BunnyGirl

No biggie. My dealer is "away from his desk" the last few times I called so I left a message. Nothing from him yet. I called MNAO again this morning and they said, "well, it'll be here before April." Gee, thanks. When I finalized my "changing specs" thing it was finalized November 22 on a car that was supposed to have been built Nov. 1 but pushed back to Dec. 1. If you put yours in in October, it probably got put into the same batch as mine. My dealer (and MNAO) said the batches for the original planned start of production (Oct. 1) were locked in mid September and you couldn't change the specs on those anymore. Anything past that date was put into the Nov. 1 production batch. Mine were locked and unchangeable two days later, which I was told they did within two weeks of starting building them. But, since they had delays who knows when it actually started. As I was told by MNAO this morning they have finished building batch one already and nearly completed with batch two and doing shipping for them already. Who knows if they're right. I hope so.

I called back and talked to a second person later on today and they told me I should now expect it by approximately March 1 at the latest since there is a slight backlog at port with trying to get them all out as quickly as possible. Their port or our port I don't know.

In any case, it sounds like we should expect to get our cars around the same time. What specs are you getting???? These are mine:

Winning Blue
Black Leather
6-Speed MT
Grand Touring
Appearance Package
Rotary Accent Package
Navigation System
Alarm Upgrade
6-Disc CD
Spoiler
Spare Tire Kit

fourflush

You have great taste in options Bunny Girl! We are getting almost the exact same car. But I held back on a few things. Here are my specs:

Winning Blue 6MT
Touring Pkg
Rotary accents
Nav
6 disc changer
spare tire kit
splash gaurds
alarm shock sensor upgrades

The main reason i special ordered my car was because i wanted to get the nav with the touring pkg. The leather and all the heated stuff didnt really appeal to me down in pheonix (and it cost a couple of grand extra). Though now that i see the new keyless entry/start features thats coming in the GT package i almost wish i had gotten it.

so hopefully by the end of next month we will finally be able to see our new rides

BunnyGirl

I hope so! Since I did the Costco thing I was limited to three dealers in my area. The one I picked was the closest to me and with more convenient things to do when my car is being serviced (BIG fabric store next door). They said they don't typically stock them with navigation in them, usually a special order deal, although some they do get in that way. So, they just checked their pre-alottments and changed the furthest front one they could, which was their #2 alottment, so now it's mine!!!! They said they were expecting a Galaxy Gray one with the same specs as yours minus navigation coming in around the same time also. Mine was originally alotted to the dealer as Phantom Blue but I didn't care for that color when I saw it on the 5. I figure since it's my first car I might as well get everything I want in it. I wasn't aware of the keyless start thing when I ordered it. I am debating whether or not I like that feature or not, probably just because it's different that what I am used to. Mainly I am disappointed with not needing a keychain now. Kind of silly, but I had been shopping for several months looking for just the right keychain for my first car, and finally decided on getting the rotor one. I haven't gotten it yet, but I will still probably get it for my house key. I had intended on keeping my house key and car key together on the same ring, but it appears it won't work that way. Oh well. I'm getting the fender strakes for mine. The dealer is supposed to remember to order them for me when they get confirmation that it is at port so they will be here and installed when I go in to get my car. I doubt they will remember so I will probably have to remember to call the service/accessory department myself to see if they already have them or get them ordered if need be.

I can't wait!!!!!

hemanrulez

I thought you were getting an 06 Shinka with Nav.

BunnyGirl

I would have considered it if they came in winning blue or a similar-looking blue. I do like the Copper Red, though not necessarily what I would want on my car. Also, from what MNAO initially told me when I was trying to find out how to go about my order (last week of October), Shinka edition and/or Shinka package still can't get built-in Navigation which I need to have for my second job, otherwise I would have gotten the Shinka package so I could have the winning blue. So I just stuck with what I wanted in the regular-edition available options. I'm also not sure I would like suede-like seats in a car. Great for living room furniture, though!

I am hoping it does make it by March 1 so I can actually drive myself for when I need to go to Puyallup the first week of March.

hemanrulez

So if your going to get a Winning Blue Gt - MT then the only difference I see between an 05 and an 06 is the keyless start.

or are you waiting on the Phantom Blue?

