2008.5 MAZDASPEED3 - Now in CRYSTAL WHITE and METROPOLITAN GRAY

[Adammazda06]

I've read through the posts -- but either I'm blind, really forgetful, or no one mentioned it -- when are the 08.5 models supposed to be rolling out here?

I'm looking to trade/sell my current car, and I need to time things right. It'd be nice to wind up with the latest and greatest (debatable, i suppose).

Also -- will there be a price hike? Sounds to me like the upgrades = upgraded cost, right? It'd be nice if our dealership friend could answer some of these questions.

thanks!

on another page on the spec deck said scheduled for january production, so i would guess they should be hitting dealerships late feb at the earliest but more than likely march. i have emailed my mazda district salesmanager about when our dealership can start ordering them. i will pass the information on once he gets back with me. price hike will be minimal if any.

 

[MSelo]

Meh, I'm happy with TR....however...if that australian aurora blue came out I'd probably punch my cat.

 

[Adammazda06]

on another page on the spec deck said scheduled for january production, so i would guess they should be hitting dealerships late feb at the earliest but more than likely march. i have emailed my mazda district salesmanager about when our dealership can start ordering them. i will pass the information on once he gets back with me. price hike will be minimal if any.

my DM emailed me back and said dealerships can go ahead and start ordering the 2008.5. if you want to be one of the firsts to get one of the colors, i would go ahead and order one asap. i know i am.

 

[Bengilante]

Damn. If my head gasket on the previous car hadn't gone out, I would have waited for a Metallic Gray. Back to washing the black mica...

 

[D_Roc7822]

yeah this is really tempting.. cause its either try and wait it out with my POS hyundai scoupe (if anyone remembers that) that I hardly think will make it past this month and get a white MS3. Or just say F it and get the black or silver one they have @ the dealership right now. Decisions decisions. Ahh its too much pressure.

 

[redspeed]

yeah this is really tempting.. cause its either try and wait it out with my POS hyundai scoupe (if anyone remembers that) that I hardly think will make it past this month and get a white MS3. Or just say F it and get the black or silver one they have @ the dealership right now. Decisions decisions. Ahh its too much pressure.

Aaah Hyundai Scoupe, We had the turbo version back in PR. I don't think it came to the states.
If you know you're gona get a new ms3, why not wait and get the new colors. Unless you want one of the current ones.

 

[D_Roc7822]

Aaah Hyundai Scoupe, We had the turbo version back in PR. I don't think it came to the states.
If you know you're gona get a new ms3, why not wait and get the new colors. Unless you want one of the current ones.

yeah that sounds good in theory but when Im stranded on the side of the road from whatever is wrong with the scoupe (and trust me it could be a variety of things) Ill be kicking myself in the balls on why I didnt get one. And I think the turboed version of the scoupe did make it to the states just to clarify. Saying turbo & scoupe in the same sentence just should never happen. Its like saying Geo Metro & turbo..

 

[redspeed]

yeah that sounds good in theory but when Im stranded on the side of the road from whatever is wrong with the scoupe (and trust me it could be a variety of things) Ill be kicking myself in the balls on why I didnt get one. And I think the turboed version of the scoupe did make it to the states just to clarify. Saying turbo & scoupe in the same sentence just should never happen. Its like saying Geo Metro & turbo..

Hey, believe me, there are some sick fast turbo Hyundai's back home in PR. People just modify any 4 banger down there, and make it fast as hell. Most of the work is custom, by the way.

 

[D_Roc7822]

Hey, believe me, there are some sick fast turbo Hyundai's back home in PR. People just modify any 4 banger down there, and make it fast as hell. Most of the work is custom, by the way.

yeah it would have to be lol... cause I was gonna rice out the scoupe but all I could find is a fart can lol.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Partial bummer...

EXTERIOR ENHANCEMENTS:
Sunlight Silver and Cosmic Blue are being discontinued. That's right. If you want one of these colors: Buy now, or say goodbye. Because starting January 2008, there's a new color line up.

The new line up of colors is Black Mica, True Red, Crystal White Pearl Mica, and Metropolitan Gray Mica (a unique charcoal gray which was on the Anniversary Edition RX-8 for one year).

INTERIOR ENHANCEMENTS:
This is where things get juicy.

Everything that was once a Dark Gray trim is now being replaced with PIANO BLACK (center console, decorative strip, trim panels, switch panels, steering trim, etc.) The Decoration panel will now also include a MAZDASPEED logo. (my guess is it'll be engraved in)

All CD players are now MP3 compatible.



That's right, the seats for the Grand Touring are now listed as black alcantara with leather bolsters.

But you know what, although the piano black finish would look nice it would probably scratch pretty easily and get damned hot in the sun. MP3 playback is a non-issue for me. However I do like the grey, but not enough to regret buying my Sunlight Silver.

 

[SPEED305]

But you know what, although the piano black finish would look nice it would probably scratch pretty easily and get damned hot in the sun. MP3 playback is a non-issue for me. However I do like the grey, but not enough to regret buying my Sunlight Silver.

