Are R3s impossible to buy?
 

Sorry I keep posting about the R3 (it is my obtainable dream car right now)..

Are these cars nonexistent? I have been searching for one and cannot find a good one anywhere.

I am in Columbia SC right now. Found one in Augusta GA, but it needed more work done to it that what it was really worth. Only other one I can find is in Norfolk VA and the seller is unwilling to do a compression test on it. I am not about to drive 6-7 hrs one way for an 8 that hasn't had a compression test.

How long did it take some of y'all to find one? I am starting to get anxious and bight the bullet on a grand touring S2, which for me is a huge compromise. Not really crazy about the looks of the GT and Sport models...

Some one give me some hope!

When I got mine, it wasn't even listed as an R3. It was a small lot, just happened to drive by and see it. You have to also remember that there only about 900 R3s sold between 09-11, add in for all the wrecked ones and there probably really aren't that many around for sale. Good call passing on the one with no compression test. Keep searching, don't over pay.

Do try a wanted add, Also contact the recommended specialists on here to see what they might have or they could know someone that might sell. Whatever you do dont settle for something your not 100% about.

Patience is key, Whats for you, wont pass you.
Good luck.

Do you have anyone in the States in the South East I could contact?

There are two posted here owned by the same gentleman and I have seen several r3's for sale on the auto online sites. I have purchased a few items from the member here who has his for sale, nice guy. I looked for my wb 04 for a year before I jumped. I wanted a white 8 but wb was my second choice.

I had to search nationwide and have mine shipped from FL to PA. Got two PPIs with compression checks before I signed on the dotted lines. Not gonna say it was simple or painless. Worth it, though.

Good luck!

It took a year of looking on & off to find my '09 R3

24k on it iirc, traded in to a Mercedes dealer in FL. Merc dealer did not list it as R3. Flew out, drove home. I think the one PO bought it because it was pretty (Canadian snowbird). Perfect shape, un-used trunk, zero wear anywhere.

Keep in mind: Most S2's are still under warranty!! So (IMHO) it's reasonably safe to purchase one w/o compression test.

I'm starting to get the vette itch again... If you're still looking when the itch is unbearable, I'll sell you mine ;)

Take you time, it took me over a year to get what I was looking for (09 White GT with under 20k miles, mine had 12k).

They're out there, just be patient and keep searching.

I got really lucky... Just last week, I just purchased a blue 2010 R3 near Los Angels with only 13,500 miles on it, practically brand new. I've never seen an R3 with such low mileage, and it's totally legit.

R3s seem to pop up most often in FL, CA, AZ, or TX, although Ive seen them recently in MA and MN. I periodically look for them on Autotrader, Cars.com, and Craigslist.

I think the average mileage range you'll find is between 55K-90K. That's a pretty wide range, I realize, but it's pretty rare to find an R3 with less than 50K on it these days.

Good luck!

There are 2 R3s and a mkII GT on my local CL.

they're rare hard to find man you may have to leave the state to get one. Try car gurus and search nation wide I wish you the best man! good Luck.

I actually picked one up, on craigslist, last week, with less than 9000 miles. I posted about it in a different thread. Good things come to those that wait. Y'all were right, just wait it out and you will find them.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...872fb62948.jpg

If you really want one, and you're willing to conduct a regular, intensive search – and you're willing to travel some distance to get it – I have no doubt you'll find one. Remember, there are – or will be – R3s for sale out there, and there's no reason why one can't be yours.

Hey guys, I actually did pick one up last week. Stumbled across this beauty on my local craigslist with less than 9000 miles! Y'all were right, you just have to wait it out.

i was looking for an R3 originally but I ended up with a GT...I wanted a little comfort since its gonna be my Daily driver too...

R3 are more track oriented...
-Body Kit and Spoiler
-Sport bucket seat
-19 inch forged rims
-stiffer suspension to accomodate the 19 inch rims
-Halogen Headlights

GT are more for luxury comfort touch...
- Moon Roof
-Heated Side Mirrors
-Heated Leather Seats
-power seat with lumbar
-18 inch allow wheels
-Auto climate control
-Auto headlights
-auto sensing wipers
-Xenon Headlights

To me its easier to turn a GT close to an R3...but its hard to turn an R3 to get some of the GT features

Wow, that thing looks pristine! Congratulations! Just don't plasti-dip it or we're going to have to take it away from you...

:)

R3s have xenon HID headlights, not halogen.

nope not according to the brochure...the R3 is more de-contented to reduce weight and added parts track worthyness. The GT is more feature fitted but less track oriented.

the base model is of course the Sport model...but both GT and R3 are next trim that is equal in a way depending what your looking for neither one is better then the other since there are features on the R3 thats not in the GT and vice versa....

the best version would be the Spirit R...sad we didnt see one in the US

My R3 has xenons like all R3s

You're wrong about the car, but you're right about the brochure. It definitely says halogens, not HIDs:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...88d66dd5ab.png

Source: https://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/mus.../specs_RX8.pdf

So weird. The car definitely comes with HIDs. Either that, or everyone who bought it is collectively hallucinating.

More generally, I'm not sure "decontented" is the right word for the R3. It lacks a few things (e.g. climate control, heated mirrors, power seats) -- but it does have a few things that have nothing to do with driving, like Bose, Advanced Keyless, fog lights, DSC, Homelink, etc. Less than the GT, but far from barebones.

I wish the R3 were decontented, honestly. If I wanted doodads, I'd have bought something else. And if it had to have some nice features, Mazda's selections don't all make sense; they excluded things that would have helped you focus on driving (climate control, rain-sensing wipers), but they included things that contribute little or nothing (Bose, Advanced Keyless). Oh well....

I've owned two R3s, a 2009 and a 2010 (U.S. models), and both had HIDs. The 2010 also has satellite radio.

Canadian and UK/EU models also have headlight washers, which we don't get on any RX-8s here in the states. Not sure about JDM models...

Sorry i know it was poor choice of words. but for the R3 they took out all the fancy auto Stuff, All the heated things and the moonroof to save weight and make room for the suspension, body kit and 19 inch rims and keep the price down, all of which can be easily added (pricey but can be done) to the GT, but the GT stuff can not be easily added to the R3...but like i said before the R3 isnt necessarily better than the GT cause the features they have are different...once obviously more Track in mind and the other is more luxury and comfort...