Year by Year Changes
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From: Staten Island, NY
Antontoo:
What I can tell between the 40th aniversary and the 04 models is that the engine performs better... gas mileage is much better.. at least 10%... after 2000 miles... it has never flooded... the 04 would flood after sitting in the garage for more that 5 days...(I travel a lot)...
Handling... is better on the 40th aniversary but not by a whooole lot... performance seems slightly better... I beleive because of better EMU settings and more experience with the Renesis engine...
From what I can tell there is not much difference in powertrain between the 08 40th aniversrary and the 09 R3... it is mostly interior, 19" rims (that should provide something...) and some external changes...
Regards
KO
What I can tell between the 40th aniversary and the 04 models is that the engine performs better... gas mileage is much better.. at least 10%... after 2000 miles... it has never flooded... the 04 would flood after sitting in the garage for more that 5 days...(I travel a lot)...
Handling... is better on the 40th aniversary but not by a whooole lot... performance seems slightly better... I beleive because of better EMU settings and more experience with the Renesis engine...
From what I can tell there is not much difference in powertrain between the 08 40th aniversrary and the 09 R3... it is mostly interior, 19" rims (that should provide something...) and some external changes...
Regards
KO
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road warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
Racing Beat mentioned that the ECU for the 2004 was a 16 bit in their reflash development. It was why it took so long for a 2005 version of the flash to come out versus the 2004.
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From: Vallejo, Ca
Correct me if I'm wrong... but I can't find the oil filter on my 09 R3... where did it go? Did they move it or something? I thought the oil filter was by the fire wall like on the FD
Last edited by 93'roadwarrior; Oct 6, 2008 at 03:11 PM.
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road warrior
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From: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
They moved it to the bottom close to the oil sump. This way the drain plug and filter are in approximately the same location.
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From: Canada ---> Australia
Antontoo:
What I can tell between the 40th aniversary and the 04 models is that the engine performs better... gas mileage is much better.. at least 10%... after 2000 miles... it has never flooded... the 04 would flood after sitting in the garage for more that 5 days...(I travel a lot)...
Handling... is better on the 40th aniversary but not by a whooole lot... performance seems slightly better... I beleive because of better EMU settings and more experience with the Renesis engine...
From what I can tell there is not much difference in powertrain between the 08 40th aniversrary and the 09 R3... it is mostly interior, 19" rims (that should provide something...) and some external changes...
Regards
KO
What I can tell between the 40th aniversary and the 04 models is that the engine performs better... gas mileage is much better.. at least 10%... after 2000 miles... it has never flooded... the 04 would flood after sitting in the garage for more that 5 days...(I travel a lot)...
Handling... is better on the 40th aniversary but not by a whooole lot... performance seems slightly better... I beleive because of better EMU settings and more experience with the Renesis engine...
From what I can tell there is not much difference in powertrain between the 08 40th aniversrary and the 09 R3... it is mostly interior, 19" rims (that should provide something...) and some external changes...
Regards
KO
09s have a redesigned renesis engine with a third oil injector. As well as shorter gearing, with revised rear suspension which I'm not sure what that is.
the R3s have recaro seats and different shocks
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road warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
Engine is the same between 04 and 08 (including anniversary edition). Your 04 most likely possible carbon build up. my 05 doesn't flood at all, and I know a few 04s that have never flooded either. There are differences in PCM but the maps are similar. I let my 05 sit for a few months and it started right up (once I remembered to plug the battery back in). The 40th anni also had a urethane filled front cross member, and blisten shocks.
09s have a redesigned renesis engine with a third oil injector. As well as shorter gearing, with revised rear suspension which I'm not sure what that is.
the R3s have recaro seats and different shocks
09s have a redesigned renesis engine with a third oil injector. As well as shorter gearing, with revised rear suspension which I'm not sure what that is.
the R3s have recaro seats and different shocks
OK, but I had to purchase and install my own AC condensor screen in my March '05 build Shinka. 
My '05 did come with the new starter and battery due to its late March '05 build.
The Shinka also came with a 6-CD changer in the Bose audio system and also a Sirius radio installed (therefore no NAV available).
Excellent list.
My '05 did come with the new starter and battery due to its late March '05 build.
The Shinka also came with a 6-CD changer in the Bose audio system and also a Sirius radio installed (therefore no NAV available).
Excellent list.
Yep, far more elegant design for ease of oil change. They also added a "hatch" to the engine cover for dipstick access.
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From: Livermore, CA
Might want to add the '09 also adds padded leather arms rests on the drivers and passengers doors. But I guess this could be part of "interior changes". I just see you've also listed the leather wrapped parking brake.
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road warrior
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From: Oakland and Los Angeles, CA
Part of restyled interior. Leather parking brake only comes on GT models and I was listing what was changed with that trim line.
