N8theGr8

hey guys!

New to the forum and in the market for an RX-8. I've weighed out the options and an 04 ends up costing less for me (04's on my insurance are more than 05's for some reason, but the difference is offest by the lower price of an 04). I'm looking for one with GT package, spoiler, and appearance package. I've been made an offer of 26249, but like anyone im looking for the lowest price i can get. The car isnt the colors im looking for....but close enough to where if the price is right I'll take it. ANy suggestions? Is asking for 24,000 too much to ask?? It has a build date in February of 04, is that bad? Thanks for the help, and i'm sure ill find myself as a regular on here!

aireyc

Personally the price you are asking isn't that bad considering the build date. You generally want to avoid anything built before April 2004 just for stability reasons. If you have all of the flashes you should be ok, but I'd look for something made since June, or ask for a low price as you suggested. The car is safe, but I personally wouldn't buy one that's a year old.

Chris

N8theGr8

I understand. I'm looking for an 04 with black exterior and black/red interior with spoiler and appearance package and i'm having a VERY hard time locating one....I'm about to call up a dealer thats almost 200 miles away. I live in south florida if anyone happens to have any leads?:-) Thanks Chris

bowman

Have you tried the Mazda website?

grapes

Best build dates April 04 and beyond, no recalls, flashes, rusted hubs on rotors and so on!!!

dazygirl415

I bought mine in Oct, built in Apr 04, had 4 miles on it. Velocity Red, 6spd MT, GT, appearance, accent rotarys for a little more than what you're asking. Given that it was built almost a year aog, I don't think 24k is asking too much.

tiger91

How can you find out the build date?
Is there any way to tell the difference between a 2004 and 2005 model?
I just bought what I think is a 2005 model a couple of weeks ago. But the radio head unit's firmware is version 9.55. Shouldn't it be 9.67? Is there anyway to get shipping information from Mazda corporate?
Wow, so many questions. Sorry.

grapes

tiger91-the build date is on the aluminum plate when you open the door. The door jam will tell what month year of manufacture is.

tiger91

Thanks,
08/04.
Lousy dealer told me I was getting a car "fresh off the dock".
I can't help but wonder how many test drivers pushed the engine to the limits before the 600 mile break-in.....

r2s2

Easiest way to tell the model year: read the sticker. And it takes a while for the car to get to the dealer from Japan. It's possible that the dealer just recently got it. I wouldn't worry too much . . .

bowman

With a build date of 8/04, I doubt it was sitting on the lot very long. It probably takes at least a month to cross the ocean, plus truck time to the dealer. The biggest question is, how many miles did it have when you bought it?

fredw1

My concern as well. Mine had 4 miles when I bought it.

MI_FamilyMan

I think 26249 is a decent first offer by the dealer... if you look at sticker price for those options you are looking at probably $31,000 or so. I wouldn't worry about picking that car up unless it has excessive miles on it. Just ask to see what warranty work and flashes have been done to date. I wouldn't compromise on the color I wanted though.

mdsbuc

Question- Can you determine the build date by looking at the VIN #?

bowman

No.