BunnyGirl

Don't really care for the Phantom Blue. Saw it on a 5 and it look kind of okay until the light hit it. It seems to have a pea green glow on top of a dark blue color. Basically the differences are a few interior changes. All the leather is supposed to smooth instead of having ribs on some of it. The inside metal accents are supposed to be more of a shiny finish as opposed to the current matte finish. None of them of any consequence really. I didn't know about the keyless start when I ordered but that's not a big deal either. Basically I ordered an 06 because after I found out I would need to have my own transporation for my second job I am in training for, I started looking for a winning blue RX-8 that was a manual and had navigation. I started looking as soon as I got back from the D.C. area (October 11) and only found two winning blue 05s in Oregon and Washington. One in Salem and one in Seattle. The one in Salem was an automatic with no navigation so that was out. Had every other feature on my list but not the ones I had to have. The one in Seattle had everything I wanted but the Navigation on it although they told me they could add it after the fact, which I wasn't sure about. Well, I found that one on a Saturday and I called and talked to them about it and they told me $26,599 for it (MSRP $34K). I said I could come up and see it on Monday. They acted put off that I wouldn't come up that very day and see it and told me it would cost me $30K if I waited until Monday because that price was only good for Saturday. Mind you, I told him that I was in Portland and it is between 3-4 hours to get there and it was 4:30 at this time. I would be unable to go up then and see it. Basically he had an attitude so I didn't feel like dealing with him anyway. (That was at University Mazda).

So, after that I contacted MNAO to find out how to do a special order and whatnot and got all my information for that, found out who was Costco-authorized, contacted that dealer, gave them the inforation, and ordered an 06 since I couldn't find what I wanted in left over 05s anywhere reasonably close to where I could go pick it up and didn't want to pay around $800 to ship the one I did find that matched my description from the Miami area.

I was going to have a from scratch order, which is how it started out, but then the dealership called and told me they could change specs on one much further up and make that one my order instead, so I took it. Initially when I started the order it had a build date assigned for January 1 (which basically meant ones being built for that month) and it would be here around April 1. They changed the specs on one for building on November 1, and MNAO had told me they were starting all the cars on Dec. 1 and would be in the group started Dec. 14. Except apparently they had to push that date back further another month so they now told me to expect my car around March 1 now instead of Jan. 27 to Feb. 17. However, a few weeks ago MNAO told me my car shipped on Dec. 27 when I called and when I call now they told me that didn't happen, that was the original schedule but was delayed for "unforeseen circumstances."

They did say that they are building as many as possible to get them back up to their original build schedule for how many were to be built by what time and shipped out as fast as they can.

BunnyGirl

I got an update today from my dealership and from MNAO. I got an email from MNAO (the extremely helpful person who helped me get me order set up) saying production had been delayed again and they would start production next week, February week 1, sorry for the inconvenience, shipping would be expedited. I got an update from my dealership about two hours later telling me he now had my VIN (assigned a few days ago but now had a production date attached) and my car is slated for production date late next week, expect it in 4-6 weeks, as relayed to him from MNAO. Supposed to be part of first production batch. Well, I am hoping no further delays happen and it is on schedule and gets here as soon as possible.

BunnyGirl

The dealer sent me a little happy birthday note and said he was sorry they missed the date. I got my VIN with my email (to be obtained when I get the "official order" copy) so it at least appears something is happening now. I didn't make the "VIN banner" to put up. I have a big picture of a silver one in my office right now (has everything on it my car will except the correct color) and also a smaller picture of a red one that I can see directly as I work. It's my motivation to keep on working, I've got a car to pay for.

TJLack

That reminds me of when I was buying my first RX8 - had a similar circumstance with a dealer in VA who agreed on a price and everything and then wouldn't honor the deal unless I took delivery the next day. I believe he was just trying to ratchet up the price after making the deal. He knew from the start that I was in NY and a flight or long drive from coming and would not be able to come until that weekend. We parted company and I found a much nicer dealer in OH who was perfectly happy to make a deal and let me come on the weekend. I actually saved $200 over the first deal so shame on them.

fourflush

Just got a call from my dealer this afternoon. Been told that my car is "in port" and should be here in AZ in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully this will be a lot more accurate than any of his previous projections.

Heard any news on your car bunnygirl??


*impatiently waiting*

BunnyGirl

I was told last week there was a delay in its arrival to my dealership (when I called to see about potentially cancelling it without losing my deposit and whatnot) because of some part on something or other not being available (possibly electronic?). Mine listed as shipped when I checked a few days after Zoom said they shipped out, so I don't know what the current situation is with whatever that "part" is that they have a problem with. I am thinking it must be something that lists as "port installed" if it was listed as shipped by both my dealer and Mazda when I checked the week of Valentine's Day, said it would be about five weeks from then when it arrived. I am now given a date of "by" April 17 (parts issue). It may be sooner depending on that "part" issue, but currently this is okay with me since my job decided to screw me over and cut may pay to $6-$9 an hour (Oregon minimum wage being $7.50 an hour) from $25 an hour. So, with my other bills I would currently be unable to pay for the car. I have two interviews on Thursday so I should be getting at least one new job, ideally one new full-time fairly decent paying job, and one part-time job that pays more than my current job that now sucks. I currently still reflect enough income to get my loan since I live at home and can claim I pay no rent, which would show no living expenses, which leaves enough cash in that instance, plus a high credit score of between 740-780 range depending on who I check with. I just don't want to get the car and not be able to pay for it.

I'll be sure to check with my dealer this week (if he hasn't called about anything) to see if there is any news on it, preferrably after I get my new job.

