DoctorWho

Bought it cheap since the deal was better than a GT, there were no Touring models available. I have the 2009 sport.

So I believe the following features are included in the GT - I don't care about the moonroof, but are all of the other features relatively easy to install?

Xenon Headlights
I've read a few posts where aftermarket HIDs look to be a bad idea - is the wiring ready for an OEM Xenon drop-in? Does anyone have an idea on cost?
$$ = ?

Foglights
You need to obtain the kit as a whole which includes mounting brackets and light switch (replaces existing light control).
$$ = ?

Seats
Leather seats add so much to this car, I can't wait to find some. I believe the 2003-2008 seats will fit, but I enjoyed the 2009 seats so much more. Does anyone have an idea of cost from the dealer?

How about the wiring for heated seats/power seat? Is it still there on Sport models?
$$ = ?

Rain Sensing Wipers
I'm completely unfamiliar with the details of this technology - is it simply a wiper sensor? This obviously will need a new wiper switch for the "auto" mode.
$$ = ?

Sound System
I was rather unimpressed by the Bose audio system and even MORE unimpressed with the base unit/speakers. Definitely go aftermarket here - this will be the first thing that I do to the car (in a few weeks).
Steering Wheel Controls: Is there an adapter available to make these function?
$$ = $600-$1000

That's about all of the features I can think of right now. Please chime in if you have any experience in the installation or purchase of these features. I'm sure there are some others out there who want these features as well!

Thanks!

lilring

iTrader: (11)

This is for the frist gen models. Yours might be a lilttle different

I belive all the wiring is there for the Seats already. So all you need to do is bolt and plug the leather seats in. You can find new seats here on the forum. Price is about $800 for full interior

Fog lights go right in and is very easy to install once you get your kit, cost for the is about $50-100

For your question about Stearing wheel controls, there is a company who sells the adaptor to make the stearing wheel controls work for you new set up. I forgot the name of the company though.. A lot of people like Pioneer for the head unit

Jasonawojo

iTrader: (2)

Yes, the wiring for the heated seat switches should already be under the center console. You will need to replace the front piece of your center console with one with heated seat buttons, though.

mike[piston eater]

iTrader: (3)

shoulda just bought a gt

Razz1

Agreed.
Your wasting your money, however it's nice to be a Wanna bee.
your better off personalizing your car than to make it a clone.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

get your seats custom reupholstered. you will get better leather, retain your 2009 seats, AND it will be cheaper.

~$1000.

edit: and it would seem that the 2009 seats are internally exactly the same (with the exception of r3 seats.) the cover is the only thing that changes. i havent used them personally, but i heard that http://www.katzkin.com/main.html is good.

I8U

iTrader: (1)

Just get rid of the car if you can't enjoy it the way it is now. Damn impulse buyers!

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

nothing wrong with modding a car man...

look at your car.... why werent you happy without coilovers? the short shifter? the hks exhaust? why couldnt you just enjoy it stock?

josuar88

Um so how do I tell if mine is the base or sport model?

Chad D.

iTrader: (19)

You might as well aim for a better upgrade than the GT if you are spending the $ and using up time$. The custom seat is a great idea.

I8U

iTrader: (1)

^That's what I was getting at.

DoctorWho

Thanks for the responses.

And no, I should not have just bought the GT. The dealer was less willing to budge on pricing and I would have paid $10k+ more than the Sport. There were really only a few other options that I wanted, and I figured I could get them for under $4k - plus the features wouldn't have been rolled into my car loan!

I like the idea of the custom seats. The only thing I would miss out on are the heated seats. Any chance of aftermarket seat heaters?

I guess I am just a wannabe...

MazDangerous86

iTrader: (1)

Aight bro, i was in the same state of mind as you are with my Mazdaspeed 3 Sport a few years ago. I figured buy the sport model then upgrade it all to the GT trim. If i knew then what i know now, however.... ;-P lol.

I looked into aftermarket HIDs. Sure you can go the cheap ebay route or get some silverstars (lol) but you're not gonna get quality Xenon lamps without full bulb/ballast/wires setups from Phillips or similarily-german specialists. And they aren't cheap. I decided i was good with the stock halogens after checkin their website. Even the Xenon assembly from Mazda were like 1.5k each. (if i remember correctly)

Not to mention the self-leveling do-hickey i'm not certain the sport has equipped.

When it comes to the seats, the stereo, and the foglights though.... IMHO...

You gotta realize you have so much more potential for custom and unique mods by not getting the GT. Sure the leather seats are soft and sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, but i can't fit an aftermarket harness to em, and i don't even wanna know how heavy they are. You ever sat in an aftermarket sparco or recaro seat with full 5 point? Now that's a mod.

