EricB

iTrader: (7)

I have a question for interior room and head clearance, im not sure where i should post this, i have been a member of rx7club and have wanted to purchase a FD for several years and know the ins and outs of them. So i have 2 choices in rx8's; a galaxy grey mica 07 rx8 sport with cloth interior, no sunroof, and a 2007 velocity red mica rx8 GT with black leather, gps, bose, some cheap black rims with a red pinstripe (i dont like them but just mentioning) and a sunroof. first of all tell me what you guys think, they are priced the same with the GT costing me 400more than the sport. There are a few problems that are concerning.. with both models.

starting with the exterior:
The sport has a few scratches and minor stuff that might buff out and a small ding. basically stock looking. with the small spoiler.

the GT has 1 ding and 2 minor dings that turned into cracks and were covered in paint but i can tell. black rims with a red pinstripe. same small spoiler as sport

Interior:
The sport is basically stock with very little added and most likely a base model. cloth interior in black( i like cloth but tell me what you guys have experienced? i seem to think cloth will hold onto me rather than the leather will let me slide) no usb.

The GT has bose, built in gps, sunroof, black leather and a cheap shift **** i will be replacing SO FAST.

Mechanical:
The sport model has slightly more vibration in the shifter when at idle than the GT model and the GT models clutch feels slightly better.

i was looking and read the entire post on what a rx8 first buyer should look for and found this...

"The clutch pedal assembly is weak, and over time the pivot points wear through the mounting points, and eventually this will cause a failure in the assembly. If you are lucky, this will just mean that your clutch is stuck engaged or stuck disengaged. Partial engagements have happened, along with complete clutch failure, transmission damage, and brake damage (via the brake master cylinder). A squeaking clutch when you push it and release it signals the issue getting worse. Getting a new assembly only solves it till that one breaks. There are a few options for fixing it, including welding at your local shop, buying a bracket from Race Roots, or buying a fully welded up assembly from BHR. If yours breaks on you, take pictures and report to to the NHTSA. There is an open investigation on the clutch pedal assembly through the NHTSA. As a result of the NHTSA investigation, Mazda has extended the warranty on the clutch pedal assemblies to 100,000 miles. If yours starts weakening or breaks, go see a dealer. If they don't believe you, bring your paperwork, or get it here."

When depressing the clutch at the dealer with the door open i clearly heard a squeaking when releasing but not depressing.. is this what i heard and is this reason to stay away??


THE FINAL AND MOST IMPORTANT PART

The GT, since it has a sunroof, the roof needs to be reinforced and i lose some headroom. i can wedge 2 fingers between my head and the left side of the sunroof that is over my head. i am afraid that i am too tall and if i get hit from behind my head will go forward and neck back and become a quadriplegic and trade in the spinny triangle for a regular spinny circle on a wheelchair for the rest of my life if i even survive. i did not notice the head clearance was an issue on the sport as i had alot of room and did not notice a problem. JUST TO CLARIFY.. i drive at the proper distance with the bottom of my wrists able to hang over the steering wheel, THOUGH i love driving with the seat in a close to 90 degree position, if i moved the chair to a more lounged position i can drive it with 4.5 finger clearance, i dont think i will be comfortable as i drive and i do not want to lounge when driving my rx8. the only possible solutions are 1) buy the sport or 2) buy a racing bucket seat and low mounts and hope that helps the situation. have any of you guys installed a bucket seat with lower mounts?

btw im 5'11", the guy at the dealer was 6'2" and could fit with the same 2 finger clearance but more reclined, i cant drive like that it annoys me. basically i need some suggestions by AT BEST... 14 hours from now as i have to go to the dealer and pick one. i have a time limit because i need a car to commute to college and i need to start getting used to the rx8 and cant be wasting time. ive visited 9 rx8's and these 2 are the final 2 pickings. WHAT SHOULD I DO!?! i know im talking alot and this is lengthy but i feel as though ill be driving this for a very long time and i do not want to make the wrong choice. I like the grey color but i think ill be kicking myself if i was able to get the features of the GT and didnt. the red color is okay, though i like the grey more.. its more subtle and me,but i dont think it matters too much.

Thanks in advance to all of you guys! i hope the rx8 guys are as helpful as the FD rx7 guys i have dealt with in the past!

monchie

I voted. Grand Touring has everything you need, enough said.

blazenblue63

You worry too much :P I'm 6'4 and have a sport (without sunroof) and I fit fine. A 90 degree sitting angle is just weird to me in a sports car. Lean back a little and slide the seat forward far enough so when the clutch is depressed your leg is slightly bent. You'll be used to it in no time and more comfortable. I prefer the sport because it's lighter and without tcs and dsc. And I don't like heated leather seats. If I wanted all that I'd buy a Camry :P the sport is much more a drivers car than a gt. It's in the name. Sport (lighter therefore faster no driver aides and focused on performance) versus gt (grand touring focused on luxury and comfort) so it's all about what you want out of your car.

<ARRXATE>

iTrader: (1)

I agree, with these guys. ^^ my leather seats suck in the summer, and suck in the winter, the bucket seats are nice, i dont slide around at all. I'm 6'1'' With about 4'' of play with my head, i love the sunroof, it helps the car breathe in the HOT summer days. As far as colors? why does it matter? Pay $400- $800 for a new paint job, however you want it. Clutches on these are very breakable. Mine has broken, got stuck to the floor. Ya it sucked, but i bought a Racing beat Exedy stage 2. Much more nicer feel to it. Idiot who installed didnt bleed it right, and my slave cylinder blew up to pieces. But honestly buying a car, you have to deal with stuff that will happen, be prepared. Dont just assume everything will be fine. I dont believe you listed the miles on the cars, im curious for that. But all in all, i love my GT. leather sucks.. but black and red leather looks amazing(hopefully that one comes with it). [= Anyways, hope you like the one you pick out. Either way its going to be a mess, and a lot of fun. Enjoy bud.

IronTanuki

I drive my STi in an almost 90 degree position like you said so it was unnerving for me at first to have to drive the RX-8 (GT) in a reclined position in order to not have to **** my head into the sunroof area.

After a while you get used to it though and it doesn't feel weird even though I switch between the two cars regularly. I'm 6'2" for what its worth.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

except headroom which is what he is worried about. i vote sport i love mine. when i first got it i wished i got the gt but now im glad i didnt

xexok

I voted the GT but you left out a pretty important thing, how many miles are on each of them? If the GT is very similar miles and only 400 more then thats the way to go. You need to have both cars compression tested because that is a large determining factor.

As far as the clutch pedal, it might be broken or it might not. You will have to get in there with a flashlight and take a good look. Check the huge post about them breaking to see some pictures of what exactly breaks. I have an 09 sport and my pedal squeaks when I push it in but its just the spring making the noise.

Roidz

GT. I'm 6'0" and fit just fine and there's others a lot taller than me that fit okay too.

But if it's uncomfortable to YOU then Sport.

sjschutz

+1 on that. Listen to this post and then decide based on your personal tastes. There's plenty of information on the clutch issues for you to make an informed decision for yourself.