And at its' reasonable base price of $36,795, the opportunity to own one of 750 new 2004 RX-8s allocated to Canada for the 2003 calendar year is pretty special. While initial sales deposits taken from customers who haven't even driven the car have proven to be extremely positive, Canada is just one small country in a world that is hot for the new Mazda. Japan, for instance, took 5,000 pre-orders, a rare occurrence in a market that predominantly buys on impulse. The RX-8 is showing its popularity in Europe too. Of course, the U.S. will receive more than its' fair share of the global allocation.
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| With an impressively long list of standard features, it's a stretch calling the GS model 'base'. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Part of its' allure is the high level of standard features. Base GS models are hardly basic with standard features such as power windows, power locks with remote access, air conditioning, fog lights, aluminum foot pedals, leather steering wheel and shift knob, plus an impressive 9-speaker Bose AM/FM audio system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, not to mention that hot rotary engine mated to a standard 6-speed manual gearbox, or 4-speed automatic at no extra cost, 18-inch rims, 4-discs with ABS and EBFD, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera... like I said they're well equipped with a list much too long to print in these pages.
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| A fully loaded top-of-the-line RX-8 GT, priced at $43,595, is still cheaper than some of its competitors' base prices. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Top-of-the-line RX-8 GTs go for only $39,595, and add leather upholstery all-round with power actuation and heated cushions up front, an auto dimming rearview mirror with integrated Homelink remote control, an antitheft alarm system, dynamic stability control, and automatic headlight leveling of its upgraded xenon bulbs.
The only optional additions on GT models are a $1,000 power glass sunroof and a $3,000 navigation system, both of which pop the price up to $43,595, still lower than some of its 'competitors' base prices, if there are any that directly compete.
