I did a search on this site for "MazdaSpeed" OR "Mazda Speed" and received a lot of results.

Skimming through some of the post I get the impression that the Mazda Speed Rx-8 is out for the USA? Or is it not exactly? One thread said the dealer installed the parts but that's not really what I want. I want to order it without the dealer getting thier grubbing hands on it.

These were some of the posts I found. I will reference them here. They make me wonder how to get the MazdaSpeed version.

My Mazdaspeed RX8 W/Blue
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=21353

Mazdaspeed W/Blue has arrived
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=22205

First Mazdaspeed in Houston
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=22578

I want an Rx-8 bad, but I'd rather wait for the Speed version.

So I'd like a clear cut answer from someone that knows.

Thank you.

 

well, there is no Mazdaspeed RX-8 out in the US yet. but you can buy the mazdaspeed body kit as well as some of the suspension parts and brake pads. Just look in the vedor forums under Trussville Mazda, they have a good selection of Mazdaspeed parts.

 

Thanks for the info. Is there any timeframe that anyone knows of, of when it will come out or be in production in the US?

 

There really is do definate timeframe from what I have read. But as of right now the only performace upgrades to the 8 seems to be for handeling only. There is no extra power with the mazdaspeed 8 as of right now. Other people on this site have been saying that the MS 8 should be out in a year or 2 in the states, but who really knows.

 

I'm with you Mastro, have a 3rd gen 7 now and would like an 8 but will wait for the MS version. So I'm eager for any info re: ETA of the MS version. The last issue of R&T hinted at later this year or 2005.

 

Would installing MS parts such as sway bars void the warranty?

 

You can look up the Magnusson-Moss Warrranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)), Federal Trade Commission Act of 1975.

It states that a manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by a brand, trade or corporate name unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. Therefore, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not void a vehicle's manufacturer's original warranty, unless the warranty clearly states the addition of such aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle's warranty or that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the failure. In other words, the use of aftermarket parts alone is not cause for denying the original warranty.

Look at the Mazda warranty book and let your dealer know that you are aware of the act if they ever try to give you the run-around!

 

Thanks for the informative reply.

P.S. Are you really a Yanks fan in texas?

 

Roesenthal Mazda has the warranty information listed for all the mazdaspeed parts. I think the only ones out right now that could get your warranty in a bit of trouble are the magneseum wheels.

 

Mazda is planning to sell a limited number of supercharged Mazdaspeed RX-8s in Japan in Feb I believe.

I am in the same boat as you, I want to own an 8 now, but I don't want to regret buying one if a MS version is around the corner. I emailed mazda and asked them about it. At this time, Mazda has no plans to bring the Mazdaspeed version of the 8 to the states at all.

The only thing that will change their minds is a whole lot of Customer Feedback. If there is enough demand, I'm sure they would eventually come around.

 

there is a silver one in south florida...Gunther Mazda, priced at 40K..body kits, *****, all other stuff

 

I talked to my dealer before and they said the mazdaspeed RX8 has to come after the mazda 6 one. They go in order of their appearance I believe. Like the protege, miata, 6, then the 8. Not too sure on the reliablity of the information. Seems like it should be true. I also read a magazine stating it should come late 2004 or 2005. But who knows.

 

I had an interesting conversation with the sales manager of my local Mazda dealer last weekend . . . in which he indicated that he has heard about a turbocharged version of the MazdaSpeed RX8 being built via correspondance with his district sales manager.

He speculated that the vehicle was pretty far along in R&D and that Mazda was simply trying to figure out where to dance around the EPA "Gas Guzzler" Tax formula as far as horsepower output was concerned . . . Our conversation was interrupted by another salesman needing his attention, but I followed up today over the phone with him in regards to what he might thought that the ETA would be for introducing the MazdaSpeed RX8. He will be checking with his GM and asked me to call him back tomorrow afternoon.

I will keep you all posted!

 

These last two posts have gotten my hopes up a little. I would wait until early-mid 2005 for one if I knew it was coming. Would hate to by an early 2005 at the end of 2004 just to have it come out in 6 months.

Looking foward to reading what you find out.

 

As promised, I followed-up with the sales manager at my local dealer today and he reported to me that the District Operations Manager ( this is a position that is actually ABOVE the District Sales Manager and speaks to Mazda of North America directly ) indicated that it appears as though a MazdaSpeed RX8 will come out at the end of this year, or very early in 2005. Furthermore, it will definitely come equipped with a turbo.

