Matty_Dog

Hi,

I've just bought an RX8 from a car auction site in Japan, and now I was hoping for some advice.

Firstly, some cretin has chopped a hole in the top of the dashboard in the centre, presumably to mount a sat-nav system or something (See attached picture).
Is it possible to buy and fit just that panel, or will I have to buy it as part of a larger unit? How much will I have to dis-assemble to replace whatever needs replacing.

Also, it's the lower-powered model with the 5-speed manual transmission.
Apparently the gearknob has been stolen at some stage, so if anyone has a gearknob for a 5-speed RX8 going spare, I'm in the market.

Thanks,
Matthew
Wellington, New Zealand

Lock & Load

Dashboard can be welded but thats a fairly big hole , can i ask how much you payed for your car ?

How much duty do you guys pay to get your car into New-zealand ? how long does it take for the car to get to you ?

cheers
michael

MadMacz

It appears that the previous owner has an aftermarket monitor of some sort installed in the car. The piece you are holding in the pic is a mount that would hold a 7" screen (or so). You could try to replace the dashboard, but would be a fair bit of work, not to mention cost. Why not spend the money on a monitor yourself? It's very possible the connections are still there and even if you didn't want to pony up for an aftermarket nav system, you could always use it for an onboard computer or DVD system.

Best of Luck

Matty_Dog

What a fantastic forum.
I post a not-particularly-interesting question and get 2 replies within half an hour!

To answer your questions:
I paid 1.7 million yen for the car + shipping and transport within Japan.
There will be a whole raft of small expenses to pay once it arrives in NZ, like customs charges, duty on shipping, government-arbitary-charge-because-they-can fee, fumigation etc.
I wondered about getting the dashboard welded, but being such a big hole, I'd be suprised if it could be done undetectably.

Anyway, I phone Mazda NZ and they said they can supply just this panel. Just waiting for them to get back to me with a price.
Dashboards can be a hassle though. I hope I don't have to pull it all to bits just to replace that part.

As for the suggestion of just fitting another 7" monitor, NZ isn't set up for sat-nav yet, as far as I know. Also, it is illegal here to have a functioning television in view of the driver.

Thanks for your help.
I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

For those who are interested, the site I bought the car from is:
http://www.tau-net.co.jp

Matthew

DreRX8

You could wire the monitor to operate when only in park I suppose. As far as the ****--www.rx7.com sells the 5 speed ***** from the RX8 for the RX7.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

You may want to take out the piece of he dash with the hole....advertise it on the forum for sale.....or trade for a stock piece. It is easy to remove that center section of the dash.

May people are looking for that piece to add a computer screen for a carputer.
the tray is worth about 100US so you should break even at least with a little work


Good luck

Matty_Dog

Thanks for the RX7.com tip. I'll check it out.

If anyone is after a dash panel with a hole cut in it, and a mount for some sort of screen, I know of one that might be coming up for sale in a month or so!

Matthew

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Check with Paul at Mazmart.

He has yours for $60, and the one with the Bose speaker cover for $90.

S

Matty_Dog

Thanks to everyone for helping me out with this.
I really do appreciate it.

Matthew

Fanman

That was a hole used to fit the aftermarket tray (www.mazdaparts.com sell it, the part in your hand)). It is supposed to be used to hold an aftermarket LCD. I got it, but now I can't use it, as that is where I am going to mount my gauge pod (PTP).

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Replacement isn't TOO bad-
- lift the shifter surround
- undo 2 ashtray bolts and pull out
- undo 'hidden bolt' that hold stereo in
- undo two more screws over ashtray
- pull stereo system forward
- pull out the two vents
-revealing two screws in the piece you need!

Twenty minutes, if you know the order to do it.

:D S

mikeyr

Michael,
Used Japanese imported 8's in NZ are selling for between NZ$38-45, Autos being cheaper. Spec's are very varied as is mileage.
New in NZ is low 60's, high 50's, for a Leather Pack Aus equivalient depending on the dealer. (3 year free servicing including all parts.)
Generally less import taxes in NZ, basically GST. Makes parts a bit cheaper. Eg Mazda Spoiler in Aus listed as AU$817 vs list AU$669 in NZ.
Cheers
Mike

Matty_Dog

According to the local Mazda dealer, the car with my chassis number has got the Bose stereo.
What are the visual differences to tell whether or not it does?

Matthew

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

The panel in question will have a vent in the back center for a speaker

Matty_Dog

Looking closely at the pic I posted at the top of this thread, it looks like I do have the one with the speaker. Looks like the photo from Mazmart has the speaker also.
I've already sent them an e-mail asking about a 5-speed shift ****, so they seem like a handy resource.

Gomez

They won't have a five speed ****, five speeds aren't sold in the States. May have to try the Europeans for a ****.

Matty_Dog

As DreRX8 pointed out, the 5-speed shift **** is available from rx7.com for US$100, which is not far from the price off the shelf from a Mazda dealer in NZ.
I'll definately get the dashboard part from Mazmart though.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

How much is 1.7 million yen in USD?

Audioslave8

1,700,000 Japanese Yen = 15,700.0 US Dollar

Matty_Dog

Not your bad at all.
Is the rx7.com **** not the genuine item?
http://www.rx7.com/store/rx7/fdinter...cessories.html
I'm quite happy with a 5-speed **** if I can find one.

I know US$15,700 sounds quite cheap, but it does have a few bodywork scrapes that I'll have to get sorted out........and I have to buy a gear-****!!!

I've attached a pic of the exterior.
I'm lead to believe it comes with the correct rear wheels.
Not sure about the tyres though. Damn language barrier!

Matthew

Gomez

Sorry 'bout that chief......

Gomez

Yes it is the real deal. I checked the site after I posted my last reply and when I saw it wasn't an RX-7 one, I deleted my post.....so as not to look like a ******** who hadn't checked the site before sprouting off about buying a six speed **** cheap off ebay and saving a few quid while confusing your friends oh well nuff said I'm feeling confused myself now better stop.....

Fanman

So, are going to put the nav tray back in, & maybe attach an LCD to it ? Can do an aftermarket navigation system, or as a DVD player/screen for your car.

sco

If someone wants to sell me their aftermarket nav tray (i.e. the thing being held in the first picture in the thread)... send me a PM... I'm after one.

truemagellen

Thew will sell you one from mazdaparts.com

funny thing is Hymee's shop is usually sending him parts not the other way around! :p


Also the wheels on this guys car are 16 fronts and some unknown brand back...if he wants stock he needs a complete swap