delhi

OK, I have the SE brochure with me and all I can tell it has over the regular GT version are:
- Alcantara seats
- Copper Red
- Some triangle accent on the bumpers
- Shinka floor mates <--- ooohhhh
- standard moonroof.

what else?

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

The name SHINKA on the B-pillar.
It is a "Special Edition" and only a certain quantity will be made.
It's special.

dillsrotary

different shocks and rim color

Keef

mostly aesthetic stuff then.... and shocks...

Soon I'll have my own special edition "Keef" RX8, and the only thing that will prove it's a Keef is the sticker on top of the B-pillar...

swoope

iTrader: (5)

sound dampening in the crossmembers..

beers

dillsrotary

you sound like you were hoping for more

early 30's crisis

SPECIAL EDITION INTERIOR FEATURES
• Front seat rotary bezels – Semi-gloss Chrome finish
• Special Sand colour leather seats with Alcantara® inserts
• Special Edition floor mats
• Console side bar – Piano Black finish
• Steering wheel spokes – Piano Black finish
• Meter ring, climate control dial, vent grille ring and shift base ring – Semi-gloss finish
• Leather-wrapped parking brake handle with colour keyed stitching
• Leather-trimmed front and rear console lid with colour keyed stitching
• Trim-coloured front and rear door handle and bezel
SPECIAL EDITION EXTERIOR FEATURES
• Moonroof
• Unique Copper Red exterior colour
• 18” aluminum alloy wheels – Dark Silver
• Headlights and taillights – Dark Silver
• Air outlet garnishes – Bright finish aluminum
• Front and rear rotary crests – Bright finish aluminum

So thats basically it.. I think I forgot to cut a few out that were mentioned already (copied it off the SE insert I downloaded off Mazda.ca)..
I do have to say that mine doesnt say SHINKA or Special Edition anywhere.. the mats simply have a rotary crest with RX-8 embroidered in red in them, and I do not have this decal or crest what have you on the B pillar.. its just black.

Hmm.. interesting how different it can be, you would think Canada and US would be pretty much the same?

Silver_Surfer

Dont forget you pay higher insurance rates (from my agent).

fobjr101

The Shinka on the B Pillar I think is just on the newer models, the Gray Shinka 8s

delhi

How about the SE missing anything that the GT has?

andone

and again it depends on what country we are talking about. in switzerland i. e. shinkas come w/o moonroofs -> no possibility to get them with it

Red Devil

IMO, absolutely nothing is special about it.

Then again, all I wanted and purchased was the Sport package, and only that for the DSC for winter driving conditions.

RotaryP7

I have the sport package..

Huskyfan23

For me, the Shinka wasn't worth the extra cost. The powerplant and transmission remain exactly the same as the RX8 Sport / Touring / Grand Touring models, with the only performance difference being the suspension (which, IMO, wasn't even a noticable increase).

I liked the new colors (especially the black cherry), but I didn't like the interior of the Shinka nearly as much as I liked the GT.

If you are looking for a performance upgrade, don't expect anything with the Shinka version (probably the reason it's being discontinued). If you are looking for an RX-8 with different exterior / interior looks than the norm, go for it.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

I'd like to get a pair of the climate control (fan, and temp) ***** since they are shiny and would go well with the illuminated shift **** (the silver is more of a chrome on the ****).

NoTears316

It's pretty much just an all-in-one kit. Instead of ordering a bunch of special features, they all come in the Shinka. I am content with the GT package. There really isnt anything else I would have wanted that comes with the Shinka (except some of the paint colors).

delhi

where i am there's no price difference at all over the GT. The only thing I don't like about some of the GT is that for some colours like Grey, the interior is this Panda-like brown and black theme. I wish it's all black. I think the Red has a red-black thing going too.
The Shinka's beige interior isn't as sporty looking as all black IMHO. But the Alcantara seats is nice. I'm not even sure if I like the side strakes. Does it come with a spoiler?

redcivic

What is the difference in the Shinka Shocks?

time4akshun

You missed (at least in the US version):

- 1 year free Sirius Satellite radio
- Urethane filled stiffer suspension braces
- Upgraded shocks
- Custom Shinka only colors (Black Cherry (05), Copper Red (06)
- Smart key (06 model only)
- Shinka pillar emblem

Insurance isn't higher. I pay $1100 full coverage in NJ for the year (33 years old - Geico). It is really more about the interior that you can't get in any other model.

Time

dupa12345

well if i felt like splurging .. i would make it a ms rx8 versus a shinka rx8 .. though sport does it for me

N10S

This is an excerpt copied from an article:

To further enhance driving performance and ride comfort, the RX-8 "SHINKA" features a uniquely tuned suspension system, upgraded from the standard car. The system offers a foam urethane filled front suspension cross member and specially tuned dampers, while achieving improved body rigidity through reinforcing the top-front portion of the A-pillars and improving the stability of the rear damper mounting points.

The link:

http://media.ford.com/mazda/article_display.cfm?article_id=20157&CFID=11705421 &CFTOKEN=34f12683b6d22f71-33219B6F-1185-6933-5D9229DE97B1CA6C&jsessionid=583078bb51f2$96$CBb$

Another link to a rotary news article:

http://rotarynews.com/node/view/472

Based on what I have read it amounts to different suspension tuning including specially tuned dampers with 14mm shafts instead of the 12mm stockers, a urethane injected/filled cross member to provide better performance and ride quality(how do you measure that?), and reinforced A pillars and improved rear damper mounting points.


I originally test drove a copper red Shinka, which in turn led me to decide to buy an RX8. I looked at the different 06 RX8's at the dealership and really loved the Galaxy Grey GT with black leather better than the copper red Shinka. Unfortunately that car and the copper red Shika both turned-out to be high mileage (5k miles) demos. I ended-up buying a new 06 GG Shinka with 38 miles at another dealership, so I can't really say if there is a noticeable difference in handling between a GT and SE, because I have never driven a GT. I don't think the differences are major, but the "Shinka" items listed above are certainly more than simple aesthetics.

As far as aesthetics go though, I can tell you that the sand leather interior with alcantara inserts, and piano black trim gives the car a very classy feel. The alcantara inserts are also softer than the regular leather, the seat heaters are noticeable almost immediately, and the alcantara is really grippy and holds you in place around corners, where smooth leather can be more slippery.

Anyway I think it boils down to the fact that those with Shinka's like em, and those that don't feel like they are not worth the money. Personal taste I suppose, or in my case just wanting to get a new 06 galaxy grey RX8 with $6k off the price tag!!

Design1stCode2nd

The Shinkas is teh Fast3r of course

I got the Shinka because I couldn't find a VR with B/R and the CR Shinka was my second choice. I do like the interior best of any of the other trims. I also don't like dealing with a shiny wrinkled seat after 50k miles and I'm hopeing the Alcantara holds up better.

early 30's crisis

I didnt get the satellite radio... *they offered it on all but the 8 at the dealer here..*, the pillar emblem I dont have... and I would assume smart key is what they called intelligent key here.. although i did not mention as it is an option on the 06 GT?

I'd love to see this black cherry bombing around up here... I heard it wasnt available in Canada... looks so sleek in pictures i've seen!

I actually pay the same to insure it as I did a 2001 Cavalier Z24... the 4 door thing you know, disguises responsibility in one sexy little package!

Krankor

The whole Shinka thing was just a lame marketing ploy: they figured they would sell lots of them once word got out that Krankor bought one.

--Krankor

early 30's crisis

LOL nice work!