Hey everyone at Rx8 Club, I plan on joining the forum with my own soon but I have a few questions from the owners of RX8
Advice given to me was to find a car with a newer year, even if it has more miles due to still holding factory warranty. I have found many Rx-8's close by I am interested in but I find that 2004 models are most affordable. My main question is, does the year matter more than miles? I have found a 2004 with 19k on it looking brand new for $15,900. Would this be a bad buy due to a lower year? Most newer RX8's I find have 30K+. So basically, would a 2004 be a bad buy because of problems that might occur? or is buying a newer model with greater miles less risky?

 

It really all depends on if it was took care of more than how many miles are on it. With it being a 2004 you have till sept. 2011 for the 8 year 100,000 mile engine warranty. I have a 2004 Grand touring MT and it has been a great car. I now have 52,000 miles on it. (bought it with 39,000). The newer the model the more of an engine warranty you will have. It is just up to you though.

 

+1 what he said. if you do opt for an 04 as long as the owner took care of it and did all the recalls TSBs then it should run like a champ. i bought my 8 a year ago which is an 04 w/ 63k miles...its now a year later and now i'm at 72k miles and have not had any problems. don't only real maitenance that i've done is replace the plugs, coils, and wires.

 

+1 I just hit 70k today and have owned a 2004 for 5 years, serviced all the TSB's and never had to replace anything but the spark plugs (and that was due to a recall) SO just change ur oil and top off ur oil as needed (every 1 k miles) and top off your engine coolant also (many dont but it does make a difference). The cooler the rotary the more smoother it runs.

 

Yeah the car fax is clean
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=ATD_U&vin=62|66|-79|17|76|41|111|44|111|-22|11|86|-44|16|-78|88|65|5|41|30|50|94|-120|-102

Based on your advice ill just have to make sure I do a little more maintenance then normal ie, check oil, coolant more often then my corolla.

This would be my commuter to school and back, plus around the twisties of loch raven

Thanks for the advice

 

^Enjoy and post pictures as soon as possible!

 

pics .. i have an 04 with the original engine and almost 100k miles ... (KNOCK ON WOOD)

 

^Not bad. also when you get pics make sure to post them up

 

I typically lean towards low mileage given the choice. The 2004 with 19k looks like a good deal.

 

welcome, there is a good group here in maryland. If you get it before Sunday you can come to the monthly meet in DE. Check out the NE section for more info.

 

04's are fine just some pplr scared of them

 

idk why. theres maybe a few things you may need to upgrade but theres nothing wrong with them!

i hope you got the car.

 

I have an 04, and no major problems aside from the normal TSB stuff that every car is going to have. Very few other problems and no major problems.

105,000 + miles btw.
________
NaughtySmile live

 

The 04s have the largest engine failure rate of all RX-8, the engine failure issue was not corrected until early 06 so I would look at late model 05's and up. This is just going with the odds. Can you have a 04 with a nice long live, of course but your odds are better with a later model.

 

1) TSB's and "all the normal stuff" mostly affected 04's and to a lesser degree 05's. They fixed a lot of things with later model years. Most importantly, they didn't get the ECU tuning right until 05-06, and everyone had an endless series of "flashes" until then. THat means that most of the 04's were running with bad, very rich engine tunes for some period of time, probably 1-2 years. During that time thye also increased the engine oiling, so the engines were not as lubricated as they should be for 1-2 years. (they are arguably still not well lubricated, but that's another issue.)

2) Most rx8 owners are not very attentive to their cars, have never been to this forum, and are not real car enthusists. Sucks, but it's true. There are many issues that affected 04's that were fixed in later years that the previous owner probably did not take care of, and you will have to deal with, because the main warranty is up (only the engine core warranty goes for 8 years). Water in your taillights, steering wheel airbag creaking, brakes rusting/squealing, engine mounts cracked, there are many more. These were mostly fixed in later model years.

Spend a little extra money and get an 05 or later.

 

stfu those who say 04's suck. If it's real low mileage (like the one now) it's fine and just make sure all the recall's are done.

If it has a second engine I would opt even more to get it :D

 

04 sucks.

 

it wasn't "corrected" until last year when Mazda released a re-flash to address insufficient oil metering distribution.. then again that isn't even a "solution".

they went a step further in the 09's by adding an additional oil injector.

there is no difference between 04-08's mechanically.

now if you're lucky enough to find an earlier model with lower mileage where the damage has been limited due to the mileage it has and it has been updated to the latest re-flash it should be as fine as all other RX8's till 09.

so no... the "engine failure issues" were not solved in 06.

i should point out there are plenty of people that drive 04's that have never had the engine replaced..

 

Well one good point about the TSB thing is that if the previous owner didn't do them you will have to and it will cost you.

TSB does not = recall
________
WEB SHOWS

 

You are askin for it buddy. Don't make me Falcon Punch you...

 

renesis! you are always nay saying! please get off and go bother s2k owners!
we all know that's your future home! hahah

 

sad times for cars flying off the lots. The 04 with low low miles got sold before I could get up to look at it. I found a 05 that is promising.
$14,999 for 32k 2005 GT Black
(http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_popup.jsp?car_id=268002409&photoIndex=0)
also am looking at a 2007 with 10K Gt Black for $19,000
(http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/img_po...5&photoIndex=0)
Depends on how both carfaxs come out.
I don't think I care too much about having nav, although it seems like it would be a cool option.
The flashes of the ECM are free correct? If so that wouldnt be a problem I can just hit up heritage in bel air if I get the older models.
-Gonzo

 

The first major reflash to correct the engine oiling issue occurred in early 06, there have been additional tweaks since then. You also see a drop in engine failures after this 06 reflash so I stand behind my original statement.

09 did receive a 3rd oil injector which tells us that the oiling system was insufficient in some environments in all 08 and earlier.

...and as I said you could have a 04 without issue but the smart money would go to late models 05 and up.

 

I came across what seemed like a good deal to me on Auto Trader. Everything is what i wanted. Perfect color. 6 speed. 2006. In my price range. The only thing that threw me off was the mileage. 68,000 miles on an 06? It's definitely the cheapest 06 I have seen, at $14,900. Would such high mileage be a deal breaker for an 8?

 

04 sucks ballz shazy lol