all the papers are ready for an fully loaded 2008 and touring 2009. both have the same price of 29xxx.

my main concerns are looks, handling, and the gearing.

2008 looks so much better, and has the 50/50 weight

2009 has the relocated dipstick, and extra oil injector, but the 52/48 weight.

2008 has the final drive 4.444 vs. the 2009 4.777

2008:http://allcarcentral.com/Mazda-pdf/Mazda_RX-8_2008.pdf
2009:http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/..._specs_RX8.pdf

help me make a decision guys! thanks! please vote and give a reason!

 

2008 is my vote, but also depends on colors and transmission, both of witch you have not provided

 

a gt 8 would be better than an 09 touring, if your getting 09 get an r3 or gt or go for the 08

one last questions, does the 08 have nav?

 

both are black, with the manual transmission.

and the 08 does not have navigation, the 2009 MIGHT have one. the guy was talking about throwing it in for an extra 22 dollars a month or as an incentive, idk.

 

my vote is deff the 08 then, r3 is the only reason to get an 09 IMO

 

22 a month for how many months? i wouldn't pay extra for a nav...and i didn't know the touring models could get nav but ive never really looked into that

i'd say the 08 is a better deal..whats the price of the 08 gt? i think you said around 29xxx which IMO is overpriced for an 08 i know a 09 gt is going for about 27 here (with little negotiation)

 

both were a buy out of 29xxx

 

if I am not mistaken nav can be added to any trim

 

As far as I know, the RX-8, like many other cars, is advertised as having 50/50 weight distribution when that is not exactly the case. I'm pretty sure all RX-8s, including the '09, are actually 52/48.

Get the '09.

 

I believe this is true as well

 

The car either has nav or it doesn't. You can't just add it on. The wiring in the car is different. From the way you are describing it, it seems the dealer is playing some games.
Some of the original RX8 can no longer get updates to their maps. It's up to you how important this is to you. It may be better to get a portable/movable unit.

 

I'd probably go with the one that has the most mechanical improvements/refinements: '09 by a hair. (Was gonna say "by a nose," 'cept I don't like the new nose—nor the new side gills or steering wheel. The rear looks a bit better, though.)

 

Plus the 09's suspension has been tightened so it should be a little bit better around corners.

I dunno though, there isn't THAT much difference. The 09 does have some nice sutble updates though, like the extra injector, improved exhaust, improved BOSE, bigger gas tank (big deal for a drinker like this), and sunroof optional on touring and gt (if you are over 6 feet, this makes a difference).

I do question the gearing though myself but two posters around here Darklord and SWDuvall seem to be in harmony so far with their 09 manuals.

Just drive both and see which one feels better and buy that one lol.

 

Only the GT can have nav from the 2009 model.

The weight distribution is exactly the same as previous models, it's just advertising.

Mind you, a changed of 2% in weight distribution is highly unlikely to change anything.

Get the newer model, it's new. If you're going to pay full price, might as well get the newest one available.

The drive ratios make very little difference.

Haggle with the dealership, I got my 09 touring for 26,000$ with the Premium package.

The 09 also has tightened suspension and the engine brace or w/e you wanna call it is more robust, it has 2 instead of one, the second one goes from the wheel wells to the windshield area.

 

It does kinda sound like you are getting a crappy deal.

Full price for an 09 touring it sounds like?

 

I say 09. Extra oil injector + looks = winner for me.

 

Yea, the 09 touring has an MSRP of 29,998$ (with no options on it, the premium package is an extra 1,000 or 1,500$ I believe)

 

will there be a mazdaspeed front bumper available for the 09's or do the previous mazdaspeed bumpers fit?

 

09 Mazdaspeed parts are slowly trickling out, old parts don't fit.

 

Are you really that bothered by the front of the 09?

I'm sorry, but I just don't get that. I'm not the biggest fan of the plastic nose, but it hardly ruins the looks. In fact, there some other styling cues which I think are superior to the old model like the headlights and taillights.

Go with the new just to be different. IMO, different is what the 8 is all about.

 

I would get the '09 for the 3rd oil injector. The new nose doesn't look so bad in black. But you should be able to negotiate a better price in this market.

 

i think 08s look better

 

Is the 08 a leftover one? or used?

 

i think it would depend on what kind of deal you will get the 2008 for. if the 2008 is ridiculously cheap then go for it.

 

According to the Mazda USA website, the 2009 model receives additional structural reinforcement that makes it "stronger and safer than ever before", or something to that effect.