THE_DRIVEX8

Hello Im looking at purchasing a 2004 RX-8 i have been reading other threads regarding this , I saw if the car passes the compression test and checks out fine i should be good to go , Im going for a test drive this weekend , form the carfax reports seems it been chilling at the dealership for 3 months so I thought I may have some room to Negotiate the price . Any way like to hear other peoples options i know 2004 are like the god of issues first year car duh , but if i watch the oil and fluids and matin the engine it should be fine right ?
ps . On a side note could you put a 2009 RX-8 engine Trans and Ecu in a 04 .
Add; 2004 Mazda RX-8 - KarPlus Warehouse - Pacoima, CA 91331-2601 Dealer

The report is here CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2004 MAZDA RX8

jasmine2501

I wouldn't buy that car at any price personally - but not because of quality issues, I just don't like the automatic transmission. Also it's nearing the end of the engine warranty, so if it doesn't have a new engine at some point, I would pass on it.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't call that clean. Expect the dealer to be asking something like $8,000, but if the compression test is fine, you shouldn't pay more than ~$5,000 tops, if not more like $4,000.

An actual clean 2004 AT might be a bit higher, but all that re-coloring...

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Can you? sure, with money anything is possible. But trust me it is not an easy swap, and by the time you are done you have paid far more than the worth of the car.

What scares me too about the car is the 'too many hands in the pot' syndrome. 5 owners, with many (presumably) being dealers meaning that the car just sat around

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

And at least one of those hands was also in the "incorrect paint color" pot.

braybern

You understand you lose HP by going with the automatic, right? I'm with everyone else saying many owners should be a big hindrance. I purchased my 04 MT GT back in March for 10k. It had just over 40k miles and was super clean one owner. Compression tests came back in the 7's.
I'd do some more digging. You can probably find a diamond in the rough if you do a little searching. I'd expand your search a little further out. I drove 6 hours for mine and it was worth it.

THE_DRIVEX8

I know the automatic sucks but the drive to my school is like 2 hours and I have to wake up early so I dont feel like messing with a manual look a little more Ill post my findings thanks guys .

THE_DRIVEX8

LOl I know lol 2006 would be cheaper just thinking still lots of money XD

04Green

iTrader: (1)

06 and up auto is a 6speed, and a higher power engine. I would go there. With an auto, there is more potential for past owner mistakes to follow you. my autos get partial fluid flushes every year. pita because "lifetime fluid", but they get it.

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braybern

True...Still 20hp less than MT though...

I would recommend you drive both (auto and manual) just to make sure that you know what you will be missing out on (see if the benefit of not dealing with a stick is worth it). Being able to fishtail on command or burn em when the light hits green is worth it to me. Not that I abuse her that much, but every now and then

THE_DRIVEX8

Ok for the recorded you can smoke some one with and auto if you know how to drive it I do it all the time. Have you ever driven auto VRS stick on a track its fun lower gear 2nd gear 3rd maybe then drive disable the limiter and have the engine modded a bit almost as powerful as stick just a little less effort and also you can use first gear gives a big advantage in the beginning and you can fishtail in auto if your car is set up right and with skill with the break pedal . 2) I Currently drive a 2000 Mercedes S500 manual Cov to auto manual I didn't do it my father did XD 3) So if that 04 is still under warranty and I can get a new engine is should go for it . I have one of my friends that could get me an engine if I need to replace it its just installing it . 4) I for the 04 could I swap out 06 engine tyranny ECU 5) most automatic shiftables not all of them if you modify the ECU are just like manuals just a lot more nice even though its funny when you stall and your like opps. 6) I will drive both tomorrow found a few more will post when I get home at work right know . (7. Manuals are most definitely better though , but auto semi auto's don't suck that much anymore cvt is a troll though silly Honda XD Yes this is a supper response. I Plan on studying the crap out of the rotary engine it so interesting to me any way still go for 04 or no

jasmine2501

If your drive is that far an RX-8 is gonna cost you a thousand dollars a month just in gas. They only get about 18-19mpg on the highway on a good day at US speed limits. Drive faster and you'll see even less mpg.

THE_DRIVEX8

i have the exact number some where on my lap top your slightly over exaggerating my car gets 12 and its not even that much per month its more like $760 XD and so i realized what number or should i look for in a compression test just ratios or what? i get the spreading out the search but my car can go to far for a maybe XD idr who said he went 6 hours away that is to that , but i will try

kevinande

Does your commute involve traffic, or lots of traffic regulating devices? If not I fail to see the problem? If you insist on an auto, as it has been pointed out previously, 2006 and up.

