Has anyone made their rear vent windows power? I like having them open, but it is a pain to open and close them by hand. I haven't put much thought into it because I figure it has already been done, but I couldn't find it anywhere on the forum. I would think that if a minivan can have power rear vents, an RX-8 could have them. If anyone has done this, could you let me know what parts you bought? Thanks.

 

i've seen this talked about but never seen it done here. it's gotta be relatively simple, find the proper motor from either a minivan or a ford expedition etc, hell even take all the wiring from it also and install.

 

that's a great wish list to add to for next year's model or the next gen.

 

if by power you mean reclining seat back and reaching to toggle the window open then yes.

if someone were really to do that, it would consider a big design change in that window area. space for the motor then springs and all the stuff it would be consealed in.

 

isn't there an air bag behind that panel?

 

to be honest, i've never once opened those windows and still dont really see the point

 

they're mainly for passengers in the back seats.

 

I don't ever open them unless someone is the back seat, in which case they can easily open it themselves. It would be a nice "extra" tho

 

The airbag might be an issue, I'll look into it some more. If it is feasible I will write something up. If I don't think I can do it, I'll just wait until someone else does it and then complain that they stole my idea... It really isn't my idea, but I'll still complain. It's the american way.

 

well i know i want this because the car looks better with those rear windows open. its just a B*tch to open them when driving or somthing.

 

I always open them in good weather. They prevent the reverberations that can happen in the back when the front windows are open.

They also provide passive HVAC with the front windows closed (fan off, but the vacuum created by the open rear windows pulls fresh air through the HVAC system and the temperature adjustment still works.)

 

the only reason i open the rear window is to dry the spaces i cant reach when im drying my car...

 

you guys dont' think the car looks better with the windows open??? i love the 8 with the rear windows open!!!!

 

I'm glad to see there are other people like me. I am going to the junk yard this weekend to see if I can pull the motors off an old minivan. These seem to work off of just a small window mounted motor, but I haven't tried to take them off yet. I am also worried about taking the ones off of the 8's window, the more I look at it the less I think Iknow about this project.

 

Who carries passengers in the backseat , lol...slows the car down! Maybe a fetus????

 

^ wtf?

And yes, I would like power rear windows just so I can open them up for ventilation. But the airbags would be a concern.

 

Powered rears would be the sh****t...

 

I don't believe there are air bags in the rear door. There is nothing to pop off or open to allow this.

There are side curtain air bags that drop from the ceiling.

Before you start taking panels apart disconnect the negative battery cable.

 

so, this got put on hold, due to a minor problem with the idiot driving the car (me) not stopping fast enough at a stop light... Need to replace front bumper first, then will move to windows.

 

The past week I experimented with driving the rx8 in open-rear window configuration. It's a free mod, so why not? The discoveries can be startling:

Pluses:

-better blind-spot driver side

-lets air through, not as much grocery bag ruffling at highway speeds

-relatively easy to switch from open-rear back to normal configuration; minimal time and tools required

Minuses:

-jarring physical appearance; distrupts the smooth transition ratio between back and side

-looks more boxy like a Mustang?

-forgetting to close them while shopping allows Worm Man(1) to crawl through and wreck havoc

Suggested modifications:

-consider installing Lambo style rear windows, driving in open-rear window configuration. The effect of this should be like a smiling beetle with little ears hangliding.

Definition footnote

1. A man shaped like a worm.

 

Lambo style windows.

The windows would be more prone to damage if they were suspended by a small mount and put to the mercy of the wind when driving.

 

the windows popped open looks alot better i think.

 

Anyone have any ideas on this? And I too think th windows open gives a wider stance from the back of the car.

 

what would one pay for this?

 

custom made window opener? a ton i would guess.