So far most of my serious car modding junkie friends have suggested I purchase in the following order:

1. Coilovers to Rims to Kit to Engine Mods (Cost Issue)
2. Sound and Interior are being done immediately.


My main concern is that I have about 2500 USD to spend immediately and from what I hear buying coilovers is anywhere from 1500-3000 USD, leaving very little for Rims. So I would rather skip coilovers(especially because everyone keeps saying how well this car handles and rides), and go straight to rims.

However most people say there is a going to be a large gap if I don't lower the car via coilovers.

I plan on purchasing 19'' rims, any suggestions?

 

New friends?

 

Here's a suggestion. take the $2500 and use it to pay down your car. The factory wheel/tire package is very nice already. Also, there is no need to try to improve on the cars best feature when it doesn't have the power to "overpower" it already. Invest the cash either into the car or save it for the huge flood of aftermarket performance parts coming in the next year. I promise after you waste $2500 on rims you're going to kick yourself when you see the $3K supercharger!

just my $0.02:D

 

Like what Turbo Matty said. If you find yourselves debating over how to spend your cash, it's best for you to save it or use it on your car payment. You first need to enjoy your car, then see how well it perform to your (not your friends or whoever for that matter) taste before making any decision on jusitifying how to spend the cash you have.

 

Eh,,

I dont think you guys understand ... I'm not just trying to throw money away because my friends said so... I've always been a show car type not engine modding type. So I definately wont kick myself when a turbo comes out for 3k. Also I have already made the car payment and dont owe anything from it and I have alreayd decided to spend the money. Its more so how and where I spend it.

I was really looking for advice on the coilovers and rims issue about the gap size and if its ok just to go with new rims. Not whether or not I get rims.

Regardless I'm getting rims + kit + sound system + new interior ...

Maybe in 2 years I'll have enough money to get an intake/exhaust/chip package from Japan. But thats about all the engine related money I"ll be spending.

Thanks for the critical advice -_- anyways

 

I know what your saying
go to rotaryextreme.com or japanparts.com or corksports.com or mazdatrix.com for parts.

My last car was a show car and I will modify my 8 a lot

I already put 2 12 inch JL subs in the trunk, changed all the lights to white bulbs and added tint and fender strakes.

I want 19 volk gtc rims and they go for like 3500.

 

You might consider getting rims and lowering springs for a small drop (MUCH cheaper than coilovers). Corksport has a set of springs that drop 3/4" IIRC for only $330. You'll probably be able to find a bigger drop in the same price range before too long. Just be sure the manufacturer doesn't require or recommend a different shock for your springs of choice.

 

I was just about to suggest lowering springs. Coilovers are super expensive (though MAY be worth the difference in ride quality). I'm sure a company like Eibach will soon have springs available with a 2" drop. That should be sufficient make the car look sporty without looking too ricey. I'm waiting for a good set of springs before I order my rims. I hate the look of aftermarket rims without lowering the car.

And let us know how your stereo upgrade works out. I also have some money to burn on the car, but I'm not sure what order I will get the parts. I already ordered the spoiler and clear corners. Hmmm.... that Mazdaspeed kit looks nice!

 

Yeah I'm really struggling with what kit to get, its tough. But... I'm going to wait on kits. Currently the only ones that I've seen that I"m interested in are off Forum pix. And prolly only two kits I even like. So Mainly going to just work on rims and stereo, interior, and small things (spoiler,lights,balblbal). Little things add up. As for stereo, the e55 in our family has 4 8'' jl subs and a pretty high end speaker setup as well. Going to strip that =). Well only if the speakers will fit.

 

Thanks for the spring only suggestion. I had thought of that as well. But I'm not ready to sacrifice ride quality for a 1-2 inch gap. But that was a good idea, thanks.

As for the original two people who replied. I really dont understand some people on this forum. I'm relatively new here but it seems there are a lot of pro-stock people who really like to bash on people who like to modify their cars.

Example: A person puts up a thread on adding a kit or a set of wheels, and some person bashes them saying o why woudl you waste ur money on wheels or suspension when the stock one is already so good? Or someone is requesting information about what sort of springs to get to lower their car. ANd some idiot bashes him about slammed cars are so f'in ugly. WTF is the point of that?

Thats a personal opinion. If you dont like the idea dont reply to the thread that is asking for suggestions of brands not ur freakin opinion on whether it looks nice.

Thanks for the venting oppurtunity.

