I was pretty much all set to plunk down some money on a brand new '07 RX-8 on Monday. I had previously played with an '05 model with the GT package (assuming they called it that back in '05 - it had leather). I decided I didn't like the leather (too hot) and wasn't crazy about the limited headroom (thanks to the sunroof). So I decided I'd search for a base (Sport) model with the Performance Package. It looks like I can get that new for about $24.5k.


But just for fun I decided to do some online searches for used RX-8's again, this time focusing on cloth models without sunroofs. I found a couple online with low miles in the color I like (Red): an '04 and '05 (asking price between $18-19k), and now I'm wondering if I should think about going with a used one and saving myself $6k. One thing that's kind of important to me is the traction control. Both of these used cars have foglamps, but I know that doesn't guarantee anything. I'm not sure how the packages worked back in '04 and '05, so I figured I'd ask here (until the dealerships opened up again on Monday).

 

I believe if they have the fog lamps it has the sports package on it, and with that comes with the TSC/DSC stuff.

By the way, DO NOT buy that car for 24.5k.

I got my 04 with 9k miles on it for 18k...And that was a year ago. I've read your other thread, it sounds like this dealership is trying its hardest to fk you, take your business somewhere else!

 

Damn 24.5 sounds really good to me. I thought that they're still running about 27-30K...

In my opinion I'd either take someone who knows their stuff about cars and knows what to look for when driving the used car. Otherwise I'd just buy it brand new and not have to worry about the 8 being abused in the past. But that's just me. Or look up the VIN # and check the history of the used car before you buy it. Just my 2 cents.

 

I think $24.5K is a pretty reasonable price. I don't know what it is with people on this board thinking they're not getting good deals. If you really want to bitch about pricing, ask the guy next to you on your next flight how much he paid for his ticket--then you'll have something to gripe about. It's not that better deals can't be had, but guys, it's dependent on so many variables, it's not even funny. To advise somebody to try and get it for less ultimately makes it sound like the car itself is cheap and not worth it.

 

Yeah, I don't think $24.5k is a bad price. I think the absolute cheapest I'd be able to get that model if I pushed hard would be $23.5k (if that). The base Sport model lists at about $27k. I've used Costco, autobytel, and one other site and had been exchanging emails over the last couple of days with several different salesman and they were all quoting me a bottom-line price of about $23.1k - 23.5k for a base Sport model with no options. The Performance Package (traction control, Xenons, foglamps) has a dealer invoice of about $1100. Couple that with me really wanting a specific color, and I think the $24.5k price is fair.

So, I'm not worried about whether or not the new car price I've been quoted is a fair price, simply whether the advantage of getting new (new tires, me as the only owner so no history questions/concerns, full warranty, all recalls addressed, etc.) are worth the extra $5-6k over getting a low-mileage used '04 or '05. I figure there's a very good chance any used car I buy will need new tires soon, so I also add in an extra $550 to the used car price to account for that.

 

My 05 GT came used for $23.3k. It's not a bad deal for a new one for $1200 more.

 

man oh man, the market has changed since i bought my 8 back in may of 06! You can tell the surplus has been dwindled down now. I bought my 05GT, fully loaded exept nav and sirius (MSRP $32,100) for $25,700. That was the FIRST price that they offered it to me for, and I didn't even have to haggle the price.

Sure you can't find any new 06's on a lot, or even maybe an older 07? that's a good chunk for a sport 8 IMO.

 

I think traction control is a must! contributes to the handling of this beast!

 

I don't know. I like the way mine drives without traction control. The car is quite intuitive in the way that it handles, and it telegraphs its moves pretty well, but if you aren't listening to it, then I think that traction control is useful.

 

TC Contributes to the handling? Thats a new one.

 

well yeah... if you don't have traction to the wheels then you would be all over the road.... but the traction helps all four wheels stick the road. I've taken a very sharp curve with and without the traction control and i definitely feel a difference.