As the question states, I'm just looking for opinions. I found a gem of an RX8 with 24,000 km's on it, fully loaded GT with Navigation (don't really need that, we all have gps phones now) for 16k canadian.

It has all the papers from the dealer with annual maintenance, and never driven in winter.

Assuming compression is fine, would you risk taking an 04, or would you get an 06-07 for around the same price? I did a search and found a few things got updated with series 2, but I think those are 2008+?

 

Personally no.

I'd get 09+ as I did but that's not to say the other models aren't any good. I would just be weary of the 8 yr 100k engine warranty.

 

Well, in my eyes 2005 is the best deal because you will still have the extended warranty for a while.

But I got a 2004 6speed GT and am more than happy with it.

Try and talk the price down $2000 then invest in some good supporting mods.

 

Agreed.

 

I picked up a 2004 almost four months ago and it has been the best four months I've had driving yet. Granted 4 months isn't much time at all, but I still have a little of the 8 year warranty left and an extended warranty from the dealer.

 

Don't risk it with an 04. Don't get me wrong, but most issues is on that year. Anyway, don't gamble (even though it's taken cared of, or compression is still good). For me, just get a newer one that its been taken cared of and compression is still good. Good luck with your search.

 

Same boat as you man..

test drove a super clean white 06 manual but had idle problems, about to test drive an 04 manual with aem intake, AP exhaust, tanabe lowering, wheels, with a brand new fresh engine from mazda. under 50k miles on car. can't really go wrong there.

 

It's sort of a gamble if the car is not under warranty,
but I've seen 04's last longer than '05-07's.
The '05 models are not any better than 04s, it's just the warranty is still there.
The final re-flash that solved most of the issues was issued in late '06.

The only difference between an 2004 and a 2005 is the starter, sat radio, and the available Shinka models and I believe there was a recall on the starter so it's possible for an 04 to have the same starter as an 2005+ model.

If I were you,
I would see on the possibility of importing an Rx-8 from the states as you could get an '09 for 19-21k without even hassling a price with a dealership. You can switch miles to kilometers by holding the right gauge cluster **** for a few seconds.

 

[QUOTE=LifeAfterRx8;4113942]
The only difference between an 2004 and a 2005 is the starter, sat radio, and the available Shinka models and I believe there was a recall on the starter so it's possible for an 04 to have the same starter as an 2005+ model.
QUOTE]

Pretty sure the starter was upgraded in 2006 not 2005.

Like everybody else said though, 04 and 05 models are more of a risk. I bought an 04 though, and I love it. I've driven it for about 9000 miles since I've had it (51k on original motor right now), and I haven't had any issues whatsoever. Plan on buying a few things for preventative maintenance if you get it though.

Btw, make sure to read the stickies in all the subforums.

 

[QUOTE=scooter_dmi;4113988]starter was upgraded in 2005.

 

It depends on what you are going to do with it ... aka stock daily driver vs Modifications.

Personally I wouldn't pay over 10k Canadian for a 2004 that passed a compression test.
Then I would mod the hell out of it.

Just my 2c

 

Honestly, since you are looking at an '04 for that kind of money in Canada, I would actually switch over to looking in the US market instead, and pay the fees needed to import a US car.

For $14k US, plus $2k in import fees (just guessing), you can get a much newer car. You still won't have a warranty, as your '04 would most likely be in the same boat, but then you would have slightly lower chance of major failure, anyway.

This is dependent on you not needing financing, of course.
Cross border financing could be an issue.

BC.

 

You can do much better like everyone else has said. While I was in the looking through the market 14k was mostly reserved for the 2008's to 2011's ( I was searching through-out Quebec)..

 

[quote=scooter_dmi;4113988]Yeah, the starter was 2005.
The final reflash was 2006.

 

What about an 04 that has a brand new (6 months) OEM engine? Still risky?

 

[quote=scooter_dmi;4113988]Having an 04/05 feels like a gamble. I had mine for 3 years so far, 36k when bought, currently at 56k. Only engine-wise replacement I had to take care of was just spark plugs and ignition coils. Other than that, she runs like a dream still, besides the transmission.

 

Keep looking. I got a 2006 in Canada with 40,000 kms for $12K.

 

I'm new, I am looking for a used RX-8 and I have followed this site for a while. If the engine does grenade without a warranty, is it possible to do a DIY rebuild or do you have to but a motor from Mazda? I have rebuilt 'normal' engines but there are peculiarities in a rotary, even if there are a lot fewer parts... how about used or out of a crash?

 

Hi.

Welcome to the forum.

I see that was your first post.
Congrats on joining up.

Now, I would recommend that you spend a bit of time looking at the FAQ posts that are targeted to new owners. These posts will answer that very question you just asked, and will help prevent the longer term members from jumping on your case for asking simple questions that have good solid threads dedicated to.

And yes, anything can be rebuilt.
If you can do the work is a whole different story.
If the engine you have in your car can be rebuilt depends on how that engine failed, how worn out the parts are that are inside of the engine, and how deep your pockets are in order to buy new parts to replace the ones that are more worn than can be salvaged.

BC.

 

Thank you for the reply - I really have read the FAQs and the "first things you do when you buy one" thread and I have done the dance with the search function but I don't recall having read about rebuilds, just the collective fussing about engine replacements from Mazda, which year was the best rebuild, where they are done etc. Being a slow learner, I will look again.

I may have done an end-run by making an offer on a low-mileage one that still has an engine warranty - I'll see if they accept my offer. Fingers crossed!

 

I have an 04 and it's a gem but just had engine replace at 98k miles so b careful of the warranty engine may wait till after 100k to go bad. Stock? 04 8s go harder without factory s.skirts!

 

[quote=LifeAfterRx8;4114455]you really think there wasnt any other flashes after 2006?

 

Bought my 04 in May and Love it besides the Gas Mileage. I still got some warranty left and supposedly getting my engine replaced before that is up and hopefully the clutch

But overall Im happy... I recently almost traded it in for a Mazdaspeed3 but I havent had the car long enough nor had the dp they wanted so Ill wait