Machpooky

Hi all,

I'm considering this model that's due in at a nearby dealer; I've looked over all of the packages and stand alone options and there's really nothing else that I need. I'm curious, though, about the non Xenon lights, i.e. are they that much less effective?


Thanks

mmjames

I did not know much about them before I bought the car. I tried them one night and for about 100 feet or so, in front of me, at a height of 4 feet, I saw a cone of blue white light. They so bright I wanted to turn them off, because I knew they would **** someone off to have those in your rear view. Quite frankly it is simply unbelievable. I have never seen such a bright light, and they were not even on bright. I learn something new in this car everyday.

myrx8

I have a base AT model. The Xenons are neat looking. I can still see in the night with my regular lights.

Machpooky

Ahhh...I was fairly certain that the standard headlights would be adequate.

Myrx8: are the standard lights projector beam?

myrx8

yes, they are projector beams.

Those Xenons are cool at night, but really are expensive and may become like the TL lights and get stolen.

Wing

I have the halogens and they are bright as HELL! 100X brighter than my previous halogens and they aren't as white as the Xenon's, but I drove beside an audi with Xenon's and mine were overpowering them!

Lex

They're pretty bright, yes.

I originally wanted a base package, but could only find sport so that's what I got. I don't think if I'd gotten base I'd miss the headlights at all.

labrat

We have a base 6MT model, and we're very happy with all aspects of the package. In particular, I was very pleased to see how effective the halogens really were in flooding the road with light. Also, the seating fabric looks of excellent quality, and the Sony sound system is fine.

Zaphod

I couldn't imagine not having the GT. Besides, the Xenons alone are worth it, IMHO.

P00Man

the xenon lights are much brighter than standard, even with projector trype halogens.

once youve driven with xenons you dont want to go back, you can see so much more clearly its astounding, one person thought that my windshield had some bizzare sort of chameleon tint because of the light spectrum out in front of the car
________
PREGNANT BONDAGE

myrx8

For me, I had no choice. My car was a surprise present from my wife and daughter.

My wife hates looking for cars. She just went in, said she wanted an automatic, they only had one and that is what I got.

The Xenon lights are nice, and they do give off a different color of white light then the standard. But, again, it does come down to taste.

the_doug

I ended up ordering the sport package instead of base, but because of the DSC, not the headlights.

I think the DSC will be a good safety addition to the car for wet road driving, and if the xenon headlights help visibility, that's a safety plus, too.

Of course, I'll just have to have my car arrive (!) before I can say for sure...

labrat

I guess I should have clarified my choice. Here in Australia there are only 4 model choices due to the small market:

6MT "Hi-Power" with and without "Leather Pack"

Auto with and without "Leather Pack"

The "Leather Pack" comprises leather seats, Bose sound, drilled pedals, xenon lamps.

Base pack is fabric seats, halogen lamps, Sony sound, rubber pedals.

DSC, & all the other mechanicals are identical

myrx8

I am thinking about returning my car for a red one with the DSC. The sports package is the only package I would get. The sunroof cuts into the headroom too much.

o_town_racer

I've got a 6MT with the 1SP package. Love the Xenon and wouldn't get it without DSC. I've seen too many cars trashed by over-enthusiastic drivers with low rear-wheel traction.

allstate

I have the base 6MT and LOVE it. Of course I am only 24 and just moved up from a 92 Miata. It just came down to money for me. I had to convince my wife to get the car (she would have preferred me to get something like the Mazda 6) so I had to cut some corners financially speaking if I was to get an RX-8. I could have purchased an AT and added the sport's package and ended up paying about the same as I did for the MT but no way was I going to buy a car with a 9,000 rpm red line and get an AT. Also this is my first MT and I was ready for something new. For those of you trying to decide between the base package MT and the Sports package here are some of my observations.

1)DSC - A neat feature to be sure, but I've heard from many that they just turn it off. This is nothing more than an added passive safety feature. I'm sure it's nice if you drive in bad weather frequently, but I can live without it.

2)Xenon lights - This was the tough choice. I really wanted these lights. BUT, these halogen lights are INCREDIBLE. They are PLENTY bright. I have had passengers comment on how bright my lights are. Many have commented that once you have Xenon lights you can never go back...I'm sure this is true but I have never had them and I guess I will have to wait until the future to find out how nice they are (Ignorance is bliss). Side note-if you decide you want these down the road you can install them aftermarket albeit w/out the self leveling device.

3) Fog lights - I would also like fog lights but these can be added on at the dealership as an accesory if I choose to do so in the future.

Again, totally personal preference. But for those who want to spend $27,200 and get the exact car (performance wise) as those who paid $33,000....this might be the route you want to go. I guess it also depends on what kind of car you are coming from. The 8 blows my 92 Miata away. Driving has truly become fun again! Let's Rotor!

Good Duck

I got the sport pkg just to get the Xenon. Man, it made driving at night so much more enjoyable, esp, at highway speed. The DSC and foglights are just nice bonuses.

Squidward

Xenons are a MUST, IMO...

The better the lighting, the SAFER you will be in the long run.. Xenons cast a slightly bluish tint. Perhaps that may have something to do with the fact that they project much further than regular halogens.

Take it from me, they're worth every penny once you have them you'll believe me.

Best thing to do is simply find somebody who has them and compare it to your own car. There's no comparison.

Some of the owners here say their halogens are plenty bright, but they haven't seen xenons. Judge for yourself. Go check it out on an Audi, BMW, or best possible, on an RX-8 that has them.

blizz81

Does anyone know how secure the xenons are? The 8 isn't an uber-popular car so I wouldn't think theft would be that big of a concern, but there's people on the maxima boards (just one example) that are on their third set of lights.