JT_TT

I'm dabbling with selling my TT and getting an 8. right now my TT is an animal in DS and i have in my opinion the best model for autocross (the only model with 8" wide wheels instead of 7.5"). So i'm wondering if there's a real difference in the RX-8 models that make it better or worse, or anything that really weighs alot that i should stay away from.

Also what swaybar, shocks, and exhaust are people running. i am trying to estimate how much the whole package is going to cost to have a prepped RX-8 so want to price everything out and see if it's going to be worth it.

any info would be great. i'm gonna hate seeing the TT gone, and miss it's power, but i need something cheaper right now in my life, and the RX is half the price i still owe on my TT

thanks
--JT

timaf

consider the base model. Comes without sunroof, power heated seats, motors for headlights, etc. Reported to save you 100lbs +. Also, headroom can be a problem with a helmet, so another reson to shy away from a sunroof. Everything else is the same no matter what model you get ie suspension, brakes, wheel size, as long as you get the 6 speed

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Nice to see you over here JT. For those that don't know him, he's Canadian and finished 2nd in DS at Solo Nats in '07.

Give me a few minutes and I'll post some links to some useful threads...

-Chike

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Here you go JT - these were all threads I started a few months ago and were most useful to me in determining what I'd need to purchase in order to have a nationally competitive set-up:

Price out the cost of a decent B-Stock RX-8 set-up?

Buying an RX-8 in 2 weeks - couple questions (B-stock related)

Where to buy new Koni SA shocks for an RX-8???

Where to buy Whiteline poly FSB bushings?

Feel free to PM me anytime - it was great chatting with you over on sccaforums.

JT_TT

So there are no differences in spring rates or anything across the models? is there a sport suspension model that Mazda has? or is it all the same thru the years.

I'm not a very tall guy so having a sunroof isn't a big deal. i LOVE the sunroof on my jetta, but got used to not having it on the TT.

looks like my actual setup cost will be quite low. alignments usually run my $50 and a case of beer, i have a bunch of hoosiers that will fit because my TT ran 18x8 as well. i'll need new wheels (different bolt pattern), but i have 4 sets for the TT so i think i can sell them and recoup some cash there. install on the Koni's shouldn't be that hard, maybe i'll try to get some DA's if people use that.

hmm, well i'll have to wait till my car is out of the shop (wheel bearing went) and then i'll stick her on the market if she sells this might be a good option.

CosmosMpower

Base, no difference in any performance oriented parts as long as you get the 6MT, all trim levels only add convenience/interior items. Sunroof in this car is really ugly IMO and it does nothing but hurt CG and add weight.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Tires.

iaus10

Went through the same decision making process a month ago (after seeing how well the TT worked for you at Nats). There were 2 ALMS TT's around here for only a couple thousand more than similar mileage RX8's. I ended up getting an 8 that was already autox prepped, with spares, for the price of an unprepped ALMS.

My decision making process was:
Get a model that is the "flavor of the month" in its stock class or take a chance on a model that 1 person has done well with...
Tire wear... assuming the 50/50 weight dist. would be better on tires than the nose-heavy TT
I like how involved Mazda is with grassroots-level motorsports, and have had great luck dealing with them over the last 2 years for my miata.
I was also considering leasing an '08... but I'm planning on keeping this one for a while, so the depreciation issue made that decision for me.
Although the Audi might have been a better Minnesota daily driver, the RX8 cool factor (IMO) won out.

my autox specs:
Base 6MT
Valved SA Konis for this season, unless I can't stand not having DA's
Stock, drilled front bar
Starting with the OZ wheels and Kumho 245's
Little to no muffler

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

That's what I'll be running this season as well down to the wheels. I also got some whiteline FSB bushings.

WpgDSMer

Doesn't matter which one you get. You'll still be the 2nd fastest 8 in our club
You can sit in mine to see if the sunroof is a clearance issue. You can get a GT model in Canada without a sunroof. None of the Canadian models have TPMS (as far as I know).
The DSC and traction control is not required (even in the ice and snow) except maybe as a selling feature later on. The HID lights work real well and I'd get a car with those on it (if a daily driver).

JT_TT

Claudio....sad sad Claudio....do you remember when you let me take your car out for a run? was that 1 or 1.5 seconds i beat you by? i was going to ask you for a co-drive for this summer, seemings i already have all the tires for this year, but you already have Tim so there was no point. I wouldn't mind going for a ride in your car now in winter, to see if it's bearable in this weather. how's the heat on that little 1.3L in this minus 30 weather? i'm assuming you have winters for the car?

i'm 95% sure i'll buy a US car, for a couple reasons:

- Cheaper with the dollar the way it is
- Less chance of protest due to being a "canadian car" which CAN happen
- No road salt on the cars
- The road trip is so much fun

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Well I for one hope you get an RX-8 JT. Besides the usual suspects - Goeke, Harvey, Thompson, etc. - if Braun doesn't run BS this year, I'd like to see some new blood giving Isley some pressure at the top.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Don't count on that. Salt is in use in the upper midwest. Go to So CA or AZ for a salt free car.