 

Oh, come on. It was a joke - see the winking smilie? You left yourself wide open for that one with the way you wrote your post, and I just couldn't resist! :D Some people on the forum like to kid around occasionally - understand now? <-- (another light-hearted poke based on what you wrote just above).

For a serious answer - I have nothing against modifying a car, but I'm a mechanical engineer - modifications for the sake of modifications seem pretty pointless to me, and I'm not much into cosmetic modifications that impair function either. If there's something specific being addressed, some improvement being sought, then I'm 100% for it - that's what engineering is all about.

Exactly what shortcomings in the suspension are you trying to address, or what improvements are you looking for? By some of your responses, it's apparent that you aren't just looking to drop it for the sake of appearances, and that you are actually considering the effects on handling and ride - so bravo to you! However, there's waaay too many aftermarket companies out there churning out garbage equipment that actually degrades handling and ride performance, and it's not easy telling the good stuff from the bad - especially when the car is so new. If you want to get a handle on performance items that improve performance rather than "improve" appearance at the expense of performance, you should check out the autocrosses and track days, rather than the cruising scenes and NOPI/SEMA shows. I imagine there are quite a few Japanese companies already coming out with RX-8 kits, but until I saw quality feedback from people on the performance improvements and not just the appearance improvements, I'd be very hesitant to make any changes just yet.

Wheels? Make sure they're as light or lighter than the stock 18" wheels, which are around 20 lbs each, otherwise you will be increasing the unsprung weight and reducing the ride quality and performance. Avoid reducing the offset too much - OEM is 50mm, I wouldn't go less than 40mm. Do NOT buy Nitto tires - from any performance standpoint, they are complete crap. Body kit? Sorry, they just add weight and therefore degrade performance, so I can't make any recommendations - the looks of a body kit, as you say, are a personal thing and they don't appeal to me. I don't even like Mazda's appearance package items like the side sills or wings!

Regards,
Gordon

 

I wasnt exactly referring to your reply, but thanks for the lengthy explanation.

As I am not like most of my hardcore autocrossing friends. The actually % decrease in performance because of an added on kit is not really a problem for myself.

I guess its all about personal utility gain. I gain more from the look of the car rather than the performance from it. If I were worried about performance and wanted to spend near 30k, I would have bought an Evo or for draggin and Sti.

In regards to the suspension issue. I want eitehr 18 or 19 inch rims but I dont want to purchase coilovers just yet, and I'm worried there is going to be a large gap. If someone has already thrown 19's on and the gap is acceptable, then just let me know, I'll skip coilovers for now. As for the weight issue. I just want some nice looking rims, doesnt have to be lightweight, dont want to worry about the nice potholes in my area.

 

I know it is all about personal preference....but I have to say this...


Lowering the 8 is pure and simple SACRILAGE (sorry for spelling...lol). Don't destroy the looks of this beautiful car by lowering it. I beg of you...lol :D

But, like I said, it's your car. You spend 30k+ and your entitled to do some mods.

 

Are there any suspension kits out there that would give a stifer shock/spring combo but NOT lower the car... I'm already sick of the obnoxious body roll but don't want to become a snow plow in 3 months

 

Its really a matter of preference. Others would say leaving the car stock would be "pure and simple sacrilege." Just keep ur stock issues to urself when visiting a modding thread.

 

As I said,,,I acknowledged the fact tghat it is all personal preference in the beginning. And the whole point of any forum is to exchange ideas, thoughts, AND OPINIONS. No harm or offense is ever meant to anyone on posts. So relax Jliu921. It's all about ideas and opinions. I simply gave mine.

 

The opinion of someone who is pro stock in a thread obviously targeted towards pro aftermarket purchasers who simply states that stock is better, is simply futile and unwanted.

 

Dude...What the he**. First off I'm not 100% stock. There are plenty of mods I plan on doing. I simply don't feel the 8 should be lowered and I expressed that. Second, chill out. As I said, it's all about exchanging ideas and opiions. If you don't agree, fine. If I don't agree, fine. Geez, some people.

But, I'm done with it.

 

Chill out Jliu921. There's no reason for you to jump on his case like that.

---jps

 

It's not really him i'm speaking to, its the entire crowd of people who state unneccesary opinions in a thread that obviously doesn't welcome those opinions...

I'm sorry if i targeted you too personally, but I was mainly venting frustration from all others I've seen on teh forums.

 

I have my eye on the Stage One Street Suspension Paul Yaw is working on -- www.yawpower.com

1" drop, better handling and emphasis on keeping ride quality.

 

that link isn't working for me. Whats the price and time its coming