2009 or 2008?
 

all the papers are ready for an fully loaded 2008 and touring 2009. both have the same price of 29xxx.

my main concerns are looks, handling, and the gearing.

2008 looks so much better, and has the 50/50 weight

2009 has the relocated dipstick, and extra oil injector, but the 52/48 weight.

2008 has the final drive 4.444 vs. the 2009 4.777

2008:http://allcarcentral.com/Mazda-pdf/Mazda_RX-8_2008.pdf
2009:http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/..._specs_RX8.pdf

help me make a decision guys! thanks! please vote and give a reason!

2008 is my vote, but also depends on colors and transmission, both of witch you have not provided

a gt 8 would be better than an 09 touring, if your getting 09 get an r3 or gt or go for the 08

one last questions, does the 08 have nav?

both are black, with the manual transmission.

and the 08 does not have navigation, the 2009 MIGHT have one. the guy was talking about throwing it in for an extra 22 dollars a month or as an incentive, idk.

my vote is deff the 08 then, r3 is the only reason to get an 09 IMO

22 a month for how many months? i wouldn't pay extra for a nav...and i didn't know the touring models could get nav but ive never really looked into that

i'd say the 08 is a better deal..whats the price of the 08 gt? i think you said around 29xxx which IMO is overpriced for an 08 i know a 09 gt is going for about 27 here (with little negotiation)

both were a buy out of 29xxx

if I am not mistaken nav can be added to any trim

:uhh: :uhh: :uhh:

As far as I know, the RX-8, like many other cars, is advertised as having 50/50 weight distribution when that is not exactly the case. I'm pretty sure all RX-8s, including the '09, are actually 52/48.

Get the '09.

I believe this is true as well

The car either has nav or it doesn't. You can't just add it on. The wiring in the car is different. From the way you are describing it, it seems the dealer is playing some games.
Some of the original RX8 can no longer get updates to their maps. It's up to you how important this is to you. It may be better to get a portable/movable unit.

I'd probably go with the one that has the most mechanical improvements/refinements: '09 by a hair. (Was gonna say "by a nose," 'cept I don't like the new nose—nor the new side gills or steering wheel. The rear looks a bit better, though.)

Plus the 09's suspension has been tightened so it should be a little bit better around corners.

I dunno though, there isn't THAT much difference. The 09 does have some nice sutble updates though, like the extra injector, improved exhaust, improved BOSE, bigger gas tank (big deal for a drinker like this), and sunroof optional on touring and gt (if you are over 6 feet, this makes a difference).

I do question the gearing though myself but two posters around here Darklord and SWDuvall seem to be in harmony so far with their 09 manuals.

Just drive both and see which one feels better and buy that one lol.

Only the GT can have nav from the 2009 model.

The weight distribution is exactly the same as previous models, it's just advertising.

Mind you, a changed of 2% in weight distribution is highly unlikely to change anything.

Get the newer model, it's new. If you're going to pay full price, might as well get the newest one available.

The drive ratios make very little difference.

Haggle with the dealership, I got my 09 touring for 26,000$ with the Premium package.

The 09 also has tightened suspension and the engine brace or w/e you wanna call it is more robust, it has 2 instead of one, the second one goes from the wheel wells to the windshield area.

It does kinda sound like you are getting a crappy deal.

Full price for an 09 touring it sounds like?

I say 09. Extra oil injector + looks = winner for me.

Yea, the 09 touring has an MSRP of 29,998$ (with no options on it, the premium package is an extra 1,000 or 1,500$ I believe)

will there be a mazdaspeed front bumper available for the 09's or do the previous mazdaspeed bumpers fit?

09 Mazdaspeed parts are slowly trickling out, old parts don't fit.

Are you really that bothered by the front of the 09?

I'm sorry, but I just don't get that. I'm not the biggest fan of the plastic nose, but it hardly ruins the looks. In fact, there some other styling cues which I think are superior to the old model like the headlights and taillights.

Go with the new just to be different. IMO, different is what the 8 is all about.

I would get the '09 for the 3rd oil injector. The new nose doesn't look so bad in black. But you should be able to negotiate a better price in this market.

i think 08s look better

Is the 08 a leftover one? or used?

i think it would depend on what kind of deal you will get the 2008 for. if the 2008 is ridiculously cheap then go for it.

