Pioneer in-dash navigation system
 

just today i purchased the

Pioneer AVIC-X940BT In-Dash Navigation AV Receiver with 6.1" WVGA Touchscreen and Built-In Bluetooth

for my interior and i also purchased the

Metra 95-7510HG Double DIN Installation Dash Kit for 2004-2008 Mazda RX8


when i went to best buy to buy the navigation system they said i would need a harness from mazda to install this? is that true? and could i find this on amazon or any other site for a cheaper price than the regular dealer price?

Nope. The Metra kit contains everything you need. The harness and dash kit. Just the headunit and Metra kit and you're set. (plus a steering wheel control interface if you want to retain those)

Unfortunately, a majority of Best Buy employees are ill-trained. Best Buy doesn't give them isht for training, so it's kind of a "pass on the knowledge" type of set up. The supervisor trains the new guys, who eventually become the supervisor etc etc. Great if you get a team that knows their shit. Terrible if you get a bunch of rookies. It's really a tough industry for a big box retailer with tons of employees <25 years old.

It's obvious they've never worked on an RX8 before. My advice to you would be to look elsewhere for installation.

well i bought it off amazon because the unit was 150 cheaper than in the store, but yes they were pretty confusing when you think about it..but where do you think i should go to get it installed? would it be stupid to go to the dealer to tell them to put it in? or what kind of shop should i look for

The dealer is a poor choice. They generally work with Mazda parts and vehicles and generally despise the aftermarket scene. Technicians like to blame any aftermarket equipment for any and all problems with any vehicle...and they generally refuse to touch it.

Were you talking to an installer or a sales guy at Best Buy? Were you back in the installation bay? If you were talking to a sales guy out on the sales floor, then he/she may just be an idiot trying to help from another department. Maybe (hopefully) the actual installers will be more knowledgeable.

Aside from Best Buy, you probably have smaller mom&pop type shops around you. Check them out. Ask if they've replaced a headunit in an RX8 before. Ask if they have a photo album of their work. Ask if they've ever made any competition vehicles of any kind. Do they do custom fiberglass work there? It's all about feeling them out. Seeing how experienced they are and how high-end their shop is. Shops that do custom fiberglass work are generally pretty damn experienced and should be able to tackle any job you throw at them. No, you don't need fiberglass work. But it's just about seeing how familiar they are with advanced installations.

My mom and dad made an appointment for the geek squad to install it, it's 200 dollars and it will take about 2 1/2 hours, should I keep it or go to someone else?

dear god please go on yelp and find a local car audio shop to do the install.

find a place, go in and talk to the guys/gals to gauge how comfortable you feel with them working on your car.

It's your call man. The advantages of using Best Buy is that IF something was to go wrong, they have insurance and aren't afraid to use it. That's a heck of a lot easier than arguing with mom&pop or, worse yet, having to take mom&pop to court. Also, if you move and have problems with the install, you can take it to any Best Buy in the country to have it serviced.

But as laythor and I have said, there's plenty of horror stories coming from Best Buy. They're all young kids who just work there while going to community college. They're ill-trained and inexperienced. Once in awhile you run across a great installer though. Someone who does it as a hobby and is consistently researching and learning more in their off time. It's a real crap shoot. Whoever you choose to do your install, you need to talk with them and feel them out.

Lastly, I'm pretty sure they're overcharging you @ $200. They charge $60 for a regular single-din headunit, and I believe $100 for a double-din video headunit (parking brake wire really the only difference :rolleyes:). So I can't imagine an entire extra $100 for navigation. It's just running the GPS antenna and VSS wire....