What about an auto Climate Control retrofit for us American's
 

I haven't seen this asked yet and I've always wondered.....

I dearly miss the Auto climate control (dual zone at that) I had in my Accord Coupe. I can't help but to wonder, what would be the biggest limiting factor in retrofitting the auto HVAC into an American version? I would definately spend some hard earned bucks for a mod like that. I want all that I love about my 8's performance with ALL available creature comforts! I would really love some input from those who know the RX8 better than I.

I understand this is available on '8s in other world markets, so I suppose it's possible. Seems to me tho this was discussed at length some time back... perhaps a try search?

It would likely be a lot of work to retrofit, as climate control systems usually have a LOT of sensors to make them work right - sun sensors, outside air temp, inside air temp, etc. I doubt it would be as simple as swapping out the climate control module.

They had climate control as an option on the 2nd gen RX-7s, but we didn't get that in the US either :).

They might feel that the system isn't proved enough for the US market. The Japanese get lots of goofy gimcrack kind of features that we never get in the US, and I think a lot of that comes from the relatively low mileage the Japanese put on their cars. By the time the systems would have problems and break down, the car is in a junkyard. Japan is a very throw-away society, and once a car gets too expensive to pay taxes on, they junk 'em. That's why we get lots of relatively low-mileage used Japanese engines for cheap.

Who knows - they might add it in when they do a model refresh in a few years to add value and excitement to the car.

Dale

Fuggedaboutit!
 

It's more work than what it is worth. Oh and did I mention way expensive to boot! The following photo is of a guy showing what would have to be retrofitted to a 2001 VW Passat in order to fit the VW Climatronic automatic climate control system to a car not normally equipped with it. He got the parts from a wreck in a junk yard. The parts alone would have cost him in excess of $1600.00 if bought over the counter. The control unit alone for the system was I think $800.

http://images6.fotki.com/v75/photos/...atronic-vi.jpg

Basicly you have to replace the entire wiring harness and substitute it with the one equipped with the Climatronic system. This includes the rear view mirror and a host of other things.

I have the climate control in my 8.

Its mad, I dont use it often.

To quote someone else "Its like having a 6 year old child in the passenger seat and you tell them not to touch anything..."

ROFL...thats just a perfect mental picture. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.


AT
(2 boys, one 4 and one 8...)

Re: Fuggedaboutit!
 

Well, clearly that's not the same as the RX-8. I've already got an outside temp sensor, for example, and the digital readout (shown in your pic) is the same as the one for the auto climate control - I can see some unused icons on it that are meant for the a.c.c.

And if the auto climate control works as well as the Bose AudioPilot thingy, then... I don't want it! :p

That is the perfect description.

All Familia S-Wagon Sport 20 (the top model) come with auto-climate control. It sucks balls. I want it to defog the winsheild, and it's running the heat. I want it to warm my hands and it's warming my feet?! Screw 'em... I like setting it to do what I want when I want...

So you can probably guess I about never use it.

I have started calling it the the Audio Idiot, it doesn't get used much in my car (many threads elsewhere). I was thinking I would like an auto-climate control, but in this almost-works-gizmo-context, I think I will pass.

To err is human, to really foul things up requires a computer.

We have the auto climate control here in Australia- You really are not missing out on much...I would forgo the auto climate control for something like the tyre pressure sensors which you guys get.

stupid we cant all get the car the way we want it !! I would even have paid a few buck more if it were more customizable..
from the factory :)


Still love this car