Wait to find a 2008 40th edition or go with a series 2?
 

I am a past owner of 2008 40th edition manual transmission. I purchased it in Kansas City and then moved north of Chicago. I then was moving even further north into Central Wisconsin and I sold it -- regretted it to get an AWD jeep.

Now I am looking to purchase and have narrowed it down to finding a 40th edition version or a series 2. I have driven a 2010 GT manual with 43K miles and it felt "used" not as crisp (I didn't fall in love).

I also drove a certified pre-owned from a Mazda dealer a 2009 GT with an automatic. The automatic was immaculate with less than 29K miles. It felt and looked brand new with little or no wear. I was surprised by the automatic in that it felt "stronger" than 2010 MT and just a "crisper" car overall. I also drive on the highway about 100 miles every other weekend so the lower engine revs at highway speed would be a slight advantage.

Note, I am an older guy so this would be a summer car and I am just over 50 so perhaps the convenience of the automatic impressed me more than I expected.

However, I really loved my 40th edition, knowing they are likely hard to find and I would have to travel, would current owners advise to "wait" and find a 2008 or go with a series 2 even if it were an automatic.

Thanks -

Any comments on this 2008 with less than 50K mileage -
2008 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring

I pulled the car fax and it shows regular oil changes at their local mazda dealer - no mods other than tint and a invisa-bra on the front - original owner

Price is optimistic from my point of view and the owner didn't think they have replaced the spark parks or fluids in the vehicle yet.

Compared to the $14.9K price on this 2009 GT with an automatic and CPO from the dealer - Used 2009 Mazda RX-8 For Sale | Brookfield WI

As an owner of a 2008 40th Anniversary edition RX8 I am biased !. I would look for another, remembering how much you love how that car drove , looked and how it was a special and rare limited edition. I know another RX8 club member who test drove both a new series 2 and a used 40th Anniversary series 1, and chose the series 1 40th Anniversary edition to buy.It just pleased him more, aesthetically and in the driving experience. It's added suspension upgrades were the basis for what would come in 2009 on the series 2 R3 including the bilstein shocks, foam-filled strut towers etc. Just be sure to get that obligatory compression test results for any RX8 you are buying. And BTW I am a older guy, now 62, enjoying my seventh RX. Keep driving till your fingers cant hold the wheel anymore lol.

I took a look at these links. First on the 2008 GT: 1) That window tint may be illegal and a certain ticket/fine in certain areas of the country. Check your area's regulations. 2) At that mileage you will need to change coils, wires and plugs for sure, so factor that into your costs. 3) Also i would change transmission and differential fluids and coolant too. Get a compression check and then if it is good try talking him down on the price, any 2008 (minus a 40th Anniversary edition) should be able to be had for less.

Second on that 2009 GT Automatic: 1) unless you do a lot of city driving, I would think you will have much more fun with a manual tranny. 2) This car will also need a compression test as you never know how it was maintained beyond any regular oil changes. Since this is a dealer selling this car, get them to show you its service records and get the car fax too. 3) the advantages- you get an engine with a third metered oil port, You have a tranny with new ratios as Mazda wanted a little better low end off the line, but you get a little less at the top end. 4)The car does not have any aero goodies, if that matters to you. But it does have the spare tire and bracket. 5) the series 2 all got one extra gallon capacity in their fuel tanks (vs series 1 tanks) 6) The oem stereo is surround sound in the series 2s and bluetooth is standard. 7) and yes try to talk them down on the price. Used Rx8s do not command high prices. See what if any more extended warranty protection beyond Mazda's certified they are offering.

I don't think care about the finer points of the Series 1/2/40th anniversary RX-8's the way they do with the Series 4/5/10th anniversary RX-7's. You're way better off to find a clean, well maintained example with the features that YOU prefer and get a compression check before you buy it, than to get other peoples opinions here.

I appreciate the insight. Plus learning from anyone who has owned, sold and then have gone searching for the replacement RX8.

I will keep looking until the right one comes up. I have decided to hold out for one under 30K miles and just wait to see what comes up in my area.

Thanks - Bob

dear moderator Riwwp I wasnt trying to be antagonistic, just the opposite. As a professional journalist I understand and use words carefully. RXeligion comments I felt were counter to the spirit of any forum. I am an original member of the very first RX7 club and go way back with many Rx clubs and forums and am only here to provide useful and encouraging info and encourage dialogue with fellow forum members. My post was in that spirit. I am sorry you took it otherwise.

His opinion and commentary was provided, which isn't at all contrary to what you said of "OP asked for commentary". You may not agree with it, but it isn't contrary to the forum at all.

Fine, we can just agree that we don't agree here, and leave it at that.

Here is a look at a low mileage 2006 Shinka -- the only thing I can see from the photos is that in the engine compartment it looks like the driver side sound deadening material is shredded.

Pricing on the vehicle seems well below anything in my area that I have seen to date.

Minneapolis, MN 2006 Mazda RX-8 4dr Cpe Used Coupe St. Paul, MN Lakeville, MN Jeff Belzer's Chevrolet Dodge Kia | D437045P | JM1FE173760203316

My next challenge is figuring out how to get a compression check on the vehicle since this dealer doesn't do compression checks on a mazda rotary.

A few photos

I'm also a past RX-8 owner. I had a 2004 and then a 2006 Shinka. I've caught the bug again and started searching online. I'm considering another 2006 Shinka, a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition, or perhaps a Series II. I've found a bunch of 40AE's, at least 16, including a nice low-mileage on this forum. What's up with this many 40AE's for sell now, just coincidence? I'd love hearing thoughts on these options. I've had two Miata's also, and am also looking at those, but I'm leaning toward an RX-8.

I just found this thread and found it interesting as I ended up purchasing the 2009 GT RX-8 at the end of February that was talked about in this thread. So far a terrific car.

I ended up focusing on finding the best condition vehicle with a one owner history that I could find.

That led me to a whitewater pearl 2006 Shinka (one owner) with less than 12,000 original miles out of the St. Louis area via of all dealers Carmax. The car sat at the Mazda dealer for 2 years before it sold (new from the original Mazda dealer).

The difference between the 2006 Shinka and the 2008 AE40 that I used to own is negligible. The advice from one of the first comments basically summed it up for me. Go out and find what you like -- compression test it and be happy with the condition it is in and then just drive it.

Our sports car club had a dyno night at Kelly-Moss racing so it was just fun to have them run it on the dyno (they did 3 runs). All for fun since I had no idea what settings they should have set for it.

That 2009 series 2 was very nice and in terms of the test drive I took in it, the automatic gave it its own unique personality.

I think you just have to find the balance and be able to test drive as many as you can, negotiate a compression test and then just be happy with your toy.

Good luck -

What is the average pricing of serie 2