And i like the bose stereo system, so i prolly won't mess with it. But it'll never sound or look like the aftermarket setup i had in my explorer back in the day. (JL Audio, Memphis Diamonds, full crossover/sub system). Imagine a double-din pioneer setup dvd player with silk/aluminium tweeters, 6X9 midbass, couple of woofers and amplifiers.....

Then theres the foglights. I wouldn't mess with mine cause they do the job and don't look too bad. But there's so much more unique styles out there to consider.

At the end of the day, think glass half full. You now have more drive and opportunity to create the car you want. Why settle with a car you could have bought? Just my $0.02.

Krazed_Rx8

iTrader: (5)

^

Gr8Bullet

iTrader: (5)

lol

RufusVonStorm

Stick with the sport, it's lighter - you don't need all that junk

CarAndDriver

Some of those items are more hassle and money than they are worth getting in them after the fact.

Chad D.

iTrader: (19)

The seat warmers suck fella. I have a GS/Canadian sort of Sport, I like my lights cause they are not like everyone elses, non HID. For the cost, you should get some aftermarket seats or go to a upholstery dude and get your seats and interior done full out custom. Get some rims. Maybe worry about getting shocks, aftermarket coils/ignition system, all the other stuff that the guys with GT's want. I am in the exact same boat, but I didn't buy mine to make a GT, I got mine because I'm not paying so much for the stuff I'm gonna pull out of the car and it is a lighter car to start.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

image courtesy of jantzenrx-8

if you really want to go all out... Status GT seats. only ~$1700 each.

Lane03

Responses are above in bold.

DoctorWho

Wow bro, those are some NICE seats!! Where did you get them reupholstered, and for how much?

Thanks for everyone who has chimed in. I agree that I don't want a replica of an existing GT, but there are some nice features that I would love to implement.

IMO, Mazda did such an excellent job in striking a visual balance with this car. Flashy rims and multi-colors are not really my thing. I enjoy the subtle, sleeper, "executive sports car" type of look.

Lane03

The dealer had them done at a Tampa, FL upholstery shop (I don't remember the name, but could call the dealer to find out if anyone in FL wanted to know). Since they were a "dealer add-on", I don't know the exact cost (the window sticker said "custom ostrich leather interior - $1,700"). Based on what I got the car for, I estimate they paid around $800-$1000 for the custom leather.

rotarymike

iTrader: (1)

Mine was bought as an absolute base model and the first owner dealer-added some stuff to make it an almost-sport... the aero kit, and katzskin leather on the seats. I think he did this to get a car like the sport with no DSC or TC.

Personally I like the stock leather seats better - these aren't too supportive on my lower thighs, so I get a cramp when I drive for a long time. I can fix it with spacers to tilt the seat, but still... The Katzskin quality is otherwise superb. Mine have 4 years on them and no real wear.

I added the foglights myself. Either get a kit, or find a pair of lights and light switch in a salvage yard. I think I spent around $50 total. Wiring is all there. I haven't aimed them yet but I'm not terribly impressed, even after removing the reflectors and adding yellow bulbs. I have Catz brand lights on my Jeep that are smaller and work better.

Seat heaters - can be ordered from Mazda separately or you can go with aftermarket. Any place that re-covers seats will know what you're talking about.

HIDs... I spent some money here. I had an aftermarket kit on my Jeep with nice, small ballasts so I used those. I got a set of rebased H7 bulbs first, to put in the Halogen projector. Suckedy. I got some OEM phillips D2S bulbs, the adapter plug for the ballasts, and a set of metal adapters for the D2S-H7 fit. Also sucketh. We're talking truly horrible beam pattern and blue auras. I finally got OEM HID projector assemblies, took my headlights apart, and replaced the entire low-beam projector. Reassembled with the D2S bulbs and my aftermarket ballasts... WIN. Worth it IMHO but it was a long process and taking apart $600 headlights isn't for the faint of heart. Shortcutting the trial and error I spent $120 on the projectors, $60 on the D2S bulbs, $20 on the aftermarket-D2S adapters and maybe $80 on the original HID kit (which came with H4 bulbs for my Jeep).

Wipers - I've not messed with these on a Mazda. The Bimmer's I've driven had them and they worked well. No idea how to implement this on the car - you'd need to find a 2009 parts manual and compare all the bits, and look at an 09 FSM.

YMMV.

rotarymike

iTrader: (1)

Where did the airbags go?

AJ's Shinka

HAHAHA! Is that gatorskin seats??? Awesome nice to see you representing Flo-rida!

OP: Don't forget your sunroof!