RX-8 Options
 

I'm planning on purchasing a RX-8 within the next couple of weeks and was wondering what everyone's opinion were on the following options, as to if they are worth adding to the car at the dealer:

Alarm Shock Sensor Upgrade
All Weather Floor Mats
Front/Rear Splash Guards

Thank you for your opinions.

IMHO:

I couldn't even get the Alarm Shock Sensor upgrade down here (dealer was clueless) and I've yet to figure out exactly what it is. Does it mean the sensor works BETTER if the car is bumped and sets off the horn easier, or is there NO shock sensor currently and if you get the upgrade you'll now have one?

I haven't had the heart to figure this out by bumping or banging my 8 to see if it sets off the alarm.

All Weather Floor Mats seemed to be in the Trunk already for the two 8's I bought. Dealer should throw them in for free, don't pay a penny for them.

Splash Guards are not extremely noticeable like they are on many other cars. I have them - I guess they're nice but I wouldn't have paid extra for them. They just wound up on the car I bought along with a bunch of other stuff (Spoiler, Appearance Package, Rotary Accents) that I paid a flat $500 for.

You sure you got the big rubber all weather floormats for free? They were in the trunks? You sure they aren't those cloth Florida-spec all weather mats?...hahah I got those for fre with my car, too.

Good call. Us in the hot sunny south probably wouldn't know what an all weather mat looks like if it hit us in the face.

I stand corrected. But I still think any floor mats can be gotten for free when buying a car! :p

TSB is out for this!
 

There is a TSB out telling dealers not to sell or install the Shock sensor on North american models until further notice.

Trussville has the new shock sensor for sale on their parts page. Evidently the original one didn't agree with the system. At present is NO shock sensor on the car's alarm system. If you want it, it has to be added as an upgrade.

My understanding is that the car will not complain if it is bumped and that is what the shock sensor does. It is also still true that the shock sensor is unavailable as per this notice:

Shock Sensor TSB

I wish I had remembered the floor mats. I'm sure I could have gotten them thrown in for free, but didn't remember until presented with the contract (also forgot to insist on no doc fee - doh! - paid that too.) I'm still wiping my feet before I get in, but over time that's unlikely to last and the carpeted mats really aren't up to the job. I think the all-weather floor mats invoice at $45/MSRP is $60.

I think the splash guards can be easily installed if you have a screwdriver and an ounce of courage. I would not pay to have them installed but would buy them at invoice if you have that opportunity. The front and rear splash guards cannot be combined with the appearance package and should cost about $136. MSRP is $170.

If you are thinking of the RX-8 as your main car and live where there's snow, be sure to figure on winter tires. Almost everyone is reporting how dangerous the OEM tires are. Invest the time in reading this post:

First Test of RX-8 in Snow...

Good luck.

I got good all season mats at Auto Zone, about $30 for all four. My dealer was a bit clueless about the mats. I added the splash guards at about 900 miles front and rear (different than the aero package). It's easy to do, about 1 hr. for all four and you don't even need to jack up the car or remove the wheels. I did notice two stone chips that the front splash guards would have prevented, and the car stays much cleaner now than before the splash guards were on so I'm happy I've got them.

I find that without the splash guards, especially the front, my car gets dirty around the wheel wells a lot quicker so I highly recommend them. Plus they save your paint from basically getting sand blasted when you drive on the sand/salt covered streets.
So how thick are the all weather floor mats. I didn't find any in my trunk and the dealer said they're gonna have to take a week to order. For now I put in some no name rubber mats but I find them kinda thick for driving comfortable wiht the clutch. How are the mazda ones?

Yea, I noticed a lot of talk about the OEM tires being pretty much crap and in the area I live in, snow is inevitable. So, later on, I will be investing in some all-weather tires. First though, gotta go out and get the car. I have yet to test drive it (because I wanted to have my money ready, but I did sit in one), but from what I've seen, I will love it.

I ordered my car with the upgrade, too. My dealer told me that they are on backorder and won't be available for months. They will install it for me when they are available.

My dealer described it as a device that will prevent the car from being moved. It someone were to try and tow it, the car will go nuts.

If I ever get it, I will update with another post.

I'm happy Mazda don't put four-season tires on the RX-8. It's a high-performance car and should not compromise on the tires -- they should be high-performance too, in dry or rain, but not in snow.

If you live in a snowy area, the way to go is a set of steel wheels and four high-performance snow tires.

About those accessories: Do they make the car go faster? If not, why buy them? ; )

Could you post pics of the car with splash gaurds? How much did they cost and how hard were they to install?

Also, if you are looking to get a set of winter wheels and tires I am selling one on ebay. Check it out!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2456135059

Neil

here is my car before I bought it with the splash guards on it.

It shouldn't be too hard to install as I remember its only held on by a couple screws. Dunno about the price as mine came with them on. i think it was 130 bucks(invoice)