Sirius radio
 

Any update on the Sirius radio arrival date?

I was about to post this same question but I see you got no reponses. I noted that the 2005 Tribute has an option for sirius being installed and the head unit is "sirius ready". Still looking for the info on whether there will be a plug in module for the existing head unit in the RX8 . . . don't know why that would be hard to do since it already has a "slot" to install the minidisc player et al.
Awaiting news.

I don't know if this is applicable to the RX-8 or not, but we just purchased a new Mazdaspeed Miata and it has a head unit with a "SAT" button on it. The owner's manual only mentions that it is for satellite radio and to consult the instructions that come with the satellite unit.

I called Mazda NA and inquired about the button and whether or not the headunit was ready for activation.


What I was told is that the headunit is not ready. The manufacturer, Sanyo, is working on a ready headunit and supposedly, when it is completed, every owner will be notified by their dealer and the headunit with the fake SAT button will be replaced with a ready unit. The owner will then have to purchase, through their dealer part's deprtment, a tuner and antenna to complete the package.

I wasn't given any info on how it plugs up or any other details.

I don't know if the 8 fits in this same category or not.

Ernest

I checked with my dealer a couple of weeks ago .... looks like it will be available later this summer as a POI/Dealer option and a factory option next year. I've been told it will work with the existing system.
Looking forward to it ... don't want to mar the interior of the 8 with an aftermarket kit.

I don't know whether the module to be available for the RX8 this summer will be backwards compatible but I have noticed that the price for the sirius module for the 2005 tribute is over $900 retail and was listed for about $750 on one of the dealer sites.

At that price aftermarket is looking more and more attractive since the virtually give away the tuner with a subscription.

Wow! I guess I'll be going aftermarket too...:eek:

2005 Tribute Accessories

Satellite Radio Receiver Kit 2005 Tribute

Suggested Retail: 924.70
Our Price : 740.00
You Save : 184.70

SIRIUS, Mazda part # 0000-81-G01

FYI update: Price change in record time.
This is the price for the TRIBUTE version.

Suggested Retail: 399.00
Our Price : 320.00
You Save : 79.00
Quantity :

SIRIUS, Mazda part # 0000-81-G01

the newest info is Tribute and MPV only. RX8 is NOT going to be backward compatible. The '05 RX8 will probably be available with the correct head unit.

Where does the info regarding backward compatibility come from? Is that an opinion or did you read it somewhere?

Are you sure about the backwards compatible? Where did you get the info?
below is the text of a response Mazda sent me on 3-5-04.


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

In regard to your inquiry, Mazda does plan on offering SIRIUS satellite radio as a dealer-installed accessory for the RX-8 this summer.
Unfortunately, I don't have an exact timeline, or any pricing
information at this time.

Anything new?

My dealer says the Sirius may be available to fit the 04 RX-8s, but this is what I got from Mazda:

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

Sirius satellite-ready RX-8 vehicles will be available for the 2005
model year. The feature will be a factory produced option and current
RX-8 vehicles without the feature can not be modified to accept the
systems. They are not expected to be sold for installation outside of
the factory.