Test drove an '05 RX-8 on saturday. I've decided I have to have one. My wife has decided that I have to get as good a deal as possible (wish we were rich). I don't need (read can't afford) all the extras, I'd be extatic to get a base model.

So I have some questions:
-What are the differences between the '04 and the '05?
-Is there anything I should know about pricewise when looking for an '04 be it used or new?
-Any websites that I should be looking at for more information?

Thanks guys.

 

05 now comes in white. 04 yellow is discontinued.

Get the 2004 'new'. You'll save a couple thousand $ and you don't have to get the base model. Same thing but it's just been sitting on the lot for while. Just make sure you get all the recall and updated flashes before you take delivery. A search will bring you more detail.

 

Yeah, see if you can get an 04. Replacing yellow with white is all that really changed for 05. You could also get a used one.

 

the color is the only difference between the models?

 

The color...and the '05 has a new key that flips out when you press a button.

Yes, those are the only difference! Odd, eh.

 

Ok, good, then It lookst like I'll be getting an '04.

It has to be automatic.

considering that I need 0 extras (I don't need leather, power seats or anything), what would be a decent price for a new one and what would be decent for a used one with under 10k miles?

 

Go to mazdausa.com and search the dealer inventory in your area. Very helpful site. There is no reason to buy a used '04 when you can get a very strong price on a new '04. Last Thursday I bought an '04 6 speed gt for 7,600 below msrp. Had two other offers for approx 6,700 below msrp. The left over stock on '04's will likely be models with heavy options rather than base models.

 

I don't know much about cars (never bought a new one before), how much is 7,600 below msrp?

 

Ok, I've looked at the website and found one that i like for 28,570, how on earth do I get them to go down by 7,600?

 

MSRP was 32,089, bought it for 24,995 before tt&l. According to KBB.com, dealer invoice for this '04 was 29,336 (6 speed, gt pkg, spoiler, spare tire, appearance pkg). Dealer add on of window etching (retail 495) probably had a cost of about 150. So cost was about 29,500, less rebates of 3,250 less dealer discount off invoice (approx. 1,250) got me to 24,995. I had to go out of state (approx 200 miles) but it was worth it.

 

same thing for me...bought a loaded gt for far less than an 05 base....im not complaining

 

Zofran,
Get someone who knows something to go with you or they will rape you because they can tell your a neophite. If not spend a month or so on line boning up so you at least have an idea what to do. Don't buy extended warrenty, rust protection, anything the the finance person says you should get. Pick a price you want and stick to it. Unfortunately the time to get a new 04 is slipping aways so take someone with you or learn and buy later. Car dealers love inexperienced people, can feed you all kinds of crap. Learn first, doing it by expereince can be a really bad way good luck geting in a 8, just be carefull

 

The best thing you can do is go on the Mazda Website and start searching the inventory, as already mentioned. When you search, look also at the VIN numbers of the cars, this gives you an approximation of the real age of the car. There are a lot of 2004 cars, which were actually built in July/August 2003, but for some reason importet to the US only in late summer or fall 2004. The dealer will tell you they are brand new, but in reality they were stored somewhere in Japan for over a year.

The VIN consists to my observation of four parts: e.g. VIN JM1FE173940111864

JM1FE17 - manufacturer/model designator
39 - ??? (plant related?)
4 - the model year (4 = 2004, 5 = 2005)
0111864 - the sequential vehicle number

I was first looking at a car with that VIN above. A call to Mazda USA revealed, that it was build in July 2003. After intensive search in the Dealer Inventory pages, I found my car with VIN JM1FE173340140194, which is only a few thousand cars shy of being a 2005, built in June 2004.

What is the difference? It has all the recalls and service bulletins *factory* installed, has the new NAV hardware/software and has less stand-still time.

If you don't care about this, then you should at least argument with the *real* age of the car for a better price. And you should get confirmation that all critical service bulletins have been implemented.

 

Don't get a base car! Lots of reason: higher profile tires (smaller wheels) or LSD on the auto, no HID headlights, no stability control, no traction control, no fog lights. It is "only" another $1,200 or so and well worth it.

As was mentioned, find a sport pack left over 04. Dealer cost is around $26,400 and then take off the $4,000 in rebates and you should be able to get one for $22,400 or less. No reason to even look at a used car at that price.

You can use the car search at the Mazda USA web page to find the right car in your area.

Dennis

 

Should I use a website like www.invoicedealers.com where they call you with deals? I'd hate to give them my cell number (don't use a land line anymore) and have them calling me for months.