NEW - 2009 Mazda RX8 R3
Guest
Posts: n/a
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............
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............
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
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.
Plus the wheels and the seats are like the coolest things about the R3.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
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.
Guest
Posts: n/a
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.
The Michigan "WANKEL"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
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.
Grand Chancellor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,733
Likes: 62
From: Home of the NIMBYs
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!
3.2 Liter Inline Sex
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
But if you do any kind of tracking or spirited driving you would certainly want them.
Last edited by Kevo; Apr 26, 2009 at 11:06 PM.
The Michigan "WANKEL"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
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.
Registered
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 1
From: Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
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.
![[K]Jae's Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23e9e84e' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
Registered
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
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.
The Michigan "WANKEL"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
Registered
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Shelby Twp. MI
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..
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..
mod edit
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
moonroof is still probly heavier than straight steel roof though, but not by much at all.
Registered
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 1
From: Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
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 *** trying to get one in the options I want.
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.
moonroof is still probly heavier than straight steel roof though, but not by much at all.
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.