it really is one of the worst radios i have ever heard. and that is even going back to the mid 80's.

That's really weird.....my car is a 2004 GT. I've had compliments from my stereo crazy friends that the bose system is the best they've ever heard (in terms of a stock system) as well. I have the 6 disc CD changer, and when I play a CD it's perhaps the clearest sound I've ever heard. I've always added subwoofers to my car audio to increase the bass, but with this Bose system I really don't feel the need....the mid range speakers in the door provide plenty of kick, even with the bass equalizer set at 0.

I bought the car about 4 months ago with 32,000 miles. I'm almost positive that the system is stock, but maybe the orignial owner upgraded the speakers....? I really couldn't be happier with it.

I've found that you have to increase the treble to +3 to get good stereo imaging with the bose, and that it could really use a subwoofer- the stock system in my Honda CR-V has better bass response. And, it really needs an Aux in or a USB port. Other than that its fine, I'll probably hack it after my warranty runs out. I've got too many other car projects right now, like restoring my 1950 Chevy truck.

The headlights really rock on this car, far better than anything else I've tried out lately. I put them through heavy rain and fog and snow and they are great. I just wish the highbeams were brighter and color matched to the low beams. You can see so much with just the low beams that you don't really need the highs or fogs.

DSC = Dynamic Stablity Control
TC= Traction Control
:)

Adding xenons require a lot of re-wiring if i remmeber correctly. Costly i think with labor if done by a professional.

With the RX-8, DSC and TC are bundled together in 07 performance pkg and on 04-06 models on sport pkg equipped models.

I guess the stereo isn't great, but I can't think of any other stock system that is noticeably superior. Stock stereos are always a compromise between sound quality and weight. Which would you prefer, absolute premium sound, or a 3000lb curb weight? Choose one.

Let me put it this way, I payed $100 for them PIAA's and you can have them :mad:
http://highintensityxenon.com/produc...0Mazda,%20RX-8

The self levelling is a mandatory feature required by US law. Your car has it.

The Bose sucks, my friend's 98 Celica had a better stereo than the Bose. Heck, even my Volvo wagon had a better CD player

mines an 07 and i constantly hear lil crackles and stuff in them maybe its just me or just my car or maybe you got lucky with yours. dont get me wrong i love the car and a lil speaker crackle or whatever you wannna call it isnt gonna turn me away from an 8. im just saying i agree i expected more out of it but its a radio so its whatever

DSC and TC are also available on SHINKA's too.

Where is btw? lol..

that's odd, because if you read the manual, it lists it as optional. I'm pretty sure that when i'm goin up and down overpasses, the lights do NOT change their trajectory.

Besides, I thought that I read in the manual that there is an LED on the display that comes on when they move. Never seen that either.

[QUOTE=bottoms up]mines an 07 and i constantly hear lil crackles and stuff in them maybe its just me or just my car or maybe you got lucky with yours. /QUOTE]

Something's wrong with yours. You should not have crackling sounds.

Ken

I beg to differ... my bose in my Shinka ROCKS... it's an awesome system in my opinion for the power it puts out.

boo to you :) :Eyecrazy:

the base radio sounds better than the bose. reset your audio settings. ( bass treble etc )

you might also try removing the head unit and reseating the connectors on the back of the radio.

I found after laying sound dampening material in my trunk and trunk lid made the Bose sound much better. Sound punchy and have better response.

The metal over the gas tank and mufflers has so much resonance I couldn't believe it.

Doing the doors also makes a difference but not as much as the trunk. ;)

It is tough to tell the difference between the two options for lights with the 8.

Both have a cutoff don't they?

Pity one has to go through this to get decent sound for a car that cost so much. I also had a base system without even tweeters. It was such a real pain that I drove with it switched off for a while, the engine sounded much better than the radio, at least. In one of the threads I learnt that upgrading the Bose is a real pain, guess I was lucky to get a crappy radio then, 'least it is upgradeable. I have upgraded it now and it packs a serious punch. Cheap too.

When you start the car, watch the christmas tree light up on the dials. One of those lights is the levelling. You can't miss it.

I wouldn't say the HID are eye-level. They are bumper-level. If I want to see at eye-level I have to turn on the high beams.

Bose system is good. Save the serious audio for home, where the there's no road noise.

note,
shortthrow..

has not been on the thread since it started ..

duh..

beers :beer:

The "cut off" is normal for any car that has the new projector beam headlights (HID or not). In the old headlights, the light above that point was not realy usable, so they focus it where you need it most.

As for the radio, I don't know. I have the Bose system in mine.