So i've found two 2004 cars that fit my needs (6MTs, Sport Package with no sunroof due to helmet room issues).

Both are 6MTs, with Sports and Appearance packages and spare tire kits.

One is Velocity Red and has the 6 disc, cassette, rotary accent, wheel locks, cargo net, spoiler

The other is Brilliant Black without the options on the red one above.

The red one is actually $600 cheaper but I might be able to get it for $1100 cheaper than the lesser equipped black one.

Of the extra options on the red, the stereo and maybe rotary are the only extra options that I'd want. Obviously the red is a much better deal but I really prefer the black color.

I'm not too fond of the spoiler. I think the car looks cleaner without it. I don't mind the appearance package.

How much better is the 6 disc stereo? I assume that is the 300 watt Bose upgrade? Does it sound much better? Personally I prefer the sound of the rotary...

get the black one, i dont want anymore reds out :p

He lives in Illinois, we'll never see him. I like red...take a look at the color when the sun is shining on it. you'll like it too.

red!

The Bose system is not that great. I think it's a major letdown. If you do a search, there are a number of threads on its disappointing sound. My last car, a Chevy Blazer, was MUCH better, and it only had the factory AC Delco speakers. Plus, I've read here that it's not entirely Bose--that some of the components are Bose, and some are Sanyo. I'm sure it's better than the stock stereo, but if you're looking for something spectacular, you're not going to find it here--If that is the case, best to save your money now and spend it on speaker upgrades after you purchase your 8.

That being said, you should get the black b/c, of the options that are on the red: 1) you said you don't want the spoiler; 2) the rotary accents, I think anyway, aren't that noticeable, much less necessary with the appearance package (can you even put the rotary accent on the appearance package?); 3) Who needs a cargo net? 4) Who listens to cassettes? and 5) I'm sure you could get your dealer to add the wheel locks for next to nothing.

Of course, the red is cheaper; not sure why that would be. Might want to check the VIN #'s out to make sure the red isn't an early '04 model that may have potential fuel consumption/PCM issues.

RED! I'm tellin ya, all 8s no matter the color get complimented. But I get OTHER 8 OWNERS complimenting my car simply because of the color!

Get red, nuff said.

2) the rotary accents, I think anyway, aren't that noticeable, much less necessary with the appearance package (can you even put the rotary accent on the appearance package?)

Yes, you can. I have both.

does the stock CD player play MP3s? How about the 6 disc changer version?

RED, I get copliments all the time on the color, most people think it is a custom paint job. The Bose stereo in this car is the worst thing about the car! I will never and i mean NEVER purchase anther car with a Bose system...Major disapointment!

does the stock CD player play MP3s? How about the 6 disc changer version?

No. I think that's another option you'd have to look into.

Saw your other thread on the early'04 build--are you referring to the red or black or both?

No. I think that's another option you'd have to look into.

Saw your other thread on the early'04 build--are you referring to the red or black or both?

Definitely the red one, not sure about the black one.

RED, it's a great color and black is so hard to keep clean. (Believe me on this one, had 3 black cars in the past and they are a bitch to detail.)

black

so much better looking, particularly at night.

Since looking at a red engine cover all the time would drive me insane, I went for black - in the first place.

In the meantime, I'm somewhat glad about the decision, the red makes the car to much a Ferrari lookalike for my taste. Black is a little more understatment and simply works perfect with the cars proportions.

Red

Red

Red. The gold flake isn't even noticed until it's in the sunlight. I noticed it the day I picked up the car and was even more in awe over the color.

I have the black and love it, but like everyone said, it shows up every speck of dust.

Get Black...it's Brilliant!! End of discussion...go buy it!! :D

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41428&stc=1


- Irish :cool:

Without a doubt - black on this car is the shizzzzznit

I have a Ti but I have to admit the red looks FRICKIN' HOT.

http://www.dmix.net/rx-8/images/car_gra/d_mix/dmix0013.jpg

more pics here:
http://www.dmix.net/rx-8/album.html

Like Irish8 said -- and notice how good the black looks with the clear corners instead of the stock orange ones. The more I think about it, the more I believe I will have to get them.

and strakes.

Red is 9/2003 build date.

The Black one is 5/23/2003 build date.


Would this matter to you that the black one has been sitting longer?

If the red one has the 6-disc in dash cd changer, does that automatically imply that it has the Bose stereo? They are listed seperately on the options list like they are two different things.

Oh, and by the way, there was a yellow one, same options and price as the red one that I could have obtained.

The 6-disc is independant of the option packages...if it has the touring package or the GT package it has the bose. Bose stereo is not an option you can buy separately.

just go for the red!

