It's important to note that this thread is a few Canadians talking about the value of the Canadian RX-8 GT package - we get either Base (GS) or GT, with nothing in between. In the US, you have other packages and option combinations, so you have many more choices.

Regards,
Gordon

 

GiN, Bose audio + moonroof means you have the touring package. Edmunds shows an invoice for your car of $30,314, so at $30,500 with semiannual maintenance, you got a good deal.

GT adds leather, power drivers seat and heated seats and mirrors. I was originally planning on going with the touring package myself, but ended up going with a GT after doing an inventory search on mazdausa.com. I have no regrets, but I doubt I'd be disappointed if I'd gone with the touring package either. Hell, come summer I might end up wishing I'd gone with cloth instead of black leather in a black car...

 

Nah man... check this out...

Since I'm in the US, I'll give you what my planned breakdown is...

- Sport package... has the fog lights and Xenon headlights plus TCS/DSC.
- Heated leather seats added aftermarket. All leather (no plastic inserts) and you can customize it... add "RX-8" to the seat and have colored stitching. I hear it runs about $1,000 normally and includes EVERYTHING that is done in leather stock.
- Install my own speakers and amp... sound better than the Bose and offers a better value for less money.
- Homelink, etc. rearview mirror. Worthless crap for me considering I never adjust it for night, etc. when driving (can/t see well when I do)
- I'm about 6' and the sunroof sounds too low for me... even if I make it with a little to give... more headroom is more comfort.
- Trade in value? The RX-8 doesn't have verisons like BMW 325i and 325is or Honda Prelude S and Prelude Si. There's no S, T and GT labels that go on the car. So... why bother for that reason?
-What you should do is get what you want. I want space, leather, a nice stereo, performance mods and maybe a bodykit later. I can use the money saved by not getting the GT and using the money to pay for the upgrades and mods.

 

A few of you in the US have posted that you bought the Sport, and don't think the GT package is worth the difference. Please remember that the original poster asking the question is in Canada, and we don't get a Sport package - just GS (base) and GT. To get the options in the US' Sport package, like Xenon lights and TSC/DSC, we have to get the GT.

Therefore - I'd consider all the votes for the US Sport package to be votes for getting the Canadian GT package!

Regards,
Gordon

 

As I noted... I know this is a Canadian, but I was giving the US packaging as that's all I know (JDM is all a la carte).

Anyway.. maybe so Gordon. If the base in Canada doesn't haev Xenon headlights or TCS/DSC..then I'd probably say go GT then.

 

I used to think that way, which is why I bought a sport package. However, the Xenons don't deliver what they should (just drive an Acura TL if you don't believe me) and the TCS/DSC is proving to have it's downsides on a daily basis, in terms of softened throttle response. So the base starts to look better to me as a viable configuration.

I think the RX-8 is a rarity - one where the base package (6 speed, anyway) is all you need to truly appreciate what makes the car great. Most everything that is special about the car is present in the base package. Because of that, and because the RX-8 will leave it's historical mark as a sports car and not a luxury car (my opinion) I think there will be sufficient demand in the used car market for base & Sport packagages, especially as the car starts to age.

 

I believe it is leather looks better, smells better, more durable (if you take care of it right), gives higher resale value. Heated seats a definite plus, when waiting for the car to warm up in the winter. I'll put covers on them in the summer to keep sun from bearing down on them and so they won't be so hot to sit on. But its up to you.

 

the leather seats ARE worth the money...the navigation isn't (my opinion), the seats heat well AND air condition your butt all day long....:D

 

ihave the gt also and glad i did but i have all black leather