I have read some posts on this forum regarding a head unit exchange program for the RX-8. Basically, the 2004 and very early 2005 models do not have a SAT button on the head unit which is necessary for the satellite radio module to work. I called up Mazda (MNAO) and asked about a head unit exchange program for those of us who have the older head units. I called three separate times, and I got three completely different answers. First person, (typical Mazda) had no clue what I was talking about at all. Second person said that anyone who doesn't have the SAT button on their head unit will have to buy a new head unit if they want to have the OEM Sirius kit. The third person I spoke with kept putting me on hold to speak to a "product manager." (BTW, even after practically begging, he would NOT put me on the phone with this guy.) After a very lengthy conversation, he said that if you have a 2005 RX-8 without the SAT button, Mazda is obligated to replace it since it was supposed to be included. They apparently had a delay in the manufacturing of these new head units, and Mazda decided to go ahead and produce the initial 2005's without it and then go ahead and replace them all.

If anyone has had any luck getting their 2004 head unit exchanged for one with a SAT button, please let me know. I was considering buying one, but Mazda wouldn't even tell me what the PART NUMBER was for the new head unit. Very frustrating. Same lousy attitude as always.

 

trussvillemazda.com can order the HU for you, the guy even gave me a price quote, i forget what it was, I think $172 about a month ago.

 

That's odd. I spoke with Marshall at Trussville a couple of days ago, and he said that he couldn't order me one because he didn't have a part number. He suggested that I call my local service department. Naturally, they were clueless.

 

If this is true, then Mazda is handling this better than Infiniti did a couple years ago with the G35. The '03 G35 Coupes were supposed to come prewired for satellite radio; all you had to do is add the tuner (either Sirius OR XM -- they used a Clarion unit that had both options available) and antenna. But the early '03 G35's had the SAT button on the head unit, but no wiring. Infiniti said in effect, "Too bad".

Luckily, one Infiniti dealer in Dallas put together a wiring kit for about $40 that consisted of the wiring harness for a Nissan Pathfinder and a set of instructions -- that's a lot better than Infiniti/Nissan corporate did.

 

not true, and the HU cost about $200 for the not Sat verson.
If you dont have the Sat button then you need after market Sat Box and a PIE Aux input to get the audio from the Sat to the HU.

DO a search its been talked about ..