Getting a Mazda 3 for some fun ... could use some advice.

[Jim911]

I am getting a Charcoal Grey '05 Mazda 3 Sedan, loaded with all options (I think) from the family. I was going to turn it in on a new car, but when I realized it only had 40K on it I figured I better make use of it.

I have a set of 18" RX8 rims (we have a few mazdas in the family :))to get refinished for it that I have been looking into either getting powder coated or chromed. Any helpful hints on installing them so they do not rub?

I was thinking of lowering it, likely with a Tein, Megan, or Eibach. Any advice on the best one?

The car does not have heated seats ... I love that option ... are there any good kits or people in the Toronto area to install?

Lastly, there is no Ipod input. I believe its the Bose system in the car. I looked at some new Nav systems online, but could probably just do with a good integrated iPod module that preferable shows text. Again .. advice?

[McGuyver_3]

question 1
run 225/40R18 tires

question 2
Teins are good just make sure they are real as alot of fakes are on the market. S techs will slam your car 2 inches Htechs will lower 1.2-1.3 inches (someone correct me if i am wrong)
Megan, dont know much about them always thought they were more popular in the honda world.
Eibachs, Your best bet prokits will drop around 1.2-1.3(again correct me if i am wrong) Sportlines will again slam your car about 2 inches

question 3
You would have to contact an automotive appolstry shop. They Will be able to help you. Or you can buy a kit off of ebay and get it installed. I have done it 1 time on my 05 and it was relatively straight forward just time consuming as the material(cloth or leather) has to be removed the seat heater retrofitted and clamped back on to the foam on the seat. Then all wiring needs to be run and connected which is probably the easiest part of the job. When i ordered my kit off ebay it was a specific one because of how the material gets clamped back on.

question 4
You can get the ipod adapter through the mazda dealer if you are not afraid of cost. I would recomend you call up joe at MoT. Or again you can source it out on ebay. The only upside to the ebay route would be that some of them are capable of having multi inputs. So instead of JUST being an ipod connector it is also capable of plugging in a usb for example or a standard 3.5mm audio jack. They are called audio link in the aftermarket world
check it out (http://shop.ebay.ca/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=mazda+3+audio+link+&_sacat=See-All-Categories)

[Jim911]

Good info ... thanks!

[DualSoul]

:welcome smiley

With regards to the heated seats, one of our sponsors, M&D Executive Auto (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?259-M-amp-D-Executive-Auto) was offering heated seats installs (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?48277-HEATED-SEATS-INSTALL!!!!-SAVE-100-OFF-Regular-price!!). Not sure if they're still available, but you might want to give them a shout.

[Jim911]

Thanks ... I will check that out.:)