I have been browsing the forum for quite a few months now, and have had this car on my mind for a long time to the point that I am obsessed with getting one. I am now determined to get the car VERY soon (before summer). After all the time I spent contemplating things, I think I have boiled down to the following:

I have two main requirements; manual transmission and a moonroof. Outside of that, color (no yellow), interior, etc. are moot... however... WHITE. omg, where are the white ones!? Ideally, the car will have 30k miles or fewer.

I would prefer to get the car from a dealership along with trading in a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. I would like suggestions regarding friendly mazda dealerships, and acceptable prices to negotiate down to. My research is leading me to believe that 20-24k is a fair price to pay for a used one fitting my requirements. If pickings are slim and the price is right, I MIGHT jump for a new car. Today I took a test drive at the Creve Coeur Lou Fusz Mazda location (AT) for the first time, and that only helped to diminish my patience to save up and wait on buying the car. I live in south county, however I often go out to St. Peters / O'fallon to visit family (I am thinking of that stretch of dealerships along 70).

I have so many other questions to ask that are flooding my mind, but I will make other threads to save this one from getting out of control; I WANT THIS CAR! Thankyou in advance for all responses.

 

I found mine used on autotrader.com located at a dealer in Ballwin. I know there's a used red one at suntrup volvo just west of 141 on manchester.
As for price, I'd expect to be on the lower end of your scale there. Getting up towards 30k miles I think 24k is overpaying for sure. If you want to go to bommarito in south county let me know b/c I know a salesman there. That's where I first test drove an 8, he just tossed me the keys and said have fun.

 

I know how you feel. I fell in love with the rx8 about a year before I could buy one. I've never had any problems with my car so don't let little rumors scare you away. Just make sure you test drive it and have a warranty and you'll drive it worry free. Just msg me if you wanna know anything specific ok.
later-

 

fisherdn:
I looked into that RX8 @ Suntrup on their website; great find, but it's an automatic. =[ I've seen a few local positive posts about Bommarito, so I may give that a whirl sometime. References can always help! Please email me the salesman's name, and I will definitely check it out and throw in a good word for ya!

snowboarder4eva:
The test drive I took honestly didn't give me a good chance to experience the car fully (abbreviated drive, no highway), but I frankly don't care. I know of most the car's quirks both good and bad, yet still want it unconditionally. If anything, I was surprised at how good the visibility is from the driver's seat (I was expecting it to be very limited, coming from driving nothing but I4 family sedans). The whole drive, I think I only had a chance to rev it to 4500RPM... having the salesperson in the passenger seat with me makes me nervous.

On a side note though; my experience with manual transmission is pithy: maybe a couple weeks combined of occasionally driving a Chevy S10 (years ago). I figure I'd be jumping into the MT car after buying it and praying I make it out without stalling. I have the fundamentals down and all; I just lack the experience. The "manual" feature the automatic has does not fly with me; I simply can't decide when and when not to use it when driving!

 

Don't worry about the lack of manual skills, they'll come later. If you like the feel of the auto, wait till you drive a 6spd. They have much better kick.

 

**** the automatic. You'll learn to drive the 6 speed. This car shouldn't even come in an automatic.

 

Plus, the clutch is so forgiving on the 8, it practically pulls you through the gears. Got a yellow one I'll sell ya, oh wait, you are too good for yellow. Just kiddin man, can't wait to see you driving around!

 

What they said.

Just go out and get one. You'll love it. If you want a better test drive come out to one of our RX-8 get togethers (hopefully within a couple weeks) and I'll hand you the key to go for a spin. You'll be instantly addicted.

 

I'm so dead-set on the manual anyway; no more slushboxen for me!

I found a new 2006 white on Bommarito St. Peters' site for shy of $29k, however it wont specify whether or not it has a moonroof; I can't stand it when they don't provide enough up-front info! No response back on whether or not it does. I have also submitted quotes on new cars via Edmunds.com to 4 local dealerships, and have gotten responses from 2; Lou Fusz, and Randy Blount. Blount has some 2005 ones listed new (not white) as well. Lou Fusz's response is that they have a new one that fits my requirements (unsure of year), and is willing to give me $1k off to bring it to low $29k... With the way things are looking here, I may be angling more towards a new car; I will try to steer clear of the 2007 because of the high prices, but rather try for a 2005 or 2006 (new) since I would think they'd be wanting to get rid of them anyway. This white one at Bommarito seems to be the winner so far... (assuming it has a moonroof).

How do you think these numbers are forming up? If there were a used white RX-8 out there with MT and moonroof, for anything below $26k, i would probably jump on it.

