TheBURNiNATOR

Hey everyone... One thing I have to say with this forum is that there IS SO MUCH information about such a great car, from the people who drive it day to day.


Okay here is my situation, there are 3 8's in my area I am looking at...(btw I am in SE Florida WPB,Broward,Miami Area)

1) 2004 Sport or GT dealer was finding out which one it is with 54k miles being sold by the Mazda dealership... they are asking around $15.5k for it.

2) 2005 with 34k miles being sold by a dealership that sells both new and used cars... but Not a Mazda dealership! asking for $13.4K for it

3) 2006 GT with 33K miles being sold at the same place as #2 asking price is about $15.5k

Here are my big concerns, one is the engine and maintenance on the cars... I pretty sure if I buy the car at the Mazda dealership I can allways go back and they will fulfill the 100k 8 year warrenty for the engine. But they are asking A LOT for it. And the wasent to sure if its just a sport or a GT.

Now I just started working with the Mazda dealership today but I been working with other dealership for about a week getting credit approved and making sure I get a good monthly payment with bank. But my big concern is the getting things fixed... I don't wanna get a used RX-8 and then worry if the Mazda dealership will cover my 100k/8 year warrenty since I didn't buy it a Mazda Dealership... as far as I can tell from the 2 RX-8s at the non mazda dealership no post modications have been made to the cars.. they are still stock... There are CARFAX's are good they show the maintenance thats been done to them non of them have a rebuilt engine or anything of replacment of engine mount, or engine replacement.


So any infromation on which is best to go with... would be great... side note.. I really want the G.T. #3.. love the leather and better sound system and moonroof.. just hope with me and co-signer I am good to GO!

But like I said biggest worry is WTF happens if my engine bites the dust 6 months from now buying at a non-mazda dealership.... thou I plan on getting a compression test done before I finish the buy?

So please help to the answers or help calm my worries.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

It does not matter who you buy the 8 from. It will help you greatly if they can give you previous maintenence records. Secondly when you do buy it, make sure if you change your own oil, or do any work that you keep a log and every receipt you have.

On the first car you can tell yourself. heres a simple guide that was posted by Staticlag:

GT (grand touring) - cars MUST have heated leather seats along with ALL the other accessories.
T (Touring) - must have a sunroof, HID headlights, auto dimming mirror, and Bose
S (sport) - has the upgraded suspension & traction control IIRC (but you can buy an upgrade to HID lights)
B (Base) - Just the car essentially

Third make sure your checking edmunds for how much you should be paying for the car. Like take the 2006. it should cost you around $13,500 if you do it right, before taxes and what not. They have the car priced 500 less than is actually suggested dealer retail. The first vehicle is way over priced. You can get a 2004 GT with 60k on it for less than $12000.

You will need to know what recalls have been done. Check the starter to make sure its a new one. Check the batteries part number to make sure it was replaced. Have mazda tell you when the engines in each of them were replaced. By driving them you can tell if the coils plugs etc are ok.

Jacob6875

1. Do not buy this car it is way way way over priced.

2. Whats the trim level on this car? At first glance it looks like a good deal.

3. Decent price as well.

#2 and 3 are decent prices for being at a dealer if they are in good shape.

Buying at a Mazda dealer will not make any difference with the engine warranty. The thing you need is proof off oil change records. If you don't have proof of that they probably will not honor the engine warranty, so if you are worried about that find one with a complete service history.

TheBURNiNATOR

Ya figured the 1st car is just way over priced...

Also #2 is a just a sport ....

#3 is really the one I wanna buy good deal for it as well... can prob. have the dealership knock it down some... I am sales man so I know how things work.

But that whole need every receipt from an oil change is bloody hard... I doubt it has that... but the carfax showes no recalls or anything and its had its maintenance done on it as well... if anyone else has any advice love to hear it.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

pull the service history

FazdaRX_8

iTrader: (1)

I would get the 2006!!!

if you keep up with the maintenance the engine should last

(IMO if you premix too your engine will last longer)

Jacob6875

My car came with nothing physical either....... but the previous owner brought it in every 3-4k miles for oil changes at the local dealership. (also shows up on carfax) so if it has that you should be good.

