I'm getting ready to sell my 2005 Shinka (Black Cherry). Someone hit the car last month so I have some new body work that needs to be done. The man at the body shop said he thought I should take the decals off the sides of the car. It will be a day or so before I can get a picture of them here, but wondered if anyone has seen decals with the Shinka dragon. I can't find them anywhere at all. On the front of the 2 front doors, is the same dragon that is on the Shinka light on the back of the car. I'm wondering whether I should have them removed before selling the car.

Someone who had wanted to buy the car looked up the VIN number, and said it was made in Japan - one of 300 that year, according to him. I wonder if it's a decal that was put on those made in Japan. I just can't find a picture of one anywhere.

Again, I'll get a photo up here as soon as I can, but in the meantime, wanted to know if anyone knows about the Shinka dragon decals. I don't want to remove something that may add value to the car. Due to the condition of them (excellent), and that I bought the car from the original owner, I think they may have come from the factory.

 

This sticker at the bottom of the B pillar on the each door is the only exterior label/sticker from the factory. What you are describing sounds aftermarket by a prior owner.




And it isn't one of 300. there were 1,357 2005 Shinkas produced. Look up your production number here: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...-vin-s-166370/

 

Here is what the decals on the car look like. Does anyone have an opinion of whether or not they should be removed?

 

I've never seen that sticker on a new Shinka. I believe it is after market.

 

Literally all Rx8s were 100% built in Japan and shipped overseas to their respective markets.

That is an aftermarket sticker.

 

If the stickers are where you need body work, definitely remove. Other than that, it depends on the taste of the buyer when it comes to stickers.

Also, the body shop may want to "blend" to that panel. That means the sticker needs to go as well.

 

Lose the sticker it has nothing to do with your car being a Shinka.

 

No, body work is front fender. I will sell to a Mazda dealer. I didn't like the decal, but the place I bought it from said it matched the light on the back of the car and I should leave it. I'll let the guy who does the body work decide.

Thanks to everyone who posted.

 

Lol, the light on the back is also aftermarket.

 

Ahhh - OK. So it truly is one of a kind I love the little light on the back - the times I was behind someone else driving the car at night, the little dragon was really nice. The one on the door - not so much.

 

It would be cool if it had some sort of significance or relevance to the car. To each his own I guess, my buddy is from Japan and gets a lot of laughs at the Japanese themed stuff he sees on cars here.

 

It would depend on the age of the person buying it, probably. I prefer the clean look without it - as I said, before I bought it, I asked them to take the decal off. They weren't a Mazda dealership and probably didn't know that the light on the back was added (neither did I). Since the man who is going to do the body work suggested taking it off, I'll let him do it, and have it smoothed out. It will be good.

 

FWIW, I'd remove the aftermarket decals and rear light covers. A lot of people shopping a used car are wary of cars that have aftermarket stuff. They want something completely stock that hasn't been messed with. Even if the decals and lights are the only things changed, a prospective buyer might think "hmm, if these are aftermarket, I wonder what else has been modded?".

 

I looked at the light - it's embedded in the trunk lid - totally a part of it, now. I would never have guessed it was added. Not worth the trouble of doing anything with that part. I let the dealership deal with that issue.

 

Could you put up a picture of it? I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

Sure - will try to get it today - definitely tomorrow.

 

Can't believe I finally found a picture of the dragon - been looking for weeks now.
It's the third brake light, but it's a dragon, like in the photo.
I'm at work and can't take photo right now, but this should explain it - the brake light in the trunk is a dragon

 

That is likely a vinyl sticker on the inside of the light. It can be removed if you want

 

Yeah that's a mildly modified stock light. I wouldn't have it, but I would not judge anyone that did. It looks pretty cool!