I am so excited to have purchased a red 2009 RX8 R3 Grand Touring with nav and spoiler (auto).

I didn't know there was so much to know about this car before purchasing and I'm beginning to learn a lot about it now. Cleaned the MAF and IAT today and installed a new red top battery. It runs good, the usual sucky gass mileage but a blast to drive and looks awesome!

I love this car! My husband loves to drive it, too. But he says he's glad it's mine because he would get in too much trouble with it. He loves his Miata, and that's fine with me.

Next, I plan on doing a tune-up, putting plugs, wires, and an upgraded coil (the $500 one), as well as brake pads and rotors, doing the throttle body bypass and possibly covering/insulating the a/c lines (though it blows really really cold air).

Anything else I should to at 75,000 miles? Shocks or struts (it seems to ride fine)?

I plan on keeping this car for a really really long time.

Thanks for reading!!
Happy driving!

Star

 

Since you're approaching the end of your warranty, you should get a compression test at a mazda dealer. They generally run just over $100, and if you fail they will give you a new engine.

 

Welcome, by the 'upgraded coil', I assume you mean the BHR Ignition?
It's actually 4 coils & the wires together for $500.
I have one, well worth it.
He will also include the recommended NGK laser iridium plugs at a reasonable price if you want to get it all together.
There are also internet coupons at places like Advance that can save some money on them.
You should also get an OBD scan to check if you have had any trouble codes, or any codes pending.
If you have an Android phone, there is the Torque app ($5) that will let you read & clear your own codes and monitor your 8's systems with a Bluetooth dongle that is available from Amazon for varying prices, mine was $35.
Have fun!

 

Oh, also being an automatic with 75k, a tranny flush & fill would be a good idea.

 

Legot
Thanks for the compression test info. I believe the warranty runs out at 100,000 if I'm not mistaken. Sounds like a good thing to check.

Peace

 

BigCajun,

Thanks for the advice and information. Yes, I plan on getting the BHR ignition. Am I mistaken in believing I will not have to change it nearly as often, or ever?

Peace

 

That is correct. The stock coils are known to fail, causing cats to fail, killing engines.
Recommended intervals are 30k miles, which will end up equalling the investment.
Performance is better also, imho.
The BHR coils are from Yukons, I believe, much more reliable.
Many owners have them, and most have been happy with them.
Installation is a little tricky, but not hard as long as the instructions are followed.

 

Side note, you have a Grand Touring. Grand Touring was a different trim from R3, so there isn't any such thing as an R3 Grand Touring. And the R3 didn't come with an automatic transmission, so that means you have a GT (assuming you have leather interior, fog lights, moonroof, and heated seats)

 

I thought GT stood for Grand Touring.
The VIN decoder told me I have an R3, and I do have leather, fog lights, moonroof, and heated seats.

So what do I have?

 

The only thing my 2009 R3 has in common with what you listed are the fog lights and the leather seats, except my seats are Recaros with cloth in the middle.

No R3's ever came with a moonroof, an automatic transmission, or nav.

And GT does stand for Grand Touring, and that is exactly what you have.

GT:



R3:



If somehow your car looks like the one at the bottom, then what you have is a GT with R3 body-cladding.

EDIT:

Also, R3 seats:

 

VIN decoders don't know the trims. Seeing GT/R3 means 'GT or R3'. 2005 is the same way, as all RX-8s are shown as Base/Shinka, meaning base or shinka.

You have a GT.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

 

carrrnuttt,

Thank you for the clarification!

No offense to the R3, but I like the looks of the GT better, so I guess it's good that's what I have. My car rides so stiff, I really believed it was an R3. I can't imagine the ride with the upgraded suspension, etc.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have the manual tranny. Most of the time I use the paddles, it helps. Seems the computer shifts way too early and it reduces the guts a bunch.

Now that I know what I actually have, it's time to get a compression test...