Hey guys,

I'm new here, so I just wanted to say 'HI'! I've begun to take a serious look at the RX-8, and I really like what I see.

I plan on purchasing an RX-8 some time in the fall, and I was wondering when you guys predict that they will be available to test drive and buy off dealer lots? I know they will be delivered and sold before the fall (hopefully for you guys some time in June), but do you think that any will actually be available on dealer lots before October?

I'm just trying to figure out the number of preorders vs. the production level. I'm also trying to figure out when I might be able to buy one on the S-Plan through my company. Think they will allow that by the fall?

Sorry about all the questions. Thanks for the cool site and all the information therein!

Thanks,
Brad

 

The Mazda dealer here in Wilmington said that they wouldn't have any until September. But I think other places in the US will get it before that...

 

"Wouldn't have any" as in AT ALL, or as in on the lot? Hopefully preorder people get their cars before September...

 

Mazda currently has 5000 pre-orders so far. I believe that is Worldwide.

I doubt you will have chance to test drive one before July, most likely it will be August.

I would bet, though, that there are a few dealers who will keep their allotment for those willing to pay above MSRP. I would think you would be able to test drive one of those.

Re: your S-Plan. I have no idea what that is?????

Best Regards,

Rooster

PS
Welcome to the Forum

 

At least the 1st & 2nd Pre-Order groups will have.

Your question really needs to be answered by your dealer. I suppose different parts of the country will have higher demands than others.

My suspicion is the RX-8 will be very popular, so it will be difficult to keep them in the car lot. Also, with the Rotary suggested break-in, which limits revs, I would not be surprised if all dealers require a down payment before any test drive.

 

That's just for the US I believe. Japan had 5000 preorders alone.

 

Nope. I asked the sales manager at my dealership, and was told that MNAO has decreed that the RX-8 will not be eligible for S-Plan pricing until at least 1/1/04.

 

I'm sure the pre-orders will get it before, if there are any. That was on the lot, ready for test drives.

 

I wouldn't bet on that.

---jps

 

OK, what's an "S-Plan"??? Could someone please inform the uninformed.... (i.e. me)

-Rooster

 

It's a discount plan for employees of certain large corporations.

 

Question #1
For example what corporations?

Question #2
What would be a typical discount on a $31,000 car under the "S" plan? Is it a percentage of MSRP OR some fixed amount of dollars?


I think since RX8 is going to be very popular so there will be a shortage at first. By start of next year the dealer lots might be loaded with them and thats when the they will start offering the S plan benefits.

 

Those are two separate questions.

Many dealers may have cars available for sale to the "general public" before the end of the year, but the odds of you being able to test drive it before all your financing is approved, etc. is probably slim to none (no one is going to buy a new car that has 50 - 100 "test drive" miles on it without a significant discount, and the dealers certainly aren't going to let you test drive a customer's order, as you certainly wouldn't want someone else driving your car...)

Mazda mentioned that they were going to try to get some cars out in May/June specifically for use as dealer demos so that there would be something out there to test drive, but I suspect any dealer worth their salt that got one would put it in the showroom and put it up for sale undriven as well.

Worst case, we may end up in the same territory as cars like the BMW M3 and S2000 where you have to wait until someone trades one in so that you can "test drive" a used one that already has miles on it...

 

[list=1][*]IBM, for one.[*]It's a percentage: the S-Plan price is the Mazda Employee price ("E-Plan", shown on the dealer invoice) + 5.3%[/list=1]

 

A1: My company is a member od the Ford Partner Recognition program. I work for Parsons Engineering. I feel comfortable saying that publically now since we lost the Iraq contract to Bechtel.

A2: Right from the Ford Partner Recognition website;

Pre-determined price based on Mazda Employee price ("E-Plan") and noted on the dealer invoice

Mazda E-Plan + 5.3%