I decided it was time for a fun car and did a lot of research. I considered the Nissan 350z, Honda s2000, and about a billion other cars, but after taking this 06 galaxy gray 8 for a spin I was hooked. Actually, the existence of the rx8club forms influenced me also - having this great community available really makes owning a car a lot of fun

Anyway, it's an 06 Galaxy Gray 6-speed with the Touring package and only 4800 miles (I put 360 on it already in the ~2 weeks I've had it)

I'm already planning mods - I've ordered the footwell LEDs from RotaryRasp and have scored a nav hood for a CarPC install. This is my first car I've ever considered modding - what's another fun mod for me to try? Considering the Axial Flow short shifter.

The only problem I've had so far is I found out the rear left tire had a nail in it when I took it to the dealer after I couldn't get the TPMS light to go out.

Anyway, I took it on a drive up to the north shore of Oahu today to see the surfers at the Pipeline and took a few pics of my car as well. I also tried my hand at an HDR photo. Enjoy, and thanks for all the great information.

 

ALoha cuz! im on Oahu too. just so happened i did the same thing two days ago. the surf was pumpin yah? oh anf congrats on your new purchase., i just got mines about a month ago. maybe ill see you at a local mazda meet, if you dont know where to look heres a link to the mazda section on ForumsHawaii

http://www.forumshawaii.net/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=278

 

Welcome to the addiction!!!!! Nice pics looks good....

 

Thanks man! It looked like we didn't have any meetups on the island, at least according to the west regional section here.

 

axialflow short shifter, its a must got a 6 speed MT, I put mine in today and god damn!

 

Some mods I deem necessary!

Try to offset your weight by losing things you don't really need. (Spare tire rack if installed, Lightweight wheels, lighter exhaust, etc.) The lighter your car the faster it is, maybe only minimal increase but it adds up.

I've read a 1.25" drop is perfect. To compliment that slam, consider a good set of performance wheels.

It seems you might be taking a ricey approach. Watch out because people are quick to cry witch. Many people swear by strakes, but a lot of us deem them distasteful. Many body kits are to extreme and push the already controversial body of the rx-8 over the edge. So try to avoid those modifications like a psycho diseased hooker with a chainsaw.

 

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, I'm not planning on installing a body kit, and I agree on the strakes - they seem to be very polarizing. I like the stock styling quite a bit actually. Also, I've heard that engine mods don't really do much unless you're going to go turbo, so one would do well by concentrating on losing weight (as you have suggested), and suspension mods.

 

Rotard provides only quality responses!

 

IMHO if you like hte stock apperance but want more agerssive, check out he MS front bumper. (i think is mazda speed) it looks just like the stock one but the dam mouths are bigger and makes it a little lower. only its pricey. look here
http://mazdatrix.com/8exterior3.htm


OH HEADS UP! Jan 9th is the meet up! check the forums!

 

I do like the look of the MS front. It looks like they don't have it in galaxy gray though, so I would have to get it painted. Is that the case?

 

I believe the MS just comes primer and you have to have it painted no matter what the case may b!

 

Congrats.

 

Congrats, and welcome to the club.

+1 on the short shifter. And the MS front is a good look (currently my only two mods).

Where were those pictures taken? Is the first one at the state beach on the far western point, and are the second/third ones on the road just south of Diamond Head?

 

Thanks

The first picture was taken in Hauula by the bus stop pullout - http://tinyurl.com/6z5qgg

The second one was just before the bridge in Haleiwa -
http://tinyurl.com/5ptnmf

Are thes spots you mentioned good for photos? I'll have to check them out. Any other good spots on Oahu?

 

HI 8 - another one... sweet.

Be sure to show up for the Jan 9th meet. Also there is a Mazda monthly one too - I think second Saturday of the month... I always miss them cause I suck.

 

Welcome and thanks for the pics.

 

Ah, I missed the Northshore part...

The stone wall in the 2nd and 3rd pictures look like the same wall on the road just south of Diamond Head, but thats probably because that same wall type is used all over the island.

And for pictures locations... the beach on the far west part of the island (southern side) has some amazing sun sets, and its quiet, but I don't know how well a car in the foreground would look with the sun setting in the background, since there is no practical way to light up the car.

A good spot might be overlook just outside of the tunnel going into Diamond Head.

With my month long business trip there, I only had four days to explore the island with my rental car... and a good part of that time was spent allowing my girlfriend to recover from her hangover(s).

 

riiiight....that's what i always think of when i see rotarded posts.

to the OP - don't listen to rotard. i didn't see you post anything about future mods that made it seem like you might taking a ricey approach. and quite frankly, mod it the way you want to mod it (or leave it stock). it's your car and do with it what you wish.

however, if you do mod it extreme, be careful if you ask for opinions. this board (myself included) are full of opinions and will give them to you if you ask for them and some people do an extreme mod and ask for opinions and are surprised when they don't get everyone/anyone giving compliments. plus if anyone knocks your car you can always take comfort knowing you live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

 

Hey, good idea. Maybe I'll check it out this weekend. Thanks for the pictures; that sunset is great!

Good point, and I hope I never take it for granted! Thanks for the advice. I see you have the AF Short shifter as well. I've heard nothing but good things about it, so I'm pretty sure that will be mod #2.

 

congrats!! yay, another oahu 8 owner. visit the forumshawaii for info on meets.

 

The best color and welcome.

 

the standard engine mods do add horsepower. possibly not in the same amount as a v8, but then we dont have a large displacement engine either.

200whp+ is easy with the standard bolt ons.

 

A turbo bolts on....

 

I hope you're at the meet so I can check out your turbo

 

I'll be there yo