Two cars...

car #1

'05 GT-grey, 6spd, fully loaded except nav, 76000km., former lease vehicle, all service records since day 1...they're asking $17000

car #2

'04 GT-silver, 6spd, also fully loaded except nav, 31000km., also a former lease, and also has all service records available...asking $16225

assuming body and interior, etc, etc, on both cars are in the same shape, which one should i go for? am i crazy to even be considering the '05 with it having so many more kms than the '04?

i guess i'm just thinking of eventual re-sale value and wondering if people may shy away from the '04 just because it's the first model year of the 8's...plus the xtra years worth of warranty on the '05.

the only visible difference on the two cars other than color is that the '05 has the rear spoiler...

 

that' s a big difference in kms, I would do the '04
I had the same problem and dicided on the lower km older one

 

Worried about the eventual resale value difference between an 04 and 05? You are talking about a $40,000 car that's now selling for $16K. There really isn't much resale value left to lose. Even if one is worth more than the other 5 or 6 years from now, it will be one is worth $9000, and the other $10,000. I certainly wouldn't worry about that.

Less money, less than half the miles, and doesn't have the ugly stock wing with the holes drilled in the trunk lid? No brainer between them as far as I'm concerned. (Assuming equivalent condition, maintenance, tires etc.)

Just be careful of the curse of the silvers...

 

curse of the silvers? is there something i should know?

I'm heading up to see both cars this weekend. Supposedly, they're both mint in and out, but i'll believe it when i see it.

Definitely leaning toward the '04, but will make up my mind after seeing/driving them both...

I've been hunting through the threads, and i'll definitely be checking the wheelwells and rocker panels for any sign of rust. One of the cars is at a Mazda dealership, so i'm not too worried about that one, the other is at a Ford dealer, so i've already booked an appt to get that one checked out by Mazda.

Any suggestions as to other stuff specific to the 8 that i should be sure to check out?

 

'04 and offer 15500 on the spot that would be a sick deal. So cheap for 31000 km even at 16225. As long as they are the same inside and out, then '04 of course. Drive them and see if you notice any power difference. See if they will throw in (being dealerships) new coils, plugs and wires and u will be laughing. GL

 

You mentioned an extra year of warranty on the '05... do both cars have the extended MAP warranty from mazda?

If you're checking service records, verify that all recalls are done of course. Also see how many TSBs got done.

 

It just seems like an inordinate amount of silver cars have been wrecked. I don't believe in that kind of stuff.

I don't see a downside to getting a 2004. Sure Consumer Reports is down on them, but the thing is, after this long anything that needed to be addressed probably would have been in the initial full warranty period, between recalls and warranty claims. I'm not aware that Mazda made huge improvements between the model years that would solve any of the inherent RX-8 weaknesses (transmissions, ignition, engine cooling etc.). So the early 2004's flood more easily due to weak starters...a TSB called for an upgrade to any flooded cars that came in. Some catalytic converters went duff prematurely, but that would have been solved with a new cat and a reflash. I'm sure there are more examples. My own '04 (which was one of the first off the boat) had page after page of warranty claims on the dealer's computer (I bought it when it was 3 years old and had covered 21,000 km) but I have not had any major issues with it in the 3 years and 65,000 km I've had it.

Two differences that may or may not be of interest to you. The '05s came with a trick switchblade key...but you can buy a blank off eBay and program it work with your '04. The other thing is that the early firmware on the stereo will not allow you to use certain iPod integration kits...I was limited to the one available from Mazda, which works but will not easily allow you to control the iPod through the iPod itself and will not give text display on the dash. Searches on these topics will reveal more details.

 

Great points from the other members here,

I just would like add that the first shipment of the '04 RX-8 where make and painted in Japan. The most authentic ones. All model with the production date of Dec 2003 to Jan 2004 were made in Japan. All others where shipped here in parts, assembled and painted in North America.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...

Correct me
________
Threesome Bdsm

 

Boffam; do you know for SURE if the switchblade keys from ebay can be programed to work with the '04s? I checked ebay myself, but the details claim that the key will work with '05-'09s, no mention of the '04s at all...

The stereo i can live with for now. I'll eventually end up with a new HU anyways, so, for now, i'll just cram six cd's in the dash and live with that...

