I've been checking out this forum for a while now (before I actually bought the car), and I'd first like to say thank you to all of you who have posted all the incredible information I've seen. It looks like in most cases I won't need to step foot into the dealer, thanks to all your info.

I just bought a very used 04 (90k miles) velocity red mica 8 with the Grand Touring package, and so far I love it. It's fairly clean (everything checked out at an independent dealer I took it to), and runs very well. It has a couple of issues (no one ever corrected the tail light moisture issue; that's first on my list/driver's heated seat doesn't work but I've already found a repair on here for that!) but overall I'm happy with it so far.

The one thing I've noticed since bringing it home - and I know it was pretty dumb of me not to notice before - is it has a small hole in the dash where clearly something used to be. This is on the passenger's side. I've tried looking up photos of the interiors to find out what it is, but no luck so far. I'm attaching a photo of the location of the hole to see if that helps. If anyone could give me a clue as to what this is, I'd definitely appreciate it!


Overall, though, great forum and I look forward to interacting with all of you in the future.

 

I take it you've checked out all of the new-owner threads?

Welcome by the way, and I'm glad to see you got the fastest color as well.

And that hole? Mine has just a little plug there, that's flush with the rest of the dash. I have no idea what happened in your case, but mine's just a little plug. I guess I know it's removable now, haha.

 

I've read the new-owner threads, and have made a to-do list. I'm really happy with how everything gives great step-by-step instructions; I'm rather new to the world of do-it-yourself car repairs/upgrades, and it's great to have such awesome support. (I'm a girl too, so the what's-she-doing-working-on-cars looks I get from guys are kinda sweet. lol)

Wonder what the heck that plug is for. Maybe I can grab one from ebay...the hole looks kinda strange!

And the color (and matching red/black leather seats) is one of my favorite things about the looks of the car. I had a plain ole black car before!

 

Well, if you ever need help, most of us are more than willing to do so, as with any car forum, ignore the ones who aren't.

Oh, and since you mentioned you're a girl, prepare to meet all the leghumpers on this forum, ignore them too, haha. Though I will say, a girl who's into cars, and knows how to work on them does have a leg up on any others.

Maybe, you can also check down at the bottom of the forum, for people parting their cars out. Maybe that's a part that can be taken off of another and put on your's, I just honestly haven't seen it in person to be able to tell(I can't entirely tell from the picture just what it'd take to replace it.)

And +1 on the red/black interior, another good choice on your part.

Although I can't quite say my previous cars have been boring, just not the most reliable daily's out there.

 

I've frankly been amazed at how comprehensive this site is. Every little issue I've needed to check on, I've found. (With the exception of the plug lol)

As for the leghumpers, I've got two brothers, who have many friends who probably would qualify for that description, so I think I'm prepared.

My last car was a 2001 Dodge Stratus R/T. Incomparable to the 8.

 

Haha, yeah, it's usually the stupid small stuff that can be the most annoying, because it always seems like you honestly are the first person to run into that problem, because it just shouldn't happen.

Have you found the online workshop manuals? There's some floating around, if you haven't found them, I'll grab the link for ya.

Oh trust me, they'll skim right over that part on here, and go right back to where you say you're a girl, haha. Just don't be a pushover.

Ah, now I wonder, is your's an AT or MT?(Don't worry, not going to put you down if you say AT)

And on the topic of previous cars.. I've had a 1988 Mx6 and a 1988 Rx7, both of which it wasn't my choice to get rid of. Still have my 1994 Mx6, just a tad too attached to let her go.

 

The person who had the car before me did weird stuff to the car - like that plug being missing. I don't have the plastic engine covers, for example (not that I'm too worried about it - less stuff I have to remove when I'm under the hood). They definitely smoked in the car, which I find appalling. And they apparently kept the extra key, because the dealer only had the one.

I haven't ran into the shop manuals, though I was looking into buying them from ebay. They're over 100 bucks on there and frankly, I'd rather spend the money on some maintenance items like plugs and coils rather than the shop manual that I didn't need immediately. I'm really glad I didn't buy it now, since they're online.

Pushover isn't in my vocabulary - I'm Irish.

I bought a manual, so no putdowns necessary anyway. The dealership tried to flip me to an 06 auto, but I declined. Why buy a car like that with an automatic?

Your car list is rather impressive, as I'm sure you're aware. This is only the second car that I've purchased myself (my first car was a 95 Taurus given to me by my parents, which was replaced by a Geo Metro my aunt gave me.). Clearly you can see where my tastes lie. :D

 

http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/2003mazdarx8/

It says 2003, which it was a 2003 overseas, 2004 here. I will say, wiring may be slightly different from overseas, I'm not certain on it myself, but for the remove&replace, of say, the ignition coils, and whatnot, that's all the same.

That's funny, I actually have multiple spare keys, and a spare key fob, just goes to show who takes care of their car and who doesn't.

And as far as smoking in a car, I'd have to turn down a car if I could tell they had, I'm not the best around it. I'll have to go out and see what brand car freshener the dealership I got mine uses, it might be good enough to mask the smell, without being overbearing like normal ones you buy. But yeah, spend some money on maintenance. I've still gotta do the trans/coolant/rear end/brake fluid on my car myself, just to keep everything up to date.

And you're Irish? Haha, go figure. I posted a thread when I got mine, and someone had to make the comment of the car matching my hair. Freaing jerks, haha.

And it seems like you went with everything right that you could control about it.

The dealership I went to actually, every salesman there frowns when they get an auto Rx8 in, because every single salesman happens to be an enthusiast to at least some degree. So they don't recommend them unless you ask for one.

