Hello, Ive been recently looking into getting my first rx8. Ive found one from a dealer which is a 2008 rx8. I've googled how to differentiate between the s2 and s1 and only saw that its mostly seen through cosmetic changes. but here's the thing. same google searching also says that s2 started at 2009 so I am a bit confused. The car I am looking at has the odometer style of an s2, the body parts too (triangular indicator lights, boxy headlights, no dorito back bumper (rest in peace dorito design :'( ) and different foglights. any info would really help too!. I've asked the dealer and they mentioned that its a 6-port. Im still yet to physically have a look but I saw on google that I just need to find that extra pipe to know its a 6port. its also an automatic (please don't rage on me on this. traffic is just so bad from work and sometimes I get headache from my customer service job lol, but i still rev the **** out of my car)

 

S2 is 09 to 11 to my knowledge. So an 08 would be an S1

 

This may help you:
Years and Specs post

Make sure to read all of this twice New and Potential Owners START HERE!

 

Where are you located? Some places use manufacture date rather than model year to date a car, so a 2009 model year series 2, which sounds like what you're talking about, could be manufactured in 2008.

 

nz!

 

Thanks! I've actually read half of this already but I still haven't gotten it :'( would they have an s1 with the looks of an s2 during midrefresh?

 

Hi again! so i was able to veiw this car today. i found out that it was first registered in japan on October 2008 so I assume it would've been manufactured around that time. here's a few photos of the engine too. its a 6 port

 

A friend of mine in the area has a 08 but it's a 10 yr anniversary edition so it has all the S2 upgrades. Correct me if I'm wrong.
The interior is orange like the cosmo (I think).

 

The body style determines the series. If it looks like an S2 its an S2.