I bought an rx-8 base manual with no extra features, so that I could purposely avoid the sunroof upgrade.

so, my question is, is it possible to pay for the dealership for them to install leather interior, and the GPS navigation?

 

yeah if you got a ton of cash.

You'd be better off taking your seats to a shop and buying the nav off japanparts.com or a tomtom.

 

I can't speak for all dealerships.. but I asked my local Mazda dealer if I could purchase the Nav system and they said they don't do it. I then asked, If I purchase it aftermarket, can you all install it... they said No, we don't like to be responsible for that...

So, I have a few things in mind.. that's why I'm holding off on the whole GPS thing for now.

As for the interior, it'll be cheaper if you stay away from the dealership.

 

maybe ill troll around some junkyards for trashed rx-8s and ask if I can buy the seats cheap

 

That's another option

 

Aftermarket leather is easy. Search on Katzkin and Classic Soft Trip. Dealers use shops like this but add on their own mark-up. Nav can be done, but it's not as simple. No reason to go to dealer.

 

perhaps buying the parts separate and installing the **** myself methinks?

new dash
the motor that moves the display?
center console?
wire harness?
the computer

im sure theres other **** too. all of this = pain in the ***

but hell, sems worth it to me, cuz you can run DVDs and games off of the screen I hear!

 

That'd be Classic Soft Trim
True, it's much better to do this directly with a shop than the dealer. They'll subcontract the work to such a shop anyway, and you'll only pay extra for their markup.

As for the factory navigation system, you may want to read this before starting the project
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-whole-navigation-system-59957/
IMO there are better (and cheaper) ways to install a navigation system that'll also play DVDs if that's what you desire. Read through the threads about the Corksport dash kit and others where folks installed their systems. Or, if you want the screen on the top of the dash, get the retractable nav tray and do it that way.

 

As far as Nav, you're much better off buying a stand-alone unit, like a Garmin Nuvi. A quarter of the cost and far superior in performance, to include hands free bluetooth cellular interface. Plus you can use it in multiple vehicles and/or while traveling.