Shanezam203

I remember looking at them 6 months ago, and I thought the 04's were around $26k and up. Now I am seeing some nice 04's for around 21-22.
I've been tossing the idea around for a while about getting a used rx8. I really like how they look. I test drove one back in the spring and I liked it. I wouldnt mind test driving another one again.

I have a few questions-
What do they average for gas mileage?
If I need warranty work done, are all Mazda dealerships now working on the rotary engine?
People with the Navigation, is it worth the extra money?
Is the radio 6 disc in dash or single? And is it mp3?
Anyone have any problems with the sunroof?
Are the trunks fairly big?
Are the 6 speeds short throw shifters? Or is there an aftermarket short throw for the 8?
Can I see a pic of the front drivers door open, and the back door closed?

Also any other suggestions on the car, I'd appreciate it. But have they dropped in price some recently?
Thanks a lot, Shane

Frank Patrick

I have a friend that works at Car Max, he said, RX8's, out here in SOCAL, are still commanding a decent price. Color, more in this vehical then others, seems to really play into the formula of how long they sit on the lots. Either way they have lists of folks waiting to pick up good used 8's. in low 20,s.

JM1FE

1. Been discussed many times here, it varies widely. Personal experience is 17-ish (with a low of 10 and high of 18) around town, have gotten 24.5 ONCE on a long, 100% highway round trip. You will get as many different answers as there are people who respond. Seriously, do a search and read the hundreds of threads on the topic.
2. Yes.
3. Personal preference. I'd love to have it.
4. Single is standard, 6-disc OR MP3 (not both at once) is dealer-installed option.
5. No.
6. The trunk is an OK size, but not the most efficiently shaped for suitcases. The opening is *tiny*. Plan on lots of small bags instead of large bags. A rollaboard will fit through the opening, a 30" duffle bag will not.
7. Yes, and yes.
8. I'm sure you can. Try the multimedia/photo forum.

Shanezam203

thanks for the answers.

belkjz

my replies is about the nav its definetly a personal preference but a serious consideration should be made if your girlfriend,wife,significant other is direction impaired i love i no longer have to talk to her annoying and often drunk friends to get directions all you need is the name of the place or an address to the house it definetly cuts down on fights over where we are headed

VikingDJ

In my area, I learned that the fully loaded GT RX8s with Navi don't sell for a whole lot more then your basic sport or touring package ones. The problem is that all those options you pay for just seem to become worthless, as used buyers aren't willing to pay as much for those with all those extra esentially un-needed options. I do think now the price of used RX8s has gone down quite a bit overall in many areas. Used car appraiser sites like KBB, TMV and Nada, have finally caught up with the low demand, and this car has indeed plummeted quite a bit, so used values have dropped considerably in the last few months on the 04 models. Depending on area, some people though will not suffer the wrath I suffered when I sold mine. That has a lot do with the mad deals in my area, and the fact that when I got mine there were over 80 other 04 models there at one dealer, and up until recently there were still plenty of 04s left. Here private party value was $24800, and I sold mine for $24k. I was offered $21800 on trade in, but this was a 36k msrp car. Navigation became pretty much worthless, as it added only about $5-600 to the private party value of car, and even less that on trade in. I'd say unless you plan on keeping car a long time, and will really use Navigation, you are wasting your money on it buying new.

FoxTypeR

Or instead of getting nav, you could marry someone who can actually read maps, that's what I did! Then again, I think the nav would be considerably cheaper...

Shoafb

Nice Cobra !

GerryL

They are getting down into the low $20s. I picked up my silver 6sp GT with 14k mi for $22k just recently in southern CA.

turbojeff

There are FAR more RX8's in the autotrader here (97404) than there are similar year Maximas.

I'd guess if you lowballed everyone you'd find someone selling one cheap.

