I love how the 8 looks with Mazda's appearance package, but does anyone know how much it lowers the vehicle clearance? I live in WI where snow and ramps are pretty common.

I don't know if I could swallow ramming the nose of my new '8 into the concrete or heavy snow

Also, does anyone with this package have a really tough time getting around because of the clearance?

 

the front airdam only lowers the front by like a half inch or so - never had a problem scraping with it yet, snow is a bit of a different story but it seems to be pretty solid and mine didn't get too messed up from plowing through snowbanks.

 

I had mine for 5 months and never had a problem scraping.

 

the cars front bumper W/O the appearance package lip is fine for normal driving, parking garages, steep driveways, curbs, ect......not so good for hitting coolers on the freeway...lol!

the car is fine for normal stuff you would do with any car.

 

Front air dam fine. Would not recommend and side add ons....

With only 5500 miles, they are pitted from road debris. However, it seems to protect the rest of the side paneling from ever even getting dirty.

Go figure.

 

if you get the Mazda App side "skirts" i'd get the front mud guards also...like stated above..when i had mine on they were pitted on the front apex from road debris...so the point is basically black urethane with the rest silver...kinda annoying...i tried using touch up paint but after a couple months of driving it would go back to black...

 

I'm looking into purchasing an 8, but I haven't seen a good picture of the appearance package described in the Mazda website materials. Can someone please explain what the package includes and how it alters the ground clearance? I know it's been discussed in here, but I'm completely new and need some of it in context before I can visualize the add-ons. Thanks.

 

I had the Mazda side aros from the day I picked it up till I changed them out for the mint blue rockers. Had the 3m clear guards put on everything that could get hit by rocks.

There was absolutely no paint left on the leading edges of the Mazda aros the day they where removed. :p

I would recommend to anyone who might get the Mazda side aros to have the 3m clear guards put on the leading edge.

 

if you don't mind me asking what have you spent on modds ??

 

You know what they say. If you have to ask.

Anyway, here gos. Including the Mistro Wheels and Tires, at this point about $8,200 to date. have a few more to go.

 

you shouldn't have any issues, just don't try to go rally racing. My car is slammed on hks coilovers (barely a finger gap on stock wheels all around) and i still don't have any issues.

 

Will having the front splash guards prevent all this?