gomoses

Hey - proud new owner of an '05 Shinka here. I live in Northampton, work in Springfield. Anyone know of good local tuners, body guys - tint/3M liner guys?

Just want to line up resources. Oh, and how about tire shops? I want to get a cheap, but safe and not terrible looking winter set up.

Thanks.

midlifer

Welcome! Don't know of anything in western Mass as I'm from Worcester. There are a few out that way that are on the board though. good luck.

Bob

rodrigo67

ok, I'm not going to be any help, but I am local, as in just down the road in Holyoke.

I haven't used a bodyshop or tuner shop yet. I garage my 8 in the winter so no snow tires on her, but I did use the tint shop on Damon rd (northampton) and they did a pretty good job at a very reasonable price.

Just wanted to welcome you to the club, as there are so few of us in western mass...

gomoses

Thanks, I'm just around the corner! I have to admit to NEVER having seen an 8 on the road before buying mine. I was almost totally an "internet shopper". Funny, I see 350Z's all over the place, but still no 8's.

What dealer do you use for maintanence? I have gone to Balise a couple of times, rear tail light had a leak - but I think there is another dealership in the area.

rodrigo67

I use balise also, it's the closest. There is another one in the pittfield area and one in keene and one in hartford, but the drives to much for most repairs.

I've actually had pretty good service at Balise so far. I haven't had anything major wrong on the car but they have been very understanding on TSB's and other "recommended" work.

I know what you mean about hardly see 8's. On a good week I might see 1 or 2, and yes Z's are pretty common.

So, when your ready for a nice half day trip, you should try a run up route 116 N. starting in deerfield up to N. Adams, then take route 2 east back over the mountain, just after coming out of the mohawk trail area, there is a small road, route 8A south, in the first little town after the mohawk trail area. Very nice narrow twisty roads and that dumps you back on route 116. Very nice drive which will make you appreciate your 8 alittle more...

Have fun and maybe we could meet up...

gomoses

Sounds good - I had a great drive back from Leominster, where I picked up the car. What color/year 8 do you have? I'll keep an eye out for you. I find I'm driving all over the damned place with the most pitiful excuses!

rodrigo67

I have an 04 BB, touring, appearance, spoiler, and as far as I know, the only black 8 with yellow brake calipurs. pics in my profile.

I have alot of family in the northampton area and am up there quite a bit. I also use any excuse to "run an errand". Sometimes a nice ride on the quite roads up in your area or just some highway time running down i-91, shooting through memorial drive in west springfield and 391 back (which is a nice run for higher speeds when theres no traffic).


Since you got the 05 shinka, should I assume the black cherry color?

gomoses

Yeah ... it's really nice. I'm off to the dealer today to get some lenses replaced (fogged pssgr front, moisture in pssgr rear), and get it inspected. I've got a lot of rust on the brake rotors, so I'm angling to get them fixed.

It may be better if they don't since I want to paint my calipers as well - probably not yellow, but I'll bet that looks really hot with a black. I really thought I'd get over the mod thing when I bought this and put the Cj- on the market ... but no. The list of things I want to do or have done keeps growing. One reason I dumped the Jeep was I couldn't do much on my own - not having a garage and my driveway being on a slope.

rodrigo67

I didn't buy mine at Balise either. Since they are the only mazda dealer in the area they don't come down off thier prices very much, but the first time I brought mine in for maint, they painted my rotors silver for me. I didn't even ask them, they brought it up and asked me if I wanted them to take care of it, which of course I did.

Every once in awhile the guys up in new hampshire have a tech day get together. It's a bit of a ride (just above worchester area), but the last one I went too, 8 8's showed up and they did everything from side marker replacements and fluid replacements to installing new intakes, exhaust, and suspension work. As long as you bring the parts, some tools, they have the garage space and people there to help and advise.

What do you plan on doing to your 8?

gomoses

Humph ... just got back from Balise, with a rental car. They replaced my head lamp and apparently broke the bulb, so had to order a new one and it wouldn't pass inspection. I asked about the rotors and they said we were outside of the 1 year for such things and that rust was normal. They even wanted to charge me to check the brakes when I said they were squeaking. I told them to forget it, I would find someone else to service it in the long run - they said they would "eyeball" them. My driveway has a slope, and I noticed that after I turn it off, if I don't put on the e-brake (which I almost always do), with the gear in first it rolls backwards a little, pauses, rolls a few inches again, pauses and continues with the same pattern. They said they couldn't recreate it. I didn't even mention the crooked glove box (it hangs down about 1/4" lower on on the driver's side).

Anyway - I really like the clean stock look - but would like to add clear corners, get rid of the yellow light look and add some halogen fog lamps - I'd like to wire the fogs to come on alone. The dealer I bought it from threw in some front and rear splash guards, but I can't decide if they would look lame by themselves. I'd like to do some performance stuff - exhaust, intake. Maybe one of the more subtle wings. I figure that's a long enough list for now.

There was a really hot 8 at the shop today - with a custom paint job (grey and silver on top with red piping between) - and it had vents behind the rear fenders reflecting the stock vents on the front. The name of the shop was on the license plate holder, but I forget to write it down.

For now I'm just hoping my headlamps are still aligned after tomorrow. I ordered some Langka to begin working on the paint chips, and after that cures I'll try the Zaino.

rodrigo67

I didn't realize you bought a used shinka. Mine was only a week old when they painted the hubs. Also, I had the squealing brakes issue and walked in with the printed TSB in my hand. At first they said I might have to pay for the pads but the rest was covered but when they put in the part number, it all came up and mazda covered everything.

