After a four years of no rotary engine, I finally found a 2004 used automatic RX-8 for my girlfriend. The car is a winning blue with custom blue leather interior. It has all the stupid packages along with the navigation system. The car is in excellent condition with 36K miles (built 6/03). Anyway I know about the oil and fuel burning issue with the rotary since I had a 86 and 90 RX-7 before. I will be sure to tell her to check it often. I do have a few question that I hope you guys can answer.

#1 What type of oil should I use? How much should I put in once I drain the oil?
#2 What is the recommended change interval for spark plugs and coils? I assume 30K for the plugs from what I heard. What about the coils and plugs? I have heard of problems with them.
#3 What is the deal with the dipstick, is it possible to get a modify part that is longer? I really don't want my gf to get dirty just to check the stupid oil. I will be sure to keep two quarts of oil, gloves and a funnel in the car.
#4 Is the oil pressure gauge in the car functional or is it stupid?
#5 How do you program the TPMS sensors assume I go to different wheels? How does that work?
#6 What type of ATF does it use?
#7 Heated seats, how well does it work? The one on the smurf isnt that great.
#8 Is the warranty on the powertrain up to 5 yr 60K now?
#9 What do you guys recommend for extended warranty?

What other things should I look for in this car? The car seems to be in great condition, I just want to do all the maintanence parts so she can keep it running longer.

 

Thats a laundry list. A lot of them can be answered by searching. Let your fingers do the walking.

ATs lag.

 

You can get one with better markings. Mazda improved that somewhere along the line. Haven't heard of a longer one.

In the DIY section, look for a thread with a title like "Houdini dispstick maneuver." Shows how to get the dipstick in and out without having to remove the engine cover.

Ken

 

The heated seats work very well. My girlfriend loves em.

 

1. Thats personal preference, I use Full Synthetic Royal Purple 5w30 oil, its running great no issues for 20K miles. but alot of crying babies said Full Synth oil is no good for Renesis because Mazda *does not recommend* it. But they fail to answer my question, and the question is *Mazda does not recommend Full synthetic for ALL of their cars, What sup with that ?*
2. I would change my plus as soon as it hits 20K miles.
3. You dont really need to check it that often(my own opinion), I dont even check it that much. I just keep a bottle in my trunk, and check it every 700-1000 miles.
4. Its a dummy gauge, it only shows that you have pressure or not.
5. Search the forum, its a bit of pain but not that hard to adjust it.
6. Your manual tells you.
7. As design.
8. for a 2004, yes.
9. What do you mean ?

 

Just curious, how much did you pay for it?

 

Low $18K, not the cheapest,but not the most pricey neither given the package on it.

 

Was there a blue and black leather interior option?

 

No, custom made

 

Did someone on the forums sell their car? I remember someone did that but I'm guessing more than 1 person has done that...

 

No idea, bought it from the dealership. The guy traded it in for a TL