I am new to the club and to the 8. I test drove one just prior to christmas and fell in love with this awesome little car. I am currently looking at a 2007 with 33K miles ($17000) and a 2004 that had the engine replaced just 6K miles ago($11000). Both are Grand Touring.

My question is which is the best bet? Does the replaced engine come with another 100K mile warranty? Are the changes made to the 8 over those three model years worth the extra cost?

Thanks in advance to all.

 

no the warranty is on the car not on the engine.
04 has only 2 year or so engine warranty left, unless you gonna get rid of it before that.

 

Which ever one you prefer, If you are getting it from the Stealership they often offer warranties, I recommend getting one with a warranty. I had to use mine several times already. Had to replace the tranny. If you like the 04, then offer $9K or $9,500. see if they bite. If it's the 07 offer $14,500. When I bought my 04 it was worth $21K at the time and got it for $14,500. W same milage 33,000.

 

I don't think the changes will matter a whole lot unless your buying an automatic, then get an 06+. What model/package(sport, gt, etc) is the 04 and 07, that would help people giving you prices. I bought an 09 sport with 20kish miles and they were asking 16,900 about a year ago. They wouldn't go any cheaper but it was already a pretty fair price as it was.

 

Both the 2004 and the 2007 are Grand Touring with manual tranny. The only real difference in options is that the '07 has a sunroof and the '04 does not.

 

2007

 

The newer the better... I'm not saying that you shouldn't get an '04. I have an '04... But if you can afford the '07, go with that one. Especially since its warranty will last 3 years longer (depending on mileage).

 

I bet the '07 is slightly more refined and improved. Slightly. Alas, aside from the rear end, the car got uglier in its second iteration, IMO.

 

if it does not have a sunroof, it is not a grand touring. gt also has power leather seats and hid headlights.

 

+1 on that ^

 

2007, you won't have to worry if all the flashes were done and it will have the stronger starter.

 

2007 if you can afford the difference. It will be worth more down the road too.

 

I would go with the 2007 (though try and talk him down to like 16k if u can). You should get some of your money back when you sell it anyway.

 

Thanks so much for all the advice. Highly appreciated.

 

if you feel brave take the 04...if it lasts you will save many a dollar

you should be able to get it for less than 11K too

 

I just spoke with the owner of the '04. I asked him if he had the starter, battery, coils, plugs, and flash updated. All things I have learned from this forum. He said just prior to the engine going, which was due to bad apex seals by the way, he replaced the plugs, wires, and coils. The battery is the same and he is not sure if the starter was upgraded, but I doubt the dealership would have upgraded the starter with the engine replacement. He said they also reflashed the cp with the engine replacement.

Thanks so much everyone. This forum is awesome.

 

If your going to make it a track car go with the 04. Because well a lot of things you will be replacing anyways.

If your leaving it stock and don't plan to heavily mod it go with the 07. You have 3 more years of warranty left on the engine, and don't have to worry about upgraded batteries or starters.

 

07 have most of the updates already. so if you can afford it, get 07. I won't pay that much for it tho, knock another 2-3 k off then we have a deal.

 

2007

 

Buy whichever is nicer and in better condition. I lucked up and found a 2004 that was near showroom condition with lower miles than the 2006 and 2007s on the lot. Just drive them, and whichever one feels better, go for it.

And NEVER buy a car based on resale value. If you buy a car, especially one like the RX-8, based on resale...please reconsider. These cars are meant to be driven....not babied and resold. Of course, I'm very happy the previous owner of my car did that...but still...

 

17000 is a bit steep for the 07. You could probably get it down to 14 or less..

give you an idea, I got my 06 June of 09 with 18k miles for 14.5. car was in perfect shape inside and out minus one scratch down the passenger side rear door that had been touched up with the touch up paint. From a Dealer also.

 

A little research on your part would have lead you to the answer you were looking for ...... 2007.

 

As mentioned the price is a bit steep. I would pay maybe $14,000.

 

Thanks All. I am going to go for the 07'. It's now time to begin haggling with the stealership.

 

Brought the 2007 baby home today. I just got done reading the owners manual. One thing in the owners manual that seemed to be off to me is the recommended shift point, in mph, for shifting using a manual. The recommended shift speeds for 3rd to 4th and up seemed really low to me. Does anyone have any comments on the Mazda mph shift chart?

Thanks