Mazda RX-8

carliker

Graphic - You must listen to that Bose stereo at least some of the time. I've never heard a better stereo in a car. Due to listening to the stereo, I can't accurately detail the sound of the engine while commuting. Though, I know it's nice!

graphicguy

Yea....I listen to the stereo more now since the weather is getting cooler and I con't open the sunroof.

It is one of the best stock stereo set-ups I've heard.

mcballz13

FYI , a heads up to all interested: I purchased the parts to make my "8" look a lil more sleek than it already is. However, the directions were confusing and incorrect in spots. When popping the left and right air fender guards out you must screw the two strafes into each. The wholes they tell you to put the screws in were wrong so I had to do trial and error about 3 times on each side till I finally was able to get the adhesive lined up, equally spaced, and plush to the wheel well's. Just wanted to give you everyone heads up before you tried installing yourself. All in all the process prob took about two hours but the finished product looks amazing. It maked your Rx-8 that Ferrari look that it may have been missing!!! I still recommend everyone getting them... They are a little pricey currently but also prob the best exterior accessory out there right now!

lngtonge18

I can't believe some people are even having trouble finding an RX8 to test drive or their dealers have none in stock. I went back to my dealer today and there are 7 on the lot! Silver, black, gray, red, yellow, blue, and green. Basically one of each color. Good news about this is its definitely a buyers market in my city! No full MSRP for me if I decide to bite. Other good news is the other half liked the car. Yay! The dealer wasn't stupid enough to leave the cars unlocked this time so I couldn't play around inside the car and see if my first impressions were a little off.

carliker

If you can, post a link to the picture of your car. It would be nice to see those strakes. I believe someone else showed a picture of that, but not a full profile shot. In my opinion, it is the best exterior accessory available for the car (along with the spoiler). If I decided to keep my car, I would've definitely got them. Very cool!

graphicguy

I think the strakes look good, too. I'll definitely use some of my $500 from Mazda to install the strakes. How much were they? I'll probably have my dealer install mine. Do you know how much the dealer would charge for instalation?

Also, I'm thinking of having the front and rear lower bumper rotary symbols painted the same color as the rest of the car (winning blue). Anyone else try this? How'd you do it?

chaserct

Thanks for the input everyone, it helped to give me a better idea about the car. I wasn't sure if it was classified as a sports car because of the suicide doors or not. McBallz13...where abouts in New England are you? I'm over in CT. I would love to know how the car handles in the rain and snow. I read on another message board that it wouldn't handle as well b/c of rear wheel drive. I've always had front wheel or four-wheel so I'm curious on what you think, especially being from the same area. Thanks again!!

mcballz13

I have pics of the newly added strakes on my car but the best I can do is email, im somewhat comp literate , but not that much... Graphicguy I got them over the internet thru Trussville for like 175.00. Exp, but very worth it! I also bought the aluminum rotary accents too...
Chaserct, I live in the Philly area and the large dealerships near me also have rx-8's in every color of the rainbow in stock! I am not really sure why they are not selling fast around here? My guess is the horrible winter we had last year. People are preparing for the same? I dont plan on taking it out of the garage in the snow. I am a teacher and i have that luxury cuz we usually have off school. ha

P.S. Why aren't the rear pop out windows eletric like most newer mini vans? Their starting to be a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] everytime It rains cuz I cant reach them both while doin 80mph on the turnpike.

nyccarguy

Somebody mentioned that someone else on another board has both an RX8 and a 350Z? Somebody made a great comment about trading the 2 for an M3. If the Z is for the wife and the 8 is for the hubby, then if it were me, I'd buy an M3 and get up 2 hours early every morning toi drive my wife to work and pick her up.

I saw a Black/Black RX8 parked in front of a dealership next to a Black/Black Crysler Crossfire. The RX8 is such a slick and mean looking car! I love it in black!

mcballz13

Carliker and anyone else interested in what certain accessories look like before you buy, Pictures will be posted by Friday. I will post the link prob Thurs night. Just to prepare; I have a fully loaded 6 spd Metallic Silver.

P.S. Did anyone watch Fear Factor tonight? They were giving away a brand new Red Rx-8 to the person who ate the most African hissing spiders. People are nuts to be "us" ....

highender

I just test drove the RX8 yesterday . What is the horse power ? the mags say 250, but dealer says less, about 237 hp. Why the correction ?

the_big_h

of the official HP rating of the 6 speed RX-8. It is now 'officially' 238hp.

correction is most due to US emissions restriction.

graphicguy

I just returned from having my "free" oil change from my Mazda dealer. They had an '03 WRX on the used lot. Sales Manager said a guy just traded it for an RX8 last weekend.

carliker

Graphic - Unless that 2003 WRX was paid for (or mostly paid for), can you imagine how upside down that guy is right off the bat?

