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Not what I was hoping for. The 8 definately has some odd design choices and poor viewing angles in the first iteration, but all this facelift does is change the things that already worked. I don't like the new front much at all. The tail lamps did need changing, but other than the fact that LED is awesome, I don't think the design is a huge step forward. Rear bumper change is a lateral or slightly worse. I hate those rims, still like the old stock ones better. The seats kick *** but we'll never get them. Side vents might be an improvement if they weren't chromed.

I won't be jealous till the engine improvements are revealed.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Looks great overall. Not a fan of the 19" wheels - adds unnecessary weight. Redesigned oil dip stock and triangulated front strut-tower brace FTW!

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

can't wait til Tokyo Auto Salon and Detroit Auto Show to get all the technical details about the refresh...

Socr8tes

So is a Winning Blue-esque color returning?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Lookin' good! I think the front end will take some time to grow on me but the wheels are sexy and so are the seats.

This should hold Mazda over for a few years till we get our 16x

SnowFl8k

I'm rather disappointed that Mazda decided to drop all of the different rotary accents found around the car (i.e. seats, front bumper). The new LED brakelights are cool but they don't have that bling-bling feel that the original does.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Eh. I'd like it, except the grill kills it for me. It's too wide and makes the whole front end look stupid.

bsteimel

iTrader: (5)

i like the front i think it looks great, more aggressive. The rear is ok and the spoiler, i could take it or leave it. The vents look more classier but do look more sedanish.
The inside looks nice but were not going to get the seats on a gt model and i doubt we will have an RS model here in the states.

The biggest updates that i care about are the easier way to check the oil and the possibility of a redesigned tranny because of the relocation of the Reverse gear

PS can't wait for the nitty and gritty specs tomorrow

Duke15

Anyone know when the 09's are due to arrive in the US?

RCCAZ 1

I think it looks absolutely incredible. Glad I waited to purchase. My decision will definitely come down to colors, trim levels available, and (of course) pricing. Wonder if they'll still include it with the S-plan?

savedsol

New trans! Nice catch - please let it be an easy swap... please please please.

RXei8ht

Its about damn time Mazda.... not bad, not bad at all.

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

I think the facelift looks great. I really like the front end, I'll be jealous when I start seeing them around. Looks like there are some LED running lights in the chrome strake beneath the fogs:

Old Rotor

I too like the flip up on engine cover for the dip stick and the 225X40X19

Joe RX-8

iTrader: (1)

Likes"

- LED taillights. Anyone know if LED taillights usually require different wiring?
- Dip stick -- no more digging the flashlight out to check the oil at the gas station in the early morning hours. Hopefully this will be swappable with the Series 1.
- Strut bar -- wonder why Mazda did this?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

is that AutoClimate control I see? Maybe this time around it'll actually make it to the NA market.

Hanzo

I don't see LEDs looks like reflection from the background.

Moostafa29

I'm not terribly impressed. Hopefully they finally did something with the engine, but I won't hold my breath

23109VC

overall I don't like it. I'm shopping for RX8s at the moment.

I hate the steering wheel. FUGLY. I never liked that wheel in the MX5 either. it looks cheap.

the front end looks better than a regular RX8, but if you compare the new front end to a MS front end OR the stock RX8 + appearance package - I think teh older design was cleaner.

maybe they will have some appearance package option to make it look even sleeker/meaner???

if it were a choice between an 04-08 RX8 wiht NO appearance package or this 09, I'd take the 09. if it were between an 04-08 WITH appearnace package vs the 09, I'd take the 04-08 WITH appearnace package. sleeker and smoother looking.

someone else here commented that the new looks seems more sedan like and less sports car like. I agree. not sure what else they changed...is it just the bumpers or did they change some of the wheel arches and lines elsewhere? it looks very similar, but ENOUGH different. overall, I dont' care for it.

oh, I don't like the gauges. i like the older tach better.

i like the tail lights. could those be swapped onto an 08?

prices on 04-08s are gonna take a mega dump now. me likey likey. that means I can get an 07 or 08 even cheaper now.

Spin9k

That looks really... nice... the changes are pretty... good ... well except for things I don't like ... the fnt grill upper lip, fogs don't look right, the sidelight and loss of the vent, the still weird radio faceplate... all in all a meh unless it's got power.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

i thought i read at autoblog that the RS is a japan only model (this is for the auto saloon only but very similar to the detroit car which will be a US production?

Spin9k

same reason I added the Autoexe 4-pt braces... better handling. Remember they been saying it had "improved handling". Here is one reason they can say that.

wiggum

I noticed a second "red line" underneath the first one, will this car have a moving redline like the M3 which adjusts as the car warms up?

J. Dub

Pictured is the RS version. Check this post by this dude in Japan. here

See post 6


EDIT* well a mod must have deleted that guys thread. He had some good info from Japan. Especially in regards to the GPS unit relocation.

Longbow8

Yep, I really like it, which is kind of disappointing, I wanted to not like it so I could buy a clean used one and start the mods early.

Ahh well, looks like the 09 is in my future.