BIGJOHNSON503

for those of you that have it, how much do you really use it. i just cant imagine driving around town constantly glancing at a screen to se where i am on a map. i understand the concept behind it, but is it really worth he extra $2,000. i have the chance to get a used Rx8 for $24,700 with 8,700 miles on it. i'm wondering would i be missing out on anything. since the nav has to be installed at the factory. and no aftermarket nav is not an option.

planetside

I suppose you're the only person that can answer whether it's worth it or not. A GPS is a tool, and the question is whether you'd find this tool useful for your purposes. I own an in-car GPS system on my Acura ... yes, it's cool, and yes it has served me well in situations where I didn't know how to get somewhere, or I needed to find something in the database. I don't really bother with mapquest anymore -- just punch it in, and it usually knows the location (although on some rare instances, the address was NOT in the database). I don't find myself looking down at it in all the time, although for your passengers it may cause them to stare at it a lot. Since most GPS solutions offer voice cues, you don't necessarily need to stare at it yourself while navigating (although seeing the next manuever as an on-screen graphic does help when approaching the manuever).

I'd say the best way to know whether you want it or not is to actually use the system. Don't compare it to your non-routing GPS systems (such as a handheld unit). You need to look at automotive GPS solutions that are capable of auto-routing (i.e. real-time driving directions).

FWIW, the RX-8 I am pricing does NOT include the GPS. I am actually going to do this as a 3rd party system since I'm not that impressed with Mazda's solution (given its price tag, anyway).

Danny

bon911

I use it very often as I am so bad at directions.
You do not need to 'constantly glance' at it at all cause it actually tells you everything you need to do. You might want to look at it if you are driving into some complicated intersecton or something like that, even then it will show you which road you need to be on with zoomed map.

Silver04RX8

Having just recently been relocated to North Carolina I got my Rx8 with the Navigation system, has it been worth it? Absolutely and positively yes, I have found new ways to get around that avoid most traffic congested routes and are often times a more efficient way of getting from point A to point B, plus that screen looks cool in the car. Just my $0.02.

jtdwab

I use the NAV system often and find it to be quite helpful. I like knowing where I am and knowing whats around. I probably would not buy a car if NAV was not an option from now on. But that is just me I enjoy having it there.

I also agree with Planetside that you have to decide for yourself. The best thing is to take them for a ride and have it give you some directions so you can get an idea of what it like.

-8-

I use my nazigation all the time

rx7&rx8

"Don't compare it to your non-routing GPS systems (such as a handheld unit). You need to look at automotive GPS solutions that are capable of auto-routing (i.e. real-time driving directions).
"

There are several handheld units that perform autorouting nowdays. I have the Garmin Ique which is PDA based and has the same Navtec maps that most built in systems contain (yes, it does autorouting, has voice directions etc.) An additional advantages are that it is touchscreen (the Mazda unit is not) plus I can transfer it to any car. This is a great feature when you are in a rental car in an unfamiliar town. It can be found for around $500. For more info on GPS units see:
http://gpsinformation.net/

planetside

Understood. I just didn't want him to confuse auto-routing systems with SOME handheld systems that simply pinpoint your location (no auto-routing, etc.). I guess we should use the term auto-routing GPS to differentiate between systems that accomplish real-time routing versus systems that don't. Maybe I just made the whole thing confusing

BTW, I heartily recommend Garmin GPS systems. I own the StreetPilot III, and it is my favorite of the three systems I own. I actually plan on purchasing the 2610 at some point ...

Danny

mysql101

I use mine all the time. I also bookmark locations and name them. So if I'm in the middle of Tampa and don't know how to get home, I just select "Home" as my destination and it plots the quickest route.

Also since the navi talks to you, you can even shut off the screen and it will continue to give directions.

In this picture you can see the little rectangles marking off my house, and my office


PS: Navi only costs $1700

dirtylittlepaws

i don't have it but sometimes i wish i did for those out of town trips.

Viking

I have the navigation and I'm never going to own another car that doesn't have this system. I drive to a lot of cities for my work and it's nice to have the car tell me how to get to the destination. It can also find the nearest gas station or restaurant, etc. It's a very handy thing to have.

GiN

I use my navigation system at least once a day, mainly because work involves meeting clients at remote locations. The best part of the navi system imho is that it has instant auto re-routing, for those times when you don't feel like taking a particular road due to traffic or construction. Straying off-course is never a problem, as the system still guides you to your desired destination.

Johnnyma45

If you're tooling around town for the majority of your driving then no you probably don't need it. But I've had girls actually squeal when they see that screen pop up...it's definitely a crowd pleaser...

Feras

iTrader: (1)

well my job requires me to travel to brokerages across 4 states, and i never know where they are so i plunk in the address and bam best route to get there...im telling you i didnt want the nav at first, the perfect car on the lot for me happenned to have it, and its a decision i have not regretted one bit, not at all, navigation kicks ***.

plus if you want to do some spirited driving in a remote location with twisties that you dont know anything about, it helps to know how sharp the next turn is going to be....yup i sometimes use it as a race course map! hehehe

mysql101

I know you're here asking about the navi, but what options come with that used car? I ask because the base 6 speed manual car comes NEW at exactly that price.

MEGAREDS

It was expensive, but I use it... and I'm not ever going back.

mikeb

I agree

it gives short cuts and tons of help

Feras

iTrader: (1)

nothing beats being somewhere foreign, and having your car suggest a restaurant...in practice ive found that this part of the feature impresses lots of people.

BasenjiGuy

If you can afford it it's definitely worth it. My business partner has it on his Land Cruiser. We are a camera crew and on many of our jobs we go somewhere remote that we've never been before. The nav system is godsend in these situations. We usually mapquest the location before we go but that still doesn't give you the ability to real-time see the route, see surrounding roads, and, if necessary, modify your route.

These benefits extend past business use as well. I would definitely get it if you can afford it. Note, I have a Base RX-8 and love it.

Woodman

I only got it because the dealer cut me a deal. They said they have a very hard time selling an 8 with nav. The dealer "sort" of gave it to me for free! Thats good because I rarely use it. It's only usefull on trips or if your lost.