I'm in Bellevue. 2005 t-grey, GT package.

Salem, OR...on July 2005, t-grey, GT package...

BTW, how many people in Oregon tried the Driver school at Portland International Raceway? I'm thinking of taking it..although..need to save first..anybody??

http://www.prodrive.net/

There are several. I've done the Team Continental driver training (in my Miata) and it was excellent. Good ground school, and you had an instructor with you every time out, if you prefer (I went out alone in my last run). Best of all, they tell people to let faster drivers by (as opposed to faster cars). An STi had to let me pass on the front straight as I was outdriving him and he was holding me up in the corners. This is very important - some clubs emphasize horespower and in an RX-8 that's not good.

Also, check out autocross. There is a very active club in Eugene, and we have a good thing going with the Oregon Region SCCA solo II in Portland.

New owner as of 2-18-06. '05 Shinka with everything, and loving life! This car is number 2 on my list of cars that I want(ed) to own. Number one is a '69 GT 40 Mk III (where did I put that $300k?) Needless to say , I am very happy.

New 8 owner as of today, been around the rotary world for a while now. Picked up an 04 WBM base 6mt today. 12000 miles, great shape inside, out, and mechanically.

Fits the rest of the garage well...

'04 WBM Base 6mt
'93 Vintage Red RX-7 R1
'84 Silver RX-7 GSL-SE

Sivart_R1

Sivart_R1,

Your garage isn't complete without an FC! :)

Congrats on the 8 and welcome to the forum. Enjoy the two extra seats. :mdrmed:

Just to add my name....new owner as of January 21st, 2005. New '05 6MT Ti Gray GT. Kicks ass! :)

*chuckle*

I didn't list off the previous cars. :)

ok...in chronological order:

'80 Silver RX-7 GS
'79 Brown RX-7 S
'86 Royal Maroon RX-7 Sport 2+2
'93 Vintage Red RX-7 R1
'84 Silver RX-7 GSL-SE
'04 Winning Blue Mica RX-8 6MT Base

So yeah, I've had the FC...and as much as I'd like to pick up another one, wife has already said no. *sigh*

Sivart_R1

Hi! New member as of a while ago (been lurking). Finally bought my 8 last week!

I live in the Kirkland/Bothell area and have a 2005 Whitewater Pearl w/GT package. Factory spoiler and front/rear rotary accents are on order and should be installed by the dealer sometime late this week (part of my purchase agreement with them). I'm also waiting patiently for my clear corners and the Mazdaspeed carbon fiber interior bits (console, handle bezels, and door switch panel) to come in the mail!

Replacing the POS Bose audio system will be my next project.

Congrats!

You right about the BOSE. I don't even turn my radio on anymore :)

Can I ask why you guys don't like your Bose system? I like mine...

Can't hear the engine rev for me :)

It's OK, for highway cruising, but in town I turn it off.

K&N and Racing Beat Exhaust will fix that. People can hear me coming up behind them.
I also removed the variable intake in front of the bulkhead and have duct work to feed fresh air up to the oval opening through the bulkhead.

I hear lots of engine noise.

If you've ever had a high-end audio system in a vehicle, you'd hate the Bose system too. ;) :D For a factory audio system, it's better than most stock setups. For (supposedly) a high end option - it's crap. At the very least it desperately needs a sub of some sort to help it out in the low-end department. The overall clarity and sound characteristics when the system starts to get loud leaves a lot to be desired.

If the Bose system makes you happy, great! There's nothing wrong with that! I am just used to having a much better audio experience when driving.

Pretty Sure it's like any other hobby. Some folks like to throw Thousands of Dollars into mobile Audio, some don't. Kinda like spending $3-4K into a motor to make an addition 20HP at 9000K RPM. Some folks think that is great, others think it's plain silly. Mostly though it's about what your into, if you just want some clean audio at reasonable levels, leave the Bose alone and maybe add a small 10" Iso Subwoofer. But if your Car Audio helps define who you are and it's what you do, then by all means start spending and customizing. :ylsuper:

I run into it all the time at the shop and on the Busa Boards. Folks will spend thousands for just a few more HP, or a cool Custom paint job, so they can:
A. Brag about the HP.
B. So they can Pose with their pretty Chrome creation.
C. Enjoy the Hobby and have fun tinkering with their machines.

Whatever the reason, there is always a cult of Audio Guys, Power Guys, Paint Guys. It's just what they are into. I've met a couple guys who just like to tinker. No matter what, they are never done messing around. Be it Audio, Power, or Looks they are allways tinkering.

For me, and it sounds like for you as well, the BOSE is just fine. I listen to the stereo when I am out commuting or on the highway, just puttering around, don't really need or want anything more. When in the mountains or wherever I find twisties I'm listening to the engine and the car itself so the stereo is off anyway. Besides, adding weight that doesn't do anything for performance is kinda going backwards in a Sports Car. :nono: Makes no sense, that's what Escalades and H2's are for. :mdrmed:

My .02 anyway.


One other thought though, BOSE does have a definite Idea about how music should sound, and if you do not like their "Vision" or "Formula" for how music should sound then it can leave ya kinda flat. In this case though, for I what I expect in my Audio in the car I am pretty happy. But I will prolly add a small Iso Sub if there is a simple way to wire it into the existing system.

Oh and I picked up a 2005 TiGrey last week Sunday. From Doug's Lynnwood Mazda. Great folks BTW, no hassle, no pressure.

I plan on getting a 10" kicker sub but haven't chosen an amp yet. Any suggestions??

Just wanna say Hi, moved here a few days ago from San Diego, Cali...look for a BB with volks in the renton/kent area.

Got my BB a month ago and loving it!

Nothing, not a one. Not for the 8 yet, I just dunno, haven't thought about it. Find a good shop tell em' what your after and they should be able to hook you up, though I think there may be some difficulty with the BOSE stuff... There sometimes is.

Well I was just lookin for suggestions on a good amp. Most places will try to sell me whatever and not really tell me which is a good one for the right money. It's not all that difficult to add a sub setup to your system just need a line output converter to connect to the factory radio and not have to splice into the current setup.

I've always been able to find knowledgeable people at CarToys, although not everyone working there falls into that category.

JL Audio seems to be well respected. You might check the audio forum, I'm sure there will be some opinons there.

thanks GeorgeH...I was thinkin that. Had Car Toys install all my stuff before so I trust them.

I bought springs and shocks for my RX-8 that have been sitting on the shelf for a year now. I figure if they are ever to get installed I need to farm out the work.

Who does anyone recommend for doing suspension work on your RX-8 here in the Pacific NW?

count me in.
i will be moving up to Auburn next month. i own a white 8 built 06/05.
already saw another white parked not too far from my house :D: