mnkyboy

Hey jstand6, GREAT PICS!

MarkSpark

go to www.ebay.com and type in racing hart

theres always some deals going on

jstand6

Thanks mnkyboy! Being within an hour of Mazda's North American headquarters has its advantages! I'm still waiting to see an RX-8 on the road. They have been sited several times near their HQ. For pics of that go to RotaryNews.com. It looks like they are in the midst of redesigning their website... Scroll down about half way for the articles... you may need to highlight the text to read it.

MazspeedPro

Actually the sunroof is standard In the Mazda Speed Protege. I had the opportunity to sit in that car. Anyway I spoke with a mazda rep.and that is standard.

MazspeedPro

Anyway I am still waiting for mine!
Spicy orange

Theninemilly

yes i am also awaiting the spicey orange mazda speed but my dealer told me that the sunroof is not standard and not even an option. Has anyone else been told that? Thanx

Brian

jstand6

The Mazdaspeed Protege's (one black and one orange) being used for shows and events are prototype models based on the Protege ES with the ES Premium Package to get the side airbags and ABS/EBD which the Mazdaspeed has. However, a moonroof is part of that package and the Mazdaspeed won't have one.

If you look at the specs Mazda has listed (HTML, Flash, or PDF), you will see interior dimensions that say (w/o moonroof). If you build a Mazdaspeed Protege, you see that a moonroof is not a factory option (actually, there are no options). Also, none of the press vehicles are equipped with a moonroof (Car and Driver, Edmunds, Automobile, Road and Track, etc.).

A moonroof in a performance car such as the Mazdaspeed Protege is extra weight and less structural rigidity. Both of those factors are extremely important to handling dynamics. Mazda is pretty serious about building performance cars. Look at the 3rd Generation RX-7 R1. Or, even better yet, look at the 2003 Club Sport Miata... suspension package, LSD, no AC, no radio, no power steering, no windblocker, hardtop without the soft top installed...