My 8 has 300 miles on it, and it feels terrific.

I love the tight steering, handling, smooth ride, etc.

My question is, what part, or combination of parts, deteriorate that make older cars get "loose"? The ride gets less agile, and less controlled. The steering response gets loose. The manual shifter seems to get play in it, and feels less precise.

These things have all manifested in my MX-6, and I would like to know which parts contribute to this aging, so I can replace them in due time:)

rear suspension bushings, shocks/strutts, tie rods, sway end links.

Some of the rear bushings are the same bushings in the 3rd gen Rx-7, you are in for a treat when they start clunking and you see how much $$$ it costs to fix them.

Won't matter if it's inside 100k miles:) I bought the biggest, fattest, most expansive warranty that my dealer would sell me.

FWIW, I understand that the best extended warranties are not what the dealer sells, they are idependent extended warranty policies. They offer as good as the dealer and are much less expensive.

Perhaps I will contact USAA and ask them what kind of extended warranties they offer, and for how much.

My dealer said I could cancel my warranty in the first 30 days(maybe more? Can't remember) and get a full refund.

Warrantee won't cover suspension bushings and struts, anyway.
They are "normal wear" items.

Not trying to hijack the thread Llathos, but did you ask if your warranty covers the engine internals of a ROTARY engine? Neither the dealer nor any of the third parties I contacted were able to put in writing that the rotors and seals would be covered.

All the documentation that I got specified pistons, valves, cams etc and a general statement that "oil bathed" components were covered. When I asked what oil bathed meant they said the stuff in the crankcase that comes into direct contact with the oil.

I've taken a pass on the extended warranties until someone shows me one that itemizes the rotary components that are covered.

Well, I got an exclusatory warranty, which essentially means if it's not on the list of items NOT covered, then it's covered.

Rotaries are NOT on the list, therefore, I'm good.

7year/100k miles, everything except for a small list of items (like light bulbs, clutch, tires, etc) for $1400, 0 deductible.

I priced online, and it's competitive. I'm pretty impressed w/ it.

Llathos,

Did you buy a Mazda Extended Protection Plan (MEPP) or something else. I think these are the typical types of MEPP:
* TotalCare
* StatedCare
* PrimaryCare
* PowerCare

Thanks

Well, it was through the dealer, and they had renamed the plans into their own obscure titles like Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum.

The Platinum was the exclusionary warranty.