This should probably go in the Dealership/Ordering Foroum, but after several months of following this forum and shoppig, I'm determined to make a decision by tomorrow morning.

I've settled on Winning Blue, no spoiler, etc., but my last hurdle is deciding on the GT or Touring package. I have two very reasonable dealer offers on the Touring ($30,970 OTD); $900 more for the GT.

I'd appreciate any comments from anyone, especially those who seriously considered between the two. A friend has the Touring package and regrets not getting the GT because of the lumbar support.

Other than the leather and power seat, I don't think the rest of the GT package is useful in Southern California -- heated seats and mirrors.

Anyone regret not getting the GT or those with the GT find the extra $$$ well spent?

Thanks all...at this point I'm leaning toward my original choice, which is to go with the Touring package and cloth seats. The extra $1000 isn't a major issue in my purchase decision, but two friends said they'd go with the leather/power seat, which has made me think twice at the 11th hour.

 

I didn't think much about the heated seats either when I bought, but let me tell you, when it's kinda cold out, those heated seats are really nice!
Factory-installed op's are only op's when you buy new, so be real sure about not wanting them. I didn't get nav, but now I'm not sure that was a wise choice. Sure, there are 3rd party nav's, but that factory nav is pretty slick.

 

I got the GT but not for the extras. they did not have the touring around here much. up north they (people) like the heated seats and mirrors. Mirrors OK butt i have had much better heated seats in other vehicles. (Audi A4). as for power sear.....how many people will use the 8? Just you? just extra weight really. I like to change the tilt of the seat during a longer trip but having pwr seats was not going to be a show stopper for me.

I really just wanted the sunroof and bose.

the bose ..I know it is not going to win and car audio comp but I dont care. I just did not want the base unit and then be forces to upgrade for my own sanity and loose my steering wheel controls not that i can reach over and use the faceplate but to have "empty" buttons would drive me freakin mad.

and the bose is alright for a guy who just want to listen for his own pleasure.


ok I am ramblin on. save your money you will be alright and satisfied. IMO...

 

oh yeah the wing and apperance package really dress this car up nice. to me, they (the packages) ad a little edge to prevent the car from being too bubbly. again Just my opinion

 

One thing to consider - for that $900 you save (or a little more) you can get a custom leather interior installed. Do a search on "custom soft touch" and you should find some interesting threads. Why spend more for a custom interior than the factory leather? Color choice is one, and some have said the CST leather is higher quality.

I have the sport package. The cloth is really nice, but it does attract lint and dog/cat hair, if you have pets.

 

Concur. I originally wanted to get leather seats when I first investigated the RX8 last year, but I didn't like all the packaged extras. Especially the "moonroof" -- I really don't like them (that's just me, though...). We're soooo happy with the "purposeful" feel of the "sport" package -- no frills, just fun! :D

I'm considering the aftermarket leather interior as a possible project a couple years from now.

Starbucks:
Really think hard about WHY you want the car and the type of driving environment that makes you happiest. Do you NEED all the extras? Or are they something you merely WANT?

My advice (again, just my opinion): save some money and just go for the Sport package. You probably will not miss any of the gadgets. My previous car had power everything, leather seats, etc. Driving the RX8, I'll never miss any of the little convenience and comfort items. If you absolutely must have the bells & whistles, then go for the GT -- you may as well go "all the way"

 

I went with the touring and have no regrets. Bose system, and Navi too

 

Thanks for the feedback so far, folks.

Spacer, you make a good point about deciding what I really want. I'm actually just paying up for the factory installed moonroof. I considered an aftermarket moonroof, but would rather not take the chance of a bad intall. The Bose unit I plan to swap for an mp3 player.

The seat probably doesn't matter since I will be the only driver most of the time.

The rest of the accessories I plan to add if I so choose.

 

Let me just correct you on this one thing. If I'm getting this right, you want to add the mp3 player? It doesn't replace the bose, it adds to it. It replaces the single cd player, not the bose unit. ok?

 

Where are you planning on buying?

I'd recommend Long Beach Mazda.

Send me a PM for further info.


BTW, get the GT. The leather adds that certain "extra" to the car. Also, see my sig.

 

Thanks. That makes it easier to spend the extra $ for the system.

Santa Monica Mazda is where I'm headed. I tried Long Beach, but no response. Also, they don't appear to have what I want in stock -- mazdausa.com.

 

The mp3 can be added later, anytime, if you wanna keep the initial $ down. It's a do-it-yourself job too, if you know how to turn a screw & can follow directions that are already posted, with pix, here in this forum. And it costs less than the price adder that way too, you just buy from the Trussville Mazda website (for example) & stick it in.

That's what I meant about factory installed options being your only main priorities at the time of purchase. These other things can be added later, for less $ if you do it yourself.

 

I'm with you on this. I expected the factory receiver would swap out for the mp3. I didn't think it was an add on. Other things such as appearance, spoiler, accents, I may add later.