OK - What should i do to my RX-8 next?
 

Hey guys. I used to not understand a thing about cars. Not a thing. Changing oil seemed like some sort of magic trick.

Anyway, a little over a year ago, i went to buy a Mazda 6. I decided to test drive a RX-8 cuz it seemed like a funny idea. So here I am today.

Anyway, a year later, and hours of studying these forums and DIY topics, I am trying to decide what to do next. I am not really interested in anything that really is made for performance purposes yet, like a turbo or anything, but more in terms of looks/sound. Here's what I've done to my 8 so far:

- Clear corners with stealth bulbs
- Chrome fender strakes
- Chrome rotary accent pieces in front and rear bumpers
- Seibon TS CF hood
- Authentic Mazdaspeed Spoiler
- 30% tint all around and strip across top of windshield
- Audiolink installed

Everything else is stock. Its a 2006 with the Touring package and its an automatic (I know, I know, shhh, I had a fiance at the time and I wanted her to be able to drive it... woops)

Anyway, I also posted some pics of what she looks like, and just curious as to what you guys would do next if it were yours.

Looks damn nice as is. The only thing left unless you did it is a cat back exhaust. Other than that the next step is to put it in gear and show it off.

Yeah I have been considering getting the Mazdaspeed Exhaust. Not sure yet. I'm pretty much weighing my options. I really think I've hit most of what I want to do, haha.

Looks like your going for the look, get the other mods last. I say you get some Tanabe GF210 springs and and wheels :) lol

Definately get some nice wheels. No point really going for performance mods in your situation. Some nice wheels would really round that baby out.

Black brake calipers, or maybe red if you want to be freaky -- goodness, even blue would look good.

Looking good so far.

Wheels will transform the look of any car drastically and compliment the aggressiveness of the hood but the hard part is deciding which ones. Springs will do the same thing for not much money. Next I would say exhaust/intake not for performance but to give it an edge in sound and gives bigger more aggressive tips out back.

PS What has that angel caught in the front yard? lol

One thing I have learned is there are things you fight over with your significant other and things ya dont. I made the intelligent decision that me getting happy time is more important than complaining about the damned angel, haha.

OK so so far we got people recommending new springs, wheels, and exhaust/intake.

I've pretty much figured as such that I'd want these, except springs, but its not a bad idea.

Anyway, as mentioned, I have been looking at getting the Mazdaspeed exhaust, and possibly intake. I heard each add a nice sound, without being too overbearing. Plus keep in mind i got 5 years left on my warranty so i dont wanna do anything drastic (thus performance not being my top desire). Would you all agree this is the best route to go, or maybe something else?

Wheels I am likely to hold off on for another year. Reason is my plan is to get some Blizzak's on my stock wheels for the winter, and then next spring get some brand new wheels/tires since by the end of this summer my stock tires will likely be done. This way I can switch out the wheels myself every fall/spring to accommodate for dealing with the snow. However, as an early peek, I have been looking at:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand
and
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand

Any opinions on those? I'm leaning more towards the Enkei rims. Theres others out there I like but unfortunately I have not gotten my letter that I am in fact the son of Bill Gates, so I cant afford those just yet :P

Finally, in terms of springs, any suggestions?

EDIT: Oops just realized someone mentioned black calipers. Is this just something I'd paint or need to go buy?

springs would be a good idea. I usually recommend upgrading the struts as well if you don't mind spending the extra $$$

Love the hood... really nice.

Wheels for sure... then coilovers+springs to round it out.

I think I still see the orange bulb in the tail light... if I do then get rid of it (put red... I hate orange on cars) :)

Just thought of another inexspensive add on that really adds a little kick to the exterior, a billet fuel door. Easy to install and really looks sweet!

lower springs, rims, nth much i can say, body kit if possible.
=] ti grey ftw

Actually, for my RX-8, its Galaxy Grey ftw, haha.

I give the nod to the Enkeis. As far as calipers just paint unless you want to drop some bucks on a brake upgrade. For everyday driving the 8's brakes are damn good as is though.

Enkei's definetly. how about a mazdaspeed body kit? that would look great on it too.

what's your budget?

Um I guess I can spend up to $1500. But thats without question my max. The rims and tires I'm not concerned with ATM as I mentioned until the winter and following spring. I may change my mind on that, but we shall see :P

How about these wheels....im actually considering these for myself.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...l+w%2FMach+Lip

guess ur married now then, gratz.

anyway, if u got the money to burn.. hmm.. mazdaspeed rearview light? =D
oh and a kick ass mod... rotary rear fog/break light.

You've got a great looking car there, I say you focus on making it SOUND as good as it looks: Intake + Exhaust immediately come to mind.

After that, you'll still have money left over for some springs.

As far as intake, I'm quite partial to the Racing Beat setup. The closed enclosure ensures you're getting COLDER air into the engine then other setups such as K&N.
As for exhaust; pick the one you like the sound of the best. Mazdaspeed exhaust sounds awfully nice, but the tips aren't as large as the Racing Beat. (I always thought the tips are too small for those big shrouds our bumper has)

Don't worry about your warranty: as long as the exhaust is a catback (as in not altering the catalytic), it's PERFECTLY legal. The intake they MIGHT give you some crap about but realisitically, it's pretty hard to blame an INTAKE on engine issues. My dealership loves the intake, they even sell Racing Beat exhausts from their Parts Dept.
If you don't think your dealership will like it as much as mine, you can always go with the Mazdaspeed Intake.

For springs: it really depends on how low you wanna go. Tein springs are really popular around here. S-techs drop the car a bit more then H-techs and are a bit stiffer.
I went with S-Techa (on Koni struts) and have no regrets, did a great job of eliminating that wheel gap up front.

Nix the wheel gap. You may not notice it as an atrocity like some of us do (or did :lol:) - but once the gap is leveled and the front sits more snuggly on the wheel you'll wonder how you lived with the stock height. I give you my personal gar-un-Teee! Like ^ said, it's worth doing shocks at the same time, but it's not necessary. I did springs only and am very happy w/it. ($165 for S-techs & ~$300 install if you don't do it yourself.)

Springs, to fix the wheel gap. New wheels are a must to make it look more aggressive. I would say get the MS body kit because right now the CF Hood is too agressive for just the appearance package. Then get a cat back exhaust that has bigger tips to make it sound better/look better in the rear. and maybe a CAI to make it sound even better.

I like the look, but not the color. For some reason I cant get myself to like black rims. Not that I think they look horrible, I just prefer having that nice contrasting chrome color.

Trade it in, Get MT, and Teach the other one how to drive it.

Best of both worlds.

Haha. Nah, cant trade it in now. I got the thing BRAND NEW for 20k. Had 20 miles on it :) I know itll be hard for me to find a similar deal anywhere else. It totalled at 23k after the extended warranty and taxes and whatnot if I remember right.

Although, I did break up with that girl like 2 months afterwards. So much for the idea of getting a AT for her, haha.

But its all good, I love my RX-8 whether its a MT or not.