So, just a fair warning, this will be a longgg winded post. I have hit a dead end an I am ultimately becoming discouraged.

I bought an 04 RX8 in September of 2013, the summer I finished tech school. I absolutely loved it. I owned it two years roughly as I traded it off in August 2015 because I was expecting our first child and I live in the Midwest, stored the car winters, and drove absolute junk in the winter months. I figured it was time time to make the responsible decision to upgrade to a child friendly 4 door sedan that was more practical. I regretted it immediately after driving my dad car home. The woman that is now my wife assured me id be okay with the decision in time. I never was, I had so many great great, irreplaceable memories in that car. Not to mention the compliments I got and the overall aura of driving it.im I'm an overly sentimental guy so I had an attachment. I had tried tracking the car down numerous times via carfax and other VIN check databases. Even went as far as hiring a PI to assist me. I was determined. The search always ended the same. It was purchased within a week of me trading it in, had a couple reports from a local repair shop in the month following it being sold, but then it went ghost. 4+ years of nothing, not even a registration renewal. I was starting to think it was totaled and not reported to insurance. I almost gave up.

Then there it was! Showed up on Facebook Market place 30 minutes away! It was advertised for parts and that the engine had been blown up. I called the guy and he was the prior owners landlord. They guy was a drug addict, tore the motor half apart, then flew the coop and nobody has heard a word from him since the day he left. I have reached out to friends and family of his to no avail, nobody has a clue of his whereabouts from the day he left they all assume he is dead. So I bought it for an insanely low price from the landlord. They guy didn't even get 1000 miles out of it. It's like my ads never left the seat.

I have already contacted my local DMV, and due to the situation of abandonment and proper documentation, I will be able to obtain a title. Good news right?
Wrong, I don't have a Key.... I can probably disable the steering lock to move the car around. However, how do I go about obtaining a key to start the car post engine replacement?? I planned on taking this over to tech discussion, but I'm leading with my reason for joining. To figure out how to get the car to run. I am confident in my ability to replace the engine. How can I go about getting a key to run it? It is a pre July 04 (04/04) built car with the straight key. Not a switch blade or card. I combed the forum top to bottom with no real answer to my particular situation. I know the straight key had 4 different variations as far as transponder via research in this forum, is there anyway to tell each of the 4 apart? Maybe I can get one from a salvage yard (plenty available for 04 straight key) that corresponds with my car? Is there any way to tell? What are my options? If I had to can I get one from the dealer after the DMV awards me a title? Starting to feel hopeless.

 

You can easily get a key cut at the dealer from the VIN

You can get a switchblade key to work... or get a fob and key. Get the dealer to program 2 keys... you need 2 to add more by yourself

 

thank you, good to know that is a viable option. Any clue what the cost of a cut and program is? Do I have to take the car in? Safe to say I will be waiting on the title to provide proof of ownership? I have the VIN and a bill of sale until the DMV sends title. I only ask because I'd rather not tear the steering column apart in order to move it around. As of right now I am unable to move it, it is a 6MT, so moving it back and forth is doable. But man what a PITA it was to load on a car trailer, and unload for that matter without being able to turn. I can't even get it into position to pull the motor at this point. Can't get it into garage.

 

You'll need to have the car towed to Mazda. Should cost between $200 -$400 total to have a new key cut and programmed. Dont tear anything apart. Getting this car to the dealer is your best bet. Liked your story, hope this car works out for you.

 

Great story-- thanks for sharing.

 

If you get the key cut then you can defeat the steering lock. It will be easier to get to the dealer that way.
You can also just get it towed on a flat deck.....

 

Nice story. Makes me feel like I have some ammo now in the argument with my wife. We are expecting our first and she's been saying how the 8 is useless and I should sell it. I'll make sure to reference this post!

 

Child seat fits perfect back there. Lots of space for a tiny car actually.

 

Want to start off by saying thanks to everybody for their kind words and advice.


I did contemplate keeping it and just trying it out, but then I realized it had never seen salt or snow before, nor did I want it too, and my winter car was a 1994 Cadillac Deville with 274k miles on it and nothing worked on it.

So if you're in the position to at least try and make it work, I say go for it. But unfortunately it wasn't in my best interest in that point in time.

 

Hey you are in WI too? Welcome! Also, if you can manage to get keys cut for your car you can always program them yourself to save a few bucks if you are willing to figure out how to use Forscan, which is very easy.

 

What is this forscan you speak of?? And yes I'm from around the Chippewa Valley.

 

Do a google search and you'll find all you need. It's incredibly useful and if you are good with technology you shouldn't have any issues. Too bad I'm way down in the southeast. If you need anything after poking around a bit feel free to PM.

 

Update guys, got a key! Got it to turn twice in the ignition, with a lot of jiggling and screwing around. Now it doesn't seem to turn at all. No matter what I do. It works in the doors and trunk.... But cant get the ignition to turn again.

 

That sounds like a question for whoever cut the key for you. FWIW I had that once with a brand new key. The cut was ever so slightly off and we spent about 30 minutes filing, trying again, filing, etc. Worked fine eventually.

 

Make sure you take the pressure off the steering lock a bit....just take up some slack by turning the wheel a bit and try again.... otherwise you might need to get the key adjusted...or get them to redo it

It is easier for a crappy key to work in the doors and trunk..... usually there are fewer pins in those locks

If the key is new you might be able to see where there are marks on the sides where it needs adjusting

Try turning the key over and try again as well...

 

That is a great story! Still got a couple of hurdles but to find your baby again is already a big accomplishment and sort of a "meant to be" moment. Can't wait to see where this turns out.