I have come to the conclusion that even the $1300 for the sport pkg may be a bit too rich for what I can comfortably afford, so I am leaning toward buying a base RX-8, but before I go to dealers looking for them, I would like current base 8 owners to answer a few questions for me.

How are the standard halogen headlights? Are they good enough for putting lights down on the pavement?

the lack of DSC/TCS: have you ever wished that you had these?

yeah those 2 are the only thing I *may* miss for getting a base 8, but would like to hear some experiences/opinions from current base 8 owners

thanks!

 

$1300 over 60 months at 3.9% APR is only... what... about $24.00 extra a month? I definintely recommend it...

 

I bought a base model 8 and yes, I kinda wish I got the sport package for the dsc/tcs and the hid's. But I guess as long as you stay within your limits when you drive, the lack of dsc should not cause you to be in dangerous situations. I'm planning on swapping out the stock halogen bulbs with some silverstars. They're not quite hids, but they are still really bright (and white) and they cost a lot less.

 

I don't have the sport package. The lights are fine. You can replace the bulbs for more brightness for very cheap. As for the DSC, as long as you dont gun it around corners in the rain you'll be fine. I have had no traction issues so far (knock on wood). DSC is basically for women that have no concept of slick surfaces.

-Chris

 

I know your post was directed at base RX8 owners and hopefully more will respond. Personally I can't put a price on safety. THe DSC, TC etc. can save your life, or at the very least save some costly repairs. That's why I got the Sport Package.

 

The HID's are fantastic! ...sooo much better than the normal lights. I agree for the extra money the dsc/tcs is worth every penny...especially if you get extreme weather.

 

Yeah, I guess its not so bad when you live in SoCal and it only rains a few times a year.

 

hmm, dang it, i may have to bite the bullet and get sport pkg... seeing that i live in Mid-Atlantic, where nasty weather is a way of life.... bah....

 

NorCal. Base model. Happy with I have and not once wished for DSC. Good driver training is cheaper than the sport model. :p

I am sure I would think much differently if I had to deal with snow and ice.

 

I have a base model with the appearance package, I am very happy with the choice that I made and I do plan on changing the headlight bulbs, although the stock ones work just fine.

 

i'm noticing that all the base model owners that responded live in nice weather states.... lol

 

Yeah, that's what it's for.

 

The halogens are fine. They seem to be precisely aimed, and they put plenty of light where you need it.

Never. I'm glad I don't. It'd just be more weight.

 

nice, finally someone from the north with a base model responded! i'd assume you'd be getting snow tires/wheels for winter Ellar, since LI gets plenty cold and nasty during winter, any concerns with no DSC/TCS for winter driving?

 

I have a base and I don't have regrets. Here are my reasons:
- People with DSC/TCS disable it all the time coz they prefer getting the most power out of their 8, which is already down in the power dept. I don't have to turn it off coz it's not there to begin with and it's great! I only had traction problems for pushing it too hard on its first week. After that, I hardly get it unstable even in rainy conditions. :D
- Halogen bulbs can be easily upgraded to Sylvannia Silverstars (brightest, best quality and non-riciest of all aftermarket bulbs) for $50 tops. Xenon? You're looking at more than $500 when the lights are pooped. Silverstarts are probably 75% brighter than the stock halogens. And yes, they are projectors still
- Compared to 8's with packages, this base 8 is actually lighter than any them. For the lack of power it has, lighter is better
- The seats are great even without leather. I wanted to get the leather but after seeing 8's with worn out leather (less than a year old), I'm glad I didn't get it :p
- This is one of the best decisions Mazda made for this car. They decided to give a base model with all the necessities in tact and not punish those who buy it. Pretty much, the packages and options are things most people can live without. Most car manufacturers are ******** when it comes to base models, they give you the utmost reason not to get their base models. It's like you have to be desperate enough to get it. Not with Mazda, they're cool in this aspect
- When these 8 owners checked their KBB value on their 8, they realized that it ain't a Honda (and thank goodness also). For less than a year of owning their 8, most of them expressed that the current value is very unfair. Well, not for me. I got mine for $25K and my loan balance is way lower than my 8's current value :p

If you're the type of person who knows you can live without any of those packages and extra options, then go get the base model. It won't disappoint you at all.

