2009 v. 2005
 

I owned a 2005 GT RX-8 and am thinking about buying a new 2009 base model. what material differences shuld I look for in the test drive?

Thanks.

I don't think they changed much appearance wise I know they changed wheels, steering wheel design and i believe the radio design but i think that the best thing about the 09's are the 3rd oil injector for the apex seals!

Don't get the "base" model. Get at least the "Touring" with HIDs and the LSD.

The suspension has been tweaked.
There have been additional structural reinforcements for added safety.
The transmission is a new design.
The LSD has apparently been revised.
The steering wheel is the Mazda corporate wheel found on the MX-5, etc.
Obvious external cosmetic changes.
Annnnnnnd....the most important thing:

Significantly revised/updated/improved RENESIS!

See this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-technical-trouble-shooting-160/mechanical-changes-rx-8-series-i-ii-161665/

oh yeah i forgot about the Tranny supposed to get more tq out of it ha

Anyone have enough experience with an '09 to know if the real world gas mileage is any better?

Probably not, but does it really matter if it's +/- 1 mile per gallon?

It does apparently use oil at a faster rate than the 04-08 though, thanks to the new oil injector/EMOP setup. Which is a good thing, more lubrication = mo' better. :)

Does not matter at + or - 1 mpg.....

So far the '09 owners around here haven't had much to say about that one way or the other, so I wouldn't worry about it. Pretty much the same as it was. The changes made to the Series II RENESIS were to improve reliability and possibly "driveability", but not performance or fuel economy.

I gotten a consistent 250-300 miles out of my tank until it suddenly dropped to less than 150miles, but now it's suddenly back to 250-300miles.. I almost hit 400miles doing 100% highway driving though :D

It's prob a little better I knowonce i started using premix my gas mileage has def went up quite a bit. From 180-190 a tank up to about 220 so that's not bad at all

"Premix"??

base model does not exist. and you cant buy a six speed without the lsd.

beers :beer:

Base model is the Sport :p:

It does have the LSD though, no HIDs and no DSC/TCS

It is pretty shocking that DSC is not standard on all 8 models. Mazda shouldn't punish the safety aspects of buying this car for those who can't afford the touring/gt, or those who want the base model to do aftermarket stuff.

There are some people who do not want to have DSC in their cars

Haha like who? You can shut it off. Does it add a ton of weight or something?

I can't imagine anyone not wanting it.

I didn't want DSC. To me the base model is the best unless it's an R3. Why pay for something I don't want or need? Not gonna use DSC on the track and I don't drive like a lunatic on the street. It's just a bunch of extra electronics that can go wrong. Simple is better and lighter. I spent the money I saved getting the base model on parts I actually wanted.

^ Nice reason. I was thinking that perhaps those who do a lot of aftermarket add-ons might not want it. I guess it just surprises me a little because DSC works great on most cars and has saved my life more than once. I was not driving like a lunatic, either.

BTW, Has anyone FI'd a 2009 yet, and have the motor changes done anything that would cause compatiblity issues with the current systems--such as the pettit SC?

Yeah, come on, DSC/TSC piggybacks on the ABS system anyway, it may just involve a few extra sensors for steering angle position, etc. It's reliable, not something typically prone to failure.

And it can be totally defeated by the driver anyway if you don't want or need it.

The only reason it's not standard on the Sport/"base" model is because they want to make you feel like you're getting yet another extra if you step up to the Touring model or higher.

I personally think the Touring model is the "sweet spot" in the lineup anyhow. The HIDs, stability control, and Homelink/autodimming mirror is a perfect package in my mind. :)

Premix....I and many others around the 8 world mix some synthetic 2 stroke/marine oil in with their gas I use about 6 ounces to a tank usually about a 250:1 ratio.....after seeing a pic from another forum member of his rotors and seeing that the 2 oil injector we have only really lubricate the side of the apex seals I decided that I was going to start it and it's great runs smoother, seems to rev faster, and the gas mileage seems to b somewhat better but hard to tell becuse now that it seems to rev easier/faster i'm always up around 6k or higher!!!

Nice tip about the premix. Thanks.

before premix the tech needle looked like a 5th grader who forgot his ritalin

after premix the tech needle is as calm as a stoner with a thesis paper due the next day

^haha you could say that

to the OP just search PREMIX in the search bar and ther is a cumlative premix thread that u coud read for weeks if you think u might b interested in using it...

+1 the Premix thread got me through this semester of school