 

You might want to keep digging. I'd be willing to bet they're offering all sorts of dealer rebates and what-not right now for the 2006's. You can probably get the car at below invoice, plus whatever cash-back deal they're offering. You just need to head to the dealers in person and have your homework done beforehand.

Good luck!

 

I got a call from Bommarito, and they have it... gonna crunch numbers tonight and meet them tomorrow afternoon to see what we can work out. Loan check is already in the mail; at least I won't have it while I'm there tomorrow (which is a good thing; keep me from making rash decisions).

 

Yep, especially an 06....You should be able to get a good rebate. Depending on how long it has been sitting on the lot. I would be looking for $2k - $4k rebate.

 

Dude, where were you in May? I gave my RX-8 away for $17,500. It had 18,000 miles on it and it was in perfect shape. There were just no buyers, I got ONE CALL in four weeks and I had it advertised everywhere. I miss it.

I agree about the manual. Besides, it should be a felony to manufacture this car with an automatic. After I'd owned it a few months, I could shift without the clutch. You get a feel for it and you can just do it without thinking about it.

 

Ive got the AT, definately buy the auto (from me so I can buy the 6spd)!

 

I bought an 04 back in June. It had about 2K miles, 6sd, fully loaded GT for just under $21,000. You should probably be able to find something used at or under $20K now.

Lou Fusz had several on their web site as of yesterday.

 

Just received a call from a salesperson... they're of course wanting to get rid of the 2006 models; they have a white GT listed @ $32,875... just over the phone without discussing trade-ins, we reached a negotiated possible price of $27,500 after rebates ($3k). There is also a grey model they have (used i think, or a new base model without roof that he could have a roof placed on) for $25,200 after rebate. I think I have determined in my head that I have an absolute ceiling of $28,000, and that white GT is tempting... good deal? I am probably going to cross this thread over to the purchasing/financing section to ask there as well...

 

Keep talkin down the white one, white looks great!

 

omg, DON'T EVER let a dealer put a sunroof in a car that didn't previously have one! You're asking for nothing but trouble. The white one sounds like you're getting close to a good deal, though.

 

Overall, I talked them down to what I approximate to be shy of $3,000 total. The trade-in was a 2003 elantra that they originally offered 4k for (i expected 6k). The phone offer i was given of 27.5 of course magically became 29k+ in person; so original price minus trade-in was ~25k. In the end of it, i settled on 21.9k after trade-in and 3k rebates (they settled the trade-in value at 7900). How's that for my first time negotiation? I'm sure i might have been able to get more, but i feel satisfied. I think I goofed a little in not paying attention to the sticker of the car, and not checking it out thoroughly (i didnt even hop in the car); but it is a new car (79miles on odometer), and i knew i had only cared and estimated prices for a moonroof, MT, and white (barest GT spec among other options). So, i dont know what else is on the car outside of the ground effects and black interior; there is no spoiler.

SOLD! White 2006 GT is mine!... tomorrow. There was a slight snag at the very end; as they were driving out of the garage with the car, they told me they ran over a nail, and the tire went flat. They're going to replace the tire, but unfortunately at the time, all the mechanics already left for the day! Talk about annoying! I have a loaner right now, and they're going to have it ready for me tomorrow. I have so many questions that I have been scouring the forum for answers to, but am not finding easy answers... If anyone has quick and simple answers; please give! =D

synthetic or regular oil?
never broken in a new car; can i get cliff notes?

Thanks for the advice guys! Look for me on the road!

 

WELCOME AND CONGRATS!!!

There's a ton of knowledge to be had about this car and you'll learn it all in due time.

First of all, go buy a case of non-synthetic oil. Even if you get your oil changed at the dealer or Jiffy Lube (don't you dare!) it's much easier to have a quart on hand. You can expect to put about a quart in every 3 or 4 fill-ups depending on how you drive it.

Second, get the oil changed shortly after you're past the break-in period of 1000 or so miles. Good info can be found on break-in here: http://www.racingbeat.com/RX8%20Break%20in.htm

Finally, have fun w/ the car! It's a rare animal to tame and a blast all along the way. I think we might be getting together with some of the other local rx-8 club guys Saturday night, so you need to bring the new baby by.

 

[QUOTE=WaterLogged]WELCOME AND CONGRATS!!!

Second, get the oil changed shortly after you're past the break-in period of 1000 or so miles. Good info can be found on break-in here: http://www.racingbeat.com/RX8%20Break%20in.htm

QUOTE]

Wow.. 4000rpms is pretty low for the first 1000miles. Has anyone had any problems with that?