hagar852

Currently I am looking to replace my 2004 maxima with a RX-8. Been talking with 2 dealerships here in New England, and yes there is over 30" of snow outside my house.

Depending on the numbers I am looking at both Brand New 2005 and a 2004 RX-8.

The 2004 is Winning Blue which is the color I want and FULLY loaded.(Appearance packages and everything.)

The other can be ordered Winning Blue is a 2005 with only the grand touring package.

Theory is I should get a better deal on the 04 but so far that isn't the case.. They want to charge full sticker on me. Blah..And only willing to give me 15,000 for my maxima.

The 05 dealer will give me 20,000 and is trying to find a Nissan dealer that might give me more. Anywho. The 04 is exactly what I want but is the 05 a better choice since (theoretically) The 04 issues should be mostly resolved in the 05.

My maxima is a great car.. But Nissan sucks at service. I was at Tasca in RI and couldn't believe the service department in comparision with the nissan one. Basically am looking to get into a RX-8 for 2 reasons.

1. Sports Car
2. Mazda's better warranty and service at the dealership.

Any outside suggestions would help based on experiences with your 04 or 05. This is the point where I need an outsiders point of view on my situation.

Thanks for all the help I have recieved from this board so far.

Hagar852

AvatarQAZ

The 04 and 05 are virtually the same. THe only real differences are: the retractable key in the 05 (you can get it for the 04) and the introduction of the BEAUTIFUL white in the 05.

If you want white, gotta go with an 05. Otherwise, I would just go with whatever car gives you the better bargain.

jsh1120

If, in fact, the "04" dealer is only willing to sell the car "at sticker" and is offering you $5000 less for your trade, the choice is a no brainer. The "appearance package'" can be added by the dealer to the 05. (Not sure what "everything" else is, but I'm guessing the other options you want can also be added to the "05." )

As for the "04 issues beings resolved in the 05," that's true. However, there's no compelling evidence, as far as I know, that the "04" model should not be as "up to date" as the O5 as long as the flash issues and other service bulletins have been implemented.

You'll have a better resale on an 05 than an 04, but unless you plan to sell the car within a couple of years, that is probably not a critical consideration.

You'll get the neat new key with the 05, but if you're willing to spend about $150 you can duplicate that for the 04.

Again, however, if the 04 dealer is unwilling to provide a price several thousand less than the 05, reflecting the incentives on the 04's, you're better off with the 05 version. And if there's a $5000 difference in trade-in value, that alone would push me toward the 05..

P.S. Not sure what an 04 Maxima's blue book value is, but I'd think you'd be better off selling the car privately than trading it to either dealer.

hagar852

Yeah, I am considering selling my car out right. Just would take longer, but no biggie.

The 04 dealer is just pulling my crank, and after I saw they are charging me for the sticker I walked out. Got a call from them the next day with "New Numbers" I will see what those new numbers are. I wasn't home when they called, I was at the other dealer lol.

The descision will be easy once I can see all the numbers, but I was just wondering about the differences in the 04 and 05 models, since they are basically the same.

The RX-8 is a nice car. And compared to the 2004 Maxima is about the same in some areas, better in others, and not so good in a few. One example is 2004 Maxima has heated steering wheel which is very nice when it is 10 degrees out. RX-8 doesn't have it . Oh well that is what gloves are for .

It comes down to nit picking really the difference in this car and my maxima. But looking down the road, with service and overall problems with each car. RX-8 might be better.. The maxima has its share of problems too.. Already had struts replaced due to failure.

Thanks for the input so far.

V_for_velocity

All things being equal, or nearly equal, I would opt for the '05, but as you explained, all things aren't equal in this case. Hmmm . . . call me a moron but I would still spring for the new new '05 over the new old '04.

Go48

I don't know what your basis is for this statement, but don't count on better service. Mazda dealerships are probably no different than any other brand dealership. Got some good ones, got some terrible ones. Read some of the posts on this forum, particularly the Good Guys/Bad Guys section.

Domer

If you are going to keep the car for a long time, buy the '04 with $3000-$4000 off sticker. In my area they are trying to unload an overstock of '04s. The model year has passed, you should get a significant discount, especially in this weather. Take $1200 of your total savings a buy a winter wheel and tire package. Good luck.

Speedracer

Domer

You're much better off from a financial standpoint to sell your maxima first...
Dealerships are in business to make money. Bottom line.
It doesn't matter how they present it...whether it's retail to retail or wholesale to wholesale. They'll find a way to play with the figures...to make it look enticing to trade your car in.