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From: Ft. Lauderale, Florida
Right! 04 through 08 engines might be the same... but I don’t think EMU code is... thus the difference in efficiency at least (much better mpg)...
40th Year Anniversary and 09 R3 have exactly the same suspension. Bilstein shocks and foam filled members... see Mazda website...
From performance (HP & Torque) standpoint 04-08 and 09 have same numbers... unfortunately... I was hoping for some more umpf... interior is most of the difference... 09 R3 has Recaro seats, new instruments cluster and Bluetooth...
Regards
KO
40th Year Anniversary and 09 R3 have exactly the same suspension. Bilstein shocks and foam filled members... see Mazda website...
From performance (HP & Torque) standpoint 04-08 and 09 have same numbers... unfortunately... I was hoping for some more umpf... interior is most of the difference... 09 R3 has Recaro seats, new instruments cluster and Bluetooth...
Regards
KO
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Sorry guys this might be a repost. Im trying to pick up a rx8 and ive been browsing around the threads and i have not yet found an answer to my question i kinda got some pieces together and there.
But my real question is whats the true difference between Sports, And Grand Touring for the 2004-2007 models, is it bad to get a 2004 because of all the Recalls?
What does the grand touring come with that the sports model doesnt?
What exactly is the Appearance or So-Call Accent-package?
What about the grand touring interior colors?
But my real question is whats the true difference between Sports, And Grand Touring for the 2004-2007 models, is it bad to get a 2004 because of all the Recalls?
What does the grand touring come with that the sports model doesnt?
What exactly is the Appearance or So-Call Accent-package?
What about the grand touring interior colors?
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From: NYC
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From: Australia
Mechanical Changes Thread with Part Listings Diagrams..
https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-technical-trouble-shooting-160/mechanical-changes-rx-8-series-i-ii-161665/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-technical-trouble-shooting-160/mechanical-changes-rx-8-series-i-ii-161665/
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From: Montreal, Quebec
I read this in another thread, referring to 2009 restyled RX-8:
"I can not stand a single one of the cosmetic changes they've made"
I had a 2004 RX-8, but it was a company car lease and replaced it after 3 years with CX-7. Now it is time to renew again, I want to go back to RX-8 but I'd like to see a side-by-side photo comparison of the 2008 and 2009 exteriors.
"I can not stand a single one of the cosmetic changes they've made"
I had a 2004 RX-8, but it was a company car lease and replaced it after 3 years with CX-7. Now it is time to renew again, I want to go back to RX-8 but I'd like to see a side-by-side photo comparison of the 2008 and 2009 exteriors.
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Interesting, on the Mazda USA Media site it lists the 2010 Vehicle Range, the RX-8 is not included (maybe oversight) , but on their retail site it says 2010 RX-8.
But yeah, there is really no difference and no new colors...essentially it is a 2009....WOW only 3 colors available in the US now.. Red ,Black, Silver.
In Japan, Mazda have included a few features as standard on their line up, rain sensing wipers, Advanced keyless entry with Push Button start, Auto Dim rear view mirror, and a few other things...umm, Auto Lights ON/OFF....
But yeah, there is really no difference and no new colors...essentially it is a 2009....WOW only 3 colors available in the US now.. Red ,Black, Silver.
In Japan, Mazda have included a few features as standard on their line up, rain sensing wipers, Advanced keyless entry with Push Button start, Auto Dim rear view mirror, and a few other things...umm, Auto Lights ON/OFF....
Last edited by ASH8; Aug 26, 2009 at 02:07 AM.
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From: FL
2010 changes
On the Mazda USA site, it now shows the 2010 lineup. The big change is that the Touring model has been dropped. Now there is just Sport, GT, and R3.
Colors have also changed - added Liquid Silver Metallic, and the Crystal White Pearl and Diamond Grey Metallic have both been dropped for 2010. The only colors now are black, red, silver, and blue (R3 only).
Also, now if you get the GT, you're forced to get the moonroof (for 09, it was an option). Don't know why they did this, I like the lines of the roof better without the sunroof. Didn't see any other significant changes. If you look at their MSRP pricing, the R3 is only $240 bucks more than the GT!
Colors have also changed - added Liquid Silver Metallic, and the Crystal White Pearl and Diamond Grey Metallic have both been dropped for 2010. The only colors now are black, red, silver, and blue (R3 only).
Also, now if you get the GT, you're forced to get the moonroof (for 09, it was an option). Don't know why they did this, I like the lines of the roof better without the sunroof. Didn't see any other significant changes. If you look at their MSRP pricing, the R3 is only $240 bucks more than the GT!
Last edited by mike1161; Aug 28, 2009 at 08:59 AM.