Firstly, let me say I am totally in love wif the RX8. It is a car with character. But I have driven French cars all my life and noe dat cars wif character usually come with tantrums and their own set of problems...: )

Am abt to commit to a Dec 2004 4AT from the dealer. However, b4 I put pen to paper, there are 2 issues that I need answered.

1. I have read about the recall issues, esp afflicting pre-2006 batches wrt PCM and other issues. Some people even had their engine changed? :O The problem is, when buying from a 2nd-hand dealer (many of whom noe nuts abt the car they are selling), how can I confirm that the recall and relevant firmware upgrades have been performed? The 4AT is a PI car. Did MM cover the recall for the PI models?

2. Secondly, the car is obviously not serviced at the main agent MM. How can I obtain a service history of the vehicle? Usually from the service history, you can tell whether u r buying a lemon and what type of major problems have afflicted the poor thing.

Hope the gurus and big brudders here can help : ) Put my mind at ease and I hope to join ur 'elite club' soon! ; )

 

Any good dealer should be able to pull up the car's service history off the VIN which should tell you what recalls have been done, etc. It would also be worthwhile to pay someone to do a mechanical inspection on the car, and they can read which version the ECU has been flashed to. That said, you can't get the history of any work done outside the dealer.

I'm not sure what you mean by a PI car ... ?

French cars, huh? Have you seen the Brainiac video from the BBC where they use Thermite to blow up a French car "because it's white, because it's old, but mostly, because it's French"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdCsbZf1_Ng

 

Not sure what PI & MM stands for. Also, what's your location?

Either way, any vehicle information - recall work, etc. can be attained through mazda (MNAO for N.America, other operations based on your locale) and some stuff may be available through a car fax. You need the VIN to do both.

Buying from a non-mazda dealer is no problem, but if you don't have a local certified mazda service dept. STAY AWAY from an 04 AT.

Try a search for specific Q's, there's lots of info available thru the site.

 

PI is Philippines I think. So I would guess the MM means Mazda Motors?

If I am right, I agree with dmc27, make sure you have a Mazda service center to go to.

 

also whats the price for the 4 speed AT?

 

i would go with the manual

 

have you seen the traffic in the Philippines? (If PI means Philippine Islands)

 

sorry guys. it took mi awhile to navigate this forum and i realized that here, its pretty international! =))

I'm frm Singapore.

The main Mazda dealer (and service ctr) only brings in the 6MT (manual). The PIs (Parallel Importers) bring in the 4AT/6AT (autos). The dealer does not recognise the warranty on the 4AT so most 4AT owners bring their cars to another workshop. As the Renesis engine is not common in S'pore, not many workshops noe how to deal with it obviously.

Since what i m getting is a 2nd hand car, its not from the original PI but a 2nd hand dealer. Which means I have to get the car inspected by AA or something for accidents and then go to a good workshop which can retrieve servicing history from the VIN.

 

not really, I think MOST shops does NOT know **** about Rotary engine. They probably heard of it. but see it ? Nada.

Im not sure how Singapore works but if Im buying a used car

1. I will try all the ways to make sure the car has never got into an accident. well it probably did and never reported. but if its not reported its probably nothing major.
2. Pay someone to check basic stuff of the car, at least see if the fluid has been changed(its easy to tell if A/T oil has been changed, just by smelling it, if you smell something burnt, its no good), etc
3. You better make sure you know what you're getting, proper maintenance is important for every car. and since you're getting A/T, you need even more attention. I suggest you to add another oil cooler to be safe.
4. Try to know where your Imported A/T came from, because each region has their own programming, Japan's spec programming cannot be used in US, vice versa. Find out, then try to pull the ECU Flash information out with an good OBDII scanner. Then compare the version. if its really old (5 revisions older), try to find out if its possible for your Mazda motors dealer to get a copy of the program and flash it for you.

 

Totally agree with nycgps.

Do your HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING ANY USED CAR!!!

1. Find a mechanic with Rotary knowledge. You really want a guy that has seen/worked on RX-8s, but somebody working on RX-7s would have a clue. After you buy the car, you really need somebody with a clue if issues come up.

2. Check all the basics.

Also, be prepared to REPLACE the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, AT fluid, spark plugs (depending on age), radiator fluid, etc... Your better off just replacing a lot of the basic stuff and not assuming it was done, especially the engine oil. Also factor this kind of stuff in the cost. Make sure to check the tire tread (top and side) really well and not a bs quick glance. Worn tires are something you might be able to haggle about in terms of price.

3. 100% find out if the vehicle was subject to any recalls and see what the dealer and/or the nearest Mazda dealer will do about it BEFORE you buy it.

4. Understand all warranty issues. Figure out what your 2nd hand dealer is going to pay for and what Mazda might pay/replace, BEFORE you buy it. If you can get an extended warranty... do it.

 

Cool fellas....i made the decision to get a 3year old 6MT instead. After testdriving both the 4AT and 6MT and pulling away on the latter at only 2nd gear, the choice wuz clear! =))

I have sent the car for all the pre-purchase checks. Incl a comprehensive computer-aided collision damage check. The car has also been confirmed to have been serviced by the main agent (it says 78K mileage but the previous owner has done the 80K servicing oredi)

I am sooooo looking fwd to having it on Tues!

 

MT... good call!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thank God you chose a MT!

 

Yup the car is pretty much stock so its an empty canvass on which i can start my handiwork! =)) the only thing dat has been done is dat the original exhaust tips have been cut off and bigger, meaner-looking tin cans welded on...

Pity we have such tuff laws on after-market turbos here in SGP. And it costs a bomb too. However juz curious to confirm if what they say about a Supercharger being better for the Renesis is true? How many horses would a GReddy turbo add to the 238bhp on paper?

Lets juz say if i want to add a Turbo, a strut bar, an original MazdaSpeed kit and yellow 4-pot Brembos, that would set mi back at least another 11K...yikes!

 

Do a search on the turbo thing, there is a ton of info. You will have a never ending debate between the turbo folks and the SC folks. You will eventually have to make the choice on your own, but the turbo may be cheaper. It seems to come down to ease of install and heat to a lesser degree (SC) versus price and no parasitic loss (Turbo).

A tuned Greddy kit has made 275 WHP which would be over 300 at the crank.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/forced-induction-dummies-turbocharger-supercharger-nitrous-119079/

here just wrote this.

 

fantastic! now i m a dummy who has progressed to being a semi-dummy!

 

Next step is progressing to a much POORER dummy, after you buy FI.

Poor but happy...

 

flyingmuffyn: Congrats on the new wheels and on choosing an MT - only way to fly!

 

d00d, 1 had 2 brus4 up on mai l33t sk1llz to r3ad your t1tl3