I've wanted an RX8 for a while, but my wife has been looking other directions for her next car. First it was an 05 Mustang GT, but long story short, Ford screwed us on the order.

Next up was between the Mini Cooper S, the RX8, and possibly a G35 Coupe. Well we test drove a Cooper S and an RX8 (used..more on that later) today and she absolutely loved the 8. We'd driven one before, but she didn't know how to drive stick then. I think she really enjoyed driving the manual much more than the slushbox.

At anyrate, looks like my dream of an all rotary garage is getting closer. :D

 

Oh, the used thing...we couldn't drive a new RX8 because of some recall? The Dealer had curbed ALL the 8s on the lot. Anyone know what's going on?

 

Recall? Huh?

Haven't heard anything about that...
(will begin searching frantically after this post is done)

Maybe the dealer didn't think you were a serious buyer so he didn't want you putting miles on his new RX8?

 

Nothing in the NHSTA database for 05 RX-8s. So if it is a "recall" it is not an offical one - just a Mazda only one, which I would doubt.

It sounds like a dealer blowing smoke. If they have a used or demo car to drive, then there is no reason to put miles on any of the "new" ones (see the "how many miles on your new 8" thread here :o ).

The Mini is cute inside and out, but reliability has been terrible (yet the Mini owners don't seem to mind?)- the cost for a loaded Mini S is more than a similar 8 given the full MSRP Mini dealer policy VS the Mazda dealer's "please, please buy one" attitude. And then there is that FWD thing :D All the Mini drivers I know seem to be in a "trance" about their cars. They think the can out run anything, out handle anything, etc. They are nice - but the owners REALLY dig them and will hear no bad words about them. Gotta love a car that inspires that much loyalty!

Good resale on the Mini, though - due to the full MSRP new thing and short supply.

G35 is a nice car. Load it up and will cost a lot more than you can get an 8 for with similar stuff. Better resale value! The interior does not seem near as nice as the 8 and the backseat (sans suicide doors) is not as accessible. A great lease car with high residuals.

In addition to the only 4 speed slushbox, the auto 8 gets a puny motor. So not surprising the manual felt better to her. Strange thing - I test drove several used 04s (manuals) and they ALL felt down on power to the 05s I drove. Seriously - I was very sad until I got a drive in a new 05. Now, the 04s may have been early cars on the original flash or something - but the examples I found just underwhelmed me. Could be the owners just poked around in them and shifted at 4k all the time. I test drove a used X1/9 years ago and it made a "piston slap" sound as a wound it up. I asked the owner does it always do this? "No, I never drive it this hard". We were poking along ! Anyway, the 05s felt a lot quicker. Go figure?

Dennis

 

Yeah there are no recalls out at all, some TSB but nothing that would ground all 8's on the lot.....anyways good luck on the car! My wife wanted a Mini too but she hated how the dealership was treating her (and my wife works in the car business) so she ended up keeping her car and I got an 8......I actually am very thankful to Mini. :D

 

Sounds like the dealer wanted to get rid of his used models before the new ones. I would inquire with Mazda USA about that one. You might just get a new one out of it if they lied to your face to push their used RX-8's out the door first.

 

__________________________________________________ _______________
I had a similar experience with the Mini dealerships in my area. The first one didn't have any instock and all were on order which was nice, but they wanted a giant surcharge or wanted to sell me a demo with 1200 miles at msrp. The next dealership wanted to offer me 2000 for my protege that had a kbb value of 6000. The third dealership wanted me to sign a wait list in order to talk to a sales associate. So all in all I really wasn't that impressed with them so I decided to test drive a rx8 and got one shortly after that. All in all, the rx8 is a good car that puts a smile on your face everytime that you drive one. There are a couple of things that I'm not a big fan of but everycar has some negatives. I have been realy happy and can atest to its safety. This is my second rx8 after the first one was totalled in a accident. I'm sure you would be real happy with it if it meets your requirements.

 

Find another dealer!!

EDIT: Oops! See this thread:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/recall-thread-mnao-suspend-rx-8-deliveries-66002/

 

There is a thread on this forum stating that someone has heard that Mazda is stopping delivery of cars pending an upcoming recall having to do with excess heat in the undercarriage of the car. Seems that it's true.

 

Thanks for the input, I still haven't been able to find a used G35 around to test drive (new is a bit more than I want to pay) but I think that's moot anyway, the wife loves the RX8 so I think that's what we'll end up getting. I think 300hp and 320lb/ft ih the Mustang was a bit much for her first manual car anyway

I'll be sure to post pics once we get it, which reminds me - can you get the Mazdaspeed front bumper installed at the dealer?

 

yes, you should be able to get the bumper installed at the dealer, but if you can use a screwdriver, you should be able to do it yourself and save some cash. there is a diy on the front bumper here somewhere, and it should only take about 1 hour. also, you might look at getting an MS style (ie not made by mazda) front bumper, as the OE mazdaspeed one retails around 1500 bucks, unless you are getting a killer deal on it. i may be getting an oe one myself as i have a hookup for mazda parts, just waiting to see how much it will cost me.

and yes, there is supposedly going to be a recall on all the 8's because of excess underbody heat, mazda supposedly stopped all deliveries of all new 8's to north america because of this.

search the forum, it was on here just a few days ago

 

If I can get the bumper color matched then I'd do it myself, I didn't know if it had to be painted or not.

I'll check the Mazdamotorsports website and see if they have it there.

 

here's the link on the recall, lots of bs there, but some info on whats going on.

also, the mazda speed front bumper comes either primered prepainted to match the car.