I called MazdaCanada and they said that the oil cooler hose recall still hadn't been done, but i figure i won't get it done until i actually have a problem with it. She also mentioned a recall for a 'driveability concern'!?, but wouldn't give me the details. She just said to take it into any mazda dealer, mention the recall, and that they would know or be able to access the details themselves. That one i think i'll get done right away...

Question; are TSB's also covered by warranty?

 

Yes, the Switchblade key works on the 04s. There are several threads on the forum about it. It's not official, so eBay states 05 and newer (which is the official word from Mazda.)
I have the Mazda iPod adapter and it's fine. Not fancy (titles etc.) but you don't get that on CDs anyway.

BTW, where are the cars? Which delearships?

TSBs are just notices to dealerships to streamline repair of common issues. If a car is under warranty, then any repair would be covered. The TSB just means you don't have to fight with the dealership saying "that's normal." Once you are out of warranty, you are on your own. (A TSB is not the same as a recall.)

As for things to check, obviously the normal stuff (maintenance records, dents, rust, tires, brakes, suspension etc.) The nice thing about Nova Scotia MVIs is the dealer will be selling with a new sticker, so will have to inspect the lights, brakes, ball joints etc. for you.

RX8 specific things you'll want to check the motor mounts (known issue, engine will vibrate excessively at idle) and the transmissions don't take well to abuse. (Should shift smoothly.) At idle, in neutral with the clutch you will here a little noise from the transmission. The "gear roll" is normal.
Car should pull smoothly to fuel-cutoff, with the only noise being exhaust and the warning buzzer at 8500rpm. Keep an ear out for the "marbles in a can" rattle at high RPM.
If it's been wet out (will be hard with how cold it is right now) check the tail lights for condensation. (A common annoyance.)

When looking at the records, on top of all the fluid changes etc. check and see if the coils/plugs/wires have been done. Those are a bit pricey, make a huge difference in the performance of the car, and should be treated as a consumable item. (I'm on my 3rd set of coils in 59,000km.) As the suggestion above, if they haven't been done, try to get it included in the deal.

 

2 cents it is... it might be worth having a compression check on whichever one you are going for, esp if the latest 'drivability' recall isn't done. I think the ECU reflash for that changed the Oil metering schedule. Selling dealer might even cough up for that if they really want to sell.

Are you planning to drive in winter....17" alloys and a set of Blizzaks a must.

From the pics the 04 is nicer. Strakes, spoiler and (looks like) aftermarket rear tint take away from the 05. Not to mention the rear door dings and hi KMs.

I guess that was 6 cents worth, good hunting.

 

Stay away from the 04's!

 

That doesn't make any sense at all. It would be cheaper to assemble the vehicles in one place, then ship them as a whole component. Why would they manufacture most of the major parts and components in Japan, and then ship them to NA? Who would assemble them?

And the final question: Why does my 2005 GT have "Made in Japan" clearly stated on the VIN sticker on the driver's side rear door?

 

Either way, the mileage is relatively low. It also depends on the kind of mileage driver (i.e. mostly city, or mostly highway). The 05 has a few minor features that make it a nicer package as a whole; the key itself, while minor, is actually quite a nice feature.

 

WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Beers for everybody, on me!!

or mabye it should be cigars all around... There's a new baby in the house,well, in the garage actually... but OH HELL YA!

'04 GT 6spd sunlight silver 31000kms

coils were done at 24000kms, i got them to do the plugs, wires, new battery, oil, and rad flush, and a 2yr unlimited km 'superior' Lubrico xtnd warranty, for 17k on the road baby! Car is MINT, not a scratch or a scuff to be found... Had a great drive, 'getting to know one another', coming back from Moncton... Managed to put 'er sideways just pulling onto Jubilee off of Connaught, (even caught myself off guard with that one), so i'm gonna say the clutch still has some bite, and i just can't seem to get this stupid smile off my face ;-p Hell, it's 1 in the morning and all i wanna do now is go for a spin... .. .

 

decent for the 04... to bad its not titanium gray

 

Awesome, good deal on the plugs and stuff.
Welcome to the big happy RX family.
...and don't listen to people bad talk the 04.

Cheers!

 

Congratulations on finding a good deal on a car you are happy with. Welcome to the family.
Hope to see you around at some point.

 

Nice congrats! Sounds like a good buy! Now leave it in the garage till spring lol!! U don't want it rusting out on you do you?!?! Enjoy and welcome!