Well, I returned my vehicle yesterday. I was not excited or depressed about it since I feel that I'd find a greater fit (personally) in another car. However, the RX-8 was a blast to drive and I'd recommend the car to anyone. When I dropped the vehicle off, there were about 8 RX-8s on the lot. All different colors (except no green or black that I can remember) but only a couple had the spoiler. A few reds, two yellows, one silver, one titanium gray and a blue. My suggestion to RX-8 owners is to get those strakes and whatever other accessory can set their car apart from others. I can't remember a car that the accessories made such a difference (which can be seen in the posted pics some members have shown here). Otherwise, the car can look a little common after awhile. That's just my impression after seeing the eight of them next to each other. I also had mine for a couple of months so my perspective could be tainted. Thanks for the great discussions. I'll check in now and then. Take care!

graphicguy

I asked the Sales Manager how bad of a beating the WRX owner took to get an RX8. He said the used car manager gave him $17,000 for it. I would imagine it cost around $23K new. That's a $6K "hit". They had a "certified used sticker pirce" of $21K on it. Probably be able to buy it for $19K.

Good luck with your car experiences. It was great having you on the boards. Indeed, check in from time to time.

cheezeboy

Hi all.

I need to thank you all for the help and advice I have been reading here. A few hours ago I purchased a new RX8, all your advice and comments were part of the decision making process, but I must admit, I fell in love after the first drive! I only have 11 miles on it - it's late and I am beat - but I expect a nice trip to Disney World in a few weeks. I am sure I will enjoy the turnpike even more!

The specs: Red/Blk Automatic, sports package , and few options. I know, I know; "Why the auto?" My father may have to drive it from time to time and he only has 1 leg.....Least I can do for my pop! I do have a question, however, does anyone know how much $ it is for just the front/rear chrome triangle accents? I like those!

Thanks again for all the helpfull advice and comments. Let the Rotors Rule!

qbrozen

got an email from Mazda yesterday telling me to expect a test drive offer/invitation for the RX8 in the mail very soon. I think that is one that I'll actually have to use.

dtran2149

The accents are $139 according to the MazdaUSA website. I think the accents, side strakes, and exhaust finisher are three of the nicer accessories.

the_big_h

I got one too, I am SO taking up on this offer :-D

cheezeboy

I had to stop by the dealer this morning and asked about the accents and window tint. They quoted me $70 for the front tri accent, $85 for the rear and $250 for the tint job. I have no idea, as of today, if that is a good deal on the tint. Any advice is welcome.

Drove 20 more miles.....enjoyed every one of the double takes as I zooom'd by!....this car is fun!

graphicguy

big h...I'd be interested in your opinion of the test drive.

cheez...did the dealer have pricing for the front/rear chrome rotary accents and the strakes installed? If so, what were the prices?

Regarding tint....I know a fellow that does tint on the side...not affiliated with any "tint store". He does it during his "off hours". He charges $75 for rear window, and 4 side for car tinting. I think he charges $125 for SUVs.

I've seen his work and it's very good. I can't comment about the quality of the tint material he uses, though. I'll assume there may be a difference in the quality of tint materials, but have no knowledge of such.

He said my RX8 would take about an hour to do.

cheezeboy

Thanks for the tint info G-Guy! They told me I had 5 windows to tint, thus the price. I will ask some of my "sports car" friends here if they've had it done by someone around here.

And I was planning on installing the accents myself, unless there is something I am missing about the difficulty of a project like that. As far as I can tell, the Tri-Accents attach to plastic molding. The strakes, I saw, attach with a single screw through the wheel mesh thingy! Of course, I am new to my RX8, so I defer to the more experienced members of this forum.

I am glad I am not the only graphics professional here! Must be something in our blood! However I am more of a Vanquish guy! LOL! Thanks for the info.

glen124

of my new RX-8!! (Red 6-spd Sport Pkg) Sooooo worth it. A few initial observations:

1. Must be the world's biggest key fob. Why not integrate it with the key (a la VW)?

2. Dash info panel (clock, stereo, HVAC readouts) seems really bright at night compared to other dash lighting. Turn it down to tolerable, and everything else is really dim.

