I'm going to be in the market for a RX-8 in a few months. I just have to sell my 04 Tacoma TRD double cab, and save up a down payment. Well actually..I have to sell it and then finish paying off credit cards. Then save for a bid enough down payment to get one without getting my payments over $370month(which is what I currently pay for my truck).

I was just wondering if you people with the leather seats had wished you'd just had cloth seats. Do you slide around too easy with the leather seats? I've never owned a vehicle with leather seats. The black/tan and back/red leather looks pretty nice though.


Also I was wondering what's the best(cheapest) place to get MazdaSpeed parts from? Would it be cheapest to have it purchased/installed at the dealership? I was 'building' a RX-8 on the Mazda website, but didn't see the options for the MazdaSpeed things. Just an "Appearance Package", but I believe that is different correct? What is the complete MazdaSpeed kit anyways? Aero parts, wing, suspension, lighter flywheel / clutch?

I was leaning towards a used 350Z, but after seeing a few guys cars on here, and hearing about how fun they are to drive..I've changed my mind.

Anyways.. I probably won't be able to buy new. Unless by the time I'm able to get one..08's are about to come out..and they're running deals on 07's like they were on 06's right e before the 07's were going to hit the lots. I'll probably just buy used to save some cash anyways.

Sorry for the long post. I did a brief search in regards to the MazdaSpeed questions, but found myself clicking on threads that came up within the search not really answering my questions.

Thanks!

 

quick search on leather turned up:

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

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

as for MS parts, one of the forum members here sells pretty cheap. and the MS kit is only the body kit.

 

I like the leather.

 

I like the leather as well. No regrets.

 

I have leather and I wouldn't trade it for cloth. That said, the cloth seats are pretty nice on the RX-8.

 

I actually have the cloth and the middle portions of the seats have this alcantra/suede type feel to them which kind makes it a bit luxurious IMO...like a sport seat you might find in higher end sports cars. Anyways, that being said. I didnt' choose leather because of the way it wears.....mostly the wrinkles, etc within like 6 months of driving. Whereas the cloth would tend to fair better in terms of wear.

The only thing that leather has over cloth is that its fairly easier to clean that is if you drink or eat in your RX-8.

 

I prefer cloth, but my 8 came with leather and I like it. It doesn't grip like cloth, but unless you're doing autocross I don't think you'll be sliding around, as the seats are relatively narrow and fairly well bolstered; they hold me pretty well (and I'm slender). I love the seat warmers (solves one of my problems with leather), and yeah, it's nice that leather is totally cleanable if someone spills coffee or soda. I clean & condition the leather regularly (Lexol is good) and my seats haven't shown any wear. Though I generally prefer cloth, I did feel that the RX-8's black cloth seats and black interior made the cabin seem too dark/monotonous. (The 8's little windows don't help.) The two-tone (or light colored) leather helps, IMHO.

 

I'm all about cloth.

My RX-8 has the black/tan leather, and it's VERY nice, very comfortable, and holds me quite well, but it's starting to show some wear & no amount of care will ever undo the larger scuffs and fades.
My FC had cloth seats and they are STILL flawless. Nearly 300,000miles worth of ***, food, sex (*wink*), cargo, spilled drinks, and God only knows what else, both seats still maintain their color & stitching with the same shine and sturdiness they did on the showroom floor back in 1988.
Plus, I'm a pretty slender guy, and I *always* drive like I'm in an autocross, and I still have yet to find leather seats that hold me in as well those of my RX7.

Go cloth - less maintenance, better grip, longer life, and (at least in Texas where it's always ***-rapingly hot & humid) more comfortable. It's well worth the $200 you lose in resale value.

 

i like the leather, but yes it will show wear more than cloth, especially the stretched sections. it does move you around more than in cloth as well, cloth pretty much snuggs tightly. though i personally like leather, i think aftermarket leather would be better than what we currently have in the GT package (not sure about shinka).

