Ok, I am new to this club and I've had my 8 for over a year and a half and I thought joining this message board would benefit me (and it has...a little, but searching for answers through some of this stuff is difficult). I post questions, get bypassed, and never get answers. People start arguements, back and forth and back and forth....childish if you ask me.....SOOOOO I will turn to my fellow southerners who hopefully will help me out or lead me to where the answers are.

I have a couple points of interest:

1) I want to install a remote starter on my car (AT) - I've gotten a quote ($390) at a local automotive shop for a starter/alarm combo installed , but had a few concerns. I believe it is a ZR45 or XR45 from The Right Connection. Any good? Is there a way to install the remote starter and keep the factory alarm - I was told no because you can't remotely lock your car while the key is in the ignition. Does it cut into your wire harness and will it void any warranty? I don't want somebody screwing something up - I get enough of that from my Mazda dealer.

2) I was wondering why you can't put some parts on the front of the car (air dam or whatever) unless you have MT - just curious as to why? I am no technical guru when it comes to cars. I'm interested in giving my 8 a face lift (front, rear, sides - skirts, lip/under spoilers) - I see a couple things I like - anyone have any suggestions on good prices/installers. I am terrified when I go to Mazda because they are always screwing something up on my car or putting nice little scratches on it and on the inside.

3) Will be needing tires soon - I have Bridgestone Potenzas 225/45/R18 91W - are there other brands that would be just as good as those. The tire shops around here keep telling me about other brands (sizes) that would be good also...here are a few of their suggestions...please let me know your opinion!

Hankook, Yokohama, Sumitoma, BF Goodrich, Nankang - some of the sizes are different from my Potenzas....not sure what the advantages/disadvantages are for that or what the adv/disadv are for any of these brands. The prices are of course cheaper than Potenzas. I am almost at 22,000 miles so just a matter of miles before I get new tires.

Thanks for any help. I'm sure someone out there will have the answers!

 

I assume you have a AT.

Remote start - I haven't heard of them. I did a quick Google search and couldn't find any reviews. Is it just a starter or does it have an alarm also? I assume you checked around different shops for prices and models?

Mods - unless I am wrong, I don't think there is any restriction to exterior mods based on if you have an AT or and MT.

Tires - Many, many threads concerning this. I am partial to the Pirelli PZero M&S. I did a quick search on the board - many threads came back for the Hankook, Yokahama, BF Goodrich. Only your post for Sumitoma. Here is a good link for the Nankang:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=nankang

Very extensive post about the Pirelli Pzero M&S:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ighlight=pzero

I don't think people were ignoring you. There are so many opinions about so many different things. You almost have to do quite an extensive search and a lot of reading to get a good feel about what everybody thinks. Then just when you have your mind made up - someone else says something and it changes everything!

Glad you are here..enjoy your 8! I know you have been!

 

1. Short answer....find a new install shop. These guys obviously don't have a clue. One, it shouldn't cost that much, two, you can/should do the things you are asking. If all you want is remote start tied into the factory alarm, you are obviously not looking for the full alarm/remote start kit. I would recommend Directed electronics, specifically the Viper system. They make alarms/remote start/alarm with remote start. You would be looking for the remote start...and it would get tied into your existing alarm. The only problem here is that you need a key immobilizer bypass, in essense, they take one of your current keys, and with the help of a module for that alarm system, they stick the key and module somewhere in the vehicle to bypass the key immobilization built into your car. This means, one, you loose a key, two, key immobilization is no longer utilized. Thus, you may want to look into a new entire alarm with remote start from Viper....but that's your call.

2. I'm not quite sure why you couldn't add the same appearance items to an AT as an MT. The only difference so far as I know is the existance of 2 oil coolers on the MT, as opposed to one on the AT. But again, I don't see why that should stop you from installing any appearance package.

3. You probably want to stay close to the same size....for good pricing, I'd check out http://www.tirerack.com They usually have very good pricing, and I've never found an instance where they weren't far cheaper than a shop. The only issue, would be that you would still need a shop to install, balance, and even perform an alignment.
As for brands, Yokohama, Dunlup, and Michillen are my personal favs. I personally hate Potenzas cause they stink in any but the dryest and warmest of weather. But tires will essentially be a personal preferance. Again, take a look at TireRack...they have customer ratings of handling, weather handling, comfort, etc, of all their tires.

Hope that helps!

 

I'm between your fellow southerns we can help you out. I don't know that much, but here's my part:

1) I thought most remote starters came with alarms... I don't see why you couldn't have both, but I'm not a technical guru either. :o

2) I don't see why you couldn't put a body kit on an AT. The only issue with kits that I can think of is that tires on base model are 16" and tires on G/T model are 18" so kits on base may not allow much of a ground clearance.

3) I have been told that tires other than stock are just as good, if not better. Mine will be replaced while it's in the shop and I'm changing to a different brand. Not sure which brand, but it will be cheaper to replace later on.

 

Finally! Some help! Thanks guys.

I will check out your suggestions.

