Crashworx

OK Guys,

I am getting my brand new BLACK RX8 next week and i need to finalise the accessories.

I am getting the leather pack option (australian option - if you are unfamiliar with what it offers have a look at this
http://www.mazda.com.au/features_pl....refresh_para=1
under RX-8 with Leather Pack)

I have opted for the following to be added :

- RX-8 Mats ( a must )
- Door inner protectors (to protect in case you have a moment of madness and close the front door before the back one)
- Front and Rear rotarty crests in brushed alluminium.


Now i need to know

1 . Are the Fender Strakes worth the AU$500 i am going to have pay to get them .. do you guys think it adds to the look of the car ?
2. Any thing else you think is a must have - interior or exterior....

Thanks for all your help guys.

clmantis21

Fender Strakes are a great addition to the 8 imo.... how much is AU$500 in US dollars though?

chrism

if he is buying them (the strakes) from the dealer he is gonna get killed....get them from ebay and you can save a ton of cash.....there is a guy selling regular ones from the UK and colored ones from the US which im sure will be a fraction of dealer costs

BlueFrenzy

500 aussie dollars is a bit much! 500 any currency is rough! I think that translates to slightly less than 500 Cdn dollars and about 375 USD. Here we can get strakes for ~400 from dealers. My suggestion is to find someone selling them second hand either locally or on ebay. You can also try DLS customs here on the board but there is a wait because it's a one man operation.

valpac

iTrader: (2)

Strakes really dress up that boring side vent. Well worth the money except I dont know how much $500AU is. Paid $195US here:

http://www.mazdapontiacgmcparts.net/

and installed them with the instruction enclosed.

jowettw

i would put the money you're gonna be putting spending on the strakes into an MP3 player or MD player.

good luck and congrats!

RX-Nbg

Mazda has serious quality problems with the strakes, concerning the coating.

Get the strakes from Howard in UK. http://www.rx8-accessories.com/rx8-accessories.html
They are made from polished stainless steel (no coating, that can peel off), have a superior quality and fit perfectly. You can install them yourself easily within less than an hour, if you work very carefully.

And . . . they are 73,- British Pounds, including P+P, that is 131 US$ or 172 AU$. Howard delivers very quickly. I received the strakes three days after the order.


I really can recommend these strakes!

RX-8 friend

Also, I would get the metal exhaust opening surrounds. The exhausts can melt the rear valence if you're into performance driving.

dwynne

The so-called "exhaust finishers" as shown in the picture?

That term normally means just a chome bit to slip on over the end of the pipe, but I assume in the case of the 8 that it is the chrome surround?

Dennis

Umbra

I think the strakes are way to trendy and are going to date the car. The exhaust finishers are nice but they really don't stand out much unless your looking at the car from right angle.

-=Rowdy=-

I think someone mentioned it for the protective factor rather than cosmetics.

Nubo

Strakes depend on your personal preference. Too costly, imo. There is a DIY on this site for making your own -- maybe worth a try if you're so inclined.

I find the Cargo Net to be very useful for groceries and small packages that I don't want banging around in the trunk.

Screens/grilles to protect the Oil cooler(s) and AC coils are a very good idea, imo.

I'm happy to see that Australia has the common sense to make the spare tire Standard

Brake-light logo: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-3rd-brake-light-rx-8-logo-mod-21092/

Hyperborea

What sort of driving is required to cause the melting of the valence? Hard driving on twisty mountain roads? Autocrossing? HPDE? Road racing? I'm not really into "jewelry" for my car but might consider the exhaust finishers if there's a good chance of damage without them.

Has anybody actually experienced this "melting" or is it just speculation?

Thanks

Tyler8

Definitely get the stainless steel strakes from Howard. It's the only way to go. :-)

http://www.rx8-accessories.com/rx8-accessories.html

Tyler8
2005 6MT Shinka

AQA101

I honestly doubt that you'll manage to melt something with a stock exhaust and a stock engine, no matter how hard you drive.

Crashworx

Hi All,

Thanks very much for your advise. I'll let you know how i go.
I'll post some photos once i get the car.

rotten42

I feel the exact opposite. I think strakes make the car. The single cheapest mod that you can do to the exterior that will have the biggest impact. They help accent the horizontal lines running down the length of the car.

get the strakes from anybody BUT Mazda.

RX-8 friend

If you drive at 120 km/hr+ you will eventually notice the plastic around the exhaust pipes deteriorate. Those who don't believe me should follow an 8 at night - it emits flames from time to time. The exhaust is not cool! The finishers are! Oh, and yes, we did melt the valence!

FoxyRoxy

Does anybody know if Howard is still making the stainless steel strakes and crest? His website is no longer up.

Thanks...

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

500 japanese yen is not much

Anyway, yea its a bit too much, search around and you'll find yourself some cheaper ones on ebay or whatever.

Internet and Google is your friend.

alcimedes

Your advice is about one year too late. Checking the post dates is your friend as well.

Sheep

I think your money will be better spend on the tire kit, but that's a trade off with trunk space.

UFGator12

I have never had any trouble with mine.

New Yorker

http://www.rx8-accessories.com/index.html

icyur2

If you want bang for your bucks, I would just get the splash guards for the front and rear..they DO something instead of the strakes, which just add eye appeal..not only do the splash guards complement the 8's curves, they protect your car from being eaten up by rocks, etc. Other than that, the oil and cooler screens are a MUST!!!

OH yeah..don't forget to replace your transmission and rear differential fluids to either Royal Purple or Redline..HUGE difference in performance..