 

I own the Base Model, and it's been nothing short of awesome. In a sense, you don't really need the bells and whistles the upper-echelon packages offer. The lights work fine, and I haven't been bothered by the lack of DSC/TCS. I slid once in the rain, but luckily my driving skills aren't that of an old woman.

For the money, I would get the Base Model. It's simple, it's the lightest, and it's still an RX-8.

 

Yeah, I'm getting ready to order a wheel/snow tire package from The Tire Rack. I've driven a Fiero (RWD, 56% weight in rear) for the last 4 years. I attemped snow once without snow tires. The roads were 1/2" packed snow, and it was white knuckles all the way home. I got behind some old people, and that way if anyone had a problem with how slow I was going, it was the old people's fault. After that, I made sure I had snow tires on (195's instead of the 215's that came on the rear), and it was *fun* driving home in the snow. You have to drive for the conditions. That's all. Take your time and maybe hang the rear end out on some slow turns once in a while.

The only thing I'm worried about is that I can't get tires as skinny as I want them. They only seem to offer 225's for the 18" wheels. The tread and rubber compound make the most difference, though.

I'm thinking the people who are talking about the DSC like it's a requirement for inclement weather are all coming from FWD cars. They've just never gotten comfortable with oversteer.

 

Base model, headlights are plenty bright, and no problems without foglights (which I rarely have used in other cars, anyway) and without DSC--remember, cars were made for a century without DSC and while I'm sure it's nice to have, it's not mandatory if you're a prudent driver.

I would definitely suggest snow tires for the winter in Northern VA. Rear-wheel drive cars do poorly in snow conditions.

 

That's so true.

 

id venture to say DSC/TCS makes you a better driver on the track, no human being can apply brakes to one tire at a time...remember theres a reason why traction control was banned from F1.

 

I have the base. I love it, and wouldn't change a thing.

The headlights are very powerful on this car because they are projection. I think the DSC may be needed for some, but I drive very fast, and have yet to ever loose control, or even fell threatened in any way. Don't even think twice about it, get the car without the DSC, and...if your like me, spend $200 and get the foglights afterwards, that'll add a bit more light to the pavement.

-Rupes

 

Lights are great. Wide FOV even on low beam, good intensity.

I've done the red light turning spinout a couple of times, but thanks to the great handling (or maybe my cat like reflexes) I can quickly recover.

 

The TC allows a LOT of wheelspin before kicking in. I've never had it come on in fact... I instinctively lift off the throttle long before it stops the fun (such as starting out on a wet hill). It's pretty much useless to me so far. I was hoping it would actually *prevent* wheelspin. Instead, it limits wheelspin - but long after your right foot does it anyway.

Same with DSC. Is it worth it for an emergency manuever? Perhaps. I'm hoping it helps in the snow, if I start to get it sideways somehow.

Is the Sport model really lighter? I mean heck, the TC/DSC is just added electronics and programming, right? I figured TC is simply the ECU cutting the fuel or ignition, and DSC uses the ABS system to apply brakes...?

 

I have a base model M/T, and I can't say I've ever really missed DSC/TCS.
I've kicked out the rear end a few times. I've always done it when accelerating into a turn from a dead stop, usually in wet conditions (either it's been raining, or the car just got washed). Fortunately I've easily recovered every time so far. I'm quite impressed with how easy this car is to drive. For what it's worth, I live in the SF Bay Area. I might be a bit more concerned about DSC/TCS if I lived in an area where the weather conditions were worse.

 

The thing about driver controls is they never existed before now. After 13 years of having to learn how to handle a rwd car in all kinds of conditions, I really have no interest in letting the car drive for me at this point.

If this is your first rwd I can understand why you would like a nanny. The 90's and 80's dumped too much fwd crap on us. But honestly, once you work out what it is going to do in any given situation you should be able to go with it and know how to adjust your driving style.

Have fun. Let it go sideways once in a while.