According to the Mazda USA website, the 2009 model receives additional structural reinforcement that makes it "stronger and safer than ever before", or something to that effect.

buy a preowned 07 with low miles and save yourself the inequity.

Made a choice yet?

grrrrrr my dad just found an 06 with 10k miles for 15k, he wants me to get that. but right now im leaning towards the 08 :/

Your dad is smart. There is no difference between the 08 and the 06. Why not save 14 grand?

Absolutely. Father knows best ... unless it's an AT, of course, then you must run away and join the circus.

09...swap the fugly steering wheel if possible!

take the 06! same as 08 but much cheaper. extra plus if its white

all comes down to personal preference man. I personally would have never bought an RX-8 if the 2009 model had been around when i bought mine in 2006. I just can't get over the exterior changes...

as for 06 or 08, you'd have to be nuts to still buy the 08! It's the same car, for 1/2 the price! With the warranty extension covering ALL RX-8s, you're gonna be GOLDEN in the 06.

i have around 5 grand, and my dad has around 5 grand, and ill pay off the rest. so can we all agree on the 06 would be better

cheaper, same car, maybe a few thousand more miles on it.

i love the 09 steering wheels, go test drive one, it feels perfect, and the cruise control set up is amazing!

09 only if its R3. I saw the non-R3 rx8 and they look less sporty.

AGREED, get the 06, same sht as the 08....plus imagine all the money you save, LET THE MODDING BEGIN!

Did I not suggest what daddy suggested?!?! LOL

lol i dont think were making your choice any easier this vote is split

you cant go wrong with a 06, 07, or 08.

I have a 2005 and its been great. Wouldnt trade it in for a 2009 even if they offered to pay my car off, pay my down payment and pay my first couple monthly payments..

The new R3 look pretty sweet but they remind me of the new civic SI's they added so much tacky stuff... turns me off

the base 09's look like a grandma trying to act younger car BIG thumbs DOWN!

but what matters the most is your getting the same exact thing.. think ahead not right now.. cause youll look back and say man i shoulda baught the slightly used one.. I know i wish i could have done that but i didnt have much choice.. now there is a wide variety of choices.. so enjoy! :)

This is a hard one, I like a lot of the improvement of the 09 but it is some damn ugly compared to the 08. A really hard call to bad you can't have the trans and drive line of the 09 with the good looks of the 08. I just don't think I could enjoy the 09 looking like it does.

I actually like the looks of the base model '09 better than the others. The larger, aggressive oil cooler openings look quite nice without the ugly fog-lights. But that's beside the point really since the extra cost of an '09 vs low-mileage used just cannot be justified for a kid whose parents are paying for part of the car. I wouldn't even pay the extra for an '09 for myself. Now a 2-seater 16x, that's a totally different story!

Yeah, the only people I know so far who don't like the 09s are previous 04-08 owners on these boards. Coincidence?

I don't want to cause controversy but it's kinda ridiculous and obvious. Like the 09 steering wheel. Who the hell would make a big deal out of that in the first place? If you care about steering wheels then you will never be happy with any car as far as I'm concerned. And if you like after market stuff, then the 09 steering wheel matters even less.

It's just a manifestation of jealousy :lol:

I can see why you thought the steering wheel of the 09 is decent. Ford owners has no right to talk about interior aesthetics. :lol2:

Oh no! I'm also a GTI Owner and owned an 04 S4 before my Mustang so sorry I can appreciate other cars. That S4 probably had one of the nicest interiors of any car ever made. Nice try though you little dork. :lol:

Sorry that some of us can grow up and appreciate other cars.

I love the 09 steering wheel :p:

09 if its only a R3. Besides that, buy a used 06-07

2008 is faster in the 1/4 and stops better per R & T.

you mean the R3 4pt strut tower bar?

i've checked out some '09s when it hit the dealership... i think only the R3 has the 4pt bar as all others still have the same strut bar.

however... an extra oil nozzle is something all previous models are short changed on.

i voted '08, but looks are easily modable. if this IS going to be your keeper, and you intend to learn rotary maintainance... somewhere down the line you'll want to upgrade or wish you had the extra oil nozzle to begin with.

if this car isn't gonna follow you to the grave... get the '08. enjoy the extra luxuries.

GL on ur purchase