I am trying to decide whether the sport package is worth the $1000 extra. I have already decided that DSC isn't worth anything to me but HID headlights might be worth while.

I am on my 4th day of a 24 hour "test drive" from the dealer (he wants it back tomorrow). This car doesn't have the sport package but from my extensive testing I can say that the low beams are excellent. But I feel like I am over driving the highs on empty unlighted roads.

My question for anyone that has tried both is whether the HID high beams actually shine farther or are they brighter without providing any additional distance.

Thanks.

 

After experiencing HIDs, I don't think I could ever buy another car without them.......... they truly are great in illuminating the road at night.

It's amazing that it is not now a standard fitment on all cars.

 

I ave to agree- I don't think I'll ever have another car without the HIDs. The difference they make is nohing short of amazing.

 

I'm with "nojooc" ... I will not buy another car without HID's ... and it was a serious compromise when I bought my wife's van without them, but Honda hasn't decided HIDs are needed on Minivans yet. I hope soon.

They truly are that much better.

Interestingly, and I'm sure the other guys here can back me up on this, with the HIDs on the RX-8, all the high beams do is fill in above the cutoff of the HID beam. The HIDs have a very sharp beam cutoff - at 200 feet out from the car, the beam cuts off at about 4 feet off the road - but below the cutoff, reaches far further than any headlight you've ever experienced. Turning on the high beams just fills in the darkness above the cutoff to light up signs, etc.

 

Xenon's for sure. Everybody I know that did not get them are doing HID conversions!! Roll the cost of the Xenon's into your payment, forget about streching after the fact.

- Irish

 

HID conversions ... what are good resources for that? I wonder if there is a conversion kit for my wife's Odyssey minivan?

 

hids are the way to go. its like playing a video game where its suposed to be dark but you can see everything like its day.

 

Frankly a car like this deserves to have HIDs. Its an option that will make you a better driver at night...the difference between standard bulbs is night and day. The only time ive seen HIDs and standards on a production car* was on a 2001 audi A4 and it is so much of a difference




* never drove a base model 8 i knew it was either touring or GT when i came in.

 

The one thing I wish Mazda would do is go "all HID" in the main lights - there is such a difference between the halogen high-beams and the HID main beams. I'm planning to change over to those PIAA or Sylvania "HID-color" halogens on the high beams. I know G8Rboy did that on his highs and his fogs.

 

I agree the Xenon's are great...my wife has them on her G35. BUT, I just got the RX-8 this past week with the standard halogens and they are suprisingly very good as you noted. Not as good as Xenon's but a LOT better than I expected.

I got the car as a surprise gift so I didn't really have a say in what options were included. When I found out that I didn't have the Xenon's, I was a little bit dissapointed. After driving this past week a lot after dark, I've changed my mind and I'm very happy with the standard halogens.

I think you can't go wrong with either style.

 

Your WIFE bought you the -8? Dude, hang onto that girl!

Although I do have to say my wife at least didn't fight me on the concept - her only protestation was "Ok, let me understand this. We have a family of five people. You want to buy a four seat car." And I said "Yup." And she said "Well, I guess that's why we have the van." And I said "Yup."

And that was it.

Wow, awesome man! Yes, don't "look a gift horse in the mouth." Your base -8 has all the fun bits it needs. I'm sure you truly appreciate it and treasure it more since your wife gave it to you.

 

I've always sworn that i would never buy a car with HIDs because they're so annoying to other drivers. I can't stand when cars in the opposite lane have them, i always have trouble seeing, and i've always wished they were illegal. That said, if i ever manage to get an 8, i will have a hard time staying away from them because they're just too cool looking.

 

Well, two things there:

1) If the HIDs in the other lane are bothering you, chances are that car is either overloaded or the lights aren't aimed right. I know that there's nothing you can do about that, but properly aimed HIDs shouldn't be any more bothersome than regular ones.

2) It's not about how they look from outside the car. It's all about how they look from behind the windshield. That's why the "wannabe" lights (the blue-tinted halogens) are just pretenders. There's no substitute for the clarity of vision you get with these lights. If you have trouble seeing at night, these can be the cure. I have relatively crappy night vision and these solve the issue.

Stew

 

Ermmm, maybe someone other than his wife gave him the 8? I could be wrong, thought I was perfect, but made a mistake once and then realized I was wrong :p Nonetheless, HID beams are awesome and I love 'em on my 8

 

Can you retrofit the Xenon's (+/- fogs)? I love the lights, but I wouldn't pay $1000 just for those. The top of the illuminated area is sharply demarcated, so they won't be in anyone's eyes unless off adjustment or going over a rise.
Out of curiosity, why the pass on the DSC/traction control?

 

Yeah, it was my wife that gave me the RX-8. I am the first to admit that I am very luck to have found her!!

 

Good question...check out this link

 

Excellent VB...you're a lucky man.

 

I have the HIDs and agree that they seem to light up the road very well, however I haven't driven an 8 with the Halogens at night. Here's an article on HID that I found "illuminating".
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...dvantages.html

 

Sorry mate...that's spam...or someone's blog...your's to decide. I hear you either way.

 

honestly--I HAD to have HIDs--they are probably the coolest technology this side of SMGs and Acura Nav w/ traffic reports.

 

Anyone know how long HIDs last and what they cost to replace? This should be something to consider.

 

Well, a market study of one:

I have had HIDs on my last two cars, 1st a Mercedes, then an Acura, and both were four year leases, both cars were turned into the leasing companies with about 45,000 miles on them, and neither neaded headlight replacement.

Howzzat?

 

Definitely go for the HIDs. This is my first car with them, and they are remarkable - and they're apparently aimed low enough that they don't bother other drivers, as I have yet to have someone "flash" at me. I also find my halogen high beams to be virtually useless (they're aimed too high) but also unneeded. This is the first car I've ever had that I don't feel the need to hit the high beams on dark back roads, regardless of me speed. :D

 

Sports package is definately worth the extra cost over base. Just the HIDs alone costs that much and then you get the additional fog lights, DSC/TCS can be turned off if you wish.