Hello. This is my first post so go easy on me. And I apologize in advance for the length.

I could buy a friend's 2004 RX-8 touring model for $17K or $18K. It only has 16,000 miles, has been garaged and has had all required maintenance done. It won't be under warranty for more than a month or so after I'd be getting it. He doesn't drive it much, as evidenced by his mileage, and that worries me a bit. (Having driven it so little - not really for long periods or long trips - couldn't hurt the engine, could it?)

While considering his car, however, I started looking at new models. Is it worth a few thousand more to get a new one that'll be under warranty? And should I be considering an RX-8 at all? I have a '98 Camry with more than 150,000 miles on it (to give you an idea of my driving habits) and it has been trouble-free and exceptionally low-maintenance (put gas in it and go).

My spouse is fairly against me purchasing an RX-8 over concerns about its reliability (the Consumer Reports 2007 car issue doesn't help my case). I know about the burning of the oil, the need to redline, etc. (I've tried to do my homework). I'm a little concerned about the premium fuel and having to replace the tires after 20,000 or 30,000 miles (that's what the dealer said).

So I'm wondering if I should keep pining away for my dream car or just bite the bullet and get the traditional "family sedan" (another Camry, a Passat, an Accord).

Anyone know anything about the Mazda 3s? They look pretty sporty, and seem to have gotten pretty positive revews.

Thanks so much for any input!

P.S. Back in my youth I had two RX-7s at various points, and I remember really liking them.

 

All I can say is 2004 RX-8s are kind of hit-or-miss. My 04 had a lot of problems when I first bought it, hasnt had any for a few months now (knock on wood). But I work at a Mazda dealership and have seen RX8s with 100K+. If you love the RX-8 so much, look for an 05 or 06 with low miles. You can get used 2007's for <25K. So shop around and see if you can find one newer in your price range with a warranty.

 

I guess the first question that comes to mind is WHY are you considering an rx8 in the first place. The rx8 is not just another car.....she is an enigma, not for the faint at heart. If you are a serious driving enthusiast, She will take you to places that you never dreamed in her handling capability, just for starters. Gas mileage sucks, but if you love her you love her, unconditionally.

Reliability goes to the habits of the owner, just as any other car. You take care of her, follow the manual guidelines, she takes care of you, but she does require a little higher maintenance than say a Camry or sedan..

My suggestion..........do some more research....and if you can, drive your friends a little as well as a new one, more than once if possible...and take her out and let her go.....If you fall in love, then your decision is made. It should only take one good spirited drive, though......If you don't then check out the Mazda 3. They seem to be cool little cars too. If I had a need for something like that, I'd own one. but I don't.

 

my heart tells me to just go for it. then my more practical sidekicks in. i'm having an internal struggle, and i don't want to get one, have it in the shop more than on the road and listen to an "i told you so." they are stunning cars, and they fit like a glove when you're in the driver's seat, for sure. there aren't many cars out there to get excited about (especially one i can tote my daughters around in), but this is definitely one of them. my girls say, "get the sports car!" "get the sports car!" they're probably hoping when they turn 16 it'll be theirs. my worry is that in 7 years when they turn 16 it won't be running at all. decisions, decisions!

 

20-30 K Miles for tires? UMM. No? Get a good set of tires, & rotate & take care of them they can last longer than that as with any car.

 

the mazda dealer told me the miles could go 20K or 30K miles before they needd to be replaced, and that they're about $250 each. i would hope they would go longer than that. a tire place told me the second set of tires would go 40K or 50K. is it bridgestone potenzas that the car takes? i think i remember reading that somewhere. i got a price quote of $126 each for the 16-inch tires, which seemed reasonable. i think my friend's car has bigger tires though (whatever the upgraded tire size would have been in 2004).

 

I know what your saying. Tire Discount wanted 900 dollars for my *stock* replacement tires.. *cough* my a$$ *cough*

 

if its RE040, drive only in Summer, I would replace them no longer than 15K miles

Keep it in mind, Performance tires will NEVER last.

people often overlook the importantence of a good set of tyres, it plays an important role in terms of how well your car handles, startup, and braking power.

For startups, I would suggest you to go with a set of good All-Season tyres, it does not handling as good as a good set of Summer(or Racing) tyres, but a good set gives you very good handling/braking/startup and pretty good thread life (400+)

 

04's are definately hit or miss i have an 04 with 60k miles and havent had a single engine problem but its like that for every car thats why theres lemon laws.

 

I just wanna know why once you purchase the car the warranty will expire.... thats what you said right? I thought that the rx8 warrant is 4year 50k miles? am i wrong or what?

 

the car was leased in november 2003, i think. which means in nov. 2007 the warranty expires. he said it expires on dec. 1, according to his paperwork. in my case i would clearly meet the miles before the number of years even if i were to buy an extended warranty. i'm wondering if the prices is good (seems to be based on my research). i'm more worried about the hit-or-miss nature. i'm the type that i'm sure will have a miss, if you know what i mean. and with so few miles on it (only 16,000 some now) i don't think any real problems would have materialized yet. i had gotten a dealer quote on a 2007 sport with an out-the-door price of $21K (that includes tax, tag, title, etc., and a deduction for my trade-in). but the 2004 has more bells and whistles for a few thousand less. i also was quoted $24k OTD on a 2007 touring model. i was told by another dealership that a lot of places will give you a quote then not stand by it when you come back to buy. the nice thing about new is the warranty - and the fact that you could extend it for a grand or two.

 

Lol,

after about 25 k on my stockers they were toast, and that was not driving recklessly or competing in anything. Even if you don't wear them totally down they start to get really slippery by the end of life as they get heat cycled more and more.

