jrose29

I currently run in EP but it looks like next season my ride will be going away. Being I can not afford to have a dedicated race car I need a daily driver that will be nationally competitive......so I am leaning strongly toward an RX-8. Mainly due to looks and price.

What I would like to know is what is the best model for autocross...I am poorly educated on these cars (Honda guy here). Obviously a 6-speed. Do all come with LSD? Can you get one without all bells and whistles to save weight???

Any help will be appreciated!! Thanks

BTW my name is Johnny.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

If you get the sport model it will save some weight, and comes without the sunroof, so you have more headroom with the helmet. Not alot has changed between 04-08, but the 09's have been changed. If you want to be in BS, just get an 06 or 07, put some R-Compound tires on it, paired with some Koni shocks, and you will have a sick AutoX'er.

jrose29

I am thinking 04-05 basically for price reasons. No sunroof would be good for auto-x but i really enjoy them in a DD. I have already priced the koni's. I plan to check out what everyone has at nationals this year to aid my decision....if i dont get one by then.

I think I read that all have LSD rear end...is this true?

StrokerAce

Avoid the sunroof unless you are less than 5'8". I'm a long legged 5'10" and still keep the seat reclined 1 or 2 notches from my ideal. Current sport is the equivalent of the early base. Current touring is the equivalent of the early sport. Sport/Touring adds HID lights and traction control. They just renamed the trim levels.

mwood

'04-'05 Base 6MT. No sunroof, no nav, no leather, no dsc or headlights or anything is both the lightest and the cheapest...you still get a car with cruise control. power windows/locks, CD stereo, nice seats etc etc and they all have a LSD. Best thing, you can pick up a good car with not a ton of miles for $12,000 or so, no problem. Between the gas mileage issue and the reputation for recalls and problems the RX8 has (most of them no big deal...well, the mileage is dismal for a 2900lbs. car with 232hp), you can basically dictate the price to a motivated seller.

I've really enjoyed the RX8, it's a unique car with great balance. For a daily driver that you can autocross, it works very well...although both my prior Z06 and current Mustang get better gas mileage

There's a bunch of information, theory and thoughts on B Stock set up on this board, just search.

DavidTK

I'm 5'7" and my head was touching the top in a sunroof RX-8 with a helmet on. This was with the seat lowered as much as possible. I would NOT get a sunroof car without sitting in one first with your helmet on.

TractionCircle

Hey Johnny Ray, are you gonna sell the Fit???

I'll codrive with ya if I can sell my 350z

BTW, my name is Jason.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Really? Because I'm 5'8" and i have a sunroof as well. With the seat all the way up, and a helmet on, I still don't hit the roof...

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

I'm 5'11" and I my helmet rubs a little, I just tilt the seat and it'll be fine. I don't know how you are having the problmem.

PBlue

iTrader: (1)

6'0" with sunroof. Fit fine for daily. with a Helmet , it brushes a little, which can get annoying. I put it on and press it down hard, recline slightly, and as soon as the dude waves the green flag i dont notice a thing. Having a little more headroom would be nice but having the sunroof is great the other 26 days a month.

if youre 5'7 and have problems you must have stubby legs. but people's ratios are all over the place, go to a dealer w. ur helmet and sit in them all. They will let you. Carrying a helmet makes you look serious. Whenever i go to test drive cars i carry a plastic folder with some papers in it. It makes me look like a serious buyer who has done research and not just some kid. Course it all depends.

mwood

Ummmmm.....you guys ever consider that not all humans are proportioned the same?

Whether you're 6'4" and fit "fine" or 5'6" and hit the roof, you won't know until you try for yourself...one size does not fit all

Regardless, a sunroof is a performance penalty, in any case....sure are nice, though!

DavidTK

I'm 5'7" but my legs are only 2 feet long

Actually, I sit more upright than average, and my helmet has a top vent for a Cool Suit, which makes the helmet a little taller, perhaps half an inch at most. The Cool Suit is in my race car - obviously don't need one in the RX-8. And again, this was in a sunroof car. No problems at all without a sunroof.

Regardless of my personal fit, you should definitely sit in the car with a helmet to make sure you fit comfortably.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

2005, base with wing. Light weight, and better rear grip due to the aero.

altiain

iTrader: (3)

Torso length is probably a better indicator than overall height. I'm 5'11" as well, but I wear a 31" inseam, so I have a long torso. My '04 doesn't have a sunroof, and I have about half an inch of helmet clearance in my desired seat position with the seat as low as it will go.

I would strongly suggest that you take your helmet with you to test drive a sunroof car. There's an exception to every rule, but most people don't fit in a sunroof car with a helmet without at the very least modifying their seating position.

Mr. Pockets

I totally agree. I'm just over six feet, but I can fit in my GT with a helmet. Okay, it's not a perfect fit (I wish I could keep the seat more upright), but I fit. I'm mostly leg, which can be a little frustrating because it means I have to reach a little more than I'd like.

I'm with PBlue. I flew down to FL to buy a base model RX-8. Then I drove the GT that I eventually bought and just loved it.

I also took my helmet along to make sure I'd be able to live with it.

jrose29

I went and drove a base with sunroof.....and a GT with sunroof and all the options.

I fit in the sunroof cars with my helmet....not perfect but its liveable. And the roof would be nice to have the rest of the time.

My next question is seats. What ones do you prefer...I think the non-leathers would be much better for autocross.

2159ClassicRed

iTrader: (1)

The cloth grab better than the leather, and they have a little more cushion IMO.