On one note, I think my current car is all but sold. This means I could, in theory, be purchasing a car this week. The RX8 was on my list, and still is. I really can't wait to get out and hit the cones (like that, hit the cones? :D ).

But I am concerned about the car. Obviously, for at least 2 years I will probably be the limiting factor as a novice, but eventually I would like to have a shot at winning a trophy to commemorate my irresponsible spending. Any thoughts on the competitiveness of this car in B-Stock?

Also, I know this isn't the right place for it, but I'll shoot it out anyhow- any other suggestions for a 4 seat, 4-door sports car that I can have fun with?

Anxiously awaiting response!

P.S. I did test drive an RX8, and I really have a hard on for it. The SOUNDS it makes, not to mention how similar it feels to the 944 Turbo I am leaving behind, I really am 90% there.

 

you obviously haven't been paying attention :p

http://www.scca.com/_Filelibrary/Fil...ana-newsun.pdf

http://www.scca.com/_Filelibrary/Fil...ouston-sun.pdf


n00b! :D

 

Dammit!!! Now I look bad! See, all I have ever seen is results from 2004. These are obviously much better!

Thanks for the quick response. Forgive me if my next question is terrible, but the first set of results was from pro-solo. What sets this apart from Solo2? Is it just like regular Solo but with professional drivers?

Again, thanks for the quick info.

Another question- black or yellow (yellow is a lot cheaper)

More importantly- would I save a lot of weight going for Touring over Grand Touring, or should I just go sport to avoid the sunroof, or is this all inconsequential in the quest for cone vanquishing?

 

Pro Solo is two mirror image autox courses with a dragstrip start, it tends to be a higher level of competition

I'm not sure what you're asking with the black/yellow question

I'm not sure about how the options effect it's performance, I bought a bare Base model

 

It was kind of a half-joke. The dealer I've been in contact with has a 2004 yellow that they've had trouble selling, according to the salesman due to the color. I wouldn't mind saving some scratch on it, although the yellow is a rather outrageous color for me.

As for options, no matter what I at least want the sport package for the headlights. But past that, I'm open.

I'm pretty pumped about this, but I am ahead of myself. Gotta complete the sale of my current car first. I really appreciate the response. Hopefully you'll all be here to make fun of me and help me keep it between the cones.

 

If autocrossing is a factor in your decision, you might want to try sitting in the one with the sunroof with your helmet first. :o

 

how is the yellow one configured?

 

The yellow has touring, and unfortunately NAV, which I really don't want. But its there.

Good point on the helmet. I bought one this past fall, and I should bring it to the dealer and wear it in the car. I am 5'10, and didn't expect this to be an issue, but it makes sense to address it now.

If I move to an 05, I can get almost any configuration I want, but again, saving loot would be good. That money can go towards seat time, a decent alignment, and maybe someday a set of track tires once I am ready.

 

Re: yellow or black -- I have seen others on this forum mention problems of paint quality with the yellow, as in, the paint seems to be thin in places and/or chips easily - but maybe it's that chips are more noticeable in the yellow color. Also I think yellow is discontinued after 2004. Not that that may be a deciding factor for you.

For autox, keeping your car as light as possible is a good thing, so less stuff may be better. I went with a sport pkg, which includes the xenon lights and traction control/stability control; (maybe also the bigger brakes?). I considered the touring & grand packages are more looks-oriented and goodies-oriented, which I did not need. The only thing I wish I did have is the rear wing, i think the car looks more finished with one.

As far as the moonroof, others on the forum have said they find the fit with a helmet on is uncomfortable with the extra space the moonroof takes up. But you should go try it yourself.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Agreed with you and Cliff. I'm on the high side of 5'11" and I would not comfortably fit in a sunroof equipped car with my helmet on. Even without a helmet the car feels claustrophobic with the roof.

 

The paint is just as bad on the black. It may not chip as easily, but the swirls / spider webbing are horrible.

 

After doing the Mazda Rev It Up with the Yellow 6s and then Yellow 3s, I can tell you, if you're buying this car to auto-x with, don't get yellow. The cone marks on a yellow are very noticible and if you nail a cone well enough to put it out of it's misery, it'll scrape through the paint and it's black underneath. So a darker color car is much better. However, if you're going to run nationally, Yellow cars have a higher percentage of being on the cover. :D

I'm 6'... it all depends on your torso height when sitting. I have the no sunroof sport, and I hit the roof with the helmet... and I brought my helmet to a testdrive. It's right on tmy threshold for being tight. I have to adjust the seat to make it fit.

--kC

 

The problem for me, and I would guess most people without sunroofs is the bulge on the side of the headliner. My helmet is in contact with it and while sitting still, it's really annoying. Once the car is moving, though, it becomes a non issue. I can move my head in any direction and I don't notice any contact or interference with movement.

 

On the manual transmission cars, the Sport Package is xenons, fog lights and DSC. The brakes, wheels and suspension are the same as the base model. On the automatics, Sport inlcudes the 18" wheels, larger brakes and sport suspension that is standard on the MT.

If the car was purely for autox, I'd rather have a base model for a couple reasons. It should weigh less (maybe 10 pounds between the fog lights and xenon/ballast?), no fog lights to get potentially get broken by cones and, most importantly, no DSC to have to remember to disable. I'm sure that some people here know exactly what I'm talking about. :p

 

Silver base with nav here...I'm 5'11"-6' and my helmet just touches the roof.

Bryan

 

it helps if the seat isn't jammed in the full up position :p

 

"Why was that run slower than the others?" lol

 

It's much more comfortable now. Just think if Clyde had a sunroof, though. He wouldn't have been able to drive the car!
I still feel like an idiot for letting that ruin my whole day.

 

yeah, yeah, yeah :p :D

 

I'd whole-heartedly recommend the absolute base car. The base headlights work just fine and there is no need to turn off the traction control. Way too many people have been bitten by the "oops, forgot to turn off the traction control...."

Besides the above, it's also cheaper!

Ron

 

Ditto.

Having driven in the rain/snow with and without it, I'm glad I saved that money. Much better spent on tires & a trailer.

 

That is one issue I have with the car. I am 5'11" and I cant position the seat where I would like it to be because my helmet hits the roof. I am used to pulling the seat really close (Thanks to Jim Mckamey)

 

I have forgotten to turn the traction off a few times. I hate when that happens. I have also bent the fog light lens (yes the lest moved in the housing), tore the front inner fender liner and pulled the front mudflap. All on the right side, all in one day. Hit three cones at about 63 mph. (Bad design after the finish no place to stop)

 

I think you'll save a little weight with the Touring over the GT, but a base or sports pkg will save you the most weight. The sunroof is probably the heaviest of all the various options that add weight. I got this off of Mazda's Japan website:

1310 kg or 2888 lbs (base/type-S, similar to US sport)
1350 kg or 2976 lbs (type-E, which is similar to the US GT in options)

The above is for the JDM models, our US models are a little heavier (I believe due to heavier crash bumpers.) Nevertheless, this is a good data point in the deltas for the various options.

Regarding, black or yellow. I love the RX-8 in both of those colors, but I'm partial to yellow. The rumors about yellow being weaker paint vs. other colors is BS to me. Never had any problems with mine. I think it may just show the contrast of chips more than other colors that's all. Black on the other hand is a real pain to maintain. Yellow is also more rare. But color is really a subjective thing.

 

Black is also not the best color for auto-x. Black will show every little blemish. I spent an hour buffing out a scuff mark on my passenger side door that was left by a rogue cone that leaped at my car as I went by. :p