3. Maybe because it's red, (and the dealer demo was titanium), but by the looks, stares, and swiveling heads today, you'd think I just bought a Ferrari or something.... :-)

Cheezeboy: My dealer charged me $299 for the tint. Rip-off, but I wanted it done before delivery. Then it took an extra day, because they "didn't have the pattern yet" for the RX-8. But it looks really good against the red, and it's guaranteed forever (whatever that means). $150-200 would have been reasonable.

graphicguy

cheez...as long as your tint looks good, that's all that matters. Regarding the strakes, they don't look at all difficult to install, but my dealer "owes" me a favor (different story) and plan on having them do it. I really think the strakes are the single best "add-on" you can make to the 8.

glen....tend to agree with you about the "key fob". It's a big'un. I've seen some other manufacturers that actually put the remote door lock buttons on the key, which would have been a nice touch, but I'm not complaining.

The center info center does seem brighter than the "red" for the rest of the controls now that you mention it.

golf_nut

I actually have noticed that the center message center is difficult to see due to glare from the sun.

Also, it is awkward to work the shifter if you actually have cups in the cup holders in the center console.

Those are two minor complaints I have about the car.

Karen_S

Mazda Mania Chat
Tuesday nights - 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET.

habitat1

I've noticed there has been talk of the RX8 not achieving the MPG some buyers expected. I have an S2000 and went on a two day golf trip yesterday. On the return trip today, I filled up before leaving and used 5.305 gallons for 161.4 miles for an average of 30.42 mpg. The trip was all highway, except for the last 15+/- miles inside the DC beltway. I averaged avout 76 mph, about 1/3 with the top down, the rest with the top up.

On the one pure highway tankful I measured previously, I got 32.1 mpg at 74 mph with the top up. I average about 22 mpg in in-town driving, with a worst tankful in 2 years of 19.5.

I would think that the RX-8, with similar horsepower and vehicle weight, should get very similar highway mileage to the S2000. Better than the S2000 with the top down, due to added drag. If it doesn't, that suggests to me that perhaps rotary engines are not as effieicent as piston ones?

qbrozen

that's always been the case, habitat.

cheezeboy

GGuy - Agreed, strakes are cool, but I sooo like the Tri's. So it's settled; I'll get both!!

Glen - thanks for the $ on the tint. $250, from the dealer, is sounding better.

FYI, I got on I95 last night and was soon joined by a nice RX7 GLS from the 80's. Got the thumbs-up from the driver and off we went through traffic, enjoying the early evening. To paraphrase Honda Motorcycles, "You meet the nicest people in a RX8!"...zoom zoom...

audia8q

congrats on your new car!!...Like you I discovered that driving a red RX-8 is like drivign around with a rock star....the car is a celebrity everywhere it goes!!

graphicguy

Does your dealership allow big discounts on the RX8 for employees?

stang0013

Just picked up my RX8 today.Nordic Green. The wife will be driving so I got the auto with the grand touring package. MSRP was $30,300. Paid $29,300 out the door. No trade and no financing. Got the car at Flemington Mazda in Flemington, New Jersey. No hassles, no haggeling. Great dealership. See Ernie Andrascik and tell him Stan sent you.

audia8q

yes.

graphicguy

Gotta love working for Mazda then......:-). I know you've been around these boards for a while. How long have you been at your dealership?

mcballz13

Check out my baby, over 5k miles now but still lookin only a day old!

Fully loaded 6 spd Silver with all the options...

Here is the link: http://www.teamcrotty.org/mc

-Enjoy all

graphicguy

OOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

That is beautiful. You did the same to your RX8 that I plan on doing to mine.

Great looking car!

cheezeboy

Guess I can show my newborn RX8 here too. Just passed 250 miles and 95 mph on the speed-o...Hey, it was an accident!!...I swear I didn't know I was going that fast!!...LOL!!

http://www.fungistudios.com/RX8_Shima/RX8_Shima.htm

mcballz13 - love the strakes!! gotta get those!

mcballz13

Thanks guy's for the comments... Let me know if you have any questions with the Strakes, i put them on myself. Although it wasn't that easy.

MP-3 player will prob be my next add on but that is a little ways down the road... If anyone has it installed already please let me know how it works and sounds...

graphicguy

Yesterday was a perfect day to put on one last Zaino coat and go for a ride before winter sets in....about 75, dry and sunny.

