Hi folks, im kinda a new user here on your forums but I've always loved the car...But I dont own one but thinking about it. My only concern is the engine. If i'd buy a used 04 rx8 w/ no warranty how would i know if it's worth it...meaning the whole recalls about the cars.

What is your guys opinion on getting an rx8....like what year and what to look for...Currently im saving my money like a mad man so I wanna know and purchase one of these beauty's.

 

you'd have to be buying a pretty high mileage 8 to be outta warranty...they were extended to 5 years/60K miles powertrain.

At any rate, unless you knew the previous owner, i'd still be leary about buying an 8 that's out of warranty, especially an 04 because of all the problems they seemed to have had. the late 05's seemed to have had quite a few less problems and the 06's on seem to have ironed all the big problems out.

The biggest thing that i personally would look for in a used 8 would be the previous owner. Someone that was mature but not nessicarily grandma in it. Anyone that claims that they never went above 3K or something rediculous like that will have so much carbon build up that you'll need a jackhammer to knock that crap off.

Also, check to see if the car already had the engine replaced. Any other TSB's done on that specific car? If they don't even know this basic information, pass it on. They don't deserve you're buisness anyway.

Even new 8's have been hit-or-miss on a lot of these issues, so you might find that the new buyers experience with the 8 can go any which way, no matter which route you go.

Good luck, bro.

 

If everything else checks out and the price is right make passing a compression test the deal breaker. It should cost about $100, post the results here for us to comment. As for an 04 being better than an 05 that depends on the owner. My 5/2003 buit 8 will hit 100,000 miles later this month with no major issues.

 

Recalls and tsb should be available and covered even out of warranty. If you buy a 2004 educate yourself on what they are and have them corrected if they apply. 2004s should have the engine compressions test done by recall. If not have it done on your new purchase. It's covered. You will get a new engine if it does not pass. I own a 2004 and it runs fine. The engine is solid and passed the compression test. I have no doubt it will go 150k miles. I may keep the car 20 yrs. It's a classic.

 

Yes, the RX8 has had recalls and TSB's, but this happens to all car manufacturers. Not just RX8's or Mazda's. It's not something to worry about. 2003/2004 was the first year that the car was released. Things will be found on the street that the engineering department can't think of. Just be glad that the company is standing behind the car and fixing things that aren't being mandated by the goverment.

 

I have a n00b question.

I just bought a 2004 RX-8 from the dealer. Am I covered with the 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty?

 

Check out the attached .PDF

 

AKA ALL 04-06's. yes.

 

Cool! Thank you.

 

The very early 2004's (built in 2003) *seemed* to have more than their fair share of issues with the transmission (and even then, they wouldn't represent a majority of them). But aside from those, the rest of the 2004's seem just as fine as any other model year. I would venture to say that the 2004 cars will see more widespread issues than the later models mostly because of the following two reasons:

1. They're going to have more miles on them, so naturally mechanical objects wear.

2. There's a lot more 2004's than any other model year. Mazda cut back on production.

 

Please do some more reading on line or go see a freind that knows about cars.

The main thing is testing them out before driving.

Too many things to mention here.

I would not worry about the recalls.