I know you've got the rt615s lined up and just so you know what your getting into 2k miles later i'm already halfway done with them. After a spirited drive the surface of the tire looks like a sponge.

high performance = greater maintenance.

you buy a high performance anything and its gonna be finicky.

 

Have you driven the RX-8? If not do so. If you like it after you drive it then get it. Life is too short for such fixable trivial regrets.

You probably could get a 2005 touring for around $18,000 but I don't know how it would compare with your friends car with options and such. Is the car AT or MT? You also may wish to consider any strain on your friendship if you buy the car from him and it has issues. This strain could be exacerbated by your better half hammering you if the car has to go to the shop.

The 2004s should behave consistently with the other model years so long as all the relevant tsb's have been done. With proper maintenance the car should run fine (used sparingly or not).

Oil/maintenance issues: Should not be a problem. The car burns oil by design and it really does not burn that much even with aggressive driving. I check it once a week or so and its no big deal. I change it every 3000 miles and put in between 1/2 to 1 quart at most in that interval.

Fuel: A number of people run their 8s on 87 octane without a problem. I put in the good stuff but that may just be me being cautious.

Tires: You should get new tires anyway. Stock ones are pooh. It sounds to me like you want all weather performance tires. They'll work well and last long. If you're going to drive this thing in snow: get snow tires and another set for the summer. Also upgrade to 245/40 R18s

Summary: Drive it. Like it? Get it. Any sports car is going to require more attention, and damn well should, than a camry or accord. You should be happy to give it more attention. Only you, after weighing all the information, can answer the question, "Do I want my next car to be another Camry or a RX-8?"

 

Yea, but we both know my RX is more of a garage queen! haha

 

Correct me if Im wrong, but after the engine recall, I though all our factory warranties got bumped to 5 year, 60K miles, thats what my dealer said at least. Or did he mean only for the people with the new engines!! Aww dammit, Ill ask today when I go to work and let everyone know!!!!

 

oh yea, my potenzas just barely made it up to the 20K mark The kumhos seem to be lasting longer though, I have about 10K miles on them already and just rotated them ( I know I waited too long, crammed schedule!!!) and now the fronts have about 20-30%, and the rears have 60-70%. the most you can get out of summer tires is 30K that I know of. btw, tirerack.com , look up kumhos, i didnt pay 250 each for mine and theyre better than the potenzas in my opinion.

 

Please note that I live in the UK, where car prices are notoriously high, so this may not be 100% applicable to where you are, but...

BUY IT! QUICK! BEFORE HE COMES TO HIS SENSES!

 

^lol

I currently own an 04' Mazda 3s hatch. Gas mileage is pretty good, I've been getting around 23-28mpg w/ regular 87 octane, depends on your driving habits. Handling isn't all that bad for a stock fwd car/econobox but definitely no where near the 8. My stock tires lasted me until around 27k miles. As stated by car mags, the ride is considered a little "rough" compared to most other econoboxes and is somewhat true, but I find that it's not too bad.

The sedan does have a small trunk compared to most other econoboxes, which is why I opted for the hatch.

I've had a couple problems here and there, they weren't a big deal and I have had them fixed. I am pretty sure 06 + should be pretty much trouble free.

But it really depends what you want. Keep in mind that I am a college student so this does fit my needs.

Also, do you want automatic or stick? If you plan on getting stick, you may want to consider a speed3. That is, if you're looking for a car that has that fun factor and can be used for practical uses.

If you need any more information about the 3, check out the mazda website for specifications or head to the mazda3 forums for opinions, etc.

Then again, I dislike FWD and having driven the 8, it is definitely something special. One of the few cars that remains on my "to-buy" list despite gas mileage, maintenance, etc.

 

It is not only for those with a new engine. The extended powertrain warranty should have arrived in your mailbox and then put in with your other warranty information. If this car is covered it should be in the glove compartment of the car.

 

^correct. any vehicle w/in the VIN range had to have the recall done, and got the additional warranty.

OP - the dealer was right about the stock potenza tires. They'll need to be replaced between 20-30k; mine have just about 15k and *might* make it thru the fall. But other tires can be bought that will last a bit longer (~40k) and cost less than the $260 per tire that the potenza re040 is listed at. But it will still be at least $150 per tire.

allseasons will last longer, but like others have said there's a trade off between price & performance & type of tire (all season/winter/xyz rated).



" Is it worth a few thousand more to get a new one that'll be under warranty? "

is this a trick question?? of course it's worth a few k more.

Especially considering the serious concern for potential "I told you so" BS!!! most warranty work = rental car at no cost to you. So w/a full warranty at least the rental will be free if you need one.

 

priced out and drove a 2007 rx-8 sport at today. out-the-door price (after trade-in and including taxes and everything) is $21K. car is new (15 miles or so). that seemed like a good price. thoughts?

 

yup, what shinka dono said. I forgot about my slip I got so I looked like an idiot at my job today, lol!!

 

More. What options? Depends on that and how much your trade in was worth. 2,250 cash back on these so thats nice. With no options I'd expect around $23,000 so assuming your trade in isn't worth more than 2,000 or so that ain't bad. With a goodly amount of options around $25,000. Very ain't bad.

Did you like it? Fun ***** huh?

Well you should get it. If there are any problems your significant other can blame me. Wait, you don't live anywhere near New England do you?

 

hell, 21k is a pretty good price either way.

tho sh.dono is right, it depends a bit on the trade value. sometimes they hook you up & sometimes they don't. 2k on my 205,000 miles Ford Ranger that had to towed on lot was great. I can't imagine they would give you much more on the 98 150k camry, so it should be a good deal.

****** that ***** up!!!

 

I wouldn't worry. In fact it's a real good deal.