to them that we are loyalists who only had to go on 'scrounged' info as a basis for our preorders, it will be more effective.

Elara

I have to agree with Khoney, and as someone who gets a lot of customer service letters. It doesn't help to be rude when you do send comments, at worst, they won't get to where they're directed just because they're rude, and at best, they are most likely passed around the department you send them to so everyone can laugh at the "jerk" who sent it.

I do hope we get the 6-cd changer, however.

nhuhta

I must agree with you guys.

I was at a point of frustration and poorly communicated my frustration to rx8orders. By the stock response I received from rx8orders, I must concur with “khoney” that my letter was most likely ineffective. I would also encourage others to write rx8orders with more rational and diplomatic requests/inquiries as outlined by “khoney” and others.

I have confirmed that all Canadian models with “Premium” sound systems will be getting the 6 disc changer. http://www.mazda.ca/eng/down_the_road/rx8_2002/rx8.htm View features PDF, 1st item under interior features AM/FM stereo w/ 6 disc in-dash CD changer, clock w/built in audio display, and BOSE premium audio sound system (includes 9 speakers) Standard on both models!

If one of you is a wordsmith, please draft up a sample email that we can send in-mass to rx8orders.

laferle

How about this? Feel free to edit, adjust, or mock as needed.

To Whom It May Concern:
It is on behalf of the RX-8 preorder community that I write to you regarding a potential issue. In many press and Mazda-released photos, a 6-CD in-dash changer was shown installed in the car, and given the lack of official information during the preorder period, it was difficult, if not impossible, to verify its presence in the final production model.

As of recently I have come to the understanding that a 6-CD changer will be offered only as an extra-charge, dealer-installed option. I am thus led to question the logic of Mazda North America's Product Planning Department: models destined for Europe, and even Canada, include the changer as standard. Why should American buyers, especially those who ordered and placed a deposit on the vehicle in blind faith, be forced to pay extra for this option, even if the premium audio system is ordered? Similar vehicles such as Infiniti's G35 Coupe include a 6-CD changer standard. It would seem logical that the RX-8 include one to remain competitive in this market segment, especially as a new entrant.

(Optional Addition: )
Furthermore, it has not yet been made clear whether automatic climate control is included in the American version of the RX-8. At present, it appears that it will not; though European vehicles seem to include it. If only standard air conditioning is included, then climate control is but another attractive premium option removed from the US-spec RX-8.

I'd like to formally request that Mazda North America reconsider its packaging and specifications for the US-spec RX-8. Many desirable features in the car have been stripped out for the American version, despite the fact that the bulk of its sales will likely occur here. Please don't leave American buyers in the lurch! We value premium features in our vehicles and it is my opinion that the Product Planning department may be making a grave marketing mistake in the decision to omit the 6-CD changer and climate control from the American-spec RX-8.

Regards,

Sign Here

nhuhta

WoW!!! You are a wordsmith.

That was exactly what I was referring to.

If you are not in the PR business, you should be.

I'll be making my slight personal changes and sending it off to rx8orders@mazdausa.com tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if all of the answers come back with the same exact verbage.

Ned.

RotorGeek

Hey laferle

I used your letter. This is the response

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.

At this time, as you stated, the 6-CD changer is not a standard feature
on the RX-8. However, it will be offered as an accessory. Also,
regarding the Automatic Climate Control, this is not part of the RX-8.
The air conditioner is standard, but not the Automatic Climate
Control.

I am pleased you took the time to bring your suggestion regarding RX-8
to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to Mazda.
Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as
yours help us to achieve that goal. I will forward your suggestions to
our Product Planning Department.

Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely
satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also
contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500.

JTek_55

No CD-Changer AND no Climate Control. WTF!?!?!?? I am paying $33,000 for this friggin car! What a rip... I am extremely disappointed. I may be reconsidering my order... Not just because we will not be getting these features, but apparently Mazda does not value the American market as much as they should. Or maybe they just figure they can squeez a few more bucks out of Americans for the same features that are offered elsewhere at no additional cost... sad day.

P00Man

maybe climate control is GT package only?
anyway, im seriously considering canceling my order
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DEPAKOTE SICKNESS

RotorGeek

I love sooo many other things about the 8 that this will not effect me in the least bit. I want a Rotary, with 4 seats. The rest is a nice bonus

jonalan

Actually, we can't say these items are being included on other models at no additional cost. It's difficult to compare costs from one country to another. Maybe other countries ARE paying more for their cars.

Part of the appeal of the RX-8 is the cost. There are definitely compromises in this car. If they need to exclude a few "luxury" items to keep the cost down -- GREAT!!! I can still afford the car.

P00Man

youve gotta be kidding me, this car is costing me 35+k after tax title and liscense, i put down a deposit in "blind faith" thinkning the car would be worth around that much. The pictures surely included all those nice things. I highly doubt that these things will be added on as we are just a few months from the date these cars sail into port.

Considering im paying 33100 for this car MSRP, 35k+ with T,T,L and it lacks these basic amenities, i am very dissapointed i am very strongly considering getting a fully loaded Volvo V70 coupe (around 50,000 dollars) for 32k, as it is a discontinued 2002 model, but still brand new, with every desriable option, and a much higher social status.

This is truly upsetting.

I am almost positive im going to get the c70 coupe, which i dont even have to wait 3 months for..... this is truly upsetting.....
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Vaporizer Bowl

Hercules

The C70 is really sweet

I like that car a lot.. and I'm not much a Volvo fan either. Only thing you'll miss out on is the handling, and that's something I crave having driven cars that are just not cutting it

JTek_55

I have not decided yet, but if I do cancel I will be getting a 2003 SVT Cobra without a doubt. I drove that car before I found out about the 8 and I will just say: The raw speed is soooo nice. It is the fastest car I have ever driven by far...

RotorGeek

Yeah the SVT is a fast car, but I can't live with that interior. It looks soooo 10 years ago.

JTek_55

I know it does look old... But at least the SVT is not as bad as a regular GT. It has leather/suede seats, boost guage, electro-luminescent guages and cobra shifter. It's not the greatest interior ever but the engine makes up for all of it's drawbacks... beleive me.