THE_DRIVEX8

Yea its the lovely freeways that are always packed if there wasn't so much traffic i mean not like its hard to drive in it but just in the morning , Im like that one day I wake up with a lot on my mind and mess up because i wasn't paying attention wouldn't be fun I have driven a manual for 2 years and auto for 3 years , manual is more fun so can auto if you drive it right its all in your mind XD

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You are aware the 8 requires premium? Not optional, premium every time, check, add oil every other tank?
I get the impression this is not the car for you.

THE_DRIVEX8

Im well aware of what it requires thank you , Who goes out and buys a car uniformed these days thats just stupid I was asking mainly from people that have owned an RX what to look out for and how the car looked going to see it next week or the following weekend depending on X and y happening . any way loving the advice people .
P.s. Not to be mean but may I please say NO FREAKING DUH a sports car that requires premium ( exception Toyota Celica GT not GTS )and burns oil at a higher rate then a 4 door sedan hopefully around 1 q every 1000 miles no WAAAAYYYYYYYYYY ! I would prefer not to get asked stupid questions like that I have read this site and like a book almost , I want opinions about the car having been sitting around for 3 months . I Know(assume) carbon build up and cooling seem to be the nemesis of the 8 and more of a pain in the 04 ..and 05 from what I have read anyway . but every car has its problems .

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Calm down THE_DRIVE. Not many members understand many of the implications of the ownership, and your comments so far haven't done much to convince us that you do actually understand, so the helpful pointers keep coming anyway.

You should REALLY drive both an automatic and a manual of this car before making your decision. They are indeed quite different, and your assumptions in this post are... well, inaccurate.

Most cars have very similar performance dynamics between automatic and manual, but for the RX-8 this simply isn't true even of the 2006+. A 2004-2005 automatic is even more different.

2004s and 2005s and many 2006s no longer have any engine warranty period.

Raising the rev limiter on the 2004-2005s does nothing to actually add the extra airflow that is needed to produce the extra 40hp+ difference to the manual. It is a physically different engine with significantly lower airflow caps. And engine mods of a 4-port will yield even less gains than engine mods of a 6-port.

Swapping the engine and transmission of even a 2008 Automatic over to manual will cost you more than the car is worth. Doing it in a 2004 is ... financially retarded since you can just get the car with the engine and transmission that you want to begin with for cheaper and no hassle.

THE_DRIVEX8

First I owe everyone an apology , I was being immature and forgot that this is an engine that I know nothing about all I have done is read up on Im pretty sure you know guys know more about a rotary then I do not like you own the car or anything . well I got a lot more info today , I am Sorry for that . I talked to Mr.Yoshi at Neptune Speed and he told me he would run the compression test and that the engine should last 200k IF the coils are maintained , oil and premix . He said first thing I should do is coils and plugs and make sure to premix and oil the engine . I recalculated the fueling cost its around 1000 a month again I am sorry for my immaturity , I will be more mature in the future . Really appreciate the help .
PS THAT AUTOMATIC LOG OUT THING IS SO ANNOYING FOURTH TIME IT GOT shorter each time But Im sorry I know Im new to this my bad

jasmine2501

Keep in mind we don't know you, all we have to go on is your writing skills. What you write and how you write it is all we have. So, it's important to write well, or we get the wrong impression. Read what you've written and tell me you don't come across as a person with no attention to detail. That's not the kind of person who's going to have a good time with an rx8. IMO, if that's really who you are, and there's nothing wrong with that, then you would be much better off with an S2000 where you never have to change the oil or check anything and the damn thing will still give you a trouble free hundred thousand miles.

Keep in mind most of what we say is opinion you are free to disagree with, but in general I think everyone agrees this is a good second car, but not a car you want to be dependant on. If your grades and your future will depend on this car getting you to school on time, you should probably go with something else. That's not too say it's unreliable, it's more an issue of being able to address problems immediately. There are times when you need to stop this car immediately or risk further damage and if that's going to make you miss the final exam or something, I wouldn't take the risk.

THE_DRIVEX8

I do agree 100% . s2000 I do not like those cars at all , but I do understand my writhing skills are pretty different from how I am none the less I have decided I will probably be better off getting a Mazda 6 though I can afford a 8 I should probably save the money for when Im done with school time to rice up the 6 XD Jk but still Ill thank you for your advice Ill probably be back in 4 years , who doesn't change there oil every 3k at max miles lol

jasmine2501

My local Mazda dealer apparently. The tag they put in my window gives me 5000 miles before the next oil change. I'll probably remove that.

I know this is a Mazda fan forum but honestly Honda makes a really good car. They seem to appreciate the driver a lot. Every Honda I've had was really comfortable with everything in the right places. Maintenance is easy on them too.