ethnic6

hi all, I'm new to this forum, I'm currently very intersted in an RX-8, but I've heard some good reviews and some bad reviews... mostly about the gas mileage, but then any sports car gets around 18mpg, so that doesn't really phase me... what I was wondering was, is there any difference from an 04 to an 05 RX8, and as owners what are some of the hassles that u have come across and what are the good points besides the obvious (style etc)

I would love all of ur input so that I can decide what my next car would be... thanks all

zoned

You want too much info for one thread. Use the search function for problems, issues, Gas mileage.

There is no difference between the 04 and 05 years to my knowledge.

Skythe

Search is much more than a function, it's a mentality.

Feed your curiousity by feeding yourself.


BTW, we all appreciate your interest and will gladly help you with any questions that haven't been asked before.

Paul_in_DC

The gas really isn't that big an issue, like you say. IMO between the 04 and 05 - Personally, I would never buy a car in its first model year, since there tend to be minor issues before the car if fully "shaken out." I think the 04 owners have more problems than the 05's.

The number one good point? Go on a test drive and do some spirited cornering, and accelerate out of the turns. That will tell you all you need to know!

puch96

ethnic6,

I don't think that there are many changes from 04 to 05. One thing probably for sure is that the 05 will contain most if not all "bug" fixes found in 04.
As far as the review, there are always good reviews and bad reviews on cars... It is all dependent on personal experience and behavior.
To me, the car is an excellent sports machine. It is very well engineered, specially all the thought that has been put into it to make sure that the vehicle behaves at it's best during turns, etc...
One thing to be aware of is that this car is extremely unique from others, in that it has the rotary engine (as you probably know). Therefore, extra special care needs to be taken to prolong it's life. If you keep up with all the maintanance and go the extra mile to take care of her, I think that you'll be impresed with the car. What other car will give you the powerband and performance out of a 1.3 litre engine than the 8?
The 8's unique engine sounds beg you to go faster. I believe that when you look at sport cars in general, ther will be many out there that will smoke an rx8 off the line. The rx8 lags on hp a little... but the overall balance, performance will kill them on a track (especially with lots of turns)..... NO comparison...

Raptor75

We are not talking 18 here. In the city you do well if you get 15mpg, if you'er like me you get around 11 to 12mpg city. Highway I hit 22mpg. This thing is a pig in the city.

prescriptionmazda

I thought the 03 was the first model year.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Nope. Some of the '04s have '03 build dates but the first Model Year is 04.

Very minor changes from 04-05.
Colors: White replaced Yellow
New key design. (switchblade key)
Shinka as introduced. (don't think it was available in 04, could be wrong)

That's pretty much it though. This is a fantastic car that just begs to be driven. Make sure out out there and test drive one asap.

Oh, if you're looking into an Automatic then you should get the '06. 6 port engine (instead of 4), better tranny, more hp.

Hope I helped...

Raptor75

Don't forget that there were a lot of bug fixes between 04 and 05 that don't show up on paper. The 05 are a better car because of these fixes.

BOB219

04's can be a great car. I have had no problems with mine. But it's a late 04 build. I would not recommend buying a early build 04, or one with a 03 build date. Build date is easy to find, it's on the drivers door sil. This car is a great highway machine. I do about 70% highway, and get 20mph. If you will be driving mostly city, as others have rightly stated, miles per gallon goes way down.

mysql101

depends on the car and on the driver. I drive hard and I get 15 to 16 in the city.

New Yorker

Gas mileage seems to vary widely from car to car, at least based on what you read here. Raptor 75 gets horrible mileage. Most seem to get around mid-teens city and low 20's highway. After 1,200 miles I'm getting between 17 - 23mpg (70% highway, 30% city).

Personally, I find the 8's mileage to be acceptable for a car that can do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. But most people are very disappointed with the mileage. I think it's because everyone senses, intuitively, that small, light cars with little engines are supposed to get great mileage. People forget that rotary engines inherently use a lot of fuel. Nature of the beast. Everyone knows this is true, logically, but sometimes "knowing" is not enough—emotionally people resent the fact that this tiny engine guzzles gas, if that makes any sense.

Rhawb

Same here - I shift at around 6k+ regularly and I've been averaging 19.5 lately. I used to get that terrible mileage, but I swear it increased by about 4-5 mpg after I got my new starter, plugs and battery.

rodrigo67

ok, since you asked

Some of the early 04's had some issues. Most of these have been resolved.
There is no difference between the 04's and 05's except the key.

Flooding was an issue on some 04's, but most have been taken care of with the updated flash, battery, spark plugs, and starters. I haven't heard of an 05 flooding. The most important thing to remember is never shut the engine down when it's cold. Since it warms up pretty fast, this should not be a big deal.

The car use's oil as a lubricant in the combustion chamber, which means you have to keep an eye on your oil level. This is not as serious as it sounds, mine goes through a quart every 1500 miles or so. just check it every so often.

Some of the earlier models are reporting pretty bad gas milage (in the low teen range), but most people are getting in the 16-20 range. I get 17-18 consistently city and low 20's on the highway, and I do not grandmother this car.

Negatives on the car would be position of the cupholders, rusting wheels hubs, center arm rest lid breaks, have to get winter tires in cold climates, oil level gauge is not real, mods give you minimal hp gains, and the biggest is the low end torque. Thats it.

This is not a drag racer, of course 0-60 in 5.9 is not bad, but you are not going to be killing mustangs with this car. What this car does is handle better then almost anything else out there, especially for it's price, and gives you a totally connected to the road feel...all with 4 doors, 4 passenger (yes adults can use them), a decent trunk, a comfortable interior, classy looks, and an additive 9000 rev line (making it possible to go over the speed limit in 2nd gear).

If you are going to get this car, I would recommend the manual if there is any chance you can drive one. You will not regret it. Also, get the sports package at a minimal, as it gives you traction control and stability control, larger wheels, tighter suspension, and xenon lighting.

If you get trac/stab control do not shut it off until you get a real good feel how the car handles. Lots of people who have gotten into accidents here have had this off at the time.

Now, go take a test drive and if it's powerful enough for you, the rest will definitely put a smile on your face...

BTW, I've had mine 2 years and the only thing that ever went, was a dead battery, which was replaced.

prescriptionmazda

^ I replaced that panasonic pos the first weekend I had it, and have had no problems either.

Paul_in_DC

You have a good point. People will say they don't like the mileage, and in the same breath say they want more horsepower out of the same engine? (Wake up and smell the coffee!) The underpowered econobox with great mileage is at one end of the spectrum, and the high-performance sports car with lousy mileage is at the other. The RX-8's mileage is comparable with other mid-range sports cars.

Car - city - highway
Viper - 12 - 20
M3 - 16 - 24
Mustang GT - 17 - 25
RX-8 - 18 - 25
G35 - 18 - 25
350Z - 19 - 25
Audi TT - 19/21 - 25/29
S2000 - 20 - 26
Elise - 23 - 27
Miata - 25 - 30