BJP

iTrader: (2)

I WAS all excited at the potential of owning an 8 but after spending literally hours reading peoples posts i'm not so sure anymore.

Some say '04 is not a good year to own due to everything from:
-weak starters
-weak batterys
-crappy coils
-crappy plugs
-transmissions going out way too soon

Can someone put me at ease? Am I overreacting? I really want to own one of these beauties but I dont want to be nickel and dimed all the damn time!

I see that Mazda extended the warranty on the engine and that's nice but is it because the Renesis has some sort of design flaw?

Are the early models really that bad?!

Please give me your insight


Thanks!

Mazurfer

Okay, I'll take a shot and assume you aren't a troll!
Starters..........Somewhat true on the 04's as they did have weak starters. This actually went through into mid-05.
Battery weak.............Not true. Where the hell did you get that?
Crappy coils...............I'd have to say that the data suggest so.
Crappy plugs.............Not true. Where the hell did you get that?
Transmissions............Naw, this has more to do with people that abuse the **** out of it or have serious power mods.


Now having said all that. This car does need more attention than most, but really not that much more......check the oil more often, don't shut it off cold, and don't go reving to redline until it's warmed up, but do redline it couple times a week. Around here we just say "drive it like you stole it".

Still..........I wouldn't buy an 04 as "TECHNICALLY" it was the first model year, but that's just me.
Also, I would have to say that not sure this is a car I would buy used, but again that's me.

Most people show up on here because they have issues and you don't often hear when things are going well.
Yes, there are a few threads from time to time where people will say how long the have had there's and no issues. This thread will turn into one of those, so let me be the first.


Bought 12/05...............6 MT (Car is an Oct/05 build date)
Switch out the original battery about two months ago just because I wanted to try a REDTOP, old one is still sitting in the garage and is fine.
Coils..........Well, I haven't been running OEM since after the first 5k miles. The OEM weren't bad at that time, I just learned that they may be a weak spot an wanted it eliminated.
Never flooded
Never failed to start
Never had a CEL that I didn't cause when doing a mod......which was cleared right away.
So I'm almost 1/2 complete on my 5th year and honestly..............no issues besides a visor and the coolant tank sensor.

supergoat

I had an 04 a few years ago and loved it. The only issue was the coils needed to be replaced at the 28000 mile mark.

I just bought another 04 with 30000 miles on it and it runs fine. I've had 3 RX-8s and never owned one past 35k miles so I may not be the best one to give info.

I dyno'd my old 04 and it made 175whp at 7000rpm which is right before the coils would misfire like hell and my power would drop, but thats not a model year thing, it's a crappy coil thing. I found out that day that they needed to be replaced.

I would not shy away from an 04, just get a history on it as far as repairs, recalls, TSBs and maintenance records.

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

I've owned an 04 for 3 years/50k miles. The previous owner had the updated starter installed and I've upgraded to the BHR coils (along with a few other misc. parts) and it's running better than new. I haven't had to deal with any real issues. Even my coils were ok at 50k -- on their way out but still fully functioning.

tibyABv6

Coils degrade quick and need to be replaced every 30k mi - depends on driving habits. But you can get Yukon coil upgrade so you would not have to worry about them anymore.
Sparkplugs are iridium so they have to be changed often 30-40k mo mater what car you drive.
Starter you can upgrade to newer.

The thing you have to wary about is the condition, millage, and maintenance of car you are buying...

VashGS

Get Oriely coils they lifetime. The coils are too close to heat source & cause abnormal thermal stress.

BJP

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all of your input!

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

I have an '04 (Septermber '03 build), with 28200 miles.

My take:

-weak starters
My starter was replaced under warranty. The old one was indeed weak, so that is a must if the car still has the original one.

-weak batteries
Also was replaced under warranty, but it did not seem weak to me. It got replaced at the same time when the starter, based on the appropriate TSB.

-crappy coils
I just replaced my coils with the BHR ignition system. I did that for reliability and engine longevity rather than because of experiencing any obvious problems with the stock ones. Car ran fine with the factory coils and wires. Now, it seems it runs a bit smoother and I get a smidgen better fuel economy but it is not a huge difference. So if you replace the coils every 30K miles, they should be fine.

-crappy plugs
They are just fine. Not sure where this (mis)information came from.

-transmissions going out way too soon
No problem whatsoever. As it was said, this may be rather due to abuse than anything else.

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (3)

The 04 is the same basic car as the 05-08. To my knowledge no changes were made to the transmission or coils between those years. Yes, the transmissions are "glass", or pretty weak...the 2nd gear synchros are known to go out fairly easily, so you can forget about speed shifting or driving it very hard unless you want to strip the synchros out of it. If you drive it like a normal person with good clutch action you should not have an issue.

The battery should be a moot point, because what car is almost 7 model years old and still has the original battery? Same for the plugs.

The starter issue, yes the 04 and early 05 had the slow/weak starter. You can usually luck upon a used upgraded starter for about $100-150 or less and install is about a 20 minute job including jacking up the car. So no big deal there.

No car is perfect and these cars have more quirks than a "normal" car like a civic. They are still relatively reliable and fun. Find a decent deal, do a thorough inspection (or have a mechanically inclined friend/family member come with you), buy it, drive it, be happy.

The main thing is, do a compression test before you buy, unless the engine has already been replaced. These engines do fail mostly due to insufficient lubrication from the factory and owners that follow those lubrication recommendations. That is probably the biggest issue with these cars, but it is not limited to 04's either. There is an 05 here right now that I just finished putting an engine in yesterday.

VashGS

No Pain - No Gain

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (3)

No pain, no gain. Sound mechanical advice if I've ever heard it.

</sarcasm>

With respect to the context of this thread, can somebody tell me what the comment "no pain, no gain" has to do with the price of rice in China on a rainy Tuesday?

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Always keep in mind that those with problems will always far outweigh posts then those without.

weak starters - True. The '04 and early '05 had a weak/slow starter. This was freely rectified with a new faster starter under a TSB, but unfortunately many original owners didn't keep up with TSB's and missed the window of opportunity.

-weak batterys - True; same free replacement as above. But as already cited, what '04 owner still has the OEM (Panasonic) battery? My latter-'05 build came with the upgraded starter and battery and as I actually bought new in March '06 I'm still on the upgraded Interstate and it's fine.

-crappy coils - they do seem to wear out a bit quicker then some other vehicles, but I wouldn't go so far as to call them crappy. If you want complete peace of mind install the BHR Ignition System.

-crappy plugs - nope; the OEM NKG 'plugs are very good.

-transmissions going out way too soon - wheras it does share its transmission with the smaller/lighter Miata as a 'fair wear and tear' item it really depends on your use. Fluid changed on a regular basis and proper shifting and it should see a long life.