Never L8

iTrader: (5)

The 2004 is way overpriced. Don't bother. That Mazda dealership should know better. You're better off getting the 2006 or greater. Mazda had a few shortcomings with the 2004 and 2005 model years, but especially 2004. They put a weak starter in it, failed to provide enough oil injection for the seals, and other various electronic issues, to name a few. Your car will be overall more healthy if you purchase 2006 and above. Mazda had it more dialed in by then.

They did correct the issues with the 04, but if given the choice, I wouldn't purchase another 04.

As for warranty engine work, it doesn't matter where you purchase the car from. Period. No more discussion necessary. Just keep records, as indicated, and you'll be fine.

Lastly, these prices should all swing more. The market sucks, the 8 loves premium fuel, and the 8 has depreciated since the recall and warranty issues with the engine. Make them move more. Also, I would get your own financing through the bank. Don't do it through a dealership. They scam you on interest rates and other crap. Also check to see what exactly tax, title, and license costs in your area. My girl just bought a Mini JCW edition and they told her TTL was $2000. It actually was only $930. They were trying to squeeze that much more money out of us. Stealerships....let us know what happens here!

TheBURNiNATOR

Ya thanks for the all the infromation ALL!.. I'm going to see if I get approved for the 2006.. the dealership doesnt have in house financeing.. just banks... So I make sure I get a good intrest rate..

I am just wondering if anyways knows how far I can bring down the price on that 2006 GT they are asking 15,550 before tax tag and title.... but I like to get at 15k with tax tag and tile all in it... maybe even 14.5k any one know from experiance if they will bring it down that low..?

dohon

So tell us..how do these things work? >=)

TheBURNiNATOR

Bad News!... looks like they sold the 06 GT...
Its not the worst news but I wanted the 06... looks like will get the 05 which they are seeling for 13.4K or so.. which means lower payments.. and I can prob swing the price at bit lower.. good thing is thou... it only has 33K miles on it... but I still need to go there test drive it and what not...

Also what are somethings I should be listening for and checking out when I test drive it??

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

www.cars.com and www.autotrader.com check those first and see if anything else in your area pops up.

TheBURNiNATOR

Yes I have checked both sites for cars... but most the RX-8 here in Florida are quite high I checked Edmunds and the dealership selling me the 2005 is right on the money with Edmunds which was kind of amazing I guess...

BUT I am so filled with antcipation... I waiting for the dealership to get apporoval with the 11 or so banks they say they use wither I am approved for the 14K loan... Its like JEASUS how long does it take!

I am just hoping to go there this Friday my new baby!

Mazurfer

Do yourself a favor and read this!

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/



So the 06 is gone.
Stay away from that 04, it's way, way overpriced.
05 doesn't look too bad at first glance. Oh, and you don't have to have all the reciepts if you are the 2nd owner in case of an engine failure, but the more you have the better. See what that dealer has on it even though it's not a Mazda dealer. Maybe there are some reciepts in the glovebox?
You can also call Mazda USA (1-800-222-5500) with the VIN and ask what history they have on it and what if any flashes have been done. It should have had 4206F at least.



Then....when you are done reading that first thread, try this one. https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/

TheBURNiNATOR

Ya thanks... the 05 is the one I am getting.. since the 06 got sold...

Also btw.. I have that link on my FAV's that you just put down... trust me man I been reading this site for like the last 5 months maybe even longer... but alot last few weeks or so... this place has been like my new bible...


Im just keeping my fingers crossed when I call the guy tommarow my loan is approved and I can go Friday and get the car...

Mazurfer

Good for you! I did the same before I bought my 05 new.
Read for about two months at least before buying and have never regretted it. even then, I kept my mouth shut for a month or two and just soaked up info like a sponge and I still continue to do so.
Yes, this site is my bible as well.

If you dead set on this car, you might want to have a compression check done at a Mazda dealer. It will cost you about $130-$140 but might be worth it to not make a mistake. Just food for thought.

Where in S. Florida are you?

TheBURNiNATOR

I am in SE FL... West Palm Beach... but car is in Miami... I still need to go down and Test Drive... as long as I know I good and approved for the loan.