Series 2 GT vs Series 2 "R3"
 

ive got a series 2 2008 GT "Aurora blue"(aus version ) i just would like to know if
there is a difference from the R3" that they dont call the GT
just wondering if there is any physical differences
thankyou

I've seen this thread before. I think that what they call the GT in Australia we call the R3 in the USA.

Post pictures of your GT. I have a hunch that it's an R3.

Wrong. The R3 has differences. R3 comes stock with: Foam filled front cross-member, Bilstein shocks front and rear, solid rear sway bar, different springs front and rear, front "splitter", rear spoiler, Recaro seats, 19" BBS anthracite wheels, factory installed side skirts.


From Wikipedia:
R3
Mazda RX-8 R3

The R3 version was introduced for the 2009 year model. The R3 package added slightly improved suspension over the base model by adding Bilstein shock absorbers and a foam filled front crossmember to improve rigidity. The R3 also came with 19-inch BBS-forged aluminum-alloy wheels and high performance tires. On the exterior, the R3 had a different, lower front bumper sporting a splitter, lower side sills, and a standard rear spoiler. There is a pair of special Recaro seats up front, along with the same 300-watt Bose audio system, Bluetooth, and Mazda advanced keyless entry and start system.

"Wrong", eh? I admit I'm the first to get out the ol' flamethrower and let them have it when I see something I don't think is accurate, but, in this case, you probably should have actually READ the post first. He's in Australia. Their RX8 GT is the same as our RX8 R3 in the US.

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...mazda-rx-8.htm

Yah, you were right... but do extra step of searching to confirm and set things straight. The OP could have done the same by searching instead of starting a new thread.

The R3 also has no sunroof.

Perhaps you are right. I shouldn't have opened my mouth I suppose. I don't know anything about the Australian market. I apologize for my ignorance but I just love that I have a rare car and don't want it confused with something its not.

Haha it's all good. I owned an R3 but traded it in for a GT. I really wanted a white RX-8.

Too bad we didn't get the white R3's like Canada.

I find the GT is slightly more practical as a daily driver. If I tracked my 8 I would have kept the R3.

Isnt it cheaper to buy 9 inch track wheels (opposed to 8 inch wide) and good rubber, coilovers(instead of bilsteins shocks and springs), a gt wing(instead of the little spoiler that does nothing), and a bucket seat(instead of reclinable recaros)? instead of paying for lame factory parts? If your tracking your 8 i think its a wrong move to buy a R3.

dont get me wrong, i love the R3, i basically have the same car minus i have a sunroof, heated seats and no recaros and no 19inch rims.

^^ yes

An RX8 without a sunroof is inferior.

Same could be said for the S1 base vs S1 GT. The fact is the majority of 8s are used as daily drivers or for weekend drives so there is nothing wrong with having creature comforts :)

I feel almost the same way... Except about the ones WITH sunroofs. I like my extra headroom.

If you open it there is a lot of head room ;) lol

Less weight in the one place you don't want it. More head room. Less things to go wrong and have fixed.

So in every way it's better.

So, what do you do in the quarter mile?

^sub 15 baby!

See? You can't do that in a car that doesn't have a sunroof.

No sunroof, and that fastest you can go is 15.1-15.2 in the quarter... even if you have the foam injected front cross member.

seriously who drag races an 8? its a joke an' a half

there u go

R3 with no spoiler? I like.

Hey Jacob,

Yep your Oz GT in the US is the R3. Interested to know where your rear bird perch went, assuming you removed the rear spoiler or was it inherited?
I started out with the Oz luxuary (leather & sunroof) and then added the R3 body kit and wheels. I'm too much of a clydesdale to put up with the recaro seats :bottom:

https://ic2.pbase.com/g4/75/639475/2...7.ZNT42J2f.jpg

https://ic2.pbase.com/o6/75/639475/1...L5qw.RX8_2.jpg
Ohlins coilovers recieved, yet to install.

What are those little cutouts directly below the headlights and above the fogs for? Never noticed those before. Searching failed me because I must be using the wrong terminology for those.

yeah john i just got the car the previous owner had the spoiler taken
off i still have it when i bought it from the dealer ship it was included :P
any tips on what i should do to improve the car performance and
honestly what do you guys think should i put the spoiler on it ?
lemme know any tips or suggestions for mods thanks guys

...headlamp washers!

You've got a debadged front & rear! How many miles has it done, and have you had a compression check?
What do you feel it is lacking in terms of performance currently?

...you could start out by adding some badges! :)