Hi fellow enthusiasts! First timer here! Need your thoughts as I'm close to buying a used RX-8. Here are the details...

2004 Black w' navi, leather, spoiler 6spd and only 32k on it. One owner mint condition for $12.9K - clean carfax

2007 Red 6spd, cloth, rear spoiler w' only 38k, one owner for $13.9K - clean carfax.

I realize the 2007 is newer but the 2004 has all the bells & whistles I like, plus the color and leather interior. ( I realize I can prob get a better navi but haven't found such a clean combo).

The 2004 has only registered under 6k per year, seems like the engine was just broken in.

My question is, was there, is there, a significant change in the RX8 between the gap of years? Reliability? And furthermore, does the low miles driven on the 2004 make a good push or enough of a statement for consideration over a newer model with similar mileage?

Any assistance with your thoughts is greatly appreciated.

Cheers in advance!

First, welcome to the club!
What is your location? Perhaps someone from your area would be willing to take the time to view the vehicles for you?
There isn't too much difference between the years. You'll hear horror stories about the '04's, but the problems were more aimed at the 4 port auto.
Do you have contact with the original owners? Perhaps you can ask them questions about maintenance schedules and what not.
Low mileage can be good. But, if the engine was babied (ie didn't redline to clear out the carbon), it could be a hassle for you...
Either choice is a good one!Just depends on your preference :)

Good luck!

@ Soldier, thanks for your input. They both drive very well, no hesitation whatsoever. I'm in the southeast and did find a local shop that specializes in the 8's. One of them does have what looks like dark soot in and around the exhaust tips. I assume it's carbon build up? Running rich? Did some research and heard it can be a good thing, possibly driven correctly?

In any event, thanks for your input. Hoping to purchase one of them this week.

Cheers!

black soot does not mean carbon build-up. Just means that the tips of the exhaust weren't cleaned! Happens on every car, don't let anyone tell you otherwise...
Good luck with the purchase! Just make sure that the compression is good on each engine and that the car has all of the options you hope for.

welcome to the forum

it sounds like the 2004 was either only driven on sundays, or a "fun" drive the hell out of it car

i would go for the 2007 because it has the cloth interior (i hate leather :D:) oh and i like red... black is harder to keep clean

actually, to make the decision easier, get them both compression tested

Thanks guys. Both dealerships (used lots) don't know much about the 8's so I may use the dark looking soot around the exhaust tips maybe to my advantage. Found a local shop that works on Mazda's only including the 8 so fingers crossed.

Test drove another 07 this morning, dark grey, stick, leather, beautiful except for the headlamps have water in them and hazy lens. This 07 had the flat credit card style key and the sunroof buttons were different than the other 07 with cloth I test drove.

I need to do some more research. Thanks again.

Cheers!

pretty sure thats the 40th anniversary^^^

check for the 40th badge by the side "vents"

Yeah, it wasn't a 40th anniversary. No badges or labels anywhere. I'm still curious as to why one would have a totally different sunroof switch. One of them had little buttons numbered 1-3 (I believe) and the other had the standard open/slide and tilt buttons.

This might sound even stranger, but the one with the multiple (numbered) buttons, had the sunroof open and slide down entirely, not partial or 3/4 as I've seen on other 8's.

I may just be ignorant as I'm knew to the 8's. Anyone know the difference?

can you take pics of those three buttons? I personally haven't heard of that before.
Or, are you perhaps thinking about the buttons on the rear view mirror? Those are for garage door openers and whatnot...
Or, maybe it was a mod done by the previous owner :dunno:

Another thing to keep in mind is that the 8 year 100k mile engine core warranty is going to be running up before too long on the 2004... So the extra $1,000 would also be buying you an additional 3 years of warranty... If it was me, I'd go with the '07.

The sunroof buttons are baffling... I clearly remember pressing the #3 button and it opened the sunroof all the way, not 3/4's as it's usually done and just thought that was new for the 07 model. Yet this morning's 07 model slid back 3/4's of the way.

