NEW - 2009 Mazda RX8 R3
 

So Mazda has made some nice touches to the line up for 2009. Included in the R3 upgrade are...Recaro seats, 19's with forged aluminum alloys, and suspension improvements. It's time for me to take one of these badboys out for a testdrive :) Has anyone already done this or owns one? I personally think the cosmetic changes are not too shabby, wondering what the ride would be like............

Loving my 09 GT! Can't speak for the R3, looked at them and saw two big turnoffs. Didn't care for the seats and really don't like the dark colored wheels. Also the limited selection of colors. Found my GT with all the goodies I wanted in Sparkling Black Mica.

You cite limited selection of colors as a turn off for a R3 yet you select a color on your GT that you can get in the R3.

Plus the wheels and the seats are like the coolest things about the R3.

I was merely offering my opinion, to each his own right? I've never liked dark colored wheels, they look dirty all the time. Plus I wanted more goodies that aren't offered on the R3. Again, just my opinion. Never liked the R2's either, they were more stripped versions of the Touring I had.

Also, to clarify, the R3 comes in Brilliant Black Clearcoat, not Sparkling Black Mica.

RG. were you able to testdrive the R3, I personally dont mind the limited colour choices and I kind of like the look of the 19's. I'd have to agree with Zero about the seats. I love the way Recaros wrap around the body. The upgraded suspension must also be an improvement over the GT, but congrats on your purchase RG. I'm more concerned with the overall feel and performace of the R3 over the GT...only way to find out is to testdrive the two. With the difference in the pricepoint being so minimal, I would opt for the R3. Sure I'd have to give up the luxuries of the heated seats and mirrors but I would rather sacrifice that then performance.

I had originally planned on getting an R3, but when I finally had a chance to sit in the seats, I found that they would have been very uncomfortable for me on drives of more than perhaps 30 minutes. That was a bummer for me, because I love everything about the car, including those (very expensive to replace) wheels. I think the gunmetal wheels looked incredible on the black one I sat in, and they look pretty darn good on the blue one, too. I'm not too fond of gunmetal on red cars, though.

^^ I'm pretty sure you would find someone willing to swap their regular seats with the Recaros if that's what you want :D:

i'll swap seats with you. plus $1000.

No sunroof is a downer for the R3 for me.... if I was planning to by MKII rx-8. But apart from that, R3 is cool! I did sit on the Recaros and I think in the winter, when I put on winter jacket, the Recaro will be really snug. Time to lose weight delhi!

wait so theres no sunroof for the r3?

The recaros can be a real show stopper for some. They can be way too uncomfortable if you don't have the right build for them (many people have this problem with the Z4 vs Z4M)...making any long drive an uncomfortable trip. It would be nice if you could remove the option.

But if you do any kind of tracking or spirited driving you would certainly want them.

hands down go for the r3 bro if that was your first intention and go w/ something other than that you might regret it. sure no sunroof but hey you can put a roof scoop on it lmfao jk

The R3 does not have a moon roof, which, for me, was a good thing. I'd rather not have the one I have in my 09 GT. It cuts down on head room too much. It's doable without a helmet, but I'm concerned about what it's going to be like trying to drive the car at the track with a helmet on. I would have rather had one without the moon roof, but I got a really good deal on this one that was on the lot. This dealer basically orders all of the RX-8s with the same options because they found that anything different just sits on the lot even longer.

Since the car is pegged as basically track ready, losing the moonroof lessens the weight of the car. Belive it or not that moonroof and all the mechanical components that go with it is pretty heavy and for a track car, having that weight on the roof is not real good.

Aww and to think i was planning to purchase one towards the end of the year...Guess i'll have to rethink that, love the look of the r3 and performance but with no sunroof/moonroof ill have to reconsider the grand touring i guess.

Yes, another reason why I wish mine didn't have the sunroof. Maybe I'll replace the body panels with the carbon fiber ones from from the Speedsource RX-8 Grand-Am race car? :lol:

Speaking from experience. I have the r3 and its nice, handles great looks good with the 19 wheels. But for long trips those seats will make your legs go num...

At the same time i did not buy the r3 for long drives. Just a weekend drive and track time...

If the r3 will be your only means of transport don buy one..

I wouldn't want the Recaro's at any price compared to my GT's two-tone leathers.

The R3 has really grown on me. Didn't like them too much at first. Now I think it is a fantastic car.

yes, but you are displacing a large slab of steel, which surely weighs more than the glass. Yes, the electric components add weight, but probly not very much when considering the weight loss attributed to a slab of glass versus a comparable slab of steel.


moonroof is still probly heavier than straight steel roof though, but not by much at all.

I still like my car and I love the 2 tone leather seats!

If I decide to upgrade. Ill only go with the R3. Just wish the R3 wheels were at least an option on the other trims, then maybe Id consider one of the others but I love those R3 wheels. Gave up on the 370 because it will be a major pain in the ass trying to get one in the options I want.

Just think.... with an R3 everyone is gonna think you own that car from the Cheveron commercial.

Smiley face

no.

roof is aluminum, not steel.

its not very thick.

the glass is pretty thick.

it is heavy.

then there is the motors associated with the sunroof.

then there are the 2 heavy crossbeams that are installed in the roof to support the sunroof.

in case you missed the point, no sunroof is far lighter.