The sidemarkers are about a 10 minute job each if your good with your hands. The fog rewire takes about another 10 minutes. both are pieces of cake. I would also recommend a front oil cooler/ac condensor screens as 1 oil cooler will set you back $600.

It's the 13th down

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

you should be in the repair window as it covers all 2004-2006 cars. Good luck

gomoses

Thanks man - now if only they can "verify my concern" -

Yeah, I was really torn about buying used ... but I really liked the color on the Shinka and the little upgrades. I'm beginning to regret that. I wasn't that hot on the leather and could have got foglights and satellite radio added for as much as I paid. Oh well, it's mine now. Kind of like having kids. You can only do so much footwork before you take the hand that's dealt -

Thanks for the tips. I'll read up on the oil cooler and screens. Coming from an old CJ, much of this technology is so ... next millenium to me.

Deslock

Welcome to the club gomoses!

You guys interested in a western MA meetndrive? I think you, rodrigo67, and I are all within ~15 miles of each other. Would be fun to get together with with midlifer and the others from Worcester too. Also, the Miata clubs have been friendly towards 8s joining them on drives as well.

gomoses

Thanks!

My schedule is a little whacked, since I work nights - but I'd love to see a bunch of 8's (oh, and I guess 8 guys, too) in one place.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Welcome aboard Gomoses. I bought my new '05 Shinka the end of March from North End Mazda in Lunenburg (actually, had it transferred to my local O'Hara Fairhaven Mazda). I too had the driver's tailight condensation and the snapped console 'armrest' slide retainer, both replaced under warranty at my [free] 3k mile oil change.
I get some typical brake rotor flash rust after washing, but it's gone the first subsequent braking. Same for my daughter's Mazda6.
My only mods thus far are color matched strakes and a gas cap holder. Currently looking at self contained GPSs.
It's a very enjoyable ride, each and every time.
Have fun!!

btw: I kept my Jeep. Wasn't going to but the sale to a neighbor (never again) fell thru. It will now be a Winter driver for me.

Oh yeah, I went ahead and got a second hand spare tire. I was trying to be 21st century about it, but I guess in the end I'm old school.

gomoses

What kind of a jeep do you have? I'm hoping my sales keep falling through as well - maybe my wife won't notice I kept it. Mine's an 84 CJ. I also got my Shinka at North End. What a great drive home!

rodrigo67

Deslock, I haven't heard from you in awhile. Thought maybe you got rid of her.

I'm up for a drive, maybe on a weekend to fit in Gomoses...

As a matter of fact, I'm off work early now and think I'll take her out for a spin...

Gomoses, hope you got her back and everythings ok...

midlifer

Hey man, it's been a long time. I haven't seen any posts from ya. Let me know if a ride gets going and I'll try to make it.

Bob

Deslock

Hell no. I've had her for almost 2-and-a-half years and the only other car that remotely interests me is the Kabura concept (though if I didn't need more than two seats, I'd get a Miata).

I'm going with the Miatas this Sunday for their western Mass drive... if any of you guys are interested, PM me and I'll ask the Miata folks if they're cool with a few more RX8s joining the fun (I don't think they'd have a problem with it).

rodrigo67

ok, just went by Balise ( I only live ten minutes away). They got 2 8's finished out of service and since one is a shinka, I'm assuming it's Gomoses. The other was a VR.

Very nice Go, but it needs a bath...

Hey bubbles, hope you can make it this weekend, that is if the miatas don't mind (you know, hardtop envy and all)...

midlifer

LOL, sorry man, have to work this weekend ( every weekend for that fact). I might try to get the Sunday off to head to the Bear Mountain meet is enough people are going.

Bob

Hey bubbles, hope you can make it this weekend, that is if the miatas don't mind (you know, hardtop envy and all)...

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

And here I thought my '05 Shinka was the only one they had.

It's an '02 Liberty. Patriot Blue, bought just after 9/11. I had a Cherokee prior. I'm glad I ended up keeping it now. It's my Saturday 'heavy hauler.'

gomoses

I'm out for this weekend too - I work alternating weekends. Noob question: "VR"? Yeah, it needs a bath. I'm ordering the Zaino stuff for it, first I'm going to do some touch-up paint.

More bitching about Balise - then I'll stop - they were going to inspect it after replacing the lights - I left it overnight for them, told them I would be by around 5 or so yesterday. They called at 1 and said they were just getting it in for the inspection (mind you the day before I had a 10am appointment, and they didn't even take the car in until 11, the told me at 1 I would have to come back) - they called again at 315 and asked if I had a front license plate (oops) - I told them it was in the trunk. At 430 they called again and said they couldn't inspect it because of the plate - and asked me to bring down a plate holder! I said I had one here - they said the inspections stopped at 5 - I asked if they could throw one on there and I would swap them when I got there - they said no - I couldn't swap. I asked if they would just slap it on there somehow then, they said no. I asked if they could put one on for me, they said no. ********. I'm really a nice guy, and can't imagine what I did to put them off - and, they left that stupid paper thing on the floor to protect them, but left smudge and crap all over the door handle, kicked the door open with their feet, leaving smudges there - and all around the window frame.

So - I really don't want them to have my optional business - I didn't throw a tantrum, just asked a few questions and shook my head - but really. How stupid would it be to take it to someone else who doesn't know Mazdas? Is there anyone else around who does know rotaries?

Oh, and on Shinkas - three days after buying mine I went to show someone at work the online pictures of the car - and they had yet another Shinka. Mine wasn't new - had 6500 miles on it. This one has upwards of 15. They must have a secret stash.

Moses

midlifer

Velosity Red. The best color I might add.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Or spelled Velocity, in Eastern Mass.