GearDriven

So I could A) get a GT, add Mazdaspeed shocks, springs, and sways or B) get an R3.

Advantage of the GT: Auto Climate, Rain sense wipers, heated seats, heated mirrors, sunroof, MS setup may even handle better? The shocks+springs are about $700-800 in parts
CON of the GT: If I decide to AutoX, I'd be stuck in some street tire class at the least , leather seats.

Advantage of the R3: I love the blue color, recaro seats, and it's pretty much turnkey (no need to change parts, redo alignment, etc... The aero on it looks pretty nice too...and I'm not much of an aero fan.

Thoughts?

SPHINX144

R3, just because it looks better and there aren't as many.

CyberPitz

I'd just say go for the R3. You won't have to put any additional parts, and those extra things from the GT aren't needed

I agree with ya, the R3 is sexy all around.

GearDriven

Lots of the stuff I would agree, but when it is varying rain intensity and varying temp on a long drive the set it and forget it of the auto climate and auto wipers on my Porsche were nice...allowed you to focus on enjoying driving....


I don't care about auto headlights, but the idea that they turn off automatically is nice... I think I kind of made up my mind...none of the other colors really do it for me in 09+... Diamond Gray looks too brown, I don't want another black, red is my least favorite, white is too plain, etc... etc... and the Recaros were just like velcro on my butt when I test drove the RX8

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Dont go coilover when you dont know what you're doing. Not like Mazdaspeed coilovers are any good anyway(compare to other "REAL" coilovers it sucks)

Stock R3's shocks are pretty good for stock cars. Go for that instead.

Kafka

I always don't understand why people care about auto rain and the auto temp so much. If the rain get heavy, make the wipers go faster; if you feel cold, turn the **** to "Red" to get warmer...all the "auto" crap are just extra weight and unnecessary stuff to break down the road...oh well.

kster

Exactly. I never used any of the auto wipers or auto thermostat on my BMWs. Some things work better when kept simple.

To the OP, the seats alone make the R3 a better buy than the GT. At the track, they do a really good job of keeping you from moving around too much.

EMart11b

iTrader: (5)

r3 > s1. Our tail lights, head lights, wheels, and bumpers are 10x better. Fenders are only 5x better

EMart11b

iTrader: (5)

I thought the same thing about the rain sensing wipers but they really are awesome. Auto temp I could do without but I love my wipers. And the sensor probably weighs all of 1/10th of a pound talking about weight is just silly.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Each to their own. You have to way out the choices of what you really want in a car.

GearDriven

Auto rain and temp hardly add weight and on long hauls and at the track, it is nice to not have to fiddle with all that BS. In any case, I S-planned an R3 last night and am cloud 8 now . The color, looks, seats, suspension (and not having to fiddle with aftermarket parts and classing if I decide to autocross), and awesome trade in I got were well worth it. The drive home was pretty amazing. The only thing is now that I see it in the sun it looks like the dealer murdered it with an automatic carwash.

EMart11b

iTrader: (5)

Waxing your 8 for the first time is like consummating your relationship... It's a spiritual experience.

Giggawatt

I had the same concern (GT vs R3), and went with a GT. I could never sit comfortably in the R3 Recaros,even after a short 5 min drive I had a back ache so that made the decision for me. Love the GT but, I have recently started autocrossing and doing track days and now wish I had the R3 handaling. I asked my local dealer about the Mazdaspeed suspension but he said that the parts are not for 2009 and up. (This is in spite of the website showing 2004-2009 RX8 Accessories). I called two other dealerships and they said the same. Apparantly, the parts manuel says the mazdaspeed parts ore for only 2004-2008. Makes sence becasue the update...Then I asked if I could get the R3 suspension and he said he would look into it. I know there are probably many other parts out there but I would really just like to maintain only Mazda parts and installed at Mazda for warrenty reasons. Has anyone else encounted this or put Mazdaspeed or R3 parts on a 2009 GT?

pistonhater

Any RX-8 can handle equally - if not better - than the R3 with aftermarket upgrades to the suspension. However, perhaps there are not a lot of options out there for the series 2. So you need to be wise about that.

