2009 Mazda RX-8

Ok its confirmed. I will get the 2009 face-lifted RX-8 from Mazda Motors once its out. Color will most probably be Velocity Red.

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PS: After attending the RX-8 Club Singapore Megameet, I am now convinced to get my ride from a Parallel importer instead. And will spray it Lamborghini Murcielago Lime Neon Green.
Check out the photos of the MegaMeet from my FaceBook.

Mazda's RX-8 Intro Video.

Lucky find at Ikea... & the Jetta

Found this piece under my slipper during my trip down at Ikea. Tried to look for the owner but to no avail. Looks like it will go to my girlfriend...

Was reading the papers today and the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta really caught my attention. Below are the specs and my thoughts. Seems like a good second choice for me if I want to lower the sex appeal :P

Engine Engine capacity 1,390 cc (cheap road tax like the RX-8) Engine type 4 cylinder,inline 16 valves with turbocharger and supercharger (granted I can't rev high, but I might hear the whoosing sound) Compression ratio 10.1 (about same as RX-8) Bore x Stroke (76.5 x 75.6) mm Power 170 bhp (if I use better fuel, can bump it to 197, still 50 plus horses less than a JDM RX-8) Torque 240 Nm (much better) Performance Acceleration 8.1s (0-100kmh) (less than 2 seconds slower) Top Speed 220kmh Fuel consumption 13.7 km\L (nearly double the FC of the RX-8) Misc technical data Transmission Double Clutch Gearbox (DSG) (no manual stick is a minus for me) Drive type Front Wheel (fail-wheel-drive)

Measurements Dimensions (L x W x H) (4554 x 1781 x 1459)mm Wheelbase 2,578mm Min turning radius Kerb weight 1,388kg (only about 50 kg heavier than an 8) Fuel tank capacity 55L Brakes Brakes (Front) Ventilated discs Brakes (Rear) Disc brakes Suspension Suspension (Front) unknown Suspension (Rear) unknown

But in terms of appeal, the 8 is way way way sexier. But other than that, the Jetta is really attractive.

My die cast models 1:32

Too lazy to write an entry. Here... have a picture of my die cast models. My blue, higher quality, RX-8 model not in the picture :P

Sometimes you just had to believe

Yesterday evening, I received a call from Dad saying that my uncle phoned him about something important. My uncle had cancer in his esophagus, he can't be heard very well over the phone. So I was tasked to head down to his house to check it out. He told me that after coming back from chemotherapy, he started vomiting blood and had to be sent to A&E in SGH. I immediately called my dad who then rushed down from work to send my uncle to SGH. During then he seems alright as he can still joke about passing away. After reaching there, I proceed on with my arranged meeting with my girlfriend down at Bugis.

When I came back at around 2330hrs, my parents told me that they were going back to the hospital again. I was wondering why but did not ask. During then, my younger brother was using the bath. As they were about to leave, 30 minutes later, (my brother had finished his bath by then); just when I wanted to enter, the bulb suddenly blew off. The bulb was new. I proceed my bath with a torch.

After my bath, I proceed my routine surfing and I felt something might be amiss since it was already 0400hrs in the morning and they had not returned. I went to bed. While half asleep, I heard the gates opened and there were three car-door slamming sounds. Shortly after that, I heard the voice of my big uncle (the one with cancer was my second uncle).

"Why is he here?"

I didn't think too much and went back to sleep.

This morning, I was told that yesterday night around 2320hrs, when my parents received a call from the doctor saying that my uncle was in very critical condition, he had already passed away... And since he was always together with my big uncle, my big uncle suffered a break down.

My second uncle was a stubborn smoker during his younger days, a drinker as well. He did not manage his finances at all. But overall, he was still a very doting uncle. I pray to Buddha and Haruhi that he will rest in peace on the other side.

R.I.P

Now I am holding his K810i, waiting for calls, to break news to the caller. Life is short, treasure it.

A ride in an RX-8

Shortly after coming back to Singapore, I started joining the Singapore RX-8 Club forums. After posting a few replies and threads, a kind RX-8 owner invited me to have a ride in his car all the way from my home to Pasir Ris, where he will be doing an Ipod compatibility mod.

At first I was simply elated, thinking to be finally able to get really close to this rotary machine. However I wasn't harboring too much hope as I didn't want to be disappointed if he couldn't come eventually. After a week of eager waiting, he finally chat me up on MSN and mentioned that he will be coming down this Saturday, 1000hrs.

So this morning came, and true to his words, he was outside my house a little after 10.

OMG! ITS HERE!!!

So I got into his car, and we did a first proper introduction of ourselves with handshakes. Jasper, the owner, was a very nice and well mannered person. He is seven years older than me. Lots of life experiences and advices he can share and give. He is not unlike any other car lover who are quite friendly, nice and talks about cars, mods and everything else. Throughout the whole journey, we chatted on various topics and issues.

Errr... Nice hands???

And of course, no eye opening session is complete without a little raving of the 9000 rpm red-line rotary engine.

A Dash worth the Cash

And the sensation and the hum of the engine was just beyond words to describe. The interior furnishings were also very nicely done.

The red LED display wasn't as bad as mentioned in Fifth Gear


Very nice door hander

Like the rear view mirror

I was told a lot of new knowledge about what it will be like to own an RX-8. Nothing is cheap about the 8. From maintenance to mods. But its a car that still turns heads even after about 5 years in the market.

With a profile like this, its little wonder it turns heads


The wide fenders are apparent. Wished I had a better camera with me


The silver mods added onto the grill behind the wheels cost SGD $120...


The design of the rear lights is something all owners would like to keep intact

Notice the unique rotary shaped crest on the plastic holding the main head lights bulb?

I was shown a perfect example: As we waited at one traffic light, a couple of youngsters just stopped dead in their tracks, with their mouths opened and phone cameras in their hands. Jasper, like every other 8 owners, was kind enough to pose for them in the car with a smile.

The rain and traffic did not dampen the mood at all

Soon we reached the carpark in Pasir Ris where he was suppose to wait for the guy, Zavier, to help him with the minor mod. As we were about to exit the carpark to grab a quick breakfast, A stormy blue RX-8 with RE Amemiya Carbon Fibre Body Kit roared into the carpark. Zavier had arrived. After some brief introduction with the new 8 owner, Jasper and I headed for some famous Roti Prata.

Finally a chance to see in person the back seats

Nice rims

After the Prata, we headed back to the carpark. Since Zavier wasn't done with the mod yet, I made use of the opportunity to take some pictures of his ride.

Stormy blue with CF RE Amemiya body kit. Fierce!


Sporty rims and rear kit with F1 light, though not visible in this pic


Eye lids makes the eyes sexier and aggressive at the same time


The lighting sucks


Still sucks

Zavier in the car installing the mod

Once the mod was done, Jasper tried out to see if it works. It did. Now he is able to control his Ipod with the buttons on his steering wheel. After everything, we bid farewell to Zavier and Jasper fetched me home. The total cost of this mod? SGD $280...

Overall, it was a great eye opening session. Thank you very much, Jasper!

Can't end this without seeing the inner beauty of the 8

1.3L Renesis Rotary engine