Why are you wanting to trade your maxima?

It's a nice car. Kick *** VQ engine.

fredw1

Take the Maxima out of the deal so you can compare the cars accurately. You should be able to get an '04 for several thousand less than a comparably equipped '05, given the incentives and the willingness of (most) dealers to get the '04's off the lot.

dutinsimms

By trading in the maxima you get a tax savings of approx. $2000 toward you rx8.

I just bought a 04 rx8 6spd, cloth int, no touring package. It cost me $23500.00 plus &ttl. The car was brand new (200 miles). Wit the money I saved I can buy the extra accessories I want.

hagar852

The basis for the statement on service is the fact that the service department I deal with is horrible. My friend just baught a Mazda 3 and I was impressed with the service department at the mazda dealership.

The reason why I wanting to trade the maxima is the fact there is a strut problem. Yeah it isn't that serious of a problem but Nissan really doesn't have to replace the struts after the warranty. The replacement struts are the same struts that the car had that failed.

Believe me I know the dealership is trying to make as much money as they can but I do get a tax credit for trading in my car. Like the post prior I do save quite a bit of money.

The fact with them playing with numbers, well they can't fool me because I am better at math then they are. One dealership tried to work me over until I figured out what they were doing and all of a sudden the story changed on what charges they added and why. It is a long story to explain. I did out the numbers and I know exactly what I have to get for my car and how much I have to pay for theirs. It will be easier to do it with the 04. But the 05 with a few less options isn't so bad either.

Omori

Hi - I was in a similiar situation - I just purchased a 2004 with 6K miles this week. I made the decision based on getting a good price on the fully loaded 2004. It took me a while to find this type of deal.

However, I wouldn't even consider paying sticker on a 2004. I checked out a few Mazda dealers in NY but I didn't think that they were discounting their 2004's enough. I thanked them for their time and walked out. The 2004 has already depreciated - there is no way I was going to pay sticker.

Finally, I found the car and price I was looking for in NJ. I had to drive 40 miles but I feel it was well worth it. My car has a few miles and is a 2004, but I feel that they appropriately discounted it - I got it for $10,000 less than the original sticker.

SpinninAgain!

Based on your "no heated steering wheel" comment it sounds like the RX8 will be your winter driver. If that's true then you absolutely must replace the stock tires with snow tires. Search this forum for "snow tires". You'll see plenty of people saying this.

This is not an option. The car is undriveable and truly dangerous on the stock tires if there's even a half inch of snow. Trust me, I've learned the hard way.

Just thought I'd mention this so you could include it in your calculations.

Omori

"The car is undriveable and truly dangerous on the stock tires if there's even a half inch of snow"

Oh yeah, this is VERY true. Just experienced the RX-8 with stock tires in the snow yesterday and today and it is SCARY and DANGEROUS
Even with the roads "cleared" it's extremely vulnerable to slush and the rear easily steps out. Hopefully my Continental snow tires will be in today or tomorrow - not a day too soon!

My Audi A4 is "manageable" and well mannered in light snow with summer tires; the RX-8 is not.

Gambit

"The car is undriveable and truly dangerous on the stock tires if there's even a half inch of snow. Trust me, I've learned the hard way."

This is very true...I did a 180 out of my parking lot going >10 mph. Get snow tires or an extra car

hagar852

Yes I planned on replacing the tires if I end up getting the vehicle.

The 2004's I have seen don't have any miles on the.. Brand new.. but one dealership has them discounted to 5000 off the sticker, and that car is fully loaded. All possible options.

Will be on the phone once again today with the dealerships and visiting another one about 40 miles away.

See what happens.

Matt RX8

last time I checked, 2004s were going for invoice. Also, in my area there is $1500 cash from Mazda and another $1500 if you finance with Mazda Credit. SO you should be able to get the 2004 car for about $3000 under the invoice price.

These incentives might go away at the end of the month or they might get better...

MikeMaj82

some places around me are letting the '04s go for about $19000. 6spd base though.

Mike

Matt RX8

Mike,
That is a really awesome price. Where do you live?

hagar852

I live in Rhode Island.

If everything works out well I also need to purchase an all weather tire or snow tires.

The 5000 of discounts also includes the 1500 off if you finance through mazda.

So more realistically it is more like 3000 off of sticker in regular discounts... not to shabby either.