Got an AT; MT too much 4 me - powerwise, not pricewise
I had a manual but rather relax when I drive - ok I got LAZY! No offense for MT owners...you know you got great stuff!

The whole appearance package thing - on the Mazda brochure (website, too) it says some of the exterior parts are not compatible for ATs - just was wondering.

The shop where I was going to get my remote starter installed did ask for another key - I have 3 so not gonna be sad to give one up. Just not sure about warrantys and stuff with the 8. I believe I am going to go talk to them again today after I do some more researching. They are really nice people and have the lowest price so far of anyone around here for a remote starter/alarm combo. It's just when I went a year ago - they said I would have to get the combo because when he started my car and closed my door, the factory remote would not lock my car while the car was started. Confusing. So they said I would need to get an alarm also.

Tires - I have searched on tirerack.com - great prices. Just wasn't sure with all the suggested tires which one was best. My Potenzas have been great.....way down here in south Louisiana - steamy hot so I have had no problems with them....I was just going to try and save some money...that's all.

Thanks for your help :D

 

Thanks gurl! Yeah, maybe that is it. I have the GT package with 18's......that must be why.

As far as tires. Still undecided, but I have 8000 miles to think about it.

I know I read about your little accident Sorry. Stupid trees.....they just pop out in front of you when you least expect it!

 

Just curious - why do you want a remote start? You mentioned something about saving money. I might spend the $390.00 as a start to a better sound system?

 

Have you seen anyone with a remote start system? Mr. Ed has one and I get jealous everytime he whips out his little remote, hits the button, gets a beep and the car roars to life. Very cool. Dammit Mr. Ed!!! :D

 

....I get jealous everytime he whips out his little remote, hits the button, gets a beep...

Ohhhh...the remote.....

....car roars to life....

Yeah..yeah.... No I haven't seen one..does sound cool though.

 

I had my tires replaced with Toyo tires and I am enjoying them quite a bit. I have almost 60K miles on my car with about 20K on the new tires. They handled well on dry and wet roads. Haven't had to try them on snow yet (hopefully I won't).

 

Ok, well I have a BOSE - good enough for me as far as a sound system. The remote start will help out as far as the HOT summers here-cooling off the car before I get in or warm it up in the winter (not real cold here in Louisiana though). Mainly it is for ease of living. I have had to stop/start my car numerous times and the 8 is not made to stop/start alot - flooded my engine twice the first 6 months I had it - of course Mazda did not give me specifics on how to start/drive my car - thought it was just like any other car as far as stopping and going. Now I have learned my lesson and haven't screwed up since.

The remote start is mainly for convenience, that's all.

 

SNOW? What is snow? LOL! Wish we saw some of that stuff down here!

 

DemonSpeeding - welcome to the club and it's nice to see another Louisiana 8 owner! :D You should think about joining us for the trip to Austin in April.

I'm glad you asked the question about tires.... now I'll know what I need to look at when I get ready to buy more for my car.

Let me know if you're ever up my direction....

Shari

 

I do have a remote start...as well as remote window and sunroof control, remote door opening, etc, etc. But my system is custom.

As to the original problem of the remote not working when the sales guy started the car....that's cause its by design. The factory remotes are completely functionless when the key is in the ignition...it doesn't even have to be on. Thus, no trunk popping, no door lock/unlock, etc. This can be gotten around...a good install shop should know that...All cars with remotes that I know of are like this. That doesn't mean 100% of all cars with factory remotes...but just I've never heard of ones that do allow this. So you may want to discuss that with the alarm dealer.

 

One more quick tidbit...now that you've mentioned you've had flooding issues before...you may want to check out my DIY thread: How do deflood in under 5 mins. It's worth a look! https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-deflooding-under-5-mins-55517/

 

Cool, thanks DEVOID...gonna go talk to them today!

Shari - would love to join ya'll in April, but gotta finish up my Masters here at LSU (Geaux Tigers). After that, I'm up for anything! Maybe by then I'll have new tires!

 

Thanks DEVOID....I did.....it is so funny how Mazda said that "next time" they would charge me like $600 (well they didn't the second time) - I fussed of course. Then I watched them....read up on it and realized...HEY! I can do this myself. A disconnect here, a tap there....WAMMO! It's done!!!!!

 

Demon--Are you sure you can't get away from class for 3 days? We're leaving on a Friday night (you may have to leave earlier to meet up with us, but I don't know where Gonzales, LA is) and coming home Sunday. 14 cars so far in DFW and we're meeting up w/Austing and maybe Houston & San Antonio owners. Gonna be lots of fun and you most defintely won't be the only girl!!

 

I am certain I CAN get away, but I have to defend my thesis soon (graduate school junk) and I have to use that time to prepare. POOT. Wish I could just throw in the towel and go though. Maybe next time? I will be spending most of my time down in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi - MISSISSIPPI - cruisin on the coast and gambling of course....LOL! after I finish up school.

Gonzales is between Baton Rouge and New Orleans (about 19 miles from LSU).

Thanks for the invite and definitely keep me posted on any other outings!

 

I was just down that way for New Year's. I had forgotten that we stopped in Lafayette for gas. That was kinda scary.