Hi everyone.

Here's the deal. Last month my girlfriend was looking at the RX-8. I personally did not test drive the car but I did sit in the back seat. She ended up getting something else. However, I can't get this damn car out of my mind. I think I need to get one.

So...

(1) How are dealerships handling sales? I live in West Los Angeles so I'm wondering how much over invoice dealerships are willing to negotiate in the area. I'm interested in an automatic (yeah, it might be wimpy, but as a daily driver I need the auto).

(2) What is everyone's general impressions of the interior fit and finish?

(3) I've read on other posts about "Phillip" at Galpin to contact. Anyone else?

(4) What are the most popular colors sold? Hardest to get (or least likely for the dealership to negotiate)?

BTW, I currently own a 2003 Acura 3.2TL Type-S, she's got 9000 miles. Yeah, I'll be taking somewhat of a hit on the trade-in but while the Acura is a great car, it's not what I need at the moment.

Thanks for any input.

 

If that Acura of yours is an auto, you prolly should just stick to it

an automatic rx-8 is good to buy, but you shouldn't trade in a new car for one. Personally, I think the best automatics are Acura anyways...

but if you really really want an rx-8
just goto Galpin
cuz now is a good time to buy

The popular colors I've seen are grey, and silver

go search around the board, and you should find everything you're looking for...

 

Thanks.

Yeah, the Acura is an auto with their SportShift. It's definitely a quick car for a 4-door sedan. But that's it - it's a sedan. I thought I would be traveling more for work when I purchased it but things have changed.

I'm heading to Galpin today (1/27) to test drive the auto RX8. That may make me decide to keep my Acura.

Galpin has 11 autos in stock (as of yesterday). We'll see how it goes...

 

I don't want to sound like I'm bashing Galphin but my experience there was horrible. I met with Phillip he was ok, but their finance people and the overall process was just about the worst I have ever experienced. They low balled my trade ( '02 is300 ) time and time again and continued to offer me an obnoxious lease.

So after a 2 days of back and forth with them I went to Thousand Oaks Mazda, yes its really far but IMO it was well worth it. I dealt with a guy named Gino who did Internet sales. I did 99% of everything over the phone, he took my trade info, made me a legit offer, approved my credit and what not all over the phone.

When I went to pick up my 8, I was literally there for 20 minutes to just sign papers. Everyone I met with was easy going and really nice.

Just my 2 cents...

 

hmmm Thousand Oaks... may have to check them out.

My "concern" is what colors, options, etc. is at a particular dealership. Mazdausa.com and it's "current inventory" is WAY off. Even So Cal dealership web-sites are not current. For example, Santa Monica Mazda supposedly has about 11 RX8's in it's current inventory. I went there yesterday, they had three and none of them were automatics. WTF?

We'll see what happens at Galpin. One thing I can say is when I purchased my Acura I was driving it off the lot in about 2 hours.

 

why go.. when you can call?

just tell them what model and options you want. have them list the colors if its not there then go on to the next.

color is a huge bargaining chip! as for popular colors..I dunno as I have only seen 2 other 8's on the road (red and blue) I have been told green is really hard to find.

I went to the dealers just to make a desicion on the options. Then I played the phones to find what I wanted.

 

Yeah I agree, like I said in my first post. After my lengthy miserable experience at Galphin I did everything over the phone with Thousand Oaks. That is the best way to do it by far.

The inventory online at http://www.thousandoaksmazda.com is pretty damn correct or at least was for the couple of days I was checking the out before I got my car. The dealership told me to use that inventory and not the one on mazdausa.com

 

Thanks again everyone for the info.

While I understand calling is the easiest, I still needed to test drive an auto.

Galpin wasn't that "bad." The salesman was polite and no real push from them.

They had an auto Titanium with GT, navi, "body kit," and rotary accent package. MSRP was around $33,500 (don't remember). Anyway, I really like to the look of the RX8 with the OEM body kit. However, I have no interest in the navi so that was an option I didn't want to pay for. Oh well...

To the phones tomorrow.

I'd really like to find one with GT or Touring package without any other nonsense. And to be honest, I'm undecided on the color - which is actually a problem.

 

If you're in the market for an automatic you might want to test-drive some other sports coupes before you buy the RX-8. The Infiniti G35 comes to mind. You might also want to consider selling your Accura on Craig's List. It's excellent.