I test drove three R3s when I was shopping around. I loved the suspension set up. Along with the Recaros, the handling certainly felt more aggressive and firmer than other RX-8s i test drove. Although I knew I could upgrade any RX-8 with aftermarket suspension parts, I simply liked the idea of convenience - since the R3 came with the upgrades already included from factory, plus the body kit and nice wheels.

Then I started wondering about the extra "comforts" of the GTs (more comfortable seats, sunroof - which most people don't care about anyway - etc,) So I was having a hard time deciding.

Then I came across a 40th Anniversary Edition and I quickly realized it had the best of both worlds. The 40th AE is basically a GT with added suspension upgrades very similar to the R3 (bilstein shocks, foam-filled crossmembers, different spring/sway bar configuration - i believe, etc).

So that's how I got out of the dilemma you are in right now

jasonrxeight

just get the R3.
the seats are awesome (if you are in a decent shape. dont expect 200+lbs or shorter than 5'6" would feel good in them).

Giggawatt

I think 40th Anniv and R3 are similer! I wish I thought about that before I purchased. But I did get such a good deal on this car that I have room to do some suspension mods and hopefully get to the same place with a newer car, has warrenty etc etc. I bought this one certified so it still has some years left. Just need to see what options I have through Mazda. I searched the forum and am suprised noone has really talked about this...There has to be some option to upgrade a 2009 GT through Mazda!

jasonrxeight

they are two different models...

gwilliams6

He meant they drive very similar and they do (similar suspension) . I have driven both over the last few years , and I am happy I chose the 40th anniversary edition for the much more comfortable seats, power moonroof ( a must have for me ),special exterior color, special interior color (that amazing cosmos red) special badges and more exclusivity (only 1000 made for US market, only one model year- 2008). This was the only RX8 that did it for me, and I have owned seven RXs in the past 39 years.

Giggawatt

The dealer came back and told me I could get the R3 suspension put on my GT which would include the springs, struts, and sway bars (all front and rear) and recommended the endlinks to make the sway bars stronger...Has anybody put the these R3 suspension bits on a GT and give me any thoughts on it. He said I wont be able to get the foam filled crossmember. How different would this set up be vs an R3 or a prevous generation Mazdaspeed set up. Any help is much appreciated before I spend the $$

Giggawatt

BTW. Love the Cosmos Red. Im try'n to get the best of all worlds(GT luxury and R3 performance)

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

R3, hands down.

If you know what you are gonna put on (aftermarket), then it's just picking the look of what you like.
If stock, R3.

Personally, I only like S2's front bumper and R3's Recaro seat. (for the look)

jasonrxeight

what you are looking for is an R3, then why are you getting a GT and try to turn it into an R3?

Giggawatt

I didnt get an R3 because sitting in the Recaro seats was unbearable for me. The GT handals pretty well with the features that I like. Figuered I could upgrade the suspension and have it all with a GT. They offered Mazdaspeed, but now the Mazda dealer says Mazdaspeed parts wont fit on 2009 GT that I have...very disapointing because if you check the Mazda website under Mazdaspeed accesories it says 2009 will work. It seems all can still work out because I was told they could put R3 suspension on my car. I would be happy with that just want to see if anyone has done it. Or if anyone actualy tried to put Mazdaspeed parts on a 2009.

jasonrxeight

R3 suspension is just Bilstein HD I believe. you can get these online.
what you find hard to get are R3 wheels. bumpers and skirts are easy, so is the spoiler. cept the blue R3 paint is unique.

Giggawatt

Thanks! I probably wont get the wheels, bumpers, or skirts cuz of cost. Even though I love how it looks! Just want to change suspension to upgrade how the car drives/feels