+1
I dont care what they do to it, i love my Sunlight Silver(first)

 

[fourthmeal]

Not too bad, really. I have an 08 Tribute with this piano-black interior trim, same style as planned in the new MS3. It isn't too bad with scratches, especially if you coat it with good wax (Zaino for me)...I've scratched it with a metal tool, but it somewhat buffed right out! It is so pretty though...I really like the idea of swapping my interior parts to this stuff.

But you know what, although the piano black finish would look nice it would probably scratch pretty easily and get damned hot in the sun. MP3 playback is a non-issue for me. However I do like the grey, but not enough to regret buying my Sunlight Silver.

 

[Quiksilver05]

Anyone want to trade Sunlight Silver for a white one? Seriously tho the white MS3 looks pretty sweet!

 

[crystalmeth3]

i am buying a sport, am i crazy?

i am passing up the alacantra seats. That is the most attractive feature now on the the gt but i ordered a white one and i will not have the same ability to haggle the final price as a guy who walks off the street and wants a car that is on the lot. If there is no price increase for the 2008.5 or an extra charge for white (like in canada) then there is something like a $1600 difference in price for the sport to the gt,... I would rather spend that on upgrades (clearbra, tint, springs) than have the alacantara, hids, and bose.

call me crazy, i had regret as soon as i got off the phone with the dealership to change my order from gt to sport but i plan on spending $2000 on upgrades.

 

[Adammazda06]

i am passing up the alacantra seats. That is the most attractive feature now on the the gt but i ordered a white one and i will not have the same ability to haggle the final price as a guy who walks off the street and wants a car that is on the lot. If there is no price increase for the 2008.5 or an extra charge for white (like in canada) then there is something like a $1600 difference in price for the sport to the gt,... I would rather spend that on upgrades (clearbra, tint, springs) than have the alacantara, hids, and bose.

call me crazy, i had regret as soon as i got off the phone with the dealership to change my order from gt to sport but i plan on spending $2000 on upgrades.

dont forget auto wipers too! haha. i love the alcantara, and i have regret not getting navi on my current 07. especially since i vacationed in hilton head. you can't find nothing there because all the buildings look exactly alike. but you're not crazy. everyone has their own preference.

 

[Young Roids]

i will not have the same ability to haggle the final price as a guy who walks off the street and wants a car that is on the lot.

The dealer has to love that. They will probly just rake you on it.(drunk)

 

[CHICO2003]

dont forget auto wipers too! haha. i love the alcantara, and i have regret not getting navi on my current 07. especially since i vacationed in hilton head. you can't find nothing there because all the buildings look exactly alike. but you're not crazy. everyone has their own preference.

you're better off without the (factory) nav. It's garbage.

If you're in the market, check cnet for the latest reviews on portable navs... or better yet, do what I did and get yourself a pioneer avic d3. Metra makes a nice dash kit for double din HUs.

 

[CHICO2003]

i am passing up the alacantra seats. That is the most attractive feature now on the the gt but i ordered a white one and i will not have the same ability to haggle the final price as a guy who walks off the street and wants a car that is on the lot. If there is no price increase for the 2008.5 or an extra charge for white (like in canada) then there is something like a $1600 difference in price for the sport to the gt,... I would rather spend that on upgrades (clearbra, tint, springs) than have the alacantara, hids, and bose.

call me crazy, i had regret as soon as i got off the phone with the dealership to change my order from gt to sport but i plan on spending $2000 on upgrades.

Considering nobody has even seen the seats on the new car, I wouldn't necessarily say you're crazy for buying a sport. (especially based on the reasons you gave.) I WOULD, however, say you're crazy for buying one the way you did and thus, killing your chances of getting a deal.

I was THIS close to buying an MS3 a couple weeks ago. Had them down to $100 over (the actual, not their BS) invoice. Would've been a sweet deal but I'm glad (especially now) that I bailed. (unlike most, I'm diggin the metro grey color) Point is... Even with white being as popular as it is, eventually the excitement will die down (just like it did when the car first came out) and there will be excess inventory to be had... at rock bottom prices.

If you need to be the first to have one THAT bad... go for it. But when the average person keeps a car for 3+ years, waiting an extra couple months or so in order to trim a grand or more off the principal makes sound financial sense.

 

[CHICO2003]

+1
I dont care what they do to it, i love my Sunlight Silver(first)

I agree. bad move on Mazda's part imo. Obviously they had their reasons... but I think SS is the best color overall... including white. It fits the sleeper image and the way it matches the wheels makes it look bad ass.

After seeing this vid 54) I was sold.... well, sort of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMjfgKl-4N4

 

[crystalmeth3]

Isnt white a rare color in Canada where they have been offering it all along? I just want to make certain i will get a white one instead of hoping the dealer has one incoming or on the lot. The dealer i ordered from said it should be arriving April/May. Doesnt that leave about 3 months of the 2008.5? I would kick myself if i saw the white and no matter how hard i tried, could not get one off some dealers lot.
I hope i can get $500 off sticker. I think thats completely possible.

ordering postive: guaranteed car, exact car you want (color, options), informed delivery date to sell current car and deal with all other car related hassles like insurance, NO TEST DRIVE MILES (i will be there when the tech takes it off the truck for the safety shake-down drive), no competing with other buys for the same car as the dealer takes highest bidder.

ordering negatives: the anticipation, the higher sale price.