Whatever you do, forget about MSRP. There are tons of 8s here in the Bay Area right now. They're selling but dealers are still oversupplied. I'm sure it's the same in La-La Land.

I'm currently bargaining for a base-model 6-spd at a few hundred over invoice ($25,500). I could probably get invoice if I tried hard enough. Check Edmunds for dealer invoice on the model with options you want.

 

Thanks.

Right now it seems in So Cal there's an overload of blacks and reds.

I'm shooting for about $500 over invoice.

It's too bad the TG w/ Grand Touring auto I test drove has the navi. That's just a $1700 option I don't want nor need. Plus, that money could be used for more important things... like mods! :D

I am finding it hard to just find an auto with ONLY the Grand Touring Package (or Touring Package). There's always other options that I really don't care for.

My color choices are probably:

1. Silver or Titanium (it's close for it that it's a tie)
2. Nordic Green
3. Red, Yellow or Blue
4. Black

It's getting close to month end so I'm hoping to find an eager sales staff to make another sale before 2/1.

BTW, the G35 is a bit out of my price range and it's overplayed in So Cal. Plus I like the look of the RX8 over the G35.

 

You're right the G35 is overplayed around here. Also if you get any options on that the price gets quite high.

Thousand Oaks site says they have a silver w/ GT and w/o NAV.
Call em: (805)371-5555

 

Well, Long Beach Mazda has given me some great prices for a Silver w/ Grand Touring and Titanium w/Grand Touring.

I'm heading down there this evening to talk about my trade-in and financing.

Who knows, maybe by tomorrow I'll be an "official" RX8 owner. :D

 

there is a long beach mazda?? whoa.. how did I mis that?

Good luck!

 

Long Beach Mazda is the BOMB!!!

I'm proud to say I'm the happy new owner of a Sunlight Silver automatic with Grand Touring package and 6-disc CD player!

WooHoo!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Just a FYI: Long Beach Mazda only got the "dealership" last month.

More details later... I'm going to have a drink and celebrate!




BTW, when I got home I smelled a "burning" smell. Is this normal?

 

Congrats and welcome.. if you see another sunlight silver in the hermosa/manhattan beach area or in North OC then thats me!

 

Thanks!

 

CONGRATS!

I think I changed my mind now after reading this thread

I don't care what car I have, I will trade for an RX-8 no matter what

 

Congrats...
Glad you found one that suited your needs and a dealer you could work with.

And to your other question...
a mild burning smell is normal on new cars.

 

I hope the "burning" smell isn't permanent. It's noticeable though - enough that when I stopped by to show a friend my 8 he said, "What's that burning smell?" Me =>

I just want to make sure everything is okay with my new 8. Also, I'm new to the rotary club so things that might be "normal" with a rotary engine might raise some concerns with me coming from a V6.


Anyway, to let others know about LB Mazda, I went through a guy name Joaquin Rosa in their fleet sales and leasing dept.

What can I say? He was great. Best experience I've had at a dealership. Got there about 5:00 p.m., I was driving home at 7:30 p.m. The final 45 minutes was waiting for them to clean the car.

Now, what mods to get first...


BTW, thanks everyone for the congrats! :D

 

Forgot to mention this...

Here's the classic part after my purchase:

I have RARELY seen any 8's driving around... but on my way home last night a Winning Blue passed me on the 405! LOL !!!

 

Well thats cool.
The smell does subside pretty quickly. Mine was gone after a few days. I've only seen one blue and one yellow in the valley.

Sky's the limit on mods.
I just picked up and installed the K&N Typhoon intake last night.
Exhaust will be in the next week or two, then a new aluminum flywheel...

 

Where are you buying?

Which brand?

Are you installing it yourself?

Sorry for the questions but my last three cars I've modded somewhat.

My first mod is either going to be Eibach springs or exhaust (Borla?).

 

John, which color are you looking for? I was looking for a Black w/Sport at the right price, and I finally found one, though I have to wait a bit for it. While shopping around, I saw a couple base models at dealerships. One had a spoiler and spare tire. I believe Oakland Mazda has one straight base. Regardless, you should not be paying 25,500 for base. You should be paying under invoice for any car on the lot, and to guarantee that you should go on the last day of the month. It really does work. Let me know if you want more details on my 2 furious weeks of RX-8 shopping.