I'm thinking of buying a new early build model that is still on dealer inventory.

It looks like it was a very early build. I saw 9/03 on the inside of the door. Not sure if I was looking at the right tag though.

Anyway, assuming it has the ECU flashes, it should be OK, right?

I'll probably have them change the oil when I get it and then again after the break-in period is over.

Anything else I should be aware of?

 

I have a 9/03 build date...it's been good to me so far

 

That's what I like to hear!

 

^Me too. One flood due to killing the engine cold (not me). Otherwise perfect.

 

Is 9/03 considered an early build, I'm not sure. Mine was built 9/03 and I have had no problems except Check Engine Light, which required M-Flash and also replaced catalytic converter. Air Bag Recall. Kind of pissed me off because I purchased the car in 10/04 and I was under the impression that all vehicles at the dealers were suppose to have been updated. Apparently not the one I bought from.

There are posted threads related to build date and problems (if any)

 

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I don't think they do the flashes until you've owned the car a couple of months. When I bought my 8 they sent me home w/out flashes and only did them when I got a letter from Mazda 2 months later. When I complained the dealership told me that they can't do the flashes until Mazda Corp. gets around to sending you the recall letter. I don't know if this is just lip service, but I would be careful.

Try and work the flashes out as part of your deal, in other words "I'm not buying this car unless I get the latest flash put on today." Good luck with it!

 

I think it's mostly lip service because no service department is going to want to flash every car that comes through just because of what we've been reading on the internet. That's the impression I got from my dealer. After I read about the M flash here, I went to my dealer and asked them to do the flash. They wouldn't even check it, saying that they only do that if a problem arises (i.e., CEL light, etc.), and even then, so he said, all the 8's on their lot had already been flashed. Months later, I got the letter from Mazda N/A telling me to flash my car asap. Go figure.

YAY! My 500th post :D I'm catching up to the rest of you post ******

 

Mine is 5/2003, P/U 2/2004 and have 28,000 miles on it.

AC always worked
Sun visors intact
No cracked buttons
Doorsill moldings still attached
Center console still works.

Other that the oil pan TSB ( not sure if 9/03 is effected) mine has ran great since day one.

 

Unless you have a very strong reason to continue doing business with that dealer, I'd suggest finding another one. Not only is NOT TRUE that flashes are "only (done) if a problem arises," as you discovered, not "all the 8's on their lot had already been flashed."

It is true that some flashes are recommended only if a customer has experienced a problem. However, the "M" flash, as you found out, was meant to be a universal update. Further, each dealer is specifically instructed to perform TSB's on the cars they have in inventory and many simply do not do so.

The quality of Mazda dealers varies GREATLY. My own experience suggests that dealers who sell only Mazdas or those for whom Mazda is their principal brand are better than those who sell other cars (but that's only an impression and not even universally true in my experience.)

We're fortunate in the Seattle area to have one of the best (and oldest) Mazda dealers in the US (University Mazda.) And though I purchased my RX-8 from another dealer, I always take it to U Mazda for service.

P.S. My RX-8 was built in 11/03. After a number of hassles to have the appropriate updates performed, it runs like a champ.

 

No problem here except one major BIG ONE.

NOT ENOUGH HP!

Build date 6/03

 

There should be no issue with buying this car. I would just check the body and paint for any possible damage, make sure there is not excessive mileage on the car, and perhaps verify that your battery life is still good. Lastly, you should be able to have the service dept. produce documentation to show what flashes and recall work has been done to date.

The dealer is supposed to have flashed all cars on their lot that fall in the applicable VIN range. My guess is a 9/03 build date would fall under that. My build date is 7/03 and I've only owned it for about 6 months. No problems here.

 

If it has been sitting in IL for that long, chances are that the weak *** battery has gone dead several times and frozen while it was discharged. I'd try to get the upgraded battery out of them before you sign on the dotted line.

 

Get yourself a 350Z Razz1, plenty of HP but dull car to look at iMO

 

I've got a 9/03 build - runs like a charm, early M flash before I purchased (9/04), never flooded or any other problem, and I get 19 mpg with mostly city driving. (at least what the EPA considers city driving)

 

make sure all recalls are done, they should be but you never know. and yeah, i'd definately insist on a new battery. check the tires for flat spots and dry rot. windshield wipers for dry rot. ah heck, check any rubber items for dry rot (under the hood etc). that's all i can think of for now :p

 

I purchased a used, early build (5/03) GT MT RX8 with 9,500 miles on it in December of 2004. The former owner had taken care of the dynamic damper and airbag recall, and had the car brought up to the "M" flash. Other than the minor problems all RX8 owners are experiencing (squeaky brakes, filmy headlights, etc) I don't think my early build is any different quality-wise than those later builds. I get 17.5 mpg in city driving, I haven't had to add any oil for 1500 miles, and the car runs as smooth as a baby's behind! What a joy to drive! I certainly wouldn't let the fact that it was built early influence my buying decision.

 

Mine came from the 1st pre-order group, so for the N. American market, it is one of the very firsts delivered.

I would have no concerns buying one. She is serving me very well.

Enjoy the (new to you) RX-8.

 

i am not sure of my build date but its def before 8/03 since that is when i got the car.

No Problems at all, but i only have 4500 miles to speak for.

 

My 9/03 build car (from Autobarn in Evanston) was fine after the M-flash, although the brake rotors are a tad rusty.

 

I would try to get the updated battery, make it part of the deal. Check the other things mentioned above plus the tire pressure. It should be 32 psi cold. Take a test drive before you sign on the dotted line.

 

8/03 Build. Nothing but regular maintance and recall TSB stuff. Check out my garage.

Cheers,
Oranje

 

My 8 is also an early build date!! No issues for me also. Whatever you do....have the dealer do all the TSB's before you drive her off the lot!!

- Irish

 

Mine is a 5/23/03 build,, picked up/18/03. No problems. Have had the recalls and the relevant TSB's done. I would also not hesitate.

 

Mine's 9/03, bought it 7/04, and it's been great to me. Not a single problem, doesn't burn much oil at all (maybe 2 quarts in 7 months), and apparently it had the M-flash all along even withough any stickers (just got that checked out yesterday). No cracked buttons, anything at all, just a perfect car that never flooded or left me otherwise stranded.

 

And the M flash corrects all of the gas mileage issues that people were having, correct?