I stopped by another friend's house, who is also a performance car "addict".

He loves Ford muscle cars. He has an '03 Cobra convertible. Although, he has seen my RX8, he'd never driven it.

Well, we decided to take a country spin. He gave me the keys to his Cobra (top went down immediately) and I gave him the keys to my RX8. Off we went. No doubt the Cobra is faster than the RX8 in a straight line, but once we hit the bakcroads, it was no contest....the Cobra had to be arm wrestled and forced. I'd lose him on the straights in his Cobra, but he beat me in the corners and sweepers by a mile in my RX8.

Long story, short....he said he'd trade me even up (yea, right) for the RX8. Not going to happen!

We both had a lot of fun in each other's car.

What a great way to spend a nice afternoon!

rx8_is_great

Mcballz, nice looking car...but now you need to get the appearance pkg and spoiler! The spoiler (IMO) makes the back look "so much" better!

My next upgrade will be tinted windows and a few of the little upgrades mine didn't come with...

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ready2playdg/lst?.dir=/RX8+Pics&- amp;- amp;.view=t

cheezeboy

MC - describe what you went through for the installation of the strakes. I am curious as to what has to be removed, what doesn't, what shouldn't, etc....anything special?....

Does everybody else find an excuse to leave work and "drive" home for lunch?...or is it just me??...

cheezeboy

GGuy - I have a friend who has a 'Vette. I know he will want to trade for a test drive, but I am afraid to. I KNOW I will get stuck with the funky fiberglass beast for at least a week!!

Whatever you do, don't trade for a Mustang!..Ever!!

graphicguy

No plans to trade for a Mustang. I'd be real unhappy. Every once in a while, not often, it is fun to drive my "buds" Cobra convertible, though.

dinu01

http://www.media.mazda.com/news_release/index2_e.html?product_inf- o=menu2003_e&2003=1009_e

Dinu

mcballz13

I don't really want to jump into buying the spoiler right away for two reasons; that is somthing to add a year or two down the road when I need to give it a fresh "new look", and also by then the price should come down a little. But it is in the long term plan don't worry.
  As far as the strake installation goes you will need to 1. pop approx 4 fasteners on the rear portion of each wheel well. (huge pain to get back on when done!) 2. Reach your hand behind the side grill where the strake goes and pop that out also. 3. Then the little strakes need to be screwed into the back of that grill while finding the exact corresponding holes to make the two parallel. (this will take a while with many trial and errors). 4. After that is done you push/pop the side grill(s) back in to their place and remove the adhesive from the remaining showing portion of the strake. They will stick forever with that glue. If you can do all this without breaking anything on the car , you gold! Just get a couple friends to come over one afternoon and help, thats what i did, it is all worth it in the end...

eyeswide

Chevy's SS Concept car looks like a mutant RX-8.

The front view is the give away, I'd know those fender bumps anywhere.

Coincidence, I think not!

Does someone have an idea of who was first ?

qbrozen

was introduced quite a while ago. Hmmmm.. I'd be hard pressed to figure out who was first. I do remember seeing the RX8 at the NY auto show in Spring of '02. I don't believe the SS was there, but I don't know if that means anything.

civictd04

I found this video. It's a race with the Mazda RX-8 on a closed circuit race course against several other cars, including Infiniti G35, Acura Integra Type R (RSX-Type R), Honda S2000, Mazda Miata, and a Subaru WRX. The RX8 didn't do well, second to last in the race. You have to download the file, unzip it to view it.

http://www.rasterwerks.com/vid/BestMOTORing_2003.07_Part08.avi.zi- p

Here's another link, but it seems really slow
http://www.gtrcentral.com/movies/data/other/BestMOTORing_2003.07_- Part08.avi

blake182

I am aware that the Default Navigation System cannot play DVD Movies because it only reads movies in the SDAL Format. But I was told that there is a Firmware Crack somewhere on the internet that will allow you to update the Bios of the DVD Reader and it will allow it to recognized DVD MOVIE Formats, etc. Has anyone had any luck with this???? I would love to watch a DVD on my 7" screen!

graphicguy

I think others have tried to "hack" it but have been unsuccessful....mainly due to the fact that the DVD unit isn't set up for playback of "movie" DVDs. I'm sure you could add a portable DVD player and splice it's output into the screen, however (if you'd really want to do that). I'm sure there are laws that would be broken to have a DVD movie playing in the front seat area of any car.