Hey guys, my name is Jared and I just graduated from college and landed a job at Black and Veatch as a Mechanical Engineer, and I wanted a new daily drive as my '97 Nissan 200SX was boring. But, before I get to my RX-8, my love for cars began when I was little. When I got my permit at 15, I started saving an looking for a sporty car. I saw a '90's Nissan 300ZX one day and instantly fell in love. After I found out I could afford a N/A, I began my search. About four months after I turned 16, I found my Z and brought it home (and yes, I payed for it myself). Just a couple quick pics of my Z to show you guys and pics always help explain. :D

How she sits now:


I am in my 4th season of auto-x and I won ESP last year in the KC Region.


I have also been to a couple track days at Mid-America Motorplex in Nebraska and Hallett in Oklahoma.


Now, onto the RX-8. When I got my job offer from Black and Veatch late last year in my second to last semester of college, I decided I wanted a new daily driver as the current one was boring. And the look began. I first started looking at the new 370Z, E46 M3, and NSX as I would of been able to afford one of those. But, a few weeks ago, I decided I didn't want to go $30k into debt, so I started looking around the $15k range, and narrowed my choices down to a 350Z, S2000, or RX-8. I threw the S2000 out because it was just too small for a DD. I have raced a buddies 350Z at auto-x before, so I knew how they drove. But then, last week, I went and test drove a RX-8 for the first time and it was fantastic. The biggest reasons I like the 8 over the Z is it is much more nimble in the corners, has a better transmission, has a better interior, and revs to 9k! Sounds like a blast to me.

So I went ahead and bought my 2004 Mazda RX-8 with 37k miles and 6 speed on June 22nd. After having it for 5 days, I am very much enjoying it. The whole rotary thing freaks me out, but its a good kind of freaking me out. It just sounds odd, but neat. And I am still getting used determinging where I am at in the revs as it sounds and feels the same at all RPMs, which is neat. But yeah, I need to replace the brakes. I will probably go with HPS pads as I have them on my Z and I still haven't decided on what rotors since I am still trying to learn all the companies in the RX-8 world. But once I get new brakes, I will be trying her out at auto-x and probably take her to a track day or two, I can't resist. But anyways, enough rambling, here are quite a few pics:



























And some pics with my Z.












And all three of my cars.


Thanks for reading/looking. I will be around trying to learn as much as I can. I am a moderator on four other Z forums, so hopefully I won't make too many noob posts. (if any of you happen to have heard of 300zxclub.com, I am Z Freak on there).

 

youre a lucky man dude an 8 ANDD a z

 

Congrats looks good and damn clean....Welcome to the addtictionit Truly is an addiction..... I've had my 8 for over 2 yrs now and still enjoy it just as much as the first day if not more!...

 

What are your plans for future mods?

 

Congrats...be careful though...it starts stock, and next thing you know, 15k is missing from your bank account!!!!

 

Sweet ride, just drop that bish and tint the windows. Is it still on its first engine? I would also do the plugs, coils, and wires at 37k.

 

Congratulations! You'll love this car. Good luck with both the new job and the RX-8.

 

looks good man, have fun with it.

 

You picked an 8 as a DD?

Thats odd only because the 8 gets awful mileage. It's great, just I wouldn't consider it a DD kind of car, one thing if you have only 1 car, but with already owning the nissan, just seems weird.

But it's your car. Enjoy it :D

 

I also would like to know the mod list

 

Its stock right now, of course. In the next couple of days, I will be ordering brakes (HPS pads, rotors, SS lines). I will probably get the Racing Beat exhaust and probably just a front sway bar since B Stock in SCCA auto-x only allows the front sway bar to be upgraded. I will definitely get tint, but I probably won't lower it as I rather not have a rough ride like my Z is.

About the gas mileage, it doesn't bother me too much. Yeah, I'm gonna miss the 32mpg my 200SX got, but I daily drove my Z for a couple years, which got 19mpg.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

You can lower it and retain the dampers which would keep it relatively refined. Or you could get adjustable dampers so you can keep it soft when DDing it

 

duude! your z is real nice! i like it!

and congrats on your 8 you'll love it for autocross, and if ride comfortability is your concern then you should def look into adjustable shocks...just a thought.

 

Yes, I thought about just going with springs, but I might race it in B Stock next year, so I would be very limited on upgrades.

 

Congrats on the best color! Mod away

 

Awesome cars, and welcome to the forums.

 

+1 MechE!

 

A totally stock GT. Love the Z though. Have said this before, that gen Z is a true classic.

 

Looks good. I also DD my 8, and even though gas isn't cheap, its a fun car to drive every day. I drive 35 miles to work one way, and never worry while filling up.

Great choice and good thing you bought it from a reputable place!

 

Congrats! let the mods begin.

 

This is too funny. I also test drove the 370z, E46 M3, and a Genesis Coupe and considered the S2000. My reasons are IDENTICAL to yours, including the price cap.

Kudos!

... now all you need are some clear corners and a matching spoiler (factory, not one of those gross whale tails I see on rice mobiles all over town).

 

Very nice cars. And welcome to the addiction!

 

welcome to the addiction u made an awesome choice. are u planning on modding ur dd or juss keepin it simple

 

Good job...good job. I like when people make great decisions.

 

What are you going to drive when it snows?