I'd be happy to take a pic of it if it hasn't sold yet. Been playing phone tag with their finance dept for the last 4 days. Surprising that these days with the way the economy is, that you'd think they would be eager to get the business and close the deal, feels like they really couldn't care less....totally frustrating.

@ lateralus totally did not even think about the core warranty...Makes sense.

You guys rock! Totally appreciate your time and feedback!

Just buy one already!

Just buy one already!

Ha! YES!! :mdrmed:

I'm happy to report that I did (last week)... It's sad to say that there are many drivers out there that don't take care of their 8's! The ones I talked about above got sold so the picking isn't/wasn't easy. I won't say I settled, but after reading many, and I mean MANY of the threads on here, I picked out a 2004 M/T leather, navi, sunroof, fully loaded, not a scratch or dent, mint (in my eyes) Titanium Grey that was extremely well taken care of. The car has 71k but flawless. Previous owner seems to have taken care of this vehicle.

Interior is flawless, passenger and rear seats show no usage...starts immediately, quiet idle just under 1, no hesitation & very responsive. Under the hood shows a clean and quiet engine. I'm no DIY guy but do see some upgraded Nology wires and some other new parts. How do I know they're new? I don't really, they just look shiny and new :) Came with new tires, brakes and up to date with all previous recalls (spoke to Mazda).

I also picked up a 2 year extended warranty from a local dealer that will help out with any unforseen but expected repairs, along with Mazda's the 8yr/100k, I think I'm good for a bit.

I'm going to continue reading the threads (but can be confusing with so many opinions), I have put aside some moola for such repairs, but more importantly for some immediate upgrades.

Taking it in on Friday to a local shop that specializes in Mazdas and the 8 for a quick evaluation on what I can upgrade immediately as I'm driving 5hrs to Panama City Beach for business.

It's been a week and I'm thrilled.

One helluva pick! Good job :)

nice car! good job!

Ha! YES!! :mdrmed:

I'm happy to report that I did (last week)... It's sad to say that there are many drivers out there that don't take care of their 8's! The ones I talked about above got sold so the picking isn't/wasn't easy. I won't say I settled, but after reading many, and I mean MANY of the threads on here, I picked out a 2004 M/T leather, navi, sunroof, fully loaded, not a scratch or dent, mint (in my eyes) Titanium Grey that was extremely well taken care of. The car has 71k but flawless. Previous owner seems to have taken care of this vehicle.

Interior is flawless, passenger and rear seats show no usage...starts immediately, quiet idle just under 1, no hesitation & very responsive. Under the hood shows a clean and quiet engine. I'm no DIY guy but do see some upgraded Nology wires and some other new parts. How do I know they're new? I don't really, they just look shiny and new :) Came with new tires, brakes and up to date with all previous recalls (spoke to Mazda).

I also picked up a 2 year extended warranty from a local dealer that will help out with any unforseen but expected repairs, along with Mazda's the 8yr/100k, I think I'm good for a bit.

I'm going to continue reading the threads (but can be confusing with so many opinions), I have put aside some moola for such repairs, but more importantly for some immediate upgrades.

Taking it in on Friday to a local shop that specializes in Mazdas and the 8 for a quick evaluation on what I can upgrade immediately as I'm driving 5hrs to Panama City Beach for business.

It's been a week and I'm thrilled.



lol in your pic your tank is almost on empty... get used to that :P

One helluva pick! Good job

Thanks for you help RX8Soldier, from one Canuck to another... although I know it's much warmer where I'm at!

@ Speed_8 LOL! I'm prepared and very eager with this new relationship!! Fortunately, I work from home but finding any excuse just to take her out :-)

nice car! good job!

Thank you... Pretty excited! Have some cash put aside but ready to spend it some preventative maintenance and a few upgrades. :lol2:

Yayyyy!!!! Congrats! Your car looks great! Welcome to club!