I've had my 2004 RX8 since Jan of 05. I havent done a thing to her!

Part of me is afraid that if I invest $300-$800 in some performance mod, that I wont notice it and it wont make a difference. The other part is that I'll break something... or that the rotary wont last but a few more thousand miles, and I'll be out all that cash... or that maybe I'll end up being convinced to trade 'er in someday...

I just love her the way she is... But I want to improve!

Get me hooked! I wanna be bitten by the disease that soaks up all my $$$!

 

Here's the convincing reason why NOT to mod:

Resale/appraised insurance value: If you crash or you resell the car, you won't see **** out of that investment - both are based entirely on the stock value of the car. It's a rare insurance company that will insure mods for the value put into them. They look at the whole car.

I mod the gas tank about twice a week with a $50 investment - oh, and I modded my garage with an orbital buffer, an air compressor and an oil changing machine (it's a vaccum device that draws the oil out through the dipstick tube) so I can maintain the beast myself.

 

I've done some simple bolt-on mods.

If you really want the mod bug to bite you my recommendation is to start with the short shifter made by Richard Paul (axialflow.com)
Cost < $300 and you can easily install it yourself with the DIY on this site.
Result - You notice it every day
Breakage - You may break the tiny clip at the back of the centre console cover if you're not careful. (If you break it use Velcro)
Value - you can remove it and sell it easily on this forum if you trade the car.
Good luck with the mods!

 

small mods that you will get a return on investment and aren't going to hamper warranty work:

1. AFE short throw shifter (I haven't seen a single person say it's not worth it)

2. Racing beat front and rear swaybars. Makes your car stable in the corners, and still gives you the stock ride comfort.

3. Royal purple synthetic fluids in the transmission and diff. (search for details)

 

My .02

Start with an "I wish" list. I loved the RX8 I got, but immediately wished for more power. So BAM, first mod was turbo. Not the normal way to go, but if it is not broke, don't fix it. I am pretty much out of "I wish" things now, just some small stupid stuff left over. So if you wish it would oversteer a bit more/less, or that your fender gaps were smaller, better radio, stiffer suspension.... yada yada yada. Then you will know where to start looking at mods.

 

$300 worth of mods on this thing will not give you a noticeable performance increase.

 

For warranty purposes, if your car does break down after modding, Mazda has to prove that it was the fault of the added part that led to the breakdown. Sway bars / short shifters / cat back exhausts typically do not increase the possibility of a breakdown, so your warranty would not be affected.

Now, if you add a turbo, that may be a different story............


My $.02 for mods:

1. front / rear sway bars (stock are good, aftermarket are better)
2. Short Shifter
3. Racing Beat catback exhaust

 

Tint.

 

a picture = a thousand words



oh...and btw....its an addiction

 

^^ Would you be insulted if I said I didn't like that? I won't say what I think it looks like although suddenly I have a hankering for some Uncle Ben's ...

 

ricers of the world....unite!!

and no....im not insulted in the least

perhaps another photo will show a more classy look



please feel free to check my sig and vgarage for actual mods

 

Not a fan of the doors, but I've always hated on them. However the rest of your car I love (you have the rear kit I want!)

 

Actually, it is a beautiful car. I wouldn't want it, as it's not worth anywhere near the money you poured into but ...

 

Thats true but she didn't do it to make money

 

Technically, none of our cars are worth what we paid for them... it's called depreciation.

 

Modding ones car is a passion.
With that said, here is a little project that is near completion.

Hope this will inspire you.

 

since FI has entered the topic!...

 

as yours is not worth the money you put into it....

beers

 

you like the D1GT rear??

awesome....me too

 

ofcourse it aint worth what she poured into it.....pat's car is friggen priceless!.....if anything to her its worth im sure a million times more as for many others because she is a pioneer and has obviously a bigger set of ***** than many men on this board.....she is and always will be the #1 for pettit as the first released supercharged 8 to the public

 

thank you chrism!!

 

I agree with the doors down, I think it is one of the nicest rx-8's I've seen. Not to mention I love what's under the hood!

 

PS..i dont drive it with the doors up!
theyre just for show.....

 

Did someone say forced induction?

 

i would think that FI is the ultimate mod....

can i get a w00t!!