Scott R

Quick update: At this point I'm still waiting to hear back as to whether or not the red Sport w/MT and Performance Package exists somewhere. Another wrinkle: I realized that the sales rep who called me this morning was from the same dealership as one of the other sales reps I had been conversing with over email, so I emailed one of them and asked them to sort through that potentially sticky situation.

I've been told that a blue Sport w/MT and Performance Package exists and I know that a local dealer actually has a red Sport w/MT (but without the Performance Package), so I may end up having to make a tough decision: get a different color with the package I want, get a red one without the Performance Package, or try to find a red touring model (and suffer with the reduced headroom). Quite the soap opera so far.

Scott R

Well, when last I spoke with the dealer, they claimed that they found the car and could get it for me and the price was going to be $24.5k. Dealers are closed on Sundays in PA, so today I started second-guessing things (again) and decided to do an online search for some used RX-8's with cloth and no sunroof. I found a couple with low miles (an '04 and an '05) for about $18-19k asking price (both are from car dealers - so I might be able to get them down further). They have fog lamps, but I can't tell from the photos (or the specs listed) whether or not they have traction control. I posted a new thread to see if anyone knew if traction control was standard in '04/'05.

My wife is going to kill me if/when I tell her I'm on the fence about used vs new again.

Scott R

For any long-term rotary owners (especially pre-turbo RX-7's) or just plain resident experts...what sort of long-term reliability can I expect from a 2005-2007 RX-8 if I take good care of it (checking oil often) and don't race it? I'm close to buying an RX-8 and I'm planning to drive it until the wheels fall off. Is the rotary engine going to give me trouble long-term? Will it give me expensive trouble before or after a typical 6-cylinder Japanese-built performance car (e.g., Nissan 350Z)?

Shini

There's guys on the boards that have gone well over 100k+ without any major problems. Not sure if that's as many problem free miles as you were expecting or not, but someone that works for Mazda said he saw one over 150k and was doing great.

From what I hear these cars can go 150k+ without having any major problems as long as they're well taken care of, and your chances are even better if you get a new one. I would suggest just biting the bullet if you can't find a better deal on a new one in your area (Like I said in your other thread the prices at that dealership seem reallllllly steep to me.), But if you can't find better then by all means just take the new one.

delhi

16" wheels on RX8? Even the Mazda5 comes with 17".

coolstorm92

iTrader: (1)

what is a performance package? Mine is a '04 sport 6MT so it comes with HID, DSC and 18" wheels. I see on the mazda site that the 07 6mt sport is listed as having 16" wheels and no hid or dsc. This doesnt seem right, can anybody confirm this. If so get the 05. Oh and personally the only way I would get a touring or grand touring model is if it cost the same as the sport model (leather, bose, sunroof) all that crap is only worth any money to me when I go to resell the car.

Stavesacre21

sounds to me like you're still flipping back and forth on a the turn of a dime...you just need to figure out what's more important.

For me, i'm 6'1", and a sunroof was important to me, just always loved um. As much as i'd love the extra headroom, at times I wonder how weird it would be to NOT have it...it can be so nice sometimes.

All the other lil things, specifically TCS/DSC and xenons, I don't think i could go back to NOT having...especially the xenons. Gotta love those! IMO, i would look for an 05/06 from a private owner that seems trustable, and go from there. No matter what dealers say about not marking up and non-commission sales, it is their job...they'll do and say what they have to to make the sale!

My vote goes for a used GT.

shaunv74

You don't need to run around posting new threads to ask the same question. It just causes annoyance. Just check Edmunds.com for year over year changes. The traction control and Stability controls were options in '04 and '05. They came standard on the GT. I don't know which other trim levels had it optional or standard.

You can search around the tech garage section and search for TSBs to find out about known problems and issues. There are some and all are taken care of under warranty at the dealer as long as you still have the bumper to bumper.

It sounds like you're flip flopping around a bunch. Figure out what you want and stick with it. Just remember there is no decision you make that is the end of the world. And the worst decision you can make is none at all.

Scott R

Well, per my other thread, I finally made a decision. I went with a new '07 Sport w/MT and Performance Package. Thanks for everyone's insights/experiences that helped me to make my decision. If all goes well I'll have the car tomorrow or Wednesday.

shaunv74

Congrats! Yeah I just saw that in your other thread. Nice work getting a new '07 for close to the same price!

You'll be very happy with it. Next thing I recommend is check out the FI comparision thread in the "major horsepower upgrades" section.

Stavesacre21

grats on the pruchase. sure you'll love it.

Paul_in_DC

Congrats and enjoy!