WpgDSMer

Ya, I drove it pretty bad. I hope that changes in the new year. I'd picked up a TON of bad habbits from driving an AWD car for the last 10 years. I thought the 8 was snap happy when I first started driving it (in the rain and such), but it was just me. It's very controlable.
I don't notice a ton of heat coming from the vents, but since I have the heavy tank model, I've got the heated leather, so I don't usually turn the fan up that high (seems loud on the higher speeds). It should make lots of heat. Even thou it's only a 1.3 liter, it uses fuel like a 13liter, so there should be lots of waste heat to be had (I've never found it cold in the car yet).
For winter I picked up a set of 17's with X-ice. Lots of traction. I always turn off the DSC and its still easy to launch and drive.

If I'm not mistaken, the US models are Base, Sport and GT. In Canada, they only had Base and GT which it why I think the Can. GT had the optional sunroof. My car matches a US GT, so I don't have to worry about protests, just the extra weight. The cars are mfg in Japan, so remember to add 6% duty (you still save by buying in the US thou).

Had I known you were looking to drop the TT, I'd have offered you a co-drive. You know you want to switch. And don't worry, the girls at the gas station will still tell you 'you have a cute car'.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

FYI, San Francisco area, despite what he says he'll sell it if there's a buyer ready...

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...0&postcount=41

mwood

Hey, everything is for sale...at the right price

JT_TT

I gotta get my car sold before i make any moves. i have a winter vehical so to go a bit without a car is not a bad thing if i get a better car out of the deal. i've only driven my car 4 times since nationals and if i get a new car it'll be parked till spring anyways.

Evolv

iTrader: (1)

This could be a very interesting summer. I too am toying with the idea of buying an 8. When the speed comes out of storage this April I'm going to see what I can get for it. If the right price comes in I'm switching to the 8.

Personally I am not worried about US protests, I don't see myself competing in the states other then in the Badlands region.

I'm leaning towards a fully loaded GT, it might weigh more but I'll love the heated seats in the winter.

Claudio.. do you have the sunroof, if yes, any problems squeezing your helmeted head in there?

WpgDSMer

I do have the sunroof. It's not any worse than my Talon. I brought my helmet with me when I tested the car to make sure I would fit ok. It's tight, but it seems to work. Tim also drove my car (and is going to co-drive) and he is able to shoehorn himself in there.

Evolv

iTrader: (1)

I look forward to seeing you shoehorn him out.. OOPS, damn roof liner, oh well weight reduction

Cito

Just saw this thread, and the thought that came to mind: "Kate Moss. An older model, but at the same time she's really light and full of speed."

Back to the topic at hand...

JT_TT

I test drove one on friday afternoon. it was fun, but gotta get used to the way the power works. If i buy one i should maybe do the first couple autocrosses with the stereo on or some ear plugs in cause the first couple minutes i kept shifting at 7k took a couple good sprints to get used to the 9k limit. it felt good, but wasn't entirely convinced. Claudio you know you really wanna trade cars for a weekend sometime so i can see if the RX-8 is really right for me haha.

or better yet...evolv you go and buy an RX-8 and i'll co-drive it with you in BS...free tires? you know you want too....

--JT

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

A season long co-drive is a good way to go if you just want to try the car. If Bartek does run a different car in '08, you could have a good shot at the DS national championship in the TT though.

Best of luck whatever you decide. Will be nice to put a face to the name in Topeka.

JT_TT

Yea Bartek is going to CS and is selling all his stuff for the ITR. My car had some problems at nationals last year, and i've got all but the suspension figured out (too cold to get under the car and figure it out). i know i have more of a chance in DS then i do in BS but really it comes down to the fact that i need to get into a cheaper car. the TT is damn expensive and i'm poor. i spend too much of my money on racing for my age, and even though i'm quite good at what i do, i have to see the big picture if i want to keep creditors off of me i need to make some changes. the RX-8 is almost half the price of the TT and will have less maintenance (or so i hope). i would prefer a co-drive so that i can buy a really really cheap car and then just pay to play, but we'll see what happens. i also want to run some of the tours, and that's something few of the club members are willing to go to.

Rosko350z

Regarding helmet clearance:

I'm 6'2 with longer legs than torso, but still ... I have a RX8 with no sunroof, and my head / helmet STILL hits the roof. It's annoying when I'm waiting on grid, but I don't notice it when I'm driving.

Bring your helmet with you and test it before you buy one with a sunroof!