Shanezam203

Thank you very much. I toss the idea around every few months of selling it and getting something more practical. I really love driving the Cobra it is real nice.
But it'd be nice to get something more practical. I've always liked the rx8 I just dont want to be disapointed and regret making the change.
Im going to go out and test drive another when I get back from Vacation in 2 weeks. Ill let yall know what I think the 2nd time around.

Navigation isnt huge to me. 6 speed, sunroof and two tones red and black interior is all I really need.
Thanks for the replies.
Shane

StealthFox

yeah the sales are way down you're talking about cutting 10k off MSRP after 1 year, used is the way to go. anyways good luck making your decision

Shanezam203

Thank you very much. Navigation I can take or leave. If I was buying new I wouldnt pay $2000 + for it. If I find it in a used one great, but I dont need it.
All Im really looking for for sure is like I said above. 2 tone red and black interior, 6 speed and a sunroof. What options is that the GT Package?
What do you expect I'd pay for one with the above options?
Thanks for the help, Shane

Shoafb

I test drove one before buying a Mach1, the mach had big rebates... no rebates for the SVT so that left about a 10k difference to move up to the Cobra That is one fast car though (or at least to me it is) My wife later purchased an RX-8, nice looking and drives great although I'm still a bit paranoid about this whole rotary thing

What do you find about it that is not practical? Certainly the 8 has more room in the back seats and the 2 extra doors if you have kids?

Shanezam203

I dont really need the back seats, and the Cobra is a very reliable car. I have a chip, exhaust and a pulley on it and it hasn't given me a single problem in the 10,000 miles I had it.
I think I am looking for something different. I know the rx8 isnt as fast as the cobra obviously, but that isnt what Im looking for anymore. I really like how the 8's look, I just have to drive one another time and really get a feel for what its like while driving one.
(i dont have kids) I'm just thinking of trying something new. I had a Lightning previously only a 2 seater and it worked out great.

rx8wannahave

Just remember that the 8 is not as fast as the Cobra...while it's still fast, it's not Cobra fast.

With that said...it looks better, has better quality, the rear seats actually are pretty comfortable and this car is SOOOO FUN TO DRIVE!!!!

Read read read and you will learn a ton here! I hope the best!

JeffS

I had a 2000 Mustang GT and I replaced it with an RX-8. You just have NO idea how bad the handling on a Mustang (even a Cobra) is until you drive an RX-8. It's not as torquey, but I was very pleasantly surprised at the RX-8's power. I thought it would be totally anemic. Far from it. The handling makes me grin every day (and its rattles make me frown!).

Frank Patrick

KellyBlue book (Pasadena) area- trade for 04, 8 with all the goodies about 23, 600. First year hit on almost all new cars is usually the largest.

khtm

Wow, I wasn't aware that a mere 10K miles could tell you anything about a car's reliability. I've put over 27,000 KM (~16,000 M) on my 8 in a year and I don't even think I know if it's "reliable" yet...

Johnnyma45

The biggest headache for me is the brake squeal on this car. It's just ridiculous pulling up to a light in a crowded intersection and having your brakes announce your arrival. I still haven't found a deserted enough road to bed them. The navigation is personal preference, but I wouldn't have gotten the car without it. Forget resale value, just think how cool it is when it flips up every time you start it. It classes up an already superb interior and I get nothing but compliments. Gotta decide if its worth $2000 though (hint: it is.) Also, regarding the sunroof, it rattles a bit for me when I go over bumps. This seems to only happen when I start it up though. Otherwise, good car...

khtm

Get your dealer to grease up the sunroof track with thick grease. They did this to mine and the rattles completely went away...they were getting pretty annoying too. Or you can even do this yourself.

alphapenguin

Its great to have the nav, but I personally think this one isnt worth the money, unless they update the map info. Many times the routes the nav gives are round about, and in some locations, it just stops giving directions (i have no idea why). Maybe ohio is too remote of a place. I've inputed locations that I am familiar with, and the nav directions are definitely not the most logical routes to use.

I still like having it though.

samsong

LoL...
Lucky you! Wish my "navigator" could navigate.