Another new owner
 

Greetings one and all!

I am the very proud new owner of a 2004 "Winning Blue" RX-8.

Thanks *very much* for the "New and perspective owners start here" thread. It was a big help when I went to look and test drive.

Unfortunately, at least one of the previous 2 owners took it upon themselves to make some modifications to the car that I now wish to undo.

First, there appears to be a controller for some kind of remote radar detector lodged in the ashtray bin. In order to get it to fit in there, the ashtray and lighter plug were hacked out. And by the looks of it, they used a dull kitchen knife.

What bothers me most about that is the fact that I use the lighter plug for my Garmin and to recharge my cell phone. I'll be checking with Mazda to see if those parts can be ordered.

Also, there are 3 small "black boxes" affixed to the top of the front "lip". I will attach a photo later today. Not sure if they are stock, part of the radar detector, or some other mod.

Next, there is a rather large stereo amp bolted to the floor of the trunk. It does appear to be functional, but it prevents me from being able to put much of anything in the trunk. The radio doesn't turn on immediately when I start the car. About 30 seconds later there is a loud "Pop" and then only the right-rear speaker starts working. :uhh:

There are a few trim pieces that will need to be replaced. Also, the center plastic engine cover doesn't seem to fit properly. the two posts fit into the firewall (or thereabouts) but the one in the center of the engine bay doesn't. The post is there, and the hole it fits in, but the cover won't go down far enough for it to go in. Something is keeping it from lying flat. An aftermarket replacement part???

Lastly, the previous owner only turned over a single key with no "fob". When I asked about it, she told me she didn't use it and it was in the rear armrest. I should have checked. It was there alright, but it was an aftermarket "Python" remote that doesn't do anything. I plan to go back to the OEM remote.

So, I've got my work cut out for me. But don't get me wrong. I'm still very glad I bought the car. I've had RX-7s in the past and am a big fan of the rotary engine. I was also somewhat surprised to see that when I parked the "8" in the driveway next to my Miata, the "8" is barely a foot longer!

Oh, and after only 3 days of ownership I have already received 2 compliments from complete strangers in parking lots. Or I should say the car did. :)

More to come, including pictures.

Welcome aboard!

Yup that sounds like laser detectors / jammer stuff on the front of the car.
Could be radar stuff as well.
http://www.radardetector.org/reviews...jammer-review/

My car has another outlet in the secret compartment in the center console, can you use that one for your phone/garmin?

Can't help you with stereo stuff, sorry.

Need pics of the engine cover and the engine to see what is going on there.

Gotta luv winning blue.

That area is used for the Racing Beat guage pack. The ashtray and lighter need to be removed to make that mod.
Pods for more gauges? Hard to tell without the pictures.
That many guages on the car, could mean that it once held a turbo that was removed, prior to sale. The previous owner then sold the mods, separate from the car.

Welcome to the Addiction(welcome back I should say). Funny how many compliments the car will get. I rarely drive my 8 anymore and everytime I have her out I usually get one.

Too much to read...jk, lol

A picture says a thousand words...lol

Anyway, welcome to the club.

Ya, pics are coming. Crazy weekend! ;)

Also, the "check engine" light came on during the day yesterday. I was going right by an Advance Auto, so I let them read it for me. P0420, which appears to be an issue with the cat. That makes sense, since I had just run the engine up to about 8-grand.

It also answers the question of why the guy at the Inspection Station asked if I had disconnected the battery recently. The correct answer was, "No, but the seller did so I wouldn't know about the cat". <grumble> Fortunately, I have access to a lift so I'll spend more time trying to decide which one to buy than actually doing the replacement.

Oh, and the guy at Advance confirmed the "little boxes" are part of a fairly high-end radar detector/jammer-thingy. There's even a module that doubles as a rear license plate light. Somebody apparently couldn't keep their foot out of it. lol

Congrats man. Lets see some pics.

Welcome,

As another 04 owner, I can related to what other people did to the car. The New and Potential Owners thread is great. Also, after you buy, especially an older one, check out the $100 thread in my signature. It has a lot of little stuff that can make a big difference.

Finally got around to posting some photos. So let's start with the basic car...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_...579CE80E58.JPG

I've spent some time cleaning and just going through the car. Found out that one side of the engine cover mentioned above is resting on a power cord for the amp in the trunk. Once that is out, the cover should rest normally.

Here's a shot of the air dam with the "high end" radar detector;
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i...CEDBC8F911.JPG

So currently, all mysteries have been solved. I just need to do a little pre-trip maintenance. Heading down to Daytona for the Rolex 24 next week. :yesnod:

looks like radar jammers...

Maybe a laser jammer. Radar jammers are really hard core. They can lead to a Federal Felony.

my mistake, that's what i meant, thanks for the correction

either way he should check his local laws on laser jammers as those can be illegal too.

oooooooooooo-KAY! I guess we'll be doing some uninstalling over the weekend. 1) Driving across several states next week with that stuff on there is just asking for trouble, and 2) the only place I (significantly) speed is on the track! ;)

Yes, looks like Blinder laser jammers.

They are zero effective that far away from the headlights - laser operators always shoot the headlights, on a car without a reflective front license plate. (try it with a laser pointer...)

Not a radar jammer.