I'm about to purchase a 2004 and neeed some advice. I must get an automatic (needed for wife to drive) and no sunroof...need the headroom. Should I get the sports package for resale purposes? We favor the softer ride of the standard tires/ rims, but am concerned about not having the Dynamic Stability Control feature. Is the car desirable to otheres without the sports package or should I deal with the rougher ride and get the sports package up front now? Also has anyone heard if there will be many new features in the 2005 that I may miss out on or additional costs?
Thanks for any assist...

 

So far, I have heard nothing about possible 2005 changes.

You are right about the 'sport' tires, a little rougher and noisier, but I feel the Stability feature is well worth it - it is marvelous, performs seamlessly, and can seriously save your (you and the wifes) asses! One good bit of 'sideways' that bangs a wheel on the kerb will make it look like the bargain of a lifetime..... :D

Good luck with your choices,

S

 

Sport package will make the car easier to resell. Much. People who buy used RX-8s usually aren't doing so because they want something that drives like a Camry.

On that same note, why not just teach your wife how to drive a manual transmission? I taught mine, and she swears she would never go back. More fun for all if you get the MT. Also note that several people on this board have traded in their ATs for MTs after being disappointed.

T.

 

An automatic base model rx8 makes for a better daily driver car then a M/T one. The smaller rims and softer suspension really makes a big difference if you want a more friendly luxury feel. This is a tough choice, because having traction control on a base model automatic rx8 would be perfect for you. DSC and TSC is a great safety feature to have, but for normal driving on a base model automatic, I don't feel it's needed unless you don't trust yourself in bad weather to lay off the gas and slow down. If I were you, I'd look at the base model auto rx8 without sports package as well as with one. You may be able to find an unbeatable deal on a base model auto, or maybe the opposite, which would be a better deal on an auto sports package rx8. From a safety point of view, the 16 inch rims on base model auto will handle better in bad weather, and you have so many more options on better traction tires, so the DSC is not needed, which is why it comes with sports package. Personally I'd save the money and go without it if I were you. Good luck!!

 

I (female) have the sports package, I really don't notice a rougher ride, but then this car is a sports car and it drives, handles and rides like one.

I love it!!! never even considered the AT, but i learned to drive in a 66 VW. Teach your wife, you'll be glad you did and so well she.

As far as the sunroof, I thought I wanted it, but it was so far back that I really wouldn't have enjoyed it much, so I chose not to get it.

 

In my opinion, I would think most people looking to buy this car from you in a few years would prefer the larger rims.

As for changes, Mazda (mazdausa) replied to my inquiry last week saying they added Snowflake White Pearl as a color and a satellite radio compatible tuner. They said they did not have pricing information yet, and to check back in August.

 

I have the Touring (and Sport) package on my 8, and I love it. But yes, it does ride just a bit more stiffly, and there is a little more tire noise. Seeing as how you live in Fla. I doubt that you get to deal with many serious twisties on Fla. roads. If there were any chance you might drive it in snow, I'd recommend against the Sport tires, but I guess that situation is unlikely.

My best suggestion... be sure you drive both. And i don't mean 5 minutes around the block. Tell the dealer that you are serious about buying one, but you need a little time in the car. Spend 30 to 60 minutes in a Sport Package equipped car. That should give you enough time to get a good feel for that model.

I did that a few years ago with a car (different make) I was in love with, and "just had to have." Thank God I spent a little more time in it. After about 20 minutes in the thing, I found one feature that would have made me miserable after a while. -Just a suggestion, but DO buy the one you can live with on a daily basis. What good is a car with a higher resale value or better handling if you don't really enjoy it?

 

So what car was it? And what was wrong?
:D

T.

 

If you haven't bought your car yet, you may be interested in mine. I have a 04 silver, AT w/o the sports package. The reason for this is b/c my fiance drives it and doesn't really need the performance. Thus the smaller tires, for ride and for price. The 17" tires are alot more mulla. I also will through in the snow tires that we had to purchase. The car has 7500 miles on it. It also has the appearance package and cloth seats.

 

Truss-

This is going to sound really dumb... but here goes.

That car was a new Plymouth Breeze 5spd. Having 2 kids, I needed the room, but it was available with a stick, and I liked the car. In fact, I had them write up the deal, and we worked out the trade-in of my other vehicle. However, I thought I'd like to drive the car home from the dealer just to show the family and also to spend just a bit more time in it before signing the "I DO" part.

As I drove the 20 minutes to get home, I began to notice that i couldn't get the left dash vent for the A/C positioned anywhere where it wasn't blowing directly on my left wrist when my hand was on the wheel. Unfortunately, there was no provision for turning that vent off (as you can on many other cars). After 20 minutes my wrist was really sore from the cold air blowing on it.

I loved the car, but drove it back knowing that I couldn't live with a sore wrist every time i drove it. Granted, this was probably not a problem for most people, but it must have just been the way I fit in the car and held the wheel. I was really disappointed, and felt kinda stupid, but had to tell the salesman that I just couldn't buy it.

 

Funny story, Renesis, but goes to show you how important the little things are. You never woulda found that left vent thing on a 5-minute test drive. That musta drove the dealer nuts if you told him why you backed out.