I've created this thread to get tips from you guys on buying a used RX8. I've already sent out notices to get quotes from various dealers in my area and as I get there response I will post them here and I would appreciate it if you fellas could look at the offers and tell me where I should do from there. I'm mostly looking at 05's since I've heard the '04 models are unreliable. Reason I want a RX8, is that its fun to drive and its practical. I commute 50 miles everyday, but I also want something that's fun to drive. The '99 Nissan Altima I have right now just isn't any fun at all.

Anyway, thanks, and here is the first offer I recieved today:

2005 model, with Manual transmission, 6788 miles, asking for $22,000.

 

If you are willing to wait until 07 models come out, you might want to consider buying a new 06 model at that time. I purchased my 05 brand new at the end of April and it was marked down $6000 off the sticker because they needed to get rid of it since the 06 models were arriving. It was almost like getting a brand new car at a used car price. You could even look for new 05 models still available, though I think the GT models probably aren't depending of course on what is available in your area (the 05 GT I got was one of only two left in the Seattle area).

Anyway, it's just another option to consider.

 

Hey thanks for the tip. Just a couple of questions: When exactly do the 07 models come out? And what exactly differentiates the GT model from the base model?

Don't answer the second question if you don't want to, I was just being lazy.

Thanks.

 

yeh I'm looking for a 2nd hand RX8 myself. I was going to get the 2004, but I heard there were some faults. So i'm now considering the 2005. Anyways, itll be pretty sweet if I can get the brand new 06 model though for the price of a 2005. So yeh, when does the 07 model come out exactly?

And as for your answer 6steel, you get:

GRAND TOURING PKG M/T

Leather-trimmed upholstery
8-way power driver's seat w/ lumbar
Bose® audio system
Heated front seats & mirrors
Power sliding-glass moonroof
Xenon headlights
Fog lights
DSC and traction control
Auto-dimming mirror with Homelink® system

 

Ok thanks for the update on the GT package. I'd rather not have all that stuff, especially the leather, so I'm fine with the base model.

 

Dudes, I just bought an 04 RX-8 GT and I love it. It has a few miles, but it's great. This is my 3rd RX ('87, '93). I actually went to buy a Z, but I love the body of the RX8 and everything else it offers. No problems so far. I baby the car. I am taking my sister to buy an '05 RX8 GT with 33 miles for 22K Monday.

 

Look for which package level fits your needs;

Standard (Sport?) has no sunroof and cloth seats. May not have the Bose Audio. However they seem to have a used price range of 75%.

Touring - comes with sunroof and I think leather seats. Personally I like cloth seats and Mazda must have taken the definition of "leather" from Ford - they sure have a lot vinyl in them. Also has the 18" wheels and Bose system. Those items together cost about $3000 with resale being about 94%.

Grand Touring - Add the Touring stuff plus a few extra gadgets like heated seats, Xenon lights fog lights, and maybe a few other things. About 98%.

Shinka - Pretty much more gadgets like Sat Radio, and some nice 2-tone leather/vinyl seats. 100% resale value.

When I say resale value, I mean the local market resale. Kely, Edmunds etc can give you a close high end price, and Ebay (private sellers only) can give you a low end price. Most dealers on Ebay play games like have a freind set an autobid at minimum - when they sell at "low prices" they show up again with an excuse the first auction winner never paid.

Other options like body skirts mudflaps etc are nice but the appearance options are only worth about 30% of new cost.

Auto trans is an instant $1500-$2000 off on resale value. I've seen some nice 2004 Sport Packages with Auto's and 30,000 miles on the clock sell for $13,000.

 

I got my 05 Shinka for only 25k with only 9000 miles, buying a new car is such a bad investment. if you can find one thats a year or so old its such a better value because cars depreciate so much in the first year.

 

Yeh thats so true... yet i'm enthralled by the smell of new cars.

but anyway, i'll probably end up buying a second hand 05 MT. One thing though, does leather only come a pkg, or can you just get it on a base model?

 

Although I'm leaning away from getting an RX8, do you think I could get that offer of 22,000 any lower?

 

go to www.autotrader.com theres private sellers and dealers on there and they put up competitive prices you can only get online instead of just walking into a dealer. when i was looking for my 8 i found an rx8 for 19k went to the dealer and they wanted 22k for it until i mentioned i saw it on auto trader. although i didnt get that 1 its still an awesome tool and u can look for cars that are a little further away without having to drive there first and then not finding a single car u want and wasting a whole day