This would make sense since it would appear to be rather easy to produce the current MazdaSpeed RX8 that was already introduced in Japan back in December of last year due to the fact that this version of RX8 simply has a lot of bolt-on suspension and aerodynamic modifications and wouldn't take hardly anytime at all to produce for export to the U.S.

The fact that a release will not occur until the end of this year, or perhaps January of 2005 would indicate and/or lead one to believe that there are engine modifications being undertaken by Mazda. . . ie.) turbo-charged.

Also, a fellow poster has already reported about an e-mail that he has received from Mazda concerning the August introduction of the 2005 RX8. Thus, a MazdaSpeed version of the RX8 coming out 4-5 months later would seem to make a lot of sense.

Hope this helps!

 

can you find out what kind of price it will cost????

 

I don't think that it would be appropriate for me to ask the sales manager any more info at this time. I doubt that they even have an idea as to how it will be priced. That being said, it is interesting to note that the MazdaSpeed Miata that just came out with a 25% increase in horsepower due to the turbo is $26,200 and that includes leather seats!

In any event, I don't want to "nag" the guy like some little kid a month before Christmas. If I hear of anything new, I will keep you posted.

Promise.

 

I noticed the posts on this thread and just wanted to say when I purchased my 8 in Oct. 2003, my dealership in Phoenix had a MS version, 45K. intake, cat exhaust, and MS wheels were all i noticed. No forced induction.

 

With a MazdaSpeed Protege, and a MazdaSpeed Miata having been introduced all with turbochargers, it is only a matter of time before we see the same with the RX8. In fact, a similar 25% increase in horsepower due to forced induction like the MazdaSpeed Miata would put the RX8 at about 300 horsepower.

I am also quite confident that this will occur because of the fact that former Mazda big-wig, Phil Martens is the VP of Product Creation at Ford and he is under a lot of pressure to get new models out the door . . . something that Ford is badly lagging at compared to GM and Chrysler.

Stay tuned!

 

Remember that when you discuss price on these dealer-created "Mazdaspeed RX-8s" you must account for the fact that the cost includes not only the after market parts they tacked on, but also the cost of the parts that were replaced and are no longer on the vehicle. For instance, the front nose piece is ~3000, right? If you were to try and buy the stock nosepiece for replacement, it probably isn't much less. Therefore, when Mazda brings the official Mazdaspeed version here, you won't be "double-paying" for the parts. Therefore, they'll be able to tack on the performance enhancements and still keep the price down.

 

Road & Track did a special on the 2005 Mazdaspeed RX-8 a couple months ago . . . basically just all the MS parts we already know about. They said that with the redesigned intake and exhaust, there was about 10 more HP available, as well as improved throttle response.

The strongly-rumored MS RX-8 with either FI or a 1.5 liter engine is still under alleged development in Japan. It makes too much sense (and the rumors are too persistent) for it not to be true, but don't confuse one version with the other. If you think Mazda is going to release a turbocharged, supercharged, or embiggened 8 in the US by year's end, you're not right.

Peace
policy

 

I don't think that Mazda will be able to introduce a MazdaSpeed supercharged RX8 by the end of the year, but the NAIAS in January of 2005 in Detroit would be a great place for the "introduction" of this model. We can only hope!

http://www.naias.com/

 

Lemans1991:

I can only hope you're right. Being from Lansing, MI, I'm only an hour and a half from Cobo Hall--I see every NAIAS. In fact, I sat in a Velocity Red 6MT on the floor of this year's show. I also saw the Hydrogen FE RX-8 on display, with a complete drivetrain replica next to it (including the 'electric-assist turbo').

To be able to witness the unveiling of the FI RX-8 in person would be awesome.

Peace
policy

 

I just checked in once again with my local sales manager at the dealer who said that the Mazda Guys stopped by a few days ago from Mazda of North America and all they really talked about was a MazdaSpeed 6 that was slated to come out with 280 horsepower and all-wheel drive in January of 2005. They also said that a Mazdaspeed 3 was coming out as well.

He pumped them a lot about the MazdaSpeed RX-8, but they said that it was a year away, and that the factory was looking into all sorts of Rotary Engine technology mods, such as higher displacement, more rotors, supercharger, single turbo, dual turbo, etc. From what he said, they are apparently trying to meet the DOT requirements without using a lot of catalytic converter on the new engine.

He also indicated that horsepower figures would be well up over 300, pushing 350!