How many of you guys have the Appearance package? Is it really worth the extra money? I was also considering the Rotary Accent package as well, but I'm not sure if it is worth the money. If anybody has these I would appriciate your opinions on how they look.

 

You're going to have to decide if the extra expense is worth it. No one else. If YOU like how they look, get them.

At first I didn't care either way but I probably would have gotten if I had to do it again...

 

Built into the car from the factory, it's only about $700, and isn't all that costly.

If you need the dealership to install it afterwards, it's definately not worth it.

Ultimately you will have to decide if you want a clean look (no body kit), or if you want the factory kit (which is clean and doesn't add too much clutter). If you want something more, the Mazda speed kit really changes the car's look to be more agressive, but will cost several thousand dollars.

Also consider that there are always new body kits coming out, so if you don't see something right now that you like, you can always upgrade in the future.

Get the appearance package only if you don't have any urge to later swap to something else.

 

I'm still not so sure whether or not I like the appearance package but I think that the accents, as little as they are, really add a "finishing touch" to the car. I did not have the accents when I got the car but ordered and installed them myself. If you do decide to get the accents, Trussville Mazda has the cheapest price on them that I can find.

 

I didn't want them at first, but they were already on the car I ended up buying. Now I think they look very nice, especially on a black car.

But as everyone has said, it's a matter of personal taste and preference...

 

anyone know the combined weight of the spoiler, side skirts, fender extensions and rear wing? Probably insignificant... just curious.

 

i'm *guessing* about 15-20lbs total weight addition for the appearance package pieces, based on what I remember how much urethane body pieces weigh (RX-8 has relatively small trim pieces, save for the front air dam)

 

Does anyone have any pictures of what the appearance package and accent look like?

 

Like they said, it really is a personal choice. I like the way the appearance package looks and that was why I opted for the model on the lot that had it. I really like the addition of the front air dam (or whatever it's called). The side and rear aero flares are alright, but not a necessity. I also think the rotary accents are worth the cash, but definitely install it yourself. I asked the dealer how much to install and he replied that it was $40. Then I asked what that entailed, and he had to laugh and admit that it's basically just applying double-sided tape to the metal pieces and sticking it to the car. Took me about 5 minutes to do both sides. I have the silver 8, so the front rotary accent is almost unnoticeable since i already had the front air dam. The rear accent however is a must in my book. But once again, to each his own.

 

In my opinion, I think the 8 looks a little dowdy and plain without anything (appearance, spoiler, etc.) I think the appearance kit gives it an extra edge that it wouldn't have without it, without looking too rice either. At first I didn't think it needed accents but the one I was eyeballing had it, and it grew on me. I'm deciding on strakes, if it can look even faster...with tints and the appearance kits the car looks a bit evil

 

I like them...

 

I got a sunlight silver GT with all the extras i.e. (nav, red leather, etc.) except the sports package. Of course its just personal taste but I love the clean lines of the rx-8 and think that the body styling is radical enough without any extra help. Also who needs the extra weight.

 

I'll let you guess what my opinion is.......

 

I personally think that the rx-8 looks really strange without it and i wouldn't have it without the kit.

 

I want you to tell that to my car's face.

 

I did not think I would like it without the kit, but I really like mine without the air dam. I looked at a couple in the lot and they had scrapes on them just from a few miles of test driving. I would like to get the rear side ones, but I do not want the lip since there are so many speed bumps and crap in my area that I would kill it! Plus I always pull in too close to the wheel stops in parking lots!

It is all dependant on the look you want for your car. Bottom line...will you think it looks too plain without them?

 

I will be getting the Mazdaspeed body kit, so I won't order the appearance package.

However, if I wasn't going to get the MS kit, I would definitely order the appearance package, as well as the Rotary accents.

 

I wouldn't take the car without the appearance package and the spoiler. I love the sleek look of the car but I really love the look with these extras. I got my dealer to put the spoiler and 1/2 the appearane package for free so it was good for the money. Also, I like that on the front air dam the rotor piece matches the color of the car. I wanted the accents at first but then I saw the yellow rotor in the front dam and had to leave it as is was.

 

Sorry to get off topic but RX22, where in SA town did you take that first picture? I was looking at it and was like "Damn that looks like San Antonio. Then I noticed you are here.

 

I actually took the first picture in front of some model homes in Stone Oak. I took the picture form an upstairs bedroom in the model. The 2nd picture was taken in Fredericksburg. Where in SA are you? I live in Stone Oak. Currently building a home by Canyon Springs Golf Course, so we are living in an apartment right now, because we sold our house.

 

The more I look at the RX8 without the apperance package I kinda feel it looks like a jag a bit. I've always loved the lines of the coupe jags out there and I think this car just adds on to that feeling. I'm planning on getting mine without and if I want to upgrade I'll probably go with the either the mazdaspeed version or else wait for the other body kits in the future. Right now I have other areas I'd like to put my cash (like winter tires).

 

I think the 8 looks best without the spoiler.

 

I live off Bandera Rd and Guilbeau Rd. I love playing out at Canyon Springs. I work at Star Furniture, you should come see me if you need anything when the house is ready. I'll get you the RX-8 hook up! :D My wife's uncle live a little further down Guilbeau and he has a Silver 8 as well. I am starting to see a bunch around town now. I saw 3 of them out at River Crossing on Tuesday. PM me and maybe we can hook up one day and check out the rides.

 

I have a lightning yellow -8 with the Appearance Pack, Rotary Accent Pack and wing. I doubt I'd have ordered it, but I was buying an off-the-lot car - at first I was concerned that I'd smash the front splitter on the ground, but haven't management to touch anything with it yet, which is probablyy just blind luck.

It's grown on me .. I like it now ... although still not a fan of the wing ... instead of that "boy racer" arch on the trunk, just a lip spoiler would have been nice looking ...

Stew