...or drop both options and buy the best colour....winning blue! :)

Red is 9/2003 build date.

The Black one is 5/23/2003 build date.


Would this matter to you that the black one has been sitting longer?

Man, those cars have been out there for a while. To me, the only thing I would be worried about is fuel consumption because I know some people on here with earlier models only get around 13mpg max when they should be getting around 17-19mpg hwy. Do you think the dealer would let you keep each of them for a full day? If not, take each of them on a highway test drive and go as far as they will let you. See which one burns the least fuel (if you don't go very far, you might not notice any immediate difference, though) and lean towards that one.

Black really seemed like the color you were initially going for all along, so if that's the case, I'd just go with that and don't look back.

EDIT: Also, check out this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=14453) on the TSBs. You might want to sift through them just to see which VIN range is targeted for the bigger problems. Might help give you a sense of which build dates are more troublesome.

Man, those cars have been out there for a while. To me, the only thing I would be worried about is fuel consumption because I know some people on here with earlier models only get around 13mpg max when they should be getting around 17-19mpg hwy. Do you think the dealer would let you keep each of them for a full day? If not, take each of them on a highway test drive and go as far as they will let you. See which one burns the least fuel (if you don't go very far, you might not notice any immediate difference, though) and lean towards that one.

Black really seemed like the color you were initially going for all along, so if that's the case, I'd just go with that and don't look back.

EDIT: Also, check out this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=14453) on the TSBs. You might want to sift through them just to see which VIN range is targeted for the bigger problems. Might help give you a sense of which build dates are more troublesome.

A nice guy from this forum ran the VIN and determined that the M flash had been done (on the black one) and all of the recalls were done. Not sure if the oil pan TSB has been done yet.

I was under the assumption that the M flash cures all of the gas mileage woes that people were having early on. Can someone confirm this?


I'm going black. After looking at photos all last night, I also determined that I really don't like the OEM spoiler. (No offense to people that have them).

I've heard mixed reviews about the M-flash and the fuel issue. Some people saw immediate differences. For others, it was negligible. Mine had the L-flash when I purchased it and had it re-flashed during the initial recall a few months ago. I did notice a slight improvement in fuel efficiency, but I also changed my driving style and that helped a lot. I, of course, didn't have the bad gas mileage problem that others have experienced. Hopefully someone here can give you better insight. I'm running out of time and have to leave my computer now, but you might go through a few of the threads in the Problems & Issues section (under Tech Garage) to see what others have said.

And no offense taken on the spoiler for me--I have one on mine and think it very much completes the aggressive look of the 8, but I also think it unfortunately resembles the wing on the Eclipses :(

Let me put it this way... you can't lose w/ whatever color... you're getting an 8! :D

Go with Velocity Red.

The black looks horrible when dirty.

Let me put it this way... you can't lose w/ whatever color... you're getting an 8! :D


Thanks. bring your car out to a Eurotek meet. I'd love to see it. They are a nice bunch of guys, no really, they are :o .

Are you going to autocross/track your car?

Thanks. bring your car out to a Eurotek meet. I'd love to see it. They are a nice bunch of guys, no really, they are :o .

Are you going to autocross/track your car?

i autox-ed the 8 last year at the Rotary Revolution... it was fun! :D Looking forward for this year's event, but looks like i'll be hauling our things to move out west. :( i'll check into going to a Eurotek meet.. i met a few of you already.. ;)

i autox-ed the 8 last year at the Rotary Revolution... it was fun! :D Looking forward for this year's event, but looks like i'll be hauling our things to move out west. :( i'll check into going to a Eurotek meet.. i met a few of you already.. ;)

Damn, sorry to hear you are moving, where are you heading?

Eurotek is an interesting group, show up for the ethnic food meets to meet the really cool people. If you are into different types of food and have an open mind that is...

Look forward to meeting you if you do stick around.

Red has more options AND less expensive? Hmmmmm....

Have we gotten any resolve on this? I'm just wondering......

<cough red cough>

Damn, sorry to hear you are moving, where are you heading?

Eurotek is an interesting group, show up for the ethnic food meets to meet the really cool people. If you are into different types of food and have an open mind that is...

Look forward to meeting you if you do stick around.

We're moving out to Vegas.. but the Eurotek food meets sound great.. food is good! :D If there are meets coming up.. i'll be sure to check 'em out.

Have we gotten any resolve on this? I'm just wondering......

<cough red cough>

He went w/ black... good choice. :cool:

Have we gotten any resolve on this? I'm just wondering......

<cough red cough>


Actaully, yes, black won 3:1. I'm buying a black one with an sport and appearance package but without the spoiler. It will be pimp.