XCT9-3

So I'm planning to come over from the saab world to an RX8 and I have a few questions. What should I be checking over when I look at an 04 or 05 RX8? I know with 9-3's there were a few quick checks that could save a lot of hassles and cash on repairs later. I will only buy from a dealer so I'm guessing they'll warranty the car some what, and in NYS they're required to for 3 months but that really isn't a comforting time frame on a 16- 18k purchase. Also what kind of gas mileage do you guys and girls see in the real world? I know it's rated fairly low for it's size.

EdwardsB

Check for all recalls and flashes have been done, you can call mazda usa to find out (number one mazdausa.com). Take it out on a highway and open it up, make sure the car pulls all the way to 9k (no power losses). Check the AC/Heat to make sure it works, some of us had problems there (covered under bumper to bumper). The engine also now has a 8yr/100Kmi warranty (core only). I think mazda's extended warranty is around $3k, but im not sure. Check the oil level, might be an indicator on how the car has been taken car of.

As far as gas mileage you can get 15-24ish. If you plan on tracking it then I have heard people say they got down to around 8. Most driving I get anywhere from 16-23.8 depending on conditions. In all city around 15 or16 and all highway at 70 I get 23.8 (all flat and 90 degrees out). In winter it drops down a lot due to running rich on startup.

Its a sports car so always keep that in mind. This car is very hands on and you need to keep up on maintenance (adding oil ever few tanks and such), if you care for it the favor will be returned.

It is prolly better to go for 05 or newer bc you still have warranty, but many of us with 04's never had any major problems.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

16 to 18k for an 04/05? Unless it has less than 10k miles, don't bother. You can prolly get newer for around that price. These cars do not hold their value well at all.

As for MPG, pure city I've gotten as low as 14 MPG, pure highway my best was 23.8 MPG, but I average 18-19 MPG with mixed.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

I agree with much of the above - it is a buyer's market at the moment regarding sports cars, you should go for an '05 if at all possible. While there have been minor fixes made on all model years since the car was launched, there were a number of significant issues that were mostly fixed by the 2005 model year.

As far as gas mileage, you should expect 16ish around town and quite a lot lower with aggressive driving. I get about 20-22 on the highway, and average about 17-18. If you're driving it every day, you will probably perhaps $3,000 a year in gas, so realize that the difference of the price between particular cars will probably be overshadowed by this over the not-so-long term.

The real question is the mileage of the car. There is a good comprehensive warranty up to 50K miles. And the engine core, which is the only real source of "catastrophic" failure is warrantied up to 100,000 miles. So if you get one with say 40K miles on it, you have 10,000 miles of ownership in which you know most any problem is covered, and can be confident that things are in good shape and up to par when the general warranty expires.

And if I may ask, where in NY are you?

XCT9-3

Thanks for all the replies, good information.

I was thinking to avoid the 04's as well just because of any first year model cars in general. And I'm near Albany, Niskayuna to be exact if you know the area. I go to Lehigh though so I'm in PA most of the year now.

I see a lot of 05's around my price range and I'm in no rush to buy, just before I go back to school. I'll probably take my time then jump on a good deal when one comes around.

onefatsurfer

#1: The engine floods if you shut it off cold. ALWAYS warm it up.
#2: The engine burns oil. Always check the oil when you fill up the tank. You can go 2-3 fillups, but you should just check it anyway. Seriously, it takes like 2 seconds.
#3: Read about this car on here, and read a lot. Go through the stickies on the different forum sections. You will learn a LOT.

Ask the dealer to print out the dealer service history. If it had plugs replaced very early on (aside from a recall) it is probably due to flooding the engine. If the coils haven't been replaced and the engine has more than 30k miles, they're probably due. Maintenance on this car is pretty rough, you need to keep up on it. If you're not going to keep up on maintenance, you're not going to like the car.

And take it to an autocross. It's hella fun.

RedefineRX8

iTrader: (-1)

I live in Clifton Park, you are right around the corner. If I was you I'd be shooting for a 06 to be honest. Mine is getting an average of 21 mpg now, thanks to ignition and a few other goodies.

XCT9-3

I would like to go with an 06 but I'm not seeing to many around. I'll only go from a dealer so I'm paying a bit of a premium for that of course. I called a dealer in VT who said he would find one for me within the next week, so I'll keep looking and see what he comes up with as well. The good thing is I'm in no rush to do this. Redefine that's pretty cool, my dad lives in clifton park.

RedefineRX8

iTrader: (-1)

if you are serious about looking for one I can give you a hand with that... been part of that scene for a while now... let me know