Is there something about the VIN or some other way to determine if an RX8 is a 2004 versus 2005 model?

 

There's a sticker on the driver's side door that lists the manufacture date

 

if you're looking at a yellow one, it's a 2004.

 

If you are looking at a white one, it's a 2005.

If you are looking at a red one, it's the fastest.

 

Vin Number:

* 1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)
* 2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A),
BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),
Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Oldsmobile(3), Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).
* 3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.
* 4th to 8th characters- Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.
* 9th character- Identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.
* 10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T),
1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)
* 11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.
* 12th to 17th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production
as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line.

 

If you can't remember all that . .. 05's dip sticks are fairly easy to check with engine cover on, and they have 3 "dots" on them to mark the levels (between the empty & full line) It is also quite a bit smaller/thinner than the 04 dipstick. The 04 dipstick only has the "top and bottom" line that tells you if its full or low.

 

BTW, don't know if that holds up for _all_ 04's, but I think it does.

 

If it's a Shinka it '05.

I also agree the VR is the fastest.

 

washer fluid bottle is black on 04 and clear in most 05's

 

VR is the fastest...no contest

 

That's not as reliable because an '04 owner can ask to have the '05's oil dipstick installed. I did. They are so much easier to read compared to the old oil dipstick, which is like between modern days and the dark ages.

 

i think the washer fluid bottle difference is the easiest hint to differentiate.

also as a general guideline, any VIN with the last 5 digits below 40000 is most likely an '04

 

Ask to see the keys. The 2005 has a switchblade-like key that flips out from, and is connected to, the fob. The 2004 has a key separate from the fob.

 

^although you can get that style key for your 04

 

easy, 05's have built in XM radio capability, 04's don't

 

The brake rotors are painted on the 05's

 

Nope, I got a Shinka (definitely an 05) and my dealer won't fix the rusty rotor hubs... Oh well, one more thing to add to my mods...

 

not all 05's do. early 05's got leftover 04 radio's. Bucha people are pissed on the forums here.

 

Easy!
Just stare in to the face of an 04' owner...
We all have the look:
"Ah ****, I should have waited for the 05' "

 

Actually numerous butt dyno tests confirm that black is the fastest. Just look at all the Track and Field records.

 

I will confirm that - my '05 was VERY early, no SAT button and no clear washer reservoir - all I got was the cool key.

 

Don't forget that the 05's have a different horn and also have a green dash headlight thing (04's had a yellow dash light).

 

dash headlight? you mean the little headlight idiot light inside the fuel/temp cluster when you turn on the light?

mine's green :p