OK so, first time poster...I'm on the virge of buying a 2004 RX-8. The car I'm looking at has 38,500 miles on it, but just got a brand new engine from Mazda because of one of the recall issues. The warranty has been extended to 5 years, 60,000 miles and I am real tempted to buy it. Besides issues with the engine (given how new the engine is I don't expect it to be a problem area) are there any specific things I should check for before buying? I'm a little nervous because of all the bad experiences I've read about but at the same time, I realize your average car buyer has a perfectly fine experience and that usually, a content customer doesn't think to talk about how things went with their car unless you specifically ask them.

Also, I'm curious about breaking the engine in. I've seen general guidelines on the 'net about how, but one thing that concerns me is that I'm buying long-distance...my plan is to fly out to buy the car and drive it back. It's an 1800 mile drive that I'll be splitting up over 4 days (stupid Air Force rule about driving 500 miles or 8 hours a day!) and I'm worried about whether or not that's doable while breaking the engine in, even if I follow all the "rules" perfectly.

try to avoid the 04s if possible.

Im not trying to *bad mouthing* it. but seriously most *problematic* 8 came from the 04 model, specially AT.

but if you have no choice. you better make sure you do a LONG test drive before you sign that paper. (at least 20 miles, break it into 3 drive cycle, see if any CEL pops up)

This one is a manual...plus, with the brand new engine, is the troublesome '04 line really an issue? It would also be under warranty for another 22,000 miles and two years. :)

OK so, first time poster...I'm on the virge of buying a 2004 RX-8. The car I'm looking at has 38,500 miles on it, but just got a brand new engine from Mazda because of one of the recall issues. The warranty has been extended to 5 years, 60,000 miles and I am real tempted to buy it. Besides issues with the engine (given how new the engine is I don't expect it to be a problem area) are there any specific things I should check for before buying? I'm a little nervous because of all the bad experiences I've read about but at the same time, I realize your average car buyer has a perfectly fine experience and that usually, a content customer doesn't think to talk about how things went with their car unless you specifically ask them.

Also, I'm curious about breaking the engine in. I've seen general guidelines on the 'net about how, but one thing that concerns me is that I'm buying long-distance...my plan is to fly out to buy the car and drive it back. It's an 1800 mile drive that I'll be splitting up over 4 days (stupid Air Force rule about driving 500 miles or 8 hours a day!) and I'm worried about whether or not that's doable while breaking the engine in, even if I follow all the "rules" perfectly.


please post the air force rule that says you can only drive 500 miles or 8 hours in a day.

as to the engine break in..

racingbeat.com.. find rx8.. then break in..

beers :beer:

They beat that rule into our heads in safety briefings on a regular basis. Not sure if there's an actual reg that says that though.

They beat that rule into our heads in safety briefings on a regular basis. Not sure if there's an actual reg that says that though.

well,,

ok then.. my last avatar was an A-10..

beers :beer: