MikeMaj82

Hey all, I've been looking into getting a new car for a while now. I actually considered getting a leftover '04 a while ago, but I've read about them having way too many problems. Well, now dealers are trying to clear out their '05s, so I may be able to get a good deal, but I just wanna know if all the kinks have been worked out for the 05s. I know the first year for any new model can be very problematic sometimes, and that it's wise to wait for the next year, so how are the '05s doing problemwise?

Mike

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i think it's also wise for those with perfectly running '05s to state your case, so he can see a *real* comparison between how few people are having problems, versus the vast majorities with problem-free 8's.

midlifer

Had my 05 A/T for a little over 2 months now and I put 4,000 miles on it. No trouble at all. No idle issues, gets 19 - 20 MPG and starts up every time. Good luck.

Bob

swoope

iTrader: (5)

04 30k miles 3 reflashes and an o2 sensor. thats it. no rattles no broken buttons no flooding.

the sky is not falling.

hope this helps, btw in over 30k miles only 3 tanks have been under 20 mpg. and those 3 i was thrashing the car. revi + new gtimmer = bad gas mileage for a couple of tanks.

beers

Shinka13

05 Shinka, only problem I had was a few times the car didn't want to excelerate (SP) like normal, but it cleared itself up. Could have been bad gas. Other than that no problems. I only get about 13-14 MPG (I like hearing the beep though)

tiggerlee

'05 here. Bought October '04. The only issue I've had is the brake squeal and headlight film.
Zero problems mechanically. I only burn 93 octane and redline it often to keep crabon build-up to a minimum. :D

swoope

iTrader: (5)

springfield, is that a burb of dc????

seems to me all the people with bad mileage live in stop n go citys. just an observation.

i live just south of orlando. run ac all the time go to and from work 80hi 20city. and have to beat the crap out of the car to get below 20mpg.

maybe im just lucky.

beers

rx8cited

Yes Springfield is a suburb of DC ........ I live in a DC burb too and usually get 19+ mpg driving about 60%hiway/40%city on Shell 87.

MrJynx

i have an '04 since last june. Put on about 33,000km and haven't had any issues, even in -30c temp I had no problems.


MrJynx

nightworm

I've had my '05 for two months and put 3500 miles on it. Constant stop and go traffic......I've had zero problems and gas mileage between 18 and 22mpg.

Socr8tes

Wow, 80mpg!! You must have the Tornado! :D (sorry, had to do it.)

rodrigo67

got an 04, had it for a year. runs great, no start up issues and has never been in the shop other then a couple of oil changes. No problems at all... :D

fotofreddy

04 - Onlu issues are a couple od CEL's - diagnosed as random misfires - upgraded flash- no more issues

missinmahseven

'05 shinka 6MT, 7000 miles, only 'problems' is a squeaky leather door insert and a light sunroof rattle.

Drivetrain-wise, she's perfect. 15-17mpg in town with a bit of freeway, and I make it beep lots. Haven't had the chance to do a long freeway drive yet to see highway mileage.

JonsToy

I bought a used, early built (6/03) '04 with 9500 miles on it. In the 9 months I've owned it, I've taken it in only once, but I got my money's worth on that visit:
New headlight assemblies
New a/c amplifier
New front brakes
New stronger battery
New defroster button
Stopping by the dealer tomorrow for a taillight assembly (condensation)
It may sound to you like a lot of problems, but I consider it only a minor inconvenience. My dealer is quite helpful and arranges a loaner if I need it. Most of these are trim issues. The car runs great! I'm on the "M" flash, never flooded, no loss of power issues, and get between 16 - 18 mpg in 100% non-highway mileage.
That said, remember a 2004 now has almost two model years of depreciation whether you buy it new or not. If it were me, it would have to be a super deal to convince me to buy a new, two year old auto.

Elara

People keep saying "I heard the 04's have all these problems, therefore I don't want one- where are "these problems" coming from? In two years, I've had NOTHING major go wrong. I have had the oil pan replaced because of a recall, a cracked temp control ****, and the A/C recall. And I consistently get between 18-22 mpg, highway or city. And that's ALL in 37k miles. There is nothing wrong with most of the 04s.

rx8wannahave

I got a 2005 base 6spd in December 2004 and it's had ZERO issues. I do have some roof fabric that I want looked at and one time the engine almost shut off on me but that's about it in 4.2K worth of driving.

Maybe bad gas caused the engine to sputter for a sec...???

Edit: LOL...OK, zero issues that have caused me to walk...lol. But, what's listed above are my only complaints.

Fuel524

I bought an '05 M/T about a month and a half ago and have a little shy of 2500 miles on her. If had zero problems and the car hasn't even seen the dealer as of yet. The only things I've noticed are a slight rattle sometimes in the rear window and some brake noise

Frank Patrick

Due to the fact that my 04 was stolen, and replced with an 05, in my case I have had a bit more troubles with my 05, then I had with my 04- Just one case so statistically insignificant.
These have all been minor. I still think the 8s in general, are extremely well built, balanced, and a style of there own. I'd buy another.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

80% and 20 %

duh, sorry.

beers

theclaytaurus

Just out of curiousity, what build date is the cut off for "2004" and the start of "2005"? Anyone know?

grvmchne

04 bought it in October of 04...no major problems had some brake squeal...dealer fixed...a/c dashboard lights sometimes flicker...dealer could not find it...gonna stop by once it happens again and get them to fix it...center console lid broke...going to get that replaced at the same time...other than that everything runs fine...by this time on my Honda Accord I had twice as many problems so I am quite pleased...

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

June '04 was the last build month for '04s, they started building '05s in July '05.

theclaytaurus

do you mean july '04?

\\Konig\\

iTrader: (4)

05, have had it for over a half a year, no issues as of yet.