Mazda RX-8 Accessories and Modifications
Share your RX-8 accessories/modifications here!
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I am interested to hear from others who have added accessories and are re-considering some decisions in hindsight, now that they have taken delivery of the car.
Port installed: Appearance Package (air dam & aero flares), Rotary Accents, Rear Spoiler, Cargo Net.
Added Accessories: Air Outlet Garnishes (Strakes), Exhaust Finishers, Aluminum Scuff Plates, Door Edge Guards, Inner Door Protectors, Cargo Tray, Car Cover.
And... (whew!) Window tinting. 30%side/20%rear.
If you check out the link to my pics, you can see all the accessories. http://web.tampabay.rr.com/mbarto/images/My_RX-8/
The parts are overpriced, but there is only one source - Mazda. By the way, you can try to negotiate with your parts dealer (which I did) or you can find these up to 15-20% off through some of Mazda dealers online. PM me if you want to go the online route and install them yourself. I can provide you a Mazda dealer that sells at a discount online.
And don't forget to add the cost, if you want the dealer to install them for you. Advantage - those parts are covered under the full 4 yr warranty if you get them installed with your car purchase.
Here are the retail prices:
Exhaust Finishers: $250 set
Air Outlet Garnishes (Strakes): $250 set
Scuff Plates (Door sill): $270 set
Until a third party starts producing some comparable after-factory parts, if you want to play - you got to pay.
http://www.trussvillemazda.com
How easy/difficult to install the MP3 player by yourself?
Can you post a few pictures?
http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7644
I heard it's about 1.5 - 2 hour install. I had my dealer install it, since he gave me a discount on the purchase and install, plus it would be covered for the full 4 yr. warranty.
It looked too difficult for me to install.
To me, it really wasn't worth my time. I make good money, and to take 2 hours out of my time to install it, wasn't worth it. I also didn't want to risk scatching or damaging anything. The dealer charge me about $120 to install it, on top of the cost of the player. I felt it was worth it on the warranty standpoint too, since the normal warranty is only 1 year, but if you have the dealer install it as a new car option, it is covered under the bumper-to-bumper 4 yr warranty.
Some people got the 6-cd changer as an option, installed at the factory. They paid $500. For me to get the player at $350 and labor at $120, I felt it was worth it since it was close to the same price, and didn't mind if the dealer installed it.
If you feel you can navigate fine via a map, don't need the special things you can do with a GPS NAV, and don't want to pay $2000, then it wouldn't be worth it to you.
Me, although I am pretty handy with a map, I found that the NAV offers so much more than a paper map. Gives me options of finding specific gas stations, hotels, resturants, etc, if we are traveling, and know exactly how far you got to go to reach them. Also if I'm ever in an unfamiliar city, enter the address, and you are routed there with no problem. Also I didn't mind paying $2000 for it.
No question is ever a dumb question. The Appearance Package consists of the front air dam and the a set of aero flares which are in front and back of the rear wheel wells. Check out my pics on my website.
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/mbarto/images/My_RX-8/
I feel it is worth it. It gives the car a more agressive profile.
I am considering buying the spare tire kit for my RX-8. But, I am worried that the tire will take up too much space in the trunk. Has anyone else purchased the spare tire kit? Can you tell me if there is enough room in thee trunk or do you regret getting the kit????? Thanks.
visit http://www.fungistudios.com/RX8_Shima/RX8_Shima.htm
new pix are in section 3!
enjoy!
BTW have you ever considered getting an inexpensive 2nd/3rd car like a Miata to enjoy drop top driving in FL?
BTW, has anyone here purchased the "Aluminum Tone Power Window Switches" and if so, what was the install like? I kinda like those! Well, that and the "Interior Night Lights"..so many accessories - so few $'s......
was at the dealer today and they told me that they have a bunch of accessories, from the web site, in stock now!....lord help me - I am so weak! (but happy according to carliker) :-)
He told me that to install them, they take off the grill panel, and if I'm not mistaken, he said there was something behind the grill already there that allowed them to be mounted easily. The part should come with instructions though if you do it yourself - or the part dept. should be able to help you. They are VERY sharp though - they add an extra 'zing' to the car, especially if it's a black or dark gray RX8 in my opinion. This part might be on eBay soon for even less, but I haven't seen them on there yet. This being a new car and all, it might be a little longer till that price goes down. But 186 was the lowest I could find, and it was at Rosenthal Mazda in Virginia. Good luck. My e-mail address is Bamadog AT bamadog DOT com.
I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and within the next couple of weeks will be buying or ordering a base 6-speed, Titanium and black cloth interior. The only option I'll get will be the factory cargo net! None of the factory options I've seen improve the car's performance -- I've grateful Mazda is not nickel-and-diming us for good wheels/tires/brakes like others do. When a reliable chip comes along that restores the car's original horsepower, that will be my only performance modification.
As soon as I get the car I'll have all the badging removed. I don't want anything to distract from its complex contours and unique shape.
I'll end up with a very clean-looking RX-8, with minimum weight and complexity. For sound I'll use my iPod and noise-cancelling Bose headphones, as I do now with my Miata (only on long trips). The car's sound system will be used for the radio only.
I plan to keep my RX-8 for a long time. From personal experience I know Mazda's long-term durability is top-notch. And from viewing this car I know it will look as fresh a decade from now as it does today.
When I've got the car I'll post some pics on my Web site so you-all can see a "minimalist" approach. In the meantime, thanks for all the info.
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1.) Better integratiion. The controls are conveniently located on the armrest for easier operation while the display is mounted high on the dash for maximum visibility and safety. No need to clutter the dash with the obligatory wires and mounting equipment.
2.) Better accuracy. I am *ASSUMING* the nav system option includes not only the GPS receiver but also a speed monitor and gyroscope. Does anyone no this for sure?? I am under the impression that all factory-installed systems have speedometer/gyro for improved accuracy, even my 2002 BMW 325Ci with a slow-[non-permissible content removed] ghetto CD-ROM-based system had speedometer/gyro integrated...
3.) More secure. With a removable GPS, you run into the situation where you have to "hide" your GPS whenever you park because its defintely a hot item for thiefs to steal. Thiefs are stupid, but they're experienced enough to know current factory-installed GPS and/or audio systems are useless once removed.
That's my $.02.