I just brought home a new 2009 GT and have a few questions about some things i've discovered during the first few days of ownership.

First, I noticed there's no cigarette lighter, just an empty socket. Is this normal, or did the dealer "borrow" it for another vehicle?

The front fogs have little black cylinders around the bulbs, like side covers, which would seem to tone down the light they can throw by blacking out much of the light hitting the reflector. Has anyone removed these cylinders, and were the fogs more effective?

After driving in moderate temps, say 60-70's, and then parking for a while, there's alot of cabin heat soak, particularly in the arm rest compartment. Normal for rx-8s? Also, under the same conditions after parking, if I then get in and drive again with just the fan on (no ac) set to a cooler temp, say 65, it seems to blow much warmer air, maybe 10-20 degrees warmer. I'm trying to just get fresh outside air with no ac, but even with it set below the outside air temp, the air coming out is noticably warmer for a while. Is this normal? I was thinking it might pull in the outside air from near the engine compartment, which has time to heat soak after parking for a while with no moving air. thoughts?

Last but not least - hard to describe, but there's a kind of spotting look to some of the rear glass, as if theres light and dark spots on it. maybe 1 inch in diameter....like connect 4! Really not that noticeable unless you know what to look for, but I'm wondering if this is something all rx-8's experience.

I don't want to sound like I'm disappointed in the things listed above, more curious! Overall, I love the car. It's the best car I've ever owned, hands down.

 

1. yes they "borrowed" it and never returned it

2. the fogs are not gonna be effective

3. yes that is normal, the heat is coming from your cat which is right under the cupholders

4. is your vent close?

5. and this spot i know nothing of

oh and WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION!

 

1. It should have a cigarette lighter
2. You can remove the shields in the foglights but it's a pain and will scratch the inside a bit.
3. The center consol gets hot from the cat and drive shaft.
4. Normal, open the windows if you want fresh air.
5. Normal.

 

1.) Mine has a lighter, might have been an option. I'd assume most people are straying from putting those lighters in to encourage less smoking? *shrug*

2.) No clue man

3.) It's usually warm. Use it to keep your coffee nice and toasty in the AM

3 pt 2.) I'd imagine the heat from the road + engine bay would cause the air to get relatively warm if you're not turning the AC on. Just pop open the windows and call it good lol

4.) Uhhh, try cleaning the inside by following the manual *the antennae is on the glass...*. Is it tinted?

*EDIT* I'm the slowest typer, eh? Damn.
*EDIT2* I'm not! Haha@invasion08!

 

1. If you want the cigarette lighter just go back to the dealer and get one for free.
2. The fog lights i would need to see a picture since i have not seen a 09 yet.
3. Yes the cup holders/ arm rest does get hot and is normal.
4. The temp out is 65? and it seems to be blowing much warmer air?
5. Would need to see a picture again.

 

I removed them on mine... it was a 5 f*ck mod. I said f*ck 5 times doing it

 

I bet the spots on the read window are from the machines that hold the window when it is put on the car.

 

i really feel the fog light mod removing the covers helps a fair bit. specially if you put the drl/high beam bulbs in their place.

 

Probably would annoy every driver coming the opposite way, just like the highbeam cutoff mod.

I'm not entirely sure, but I've seen it explained that the fog light covers help direct the lights where you need it during a fog condition. Otherwise it gets spread out and diffused into the fog.

 

Ditto dozer.
Welcome and have fun.