Originally Posted by Brettus (Post 3217698)

I really think the 8 has huge potential as a tuner car and we have really only just started to realise this .

Originally Posted by The_Beast (Post 3234189)

. I think more people are finally starting to pay attention to the RX8 and realize its not just some strange stepsister to the RX7.

Originally Posted by shazy (Post 3235423)

wtv. It's still a pain in the ass to barely break 200whp with this car. Excluding nitrous of course.

Originally Posted by Chronisseur (Post 3236098)

That's alright. In the real world, most people pay attention to advertised HP measured at the flywheel. So in that regard, we're sitting over 200! Also, I remember frequenting Protege forums when I had one, and I recall people trying to break 100 or 120 WHP.

Originally Posted by The_Beast (Post 3234189)

I agree with this too. Just in the few months I've had this car and have been on this forum, I've seen (what I think) are huge improvements on not just the power potential but also the reliability of the Renesis. Esmeril apex seals comes to mind, as well as newer technology for turbos, tuning, etc. Also, I'm really impressed with the Panspeed RX8. They've definitely pushed the envelope for NA 8's and done a lot more than what I thought possible. And this is coming on top of the already great suspension and chassis tuning that's been known for a while now. I think more people are finally starting to pay attention to the RX8 and realize its not just some strange stepsister to the RX7.

Originally Posted by DRFTGTO (Post 3237702)

Where those mazdaspeed proteges?

Originally Posted by Chronisseur (Post 3239084)

The forum had a lot of MSP's on there, but mostly Protege 5's and the standard model. I had the "more powerful" ES version, which I can't imagine being much slower. After getting an intake, I kind of gave up on modding, because I knew my car was never going to be quick. But it could pwn in the twistiez! Well, not really, but I always appreciated Mazda's ability to make such a boring car somewhat fun to drive, with nothing more than a great chassis/suspension system. Maybe that's what brought me to this car.

Originally Posted by Chronisseur (Post 3239084)

The forum had a lot of MSP's on there, but mostly Protege 5's and the standard model. I had the "more powerful" ES version, which I can't imagine being much slower. After getting an intake, I kind of gave up on modding, because I knew my car was never going to be quick. But it could pwn in the twistiez! Well, not really, but I always appreciated Mazda's ability to make such a boring car somewhat fun to drive, with nothing more than a great chassis/suspension system. Maybe that's what brought me to this car.

And I don't think there are any mods available for the 2003 RX-8. Oddly, starting with the 2004 model, you'll see plenty of aftermarket parts. Someone should think about tapping into that 2003 market. You could become a rich man.

Originally Posted by Chronisseur (Post 3239084)

The forum had a lot of MSP's on there, but mostly Protege 5's and the standard model. I had the "more powerful" ES version, which I can't imagine being much slower. After getting an intake, I kind of gave up on modding, because I knew my car was never going to be quick. But it could pwn in the twistiez! Well, not really, but I always appreciated Mazda's ability to make such a boring car somewhat fun to drive, with nothing more than a great chassis/suspension system. Maybe that's what brought me to this car.

And I don't think there are any mods available for the 2003 RX-8. Oddly, starting with the 2004 model, you'll see plenty of aftermarket parts. Someone should think about tapping into that 2003 market. You could become a rich man.