DontPassTheFence

Oh no, the dreaded first post. Anyways guys and girls, Im Matt from Phoenix, AZ and Ive been searching these forums this morning for possible problems, etc, etc that I could have missed while researching buying an 04 or 05 RX-8. My plan is to trade in my 97 Grand Am GT (pictured in my avatar) and throw about $5,000 down on either an 04 (used, 10K miles, sport package, blue) or an 05 (touring package, 20 miles, black on black cloth).

Now I know the 04 will be substantially less in financial woes, however the Mazda Dealership Im going to refuses to give me a direct price quote VIA email, so I will take my second trip down there to discuss the financial aspect of this with them, most likely on Saturday. I am hoping for sub-$350 payments, but Im very doubtful of this.

Now, is there any information you can share with me, pointers, etc, reasons I shouldnt/should buy either of these cars?

Maybe anything I should mention to the car salesman to throw him a curveball, or maybe some points to argue to haggle down the sticker price?

One last disclaimer -> Yes, Im a 19 year old punk, yes this is too expensive a car for a college student, yes Ive driven a RWD car (a 97 acura 3.2cl), and yes Ive driven a rotary once (but never worked on one) - I nearly bought a 91 RX-7 GTU, but the ricer who had possession of it thought too highly of his car (which needed water seals and a better radiator/cooling fan system) so needless to say, I didnt buy that car. However Im back for round two with rotaries, since they intrigue me and Im tired of american piston engines that die on me (Ive destroyed an 89 Beretta 2.8LMFI - overheated due to coolant loss, due to headgasket blown; spun bearing number 3 on a 97 LD9 Twin Cam 2.4L - which was my GAGTs old engine)

Sorry about the long post/life story.

ShogunQ

The forum is full of interesting threads about the RX-8. I know it may not sound as appealing as having an answer catered to your specific question but I think you will find many of the questions that are swimming around in your head have already been asked/answered.

My simple reasoning for whether or not an RX-8 is for you is this: Does the car speak to you?

When I test drove the 8 I knew it was a car I would love to own. I had been looking at cars and test driving a lot but the 8 felt special to me. It is not without its quirks (all cars have them) and it is probably not the car for you if you need to beat everyone off the line at a stoplight. If you want a unuiqe vehicle that has great body style the 8 delivers.

DontPassTheFence

thanks for the reply, and yea, Im STILL reading through hundreds of posts. Wow. Ive heard some amazing things like ECS saving lives, someone rolled a silver rx-8 -- someone spun the tires at 6K rpms, and the list goes on. And not to mention the dozens of pics Ive seen; and a big thanks to the poster of the website with all the diagrams and animations, I know exactly how this two rotor beast makes power now... All I have left to do is actually drive one. Hopefully I get a lengthy and fun testdrive, if that goes well to my liking then, yea, this will be the car for me :D However its gonna be quite a change from the DOHC, FWD, and american cars Ive driven in the past.