I was under the assumption that no sunroof (GS model) would give more head clearance since thats the way it is with the RX-7. Would just like to verify that? Thanks.

thewird

 

If I recall there's just a bit over an extra inch of space going by the specs, most of that is in the middle but it does make a difference. I'm one of those with minimal clearance.

 

Is that with the sunroof or without?

thewird

 

More space without the moon roof
I don't recall is there was any additional difference in clearance between leather seats and cloth seats.

 

Oh yah, thats another thing. With the FD, the leather seats are slightly taller. But if theres more space without the moonroof, then I'll keep going according to plan with a GS model which has cloth seats. Thanks.

thewird

 

However, the GT's seat can raise and lower, not sure if that would help you.

I'm 6'1" with 32" pants inseam and I fit fine but my brother is the same height with 30-31 inseam and he has to slouch.

 

If your going to track your 8 and wear a helmet try and avoid the sunroof, It will get in the way. Only thing I regret is getting an 8 with the sunroof.

 

the drivers seat on the GS raises and lowers as well, it has a ratcheting arm.

the wird, you are welcome to have a seat in my GS with your helemt on and move the seats all around to see if it suits you if you are in the area anytime.

 

Well after completeling my project, I'd like to test the car on the track at least. But for track I mostly have my RX-7 beast hehe.

Anyway, if its not tall enough, I'll make it work. If I can fit in an RX-7 I can fit in an RX-8 lol.

thewird

 

TheWird, where about are you? If in the GTA-ish area in the spring you can come to the autocross/cone-fagging events in Brampton; usually a guy with a 2006 VR (GS) and me (GT) are at every one.

Not that I'm thinking about somehow haggling a ride along in an FD...

 

I live near Yorkdale. Not sure if my FD would work very well on the autocross. Turbo's a little too big ^_^.

thewird

 

I'm 6'5" and I definitely had more headroom in a non-sunroof GS that I drove than my car which has a sunroof. Wearing a helmet in my car means wedging my head sideways a bit in the sunroof hole or slouching.

Do any applicable rules require OEM seat rails? You could always bolt the racing seat to the floor with plates welded on the bottom of the car for added strength.

 

You used to be able to order the GT without a sunroof. My 2004 GT doesn't have a sunroof.

 

are you in canada?

 

I have an 04 GT- no moon roof , Ordered it that way. At the time this was only possible for Canadian cars, if I recall correctly.

 

yeah... there's a few GT's floating around with no sunroof... there was a black one off lease at scarb mazda last year... I'd go with that if you can find one.

 

No sunroof on my '04 GT...thank goodness: my helmet rubs the roof unless I recline a bit from normal street position...and I'm only 5'8"!!!

 

Thewird, is this car going to be mainly a track toy or a daily driver? If it's mainly a track toy, GS is your better choice, but in a DD you may appreciate the comfort/luxury items the GT brings.

FWIW, in my GS I fit fine with a helmet, no need to adjust the seat differently from my normal seating position.

 

Its going to be my winter car and project car to make it turbo my own way.

I don't like leather seats in any car to be honest. In the summer they're hot, in the winter they're cold, they aren't the most comfortable, they don't hold you in as well in the corners, and generally are taller then their cloth counterparts. Also moonroof, I've never used in any car I've driven and it removes ride height. What other comforts does the GT have?

Anyway, I purchased a GS already and am happy with my decision. This car is almost as needy as my RX-7 jeez....

RX-8 Maintanance/Modification Log:
72,000 - Add 1 liters Castrol GTX 10W-30
72,400 - Inflate tires to 32 PSI
72,500 - New ArmorAll Edge Silicone wiper blades ($56.48 CAD)
73,000 - Install winter tires, Blizzak LM60 225/45/18 ($1072.78 CAD)
73,000 - OIL CHANGE: ~4 liters Castrol GTX 5W-20 & filter
73,200 - Inflate tires to 36.5 PSI per FSM for winter tires
- New OEM spark plugs (RE7CL+RE9BT) ($106.40 USD)
- Front license plate holder ($35.xx CAD)
- Replace burnt bulbs ()
- Replace DRL module ()
- Safety & e-test

The ones without mileage means I haven't done them yet since I still haven't received the parts or bought them lol.

thewird

 

GT has heated seats & mirrors, power seats (w/ adjustable height/tilt, lumbar), BOSE stereo, DSC and moonroof. I'm pretty sure you can get some of these on the GS too, never really looked at them.

Roof is definitely a good 3-4" lower in the GT. I am 5'10" and I am not comfortable with a helmet. It's an easy fix though -- swap the seats I intend to do that but probably 2-3 years down the road.

 

The only thing from that list that I would be remotely interested in would be the heated mirrors or the BOSE stereo but oh wells lol.

thewird

 

You can do better than the BOSE stereo with relatively cheap aftermarket upgrades. I intend to rip mine out next year when I do the car PC.

 

I wish I didn't have a mortgage so I could get an FD

 

I'm sure you can retrofit the heated mirrors using donor parts/wiring harness. The RX-8 parts catalog outlines the difference between the GS and GT very clearly.

Also I'd f-ck 5W20 and at least go up to 5W30. This engine was spec'ed to use 5W30 everywhere in the world except here in North America. Why should we put up with that thin runny stuff?

 

I may just do that for the heated mirrors. Its annoying having to clean the snow off them before I get going lol.

Well, I was going to put 1 liter 10W-30 (i have a case in my garage that I want to get rid of) and the rest with 5W-20 but the tire shop i had my winter tires installed obviously did not understand my instructions. I bring them the filter and the oils and they still screw it up. They just dumped the gallon of 5W-20 in and ignored my 10W-30 lol. >_> I would have done it myself but its just too cold outside and lol.

Anyway, its winter here now so I want to stick to a thinner oil. But for now I just want to clean the engine with the oil as it was very dirty when I bought it. I'll probably use 5W-30 if I ever drive it in warm weather though. I'm going to be changing it again in a month regardless of mileage. As well as installing the magnetic oil drain plug which they also forgot to put in .

Besides when I get around to turbo'ing it, I'm going to be switching to 5W-40 synthetic oil Royal Purple or Redline which is what I use in my RX-7.

thewird