I have been studying the RX-8 for nearly three months, reading the stuff you guys have had to say... opinions, experience, etc. I've been dying to buy. I finally got to test-drive one last month. I was absolutely blown away - - it was everything I read about and more. I felt as if I had bonded with the car. What an experience. Every time I see one on the road or in a parking lot, I say "Damn. That's my baby........."

Yes, I want an RX-8 very badly. Next weekend I will possibly have a shot.

The local Mazda dealer in Northeast OH has SEVEN '05 RX-8s on their lot and they have been sitting there for about five or six months, at least. The cars were inherited from a dealer who went under or some such thing. Or so they SAY. Not sure what to believe.

After 10 years with a boring but very, very reliable Toyota Camry (it has 248,000 miles), it is time for me to aquire a new vehicle. I have "Camry'ed" myself into a state that is screaming for some excitement. Looking for some spark - I'm on the road about 2 hrs a day.

I've budgeted myself at around $23K+TTL and I'd like to buy a new '05 RX-8 but they're asking $25K minimum - - - a price the local Mazda dealer says is "hugely reduced" - and they're supposedly demos or something. The MSRP sticker on the $25K reduced price one was $29K. I just don't see this great price as so great judging from some of the awesome deals people have reported getting for '05s.... like $23K drive-off..... $22,500 out the door...... I keep seeing these amazing deals for the '05s..........

Anyway, I'm thinking I'll give it a shot. I'll go in, ask them if they want to get rid of one... offer $23K + TTL. If they laugh I'll walk and tell them good luck.

Then I'll head to Acura and buy a LOADED '06 RSX Type-S for $22,700+TTL. I also test drove this car and I liked it a lot. It's certainly no RX-8 but it's a very nice car and priced right where I need to be.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. Does this sound like a plan? If anyone has any words of wisdom or some such magic, I'd love to hear it...... thanks in advance

Rotgut-X

I got mine for 22,000 out the door. MSRP on the window sticker was 30,500 and they added the rotary accent package to mine. I essentially got 10,000+ off MSRP. It's an 05 6spd with sport, appearance and rotary accent packages.

I called about 10 dealerships in TX and told them i'd be buying an RX8 soon so whoever gives me the best price when I'm done calling is going to earn my business. I got about 5-6 dealers that weren't even in the ballpark, a few that were close or only had ugly colors and finally found one in San antonio. I flew down and drove it back the same day.

An 05 RX8 with a MSRP of 29,000 would have a invoice a little under 27,000. Rebate should be 3000 with an extra 1000 for MAC credit. So you should be at 23,000 with no negotiation at all. I am debating whether to wait till June to see if the rebate doesn't go up.

Bear in mind that Acura is discontinuing the RSX-S this model year, so the aftermarket and service may dwindle. There are constant rumors about Mazda dropping the 8 (at least one a week on here) but nothing has surfaced yet, so it looks like support for the vehicle will be around for a while.

23-24k should get you an '05 GT. For a base or sport model you should be able to negotiate 21-22k. Try selling you car also - you'll get at least 1k more than your trade-in value.

You could always try using an online price service like edmunds. I used them for our last two vehicles (05 Acura TL and 05 RX-8) and got good prices on both of them. It is very easy to use.

Thanks for all the advice, you guys. I realize the RSX is being phased out, but the resale value, quality, handling, mpg for that car - all excellent. Plus, it redlines high like the RX-8.

I will check Edmunds again, although last time I looked (about a month ago) it didn't seem like the '05s were much of a deal at all - that changed for the worse when Mazda stopped doing the mfg rebate of $3K and $1K rebate via their financing.

Damn I want one bad.

I will let you know how things pan out.

Don't just look - do the thing where you submit to dealers for price quotes. Got my 05 AT GT for 24,200 3 months ago that way.

They are dealing with the '06 models as well. $1000 rebate already if financed through Mazda credit. Mine is a 6MT Sport w/ spoiler and splash guards. MSRP 28,845, I got it for $28,214 includes tax, title, licence. I didn't bother financing through Mazda, their interest rate was too high. I chose a regional credit union.