2008 MT Options

[Instinct]

I was really liking the 2008 5, but I want it with MT. So I was going through the 'build a vehicle' thing on the mazda site and it looks like you are totally limited with MT. No pep, no electroluminescent gauges, not even foglights.

Is this really how it is? Why in the world can't I have a GT with manual?

Can dealers offer up other configurations or are they limited to what mazda says?

I'm in the North American market. Any info is appreciated.

[2ride4life]

I don't know what the process is for importing cars in the USA, but if you really need a Mazda5 GT with manual, you will have to buy it up north in Canada.

[starlightmica]

Mz5's without manuals didn't sell very well, hence the restriction. Europe now gets 6 speeds with both gas and diesel engines. I recall the JDM Premacy only comes with an automatic. How to bring your Sport up to spec:

- factory sunroof - no go :(
- Mazda accessory fog lights are about street price $200-ish and less than an hour of your time
- spoiler & side sills can also be had as accessories
- EL gauges are standard on the Sport MT according to the MazdaUSA web site, don't know about Canada
- 6CD changer can be had on eBay for $100 or less
- LED tails are about $400, one of the authorized vendors will be carrying them
- leather wheel/cover, leather shift knob - aftermarket or eBay
- plastic trim - a few ways to do this using vinyl or primer + paint

[bulwnkl]

OK, I can't see a way to get the electroluminescent gauges nor LED tail lights on a sport (USA market), but:

1) The moonroof is a standalone option available on the Sport,
2) The side sills/rear spoiler/6-disc changer is what the popular equipment package is (6-disc changer is also a stand-alone option),
3) Foglights are a stand-alone option on the Sport.

So, at least several items are available on the Sport from the factory and/or as dealer-installed options.

[coolmazda5]

I was really liking the 2008 5, but I want it with MT. So I was going through the 'build a vehicle' thing on the mazda site and it looks like you are totally limited with MT. No pep, no electroluminescent gauges, not even foglights.

Is this really how it is? Why in the world can't I have a GT with manual?

Can dealers offer up other configurations or are they limited to what mazda says?

I'm in the North American market. Any info is appreciated.

North America? Would that be USA, Canada or Mexico??

GT sounds like a Canadian trim, but if you are in the US, I just got an 08 Sport Manual with electroluminiscent gauges, AUX input (they come by default in the US), side-sills, spoiler and 6CD Player (as part of the Popular Package). No sunroof of course but there is an option for fog lights (the dealer told me they can do it, but I wanted to close the deal quickly and then maybe go after-market for them next year).

[HotRodSaint]

I'm in the North American market.

So do you live in Canada, the USA or Mexico? (dunno)

[coolmazda5]

So do you live in Canada, the USA or Mexico? (dunno)

LOL, Same question I posted. I beat you at least on this one HotRodSaint. As per the cool car mods, you are still up the chart :D

[AIMWO4]

You'll just have to wait until they get here. My 2007 w/ MT came with a few options. You can get the others added by the dealership.

[Instinct]

Lol sorry, should have said US. I didn't realize that even in the different NA segments there are different options.

You guys are great, thanks for all the reps. I'll see what the dealers can do when they start getting some in.

Looking like I can have everything on the touring w/ MT if I work at it.. except the moonroof. Seems petty I know, but after having my last 2 vehicles without one I realized I miss it.

Hopefully I'll be among you guys as an owner soon...

[bulwnkl]

Who's missing what here? At MazdaUSA.com, you can get a moonroof with a M/T Sport. So why are folks talking like this is not possible? What did I miss?

[Instinct]

Who's missing what here? At MazdaUSA.com, you can get a moonroof with a M/T Sport. So why are folks talking like this is not possible? What did I miss?

You are right. In the build a vehicle section you seemingly can add the PEP, and power moonroof. My problem is that part of the site, the specifications page, and the pdf you download all have conflicting information. (they both say '5AT only' for pep) Maybe they just don't have it all sorted out yet.

My experience with car salesmen over the years hasn't exactly been stellar, so I like to know exactly what I can and can't get before dealing with them.

[coolmazda5]

You are right. In the build a vehicle section you seemingly can add the PEP, and power moonroof. My problem is that part of the site, the specifications page, and the pdf you download all have conflicting information. (they both say '5AT only' for pep) Maybe they just don't have it all sorted out yet.

My experience with car salesmen over the years hasn't exactly been stellar, so I like to know exactly what I can and can't get before dealing with them.

My only suggestion is to check the inventory around your area a couple of times a week. I agree, the specs posted in mazdausa.com for 08s are confusing i.e. it clearly indicates that the 2008 Sport 5MT could not have the Popular Package option, but I then checked the dealer's inventory where I service my 06 and they had one. I thought it was an error until I saw it in-person.

In my case I'm just missing the fogs, but I'll follow starlightmica's advice and will find them after-market next year (or when I have some extra moolah :D). Problem now is that the 08 does not have the fogs' bezels "ready" like the 06 or 07, so I'm eating my own words as earlier I said I did not like that ;)