treahuggs

Im looking to buying a Rx-8 and ive found alot of 2004 models for sale. Is there anything wrong with the 2004 years? Theres so many for sell i just want to make sure its not a lemon year. Also i know that the engines need (or needed) to be rebuild about every 40k miles depending on driving. Did they fix this with the 2004 and up models?

Basically what im asking-
Is the 2004 years good?
How often should the engine be rebuild with the 2004 years?
Or general need to know info on the engine.

Thank you

VashGS

All Series 1's engines have a set of manufacturers defects (seals, carbon buildup, thin oil, high temps from poor fan programming to keep it more quiet for whimps that don't like fans). Ooo.. did I just type all that. In my opinion lol.

This is why Mazda has extended warranty in USA (why not world?? boggle) to 100,000 see the sticky above.

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

40000kms (25000miles) on my 04.... still runnin strong

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

113,000 on mine and 3rd motor. Glad yours has lasted 25,000

DarkBrew

125,000 km

Looking forward to the 160,000 km club

You'll need coils, plugs and maybe wires every 40K or so

Make sure any car you buy didn't miss any TSBs or recalls

You need to warm it up nicely, keep the oil level up and the oil clean, get it up to redline often and use premium gas with cleaning additives.

treahuggs

Is the 2005 year any better or more reliable then the 2004? Im all for buying a Rx-8 but i wont be able to pour thousands into it all the time nor have it in the shop often. It would be my everyday car. And thanks guys

DarkBrew

No real difference as long as the updates were done.
Mine has been reliable; but I spend thousands on upgrades anyway! Such is the rotary addiction...

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

70k miles on my 2004 no issues so far. Replaced the coils at 50k and that's about it for non-regular maintenance.

JantzenRX-8

iTrader: (9)

70k miles on my 2004 no issues so far. Replaced the coils at 50k and that's about it for non-regular maintenance.

azzuro

106000 kms and still running fine on original engine.

RX8sd

Ive had a couple issuse, but none leading to a replaced engine though....62grand on it now

C-PHLAT

I got a '04 MT used back in january, with 54k miles at the time. It has 68k now. I changed the plugs and coils recently. I think the coils needed it more than the plugs. Not a difficult, or expensive task if you do it yourself. I also ended up gutting my cat because there were chunks falling out of it upon removal after I noticed loss of power at high rpms. That was that. fixed....next . Only get it if you are willing to get a little dirty from time to time, and like to floor it..

dondo

iTrader: (7)

my 04 was great for 77k miles when the compression got a little low so i got a new motor. you wouldn't have to though. i'd say go for it!

shaunv74

1st motor replaced at 56K miles. Just tested my 2nd motor at 67K miles and the compression low again. Going to have to bring it in to get engine number 3. No idea what the life on these engines should be.

R3n3sis36

im on the 2nd motor replaced at 50k currently 80k running very stong. Good warm up b4 use, redline b4 i get home, constant awareness on oil level and changes, water temp, clean the MAF sensor on oil changes and premix on a aggressive drive. jus changed plugs and coils.

VashGS

Well this is why Mazda has stepped up and give the 100,000 extended. The engines should give 120,000+ in my opinion otherwise they will never have a good enough reputation. Mazda must make Renesis match older rotaries (hence S2 changes). I'll spare the 1st gen is best speech.

Nissan likes to play secret engine swap with REV-UP oil problem in the 350z (no recall just they fix sometimes... if your lucky). Example of it could be worse.

RXFEVER

Well with 92,600 miles on mine it just required coils, plugs, good oil (no synthetic) and filter. Little low in compression but still pushing hard. See you

treahuggs

What makes it worth all this shop time and money? And how much are we talking here/ freq i need to get stuff replaced?

RX-865

I'm at 110,000 miles and the only thing i had to have done besides plugs, wires, coils, was to replace the coolant seals. Still on engine numero uno though for a 2004 model.

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

As for "all the shop time" the only time mine has spent in a shop was to get the wheels aligned after installing my S-Tech Springs. As long as you perform regular maintenance on it.... Oil/filter change every 4000kms, add half a quart of oil every 2000kms you should be fine. Before you buy one I would get a dealership to test the compression of the engine for you and do a thourough check-up. If you buy from a dealer they do all this for you free of charge with a detail as well; mine did anyway. As for any other irregular maintenance it is easy enough to do yourself (ie. Spark plugs and coils) with any type of experience. If you don't have the experience find someone who does that can help you and this site has some very good DIY's that will guide you step by step for almost everything.

As for what we love about this car... go test drive one... it's hard to explain in words and the longer you own one the more you become attached to it...

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

How did you infer from all the solid "no problem" longevity posts that there was a lot of shop time and expense???

It appears many of the noobies lack the ability to digest information prior to additional posting. If you're not going to be availed of the insight provided by owners then why bother asking in the first place?

treahuggs

I asked that cause ive also been to other forums and everyone says they all have to go to get it worked on alot. I want one really bad but cant afford pouring money into one... yet.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

^ Keep in mind that the majority, who have no issues, don't post theads entitled "I have no issues." [I did one time just for the heck of it when I was similarly exasperated]

"They all have to go and get it worked on a lot" is a very subjective comment in this context.

shaunv74

+1. I have done regular maintenance myself and haven't had any problems to speak of. Except my motor replacement issues under warranty.

I did have the cat. O2 sensor go bad but I could have done that myself if I'd had the time before the emissions inspection.

treahuggs

Ok in the chance i buy one. How should i treat it? I hear replace the oil alot and keep the engine warm by running it fairly hard. Anything else?