And impressive? Haha, what's impressive was all the hours I spent keeping them on the road. I guess it does show I'm a Mazda guy though, just new to Rx8's(When it comes to Mx6s, I could tell you pretty much anything you need to know.)

And, I'm gonna hope your taste lies with the Rx8 now. =P

 

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club.

 

Thanks for the link! I'm sure that will be very handy.

I knew they smoked in the car because there are a couple burns in the headliner on the driver's side. Small and hardly noticeable, but they're there. I don't notice any smells or anything; it was cleaned up very well.

lol I don't have red hair (I'm a blonde) but I have the stupid complexion. ie I burn, I don't tan.

I've always been a huge fan of the 8s. In fact, I took a camera phone picture of the only other RX-8 I know about in my small town probably 4 months before I bought the car. They put a body kit on it though.

 

You're welcome. =) Hopefully it will be, it's better than some of the other ones floating around. But even when you use it, try and check on the forums as well. There have been a few updates that that manual doesn't reflect, not many, but a few.

I don't see how someone could do that, especially to such a nice car. Especially when their hands should be busy with the shifter, and the other on the wheel. Kind of scares me to be honest, there's no way you could be paying full attention and be perfectly reactive..

Mine used to be brown, but being in the sun a lot has lightned it. Unfortunately, I used to tan well, but now I don't really tan, or burn easily, it's weird.

And since I haven't asked yet.. Do you have any pics of your's?

If not, I'm gonna go on and suggest you clear some time in your schedule this weekend to go find a nice place to shoot photos.

 

I've only got a couple. Your suggestion to take some is a good one, though. I shall consider it.

 

Hang on, I'm going to go check my drive way real quick. I know Iowa isn't THAT far away...



If it's not sitting there, we're going to have some problems.

Haha, j/k. But yeah, not the best place in the world, it was too cold that day to wanna go other places after wards, but just getting some nice shots to look at, perhaps use as a background, and just to share of it is nice.

 

LOL! Yours actually looks more like what I WANT mine to look like - I'm planning on tinting at least the back windows. (Front is illegal in this stupid state.)

I hate the way the license plate on the front looks; it's required in Iowa, too, but as of right now I don't even have a bracket. I thought about skipping it, but then I looked up how much a ticket costs.

 

Well, go to the DMV and check about it, because in some states(So I've heard), if it doesn't come with a bracket, you don't have to mutilate your front bumper to put one on, but that's strictly if it didn't have one. Doesn't hurt to check into it.

And I'm not gonna lie, I saw your's without a front license plate, and I was envious myself.

You can't even tint the front side windows? I know the windshield is illegal, but even the front sides?

If that's honestly illegal, maybe it's time to move to a new place. One with more Rx8's around, perhaps?

 

I'll definitely check into that! That would be sweet if I didn't have to figure out some place to mount it.

You can tint the front windows, but only like 20 or 30% tint. Anything more is a big fine.

And moving? I've been thinking about it since I was born, I think.

 

Mhmm, never hurts to ask, haha.

That's still better than no tint at all though.

And exactly, time to get a change of scenery in.

(It'd take me a while to count all the times I've moved, sadly.)

 

I have seen two RX8s where they used that plug hole to relocate the lighter/electrical socket. If you want to run say the racingbeat gauge pod where your current ash tray is. Good job on the purchase (if you got it cheap). First thing you need to do is call mazda and ask how long your engine warranty is good for. Some have already ran dry.

Secondly if you need a front plate you don't have to drill. They make tow hook license plate brackets. It allows you to remove it and replace it as needed.

You said you looked up info thats great. Make sure you check out the what you should do first thread. Im sure someone will post it for you sooner or later, or check out my sig.

 

That's where the "passenger air bag off" light is on 2006 and later US models. On earlier models the hole was there but it was just filled with a blank. I don't know if there was an air bag light in other markets or if Mazda just put the hole there in anticipation of complying with a future regulation.

Ken

 

Where in iowa are you located? I'm currently going to school at the university and working for P&G in Iowa City.

Before my rx8 I had a 2010 mitsubishi lancer that I had put tints on. 15% in back and 35% in the front. In bright day light you couldnt see in the car at all and I had no problem with the 5-0.

Congrats on the purchase, It's a fantastic car to own!

 

welcome
prepare to live at the gas station

 

Ding! That hole would drive me freaking nuts.

 

@DocBeech - thanks for the tip about the warranty - I figured that any 04 would have no warranty so I wasn't even thinking about it (I used to sell cars so I know what warranties usually run). Must be an unusually long warranty? And I'd already ran across that thread in your sig on my own; I've added everything to my to-do list.

@ken-x8 - thanks for the info. Makes more sense now.

@9kbeep - I'm in Burlington; about an hour and a half south of you. I'm planning to transfer to the U of I pretty soon! Thanks for the tint info! What brand of tint do you recommend (my brother was trying to get me to go with walmart tint but I'm very skeptical. lol)

@FERA no kidding. but I knew what the mileage was before I bought the car AND I live 2 minutes from work so no worries there. AND my grandmother (yes, grandmother) wanted to borrow my car for a roadtrip cause she figured it should get great gas mileage since it's a 1.3 liter 4 cyl...so the crappy mileage alone let me keep her old lady hands off it!

@CyberPitz - Me too! I need to find a 'blank' for it. Maybe the local Mazda dealer can help me out.

 

My 04 is still under Warranty through next August, I believe. It was purchased late though, so the warranty didn't start till then.

And, YOU know it's not a 1.3l I4, right..? (Just making sure.)

 

Yes, I'm aware that RX-8s don't have piston engines.

I'm gonna call Mazda on Monday and check it out. It's too bad they didn't have an online thing where I could punch in the VIN and find out though.