Hey everyone! This is my virgin post on the forums as I just picked up my 04 8er a couple days ago. I actually grabbed it used with 8k miles on it from a Land Rover dealer. Some guy traded it in for a Discovery. Lame. Anyways, it has every available option (including nav) and also has a tint job on the rear window. I paid 27,900. I LOVE IT!!

1) Are there some simple upgrades I can do to improve acceleration? My budget is minimal for improvements, and they all have to run through "The Boss" (read wife.) The 0-60 in 7ish seconds on my manual is a little embarrasing when a Z28 rolls up next to me at a light.

2) This is my first true manual transmission sports car, and of course my first rotary. Can someone give me some shifting tips? I know your supposed to get power all the way to redline, and max torque at 5000... but I'm SURE some of you out there are driving your 8s better than I'm driving mine.

Thanks in advance!

 

There aren't really any simple, cheap upgrades yet - some people are changing intakes (~$300?) and exhausts ($500+), but those are more for sound than power, they maybe add 5-10 hp combined, depending on which you get, and that's hardly noticeable.

HOWEVER - where do you get 0-60 in 7 seconds? All the magazine road tests (Road&Track, Car and Driver, Motor Trend) list 0-60 in 5.9 to 6.2 seconds, I believe Mazda claims around 6.2 or 6.4 seconds.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Congrats on the purchase. :D

BTW...
6-speed = max torque is 159 @ 5500
Auto = max torque is 164 @ 5000

 

2) Be a little careful when accelerating in curves in first or second gear. The rotary's power increases almost linear, which may lead to difficult situations even with traction control on. This car can drift 100° if you want it to with DSC on in first gear - something you probably wouldn't expect - but on the other hand you'll appreciate the fact that the DSC doesn't ruin all the fun big time.

 

Hi Fizzle, and congrats on your new purchase! Sounds like you got a great deal.

If you wanted to stoplight drag with Z28's, however, then I'm afraid you bought the wrong car. There aren't any mods at any price (yet) that will let you win a drag race. If something effective does comes out I wouldn't expect it to be cheap.

If a Z28 challenges you at a light, smile and wave. OTOH if you can get him on a twisty road he's doomed. Each car does what it does, but yours is more fun (IMO) and certainly much nicer to live with.