TJLack

bunnygirl - sorry to hear of the employment issues - that takes the joy out of the new car in a hurry!

my shinka is supposedly being built next week and should be in Buffalo by the end of April...can't wait for Spring!

BunnyGirl

Cool!!!!

BunnyGirl

Fortunately my dealer didn't call me yesterday to inform me of where my car is right now (yay!!!) and I am hoping to avoid finding out until later in the day Thursday after my job interviews, and hoping my first choice job hires me on the spot for at least $18.50 an hour. If I got $22 an hour I would be perfectly set and my bills would be covered. Unfortunately, the highest end of the highest paying position available is $21.60 something, but that does include incentives for going over their minimum requirement, so I could be done, but generally places don't hire new people at the highest point on their pay scale.

This means I need to work part time on top of it to make up my cut wages. Darn!!! I hate my current job/company but I suppose I might like it a little better if I didn't have to do it so much!!!!

HolyCross05

what is your current job title? just curious...

BunnyGirl

medical transcriptionist/medical editor

on-call government intelligence position (second job; unreliable and not steady enough work to depend on the income from it)

HolyCross05

do you work at a hospital Lab?

BunnyGirl

Right now I work at home, which is quite convenient since I don't have a car yet. How sad. I'm 25 and never had a car.

I did work in an office for a few months when I was first hired but it was expensive to pay for the gas. My mom used to drive me 31 miles to work, then go home, then drive back to pick me up, and then home again. It was costing me more than $8 a day to go in to work. So I started working at home. It is kind of nice since I can sit around in pajamas all day.

The at home option gave me flexibility in my hours and I didn't have to follow a set schedule (within reason). Now it is a strict set schedule. And, if there is no work during the hours I am scheduled to work, I still have to do my digital time card and I can't try to work at any time that I am not scheduled for to make it up. This sucks because I am paid by production only.

If I were in an office for most other companies I still get my hourly rate. I am there and scheduled to work. It is not my fault if the work slowed down and/or ran out.

Another thing that sucks, a little over a week ago my power was out and I missed three hours of my scheduled shift one day. I was not allowed to make up those three hours since it would mean working outside my scheduled shift, which isn't allowed. Then they told me I was supposed to make arrangements at the beginning of the same week if I needed to make up time in so they wouldn't have to pay overtime if I added it into the next week (starting Sundays). My power went out on a Friday morning. Am I supposed to be psychic and know this days in advance????

The two jobs I applied to are in office, which would be a nice change. I think I would like being out of the house now. Gives me a chance to see more people. The closest position available to my house is around 25 miles away. The other one is a little over 30.

I want the job at Providence Health Systems. It is closer and pays more. The other job is with Legacy Health Systems.

HolyCross05

I work for a software company based around Boston called Meditech. I dont know if you've heard of it, but we deal with health information technology.

BunnyGirl

I've heard of them. I work for MedQuist. They suck!!!!

fourflush

Sorry to hear about the job Bunny Girl. I'm Sure you'll find something soon enough to cover the 8. Theres always the lotto if your International Girl of Mystery duties dont pick up soon..... I always thought that paid well... hmmmm...

So i build my car on mazda site and its actually cheaper than the the 05 by about 400 bucks. Woo hoo for that. Heres the price breakdown if anyone wants to check my math.


I used to code tags so my columns would line up. i couldnt figure out how to get html to show up correctly.

HolyCross05

You got paid $25 an hour though? Damn thats a good gig considering you can work at home also. Saves money on gas, and time commuting. What are some of the qualifications to become a transcriptionist?

BunnyGirl

I calculated mine and it comes out exactly the same, just like MNAO told me it would. They got something right! LOL

That government job would pay really well if I can get on full time. Then I am salaried at approximate take home pay of $6000 a month (what I was told on my interview would be my pay when I went on full time, which was supposed to have been January but was unable to take place yet; hopefully soon. I like this stuff so much better ). That definitely would cover my pills, pay them off quickly, and I could quit this crappy job!!!! There seems to be a budget issue with my particular agency since it is not very well liked by this administration. (Apparently that's what happens when you disagree). My superiors are also telling me part of the problem with getting me rolled over into full time regular status is the fact that I don't have a college degree. They didn't care in what field. I just needed to have one. They said I am more than capable and smart enough to do what they are requiring of me, it's just that a college degree is a requirement. I am actually lucky I got this much out of them without a degree. Probably helped that one of the people evaluating me for hiring and doing my skills testing happened to be my ex's old roommate. (Good ol' nepotism!). I think it kind of sucks that a degree is required for a lot of stuff anymore regardless of your capabilities.

I am looking into picking up a class here or there just to get a degree. I would have wanted to be a surgeon and go to medical school but that is financially impossible for quite a long time. I am thinking a degree in history of some sort, Middle Eastern history being preferrable to this particular job.