IMHO - I say wait for the 16x.

I don't think the R3 has enough features to provoke an upgrade from what you already have IMO.

As it stands, the R3 and a first gen 8 (gawd, i hate saying that) w/some mods aren't all that different in performance. Perhaps if the R3 were head and shoulders above the 04-08' models in performance, I would agree w/upgrading. But as most of us have seen here - for the most part...the models aren't much different.

 

Hahaha... FallenAngelHIM got pwnd.

IMHO, a track version must really be stripped down over the regular model heavily.... like the F430 Challenge Stradale or 911 GT3RS complete with roll-cage, CF seats and ugly twin stripes. So the R3 to me is a poor attempt to be a track version of the regular rx-8. It is a wannabe at best. Nothing wrong with that, the S2000CR and Nismo Z are wannabes too.

 

16x ... will be out at ... ?

We all gonna die at end of 2012 anyway

should I get some new car smell b4 then ?

 

it'll be out.........uhh.........soon...

 

Well ..... you are a wise man.

In this case go for it. But you have to replace the suspension sytem. The car will be slower. You need to go to 18" wheels and the AP.

 

Yeah, at least the 89 and 89 RX-7 GTUs (note the small s- don't confuse with a GTU) was more a track car. With the GTUs the only option was air conditioning and a Radio, and you got the 4.4 LSD rear end (while all the others got a 4.1 or 3.9 rear end) and wheels and tires and suspension from the Turbo models. All it was, was the lightest fastest non turbo RX-7 with the heavy duty suspension and 4 piston brakes.

That was more of a track car than the R3, which only real performance add on is a foam filled crossmember and some shocks and seats.

 

I agree. I don't really see the point. But your issues with it like heated side mirrors etc. seem pretty minor in my book. Sounds like your just itchin for some change.

 

Dibs on his hypermax lol

 

I would be buying an R3 rather than the Grand Touring if the seats in the R3 weren't too narrow for me (let alone my wife). It is undoubtedly the track oriented model. Some of us plan to take our RX-8s to the track, but still want *some* civility and "cool" factor. I think the R3 is just about perfect that way. I also find it funny when people go touting their after-market suspensions as being better. How so? Have you spent the time and money track testing it that Mazda has? No. This is Mazda we're talking about here, not Toyota, Chevy, etc. Mazda knows what they're doing when they tune their sports cars. Most of the time when people start mucking around with a car's suspension that starts as good as the RX-8 does, they just muck it up. They think that because it's lower or stiffer, it's better. Not usually.

 

I know about the Bose stereo system and that's understandable because they know for the most part its going to be a DD.

I didn't know about the other stuff. Rear spoiler adds for track aerodynamics. I don't know about the automatic transmission, keyless entry, fog lights, and side-sills. Unless by side-sills you mean aero pieces of side skirts.

From the "aero" looks of it all, it appeared to me to be a "track edition." I could be wrong on the intent, it might just be a "end of the line" special edition most car manufacturers tend to put out. But hey, Mazda tried.

 

new car smell ... yum.

but seriously. Im more afraid of tranny and motor issues.

my tranny having a hard time going into reverse. not as bad now after I changed the fluid again(but I just did it last year!) and bleed the brakes. 09 tranny is proven to be more reliable than this piece of crap Aisin.

And motor update ... Yum ...

so hmm ... will have to check with my personal account ... my gf ...

its Hipermax damn it !

 

yea, 19" wheels ... weight more, cost more. I dont really see a point of it besides the "bling bling" factor ... hmm ...

lets jjust see what kind of deals they gonna get next month.

 

I can't say I don't like the wheels..

 

Yeah, I love the looks of the 19" wheels, but even though they're forged and even might be lighter than the OEM 18" wheels, the larger diameter will likely result in slightly slower acceleration and worse fuel efficiency, not to mention a brutal ride. I have been wondering if this is the primary reason why we're seeing a few tenths of a second drop in 0-60 mph time with the 09 RX-8. Every full review I've read that does full testing has been of the R3, not the "normal" RX-8 models. I have a feeling that the other RX-8s with the 18" wheels are a tiny bit quicker.

 

don't buy the R3, you'll lose your shirt on the deal