2009 v. 2005
#1
Are we having fun yet?
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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.
Thanks.
#2
Rotary Powered Countryboy
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!
#3
Polish-American Hammarrrr
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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/
Last edited by PotatoSoup; 01-03-2009 at 07:09 PM. Reason: woobly noise
#6
Polish-American Hammarrrr
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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.
#8
Polish-American Hammarrrr
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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.
#9
Software Engineer
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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
#10
Rotary Powered Countryboy
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
#11
Are we having fun yet?
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#12
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
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/showthread.php?t=161665
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/showthread.php?t=161665
beers
#14
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.
#16
#17
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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.
#18
^ 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.
#20
Polish-American Hammarrrr
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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.
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.
Last edited by PotatoSoup; 01-04-2009 at 10:50 AM.
#21
Rotary Powered Countryboy
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!!!
#23
The 337
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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
after premix the tech needle is as calm as a stoner with a thesis paper due the next day
#24
Rotary Powered Countryboy
^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...
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...
#25
The 337
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