Is the GS model just has good has the GT model. Except for the dsc/tsc and sunroof.

I.E. RX-8 GS 6spd manual vs RX-8 GT 6spd manual.

 

The GT model gives you a ton of extras aside from DSC/TSC.

Check mazda's website. They have a specification table online that will let u know what is standard and what isn't.

If you're planning in driving the car in the snow, you'd be crazy not to get a GT.

 

What are the thoughts of some others on the difference between a GS and GT ?

 

I don't really understand your question.
The basic car is the same (engine, suspension, transmission etc.)
The only difference is options (DSC/TSC, the HID lights etc.)

We can't decide how much you value those options. If you feel the extra features are worth the money, then get a GT. If not, than don't.
From a performance standpoint, there is no difference. (With the exception that the GS could be slightly lighter.)

 

Ditto to what Redshift said. I got the GT model because I liked heated leather, two-tone colour inside, HID headlights, and sunroof. Otherwise it is exactly the same components as a GS model.

 

the GT also comes with LSD...

 

Manual GS's and GT's both have the LSD.

 

Yes you are right, I guess my product knowledge wasn't that good!!

 

There are a couple reason why someone would buy a GS over a GT. IMHO.

1) The MSRP of a GS is $3,200 less than a GT.

2) People that buy a GS hate sunroofs.

 

gt....heated seats, really help to relax the back after a long day at work,+ sunroof to get a nice view of the sky at night+ bose sound system rocks!....+traction control helps a lot.....i had a sport b4 i got a gt w/ navi...

 

Here's the basic breakdown.

GS - Very manly! You're not interested in fluff. All out performance is your mojo.

GT - Slightly wimpy. lol Interested in alot of fluff (DSC/TSC, leather, sunroof).

The only option I wish the GS had are the HID's.

 

Personally I'd never buy a GS. I looked at a GS intiallly because i hate leather (in the winter its too cold and in the summer its too hot), there are so many other extras you are getting for that $3,200 dollars. (HIDs, Heated Seats, Power Seats etc)

Think of resale as well. Its true that you are likely not going to make back the $3,200 dollar premium when it comes time to sell (remember tho that you’ve enjoyed all those extra options over the years). You’ll maybe get back $2000 on resale (I’m not factoring in discounted cash flow).

What the GT model will give you is the ability to sell that car much quicker. Here in Calgary the Rx-8s that have been sitting on craigslist/Kijiji/Autotrader and at the dealerships for months and months are all GS models. I don’t think there are many people in Canada who are going to buy an Rx-8 with no traction control. You’d basically be forcing yourself to only drive it in the summer/ good weather. Check the forums; there are tons of posts of people talking about how traction control saved them even in the rain!

I’m not trying to rub anyone the wrong way, but I think that the only people who are gonna tell you to save that $3,200 and get the GS model are guys who either only drive there cars in the summer or people who’ve made the mistake of buying a GS.

Goodluck dude!

 

I actually test drove a GS, and I absolutely HATED the cloth seats. I could not get comfortable in them for some reason, on the other hand I absolutely love the leather seats. I don't mean that the leather is high quality or anything, but the cloth seats just felt weird, compared to the leather seats which fit me perfectly.

So that might be something to test...

Other than that, it really depends on what you want in a car...

Performance-wise the GS would be a better choice for track, since it has no DSC/TSC...Yes you can disable both on the GT, but it will automatically kick back in when ABS is engaged if I'm correct.
I find myself shutting DSC off more and more lately. I find the car is far easier to control and turn with it off, especially in snow. On some various icey/snowy straight roads though, the DSC does help though.

Also on the GS, Nav is not an option I think.

With that being said, I bought a GT
-I am quite blind at night, so Xenons really help me a lot.
-***-warmers are a great feature for Calgarian winters
-Leather seats fit me better
-Sunroof (the silly tilt only tilts 1mm, some have random rattling (mine does)) <--might be something to think about
-sometimes "safer" with DSC/TSC

 

If you are around 6' ft and plan to track your car, you might have problems with the GT. The DSC/Traction do not give you any advantage (I turn them off 100% of the time). I would get a GS if I could do it over again...

 

The seat warmers are great on the back after shovelling snow for over an hour

 

While I agree that GT models sell better, I disagree about the traction/DSC being useful on this car. I personally do not use them at all be it winter or summer. If we were talking about a high powered 911 then traction control would be a useful option during winter or rain. On something like the 8 it is superfluous.
In fact when I did forget to disengage the systems on several occasions I found myself in danger because the car now had to "process and interpret" what it is I was doing.

Besides the dude who is asking lives in BC...

 

^ i know nothing of canada and this thing you call bc?

 

You two related?

 

Canada's the 51st state, duh!

 

Get the GS ONLY!!

Why?

1. its cheaper
2. the car is faster becasue its lighter, the GT is about 70lbs heavier.


and besides who needs traction control?

 

GT FTW!..

lol...I love everything about the Gt.....

leather HIDS, sunroof, DSC/TSC

 

Maybe when I get the money to get an 8. I'll order the GT without the sunroof.

 

that's exactly it... the base GT model does NOT come with a sunroof... if someone don't like the sunroof that much then just get a GT w/o the roof, and you can still enjoy the rest of the features...

As far as DSC/TSC comes... if you press and hold the bottom for 30 secs, it will disable the whole system and will NOT turn back on automatically unless you restart your car~

 

You'll be really happy with that choice! You should go into the showroom and check out an RX-8 with the sunroof, if you do fit inside with one, its really really nice to have. Makes the car feel more spacious etc.

 

How would an 8 with a sunroof feel more spacious when the sunroof takes up 2 inches of headroom.