 

I only slide around in my leather seats when I coat my shaved, naked body in vaseline before a drive!

I seriously doubt the cloth seats are much "grippier" sans a good coat of vaseline! The plus on leather is that it does not stain. Down side, is if you do not condition it properly it will crack. Tears are hard to repair also. Cloth stains, but can be mended. Cloth also absorbs odors more than does leather. If you are worried about cracks, leathers biggest downside, you can purchase additional interior protection from the dealer.

All in all, I say the 8 seats could have a more "bucket" feeling so you don't shift around it a turn. My weight shifts from time to time during hard cornering. I'm 5'8", 180lbs. My old 300zx used to literally "hug" you. You can turn a **** that will tighten or loosen side "wings." That would've been handy in an 8.

 

I like the leather. Cleans up better, doesn't stain, doesn't smell, won't get threadbare. The cloth will definitely be better in the hot weather (until it soaks up all your butt sweat) but the heated seats definitely take care of the cold weather issue. Personal preference really. Try both out and get what you like. AS far as mazdaspeed parts the best dealer info I've seen is at trussvillemazda.com They have an online parts store with all their pricing. The dealers can get you the mazdaspeed parts but they're probably not as cheap.

 

I have cloth in mine, and it doesn't look all that bad. It's not that cheap looking crap put in most cars. It's kind of got a suede-like feel to it and is two toned as well (suede being a dark charcoal, and the ribbing being black). I likes

I just hate the way leather burns up during the summer time. I've had plenty of times where I've gotten into a friend's car that has leather seats and have burned my thighs/butt during the hot days! Not too fun That, and after a while (+10 years or so), it will crack and look like ****.

 

To answer your MS question, I have the MS CAI, exhaust, flywheel, F&R sway bars and MS F&R strut tower bars (shocks and springs are going in next month). The MS parts will run you more than the other aftermarket parts but I chose them due to peace of mind . They all come with a 1 year warranty except for suspension parts those have a warranty for the full life of your new vehicle warranty (that is if you have the dealer do them if not its only one year.) I paid the dealer $500 to install MS CAI, exhaust, and flywheel. Sway bars and tower bars I did myself, shocks and springs will be done by dealer. I bought most my parts from onlinemazdaparts.com, very reliable and best prices I could find. Such as a suggestion if you do decide to get a suspension upgrade don't mix and match the MS parts with other brands, they were designed to work together. Don't get me wrong you can mix and match but to get the full effect either go all MS. In a nut shell you pay more for MS but you know its a quality product.

 

actually, Phantom, the cloth seats do grip quite a bit more than you would think.

That being said, I still prefer the leather. Being able to slide across it makes it easier getting in and out.

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone.


I think I'll try to go this route..

Get the RX-8 -> Suspension -> intake/exhaust/flywheel/sway bar/strut tower bars -> wheels -> body kit. Who knows..I might skip the kit and just get some sort of forced induction..whether it be turbo or supercharger.. I'll have to research that one a bit more to see.

thanks

 

I have the 06 Shinka and the combo seats are GREAT!!
~Capt.

 

Yep no regret on leather here.

 

I actually didn't want the leather at first but had to get it if I wanted the moonroof. I'm actually liking the leather now. I wanted the seats like the Shinka but I didn't like the exterior colour of it.

 

touring gives you moonroof and no leather.

 

Got both leather and moonroof -

Apprciate both - Moon roof gives you the convertable feel, but with more safety and without blowing stuff around, and the seats are pure luxury!

 

yea no such luck up here in Canada. It was either the GS, GT or Shinka when I bought my '06.

 

gotta love the leather seats on hte shinka, but take a test drive before getting so set on an 8; its a very different feeling sports car then a 350z or a mustang.

 

I love the leather seats, they are nice. They will make you feel good.

 

Sayh, wHat?

Oh, you gotta post a pic of that!

 

I wonder if the cloth is similar to my old car.

does it shock you when you get out?
I like the leather feel, and the heated seats.