LiveBlues

Build date of 10/03, mt. No problems here. The ac cycles warm and cold, but it isn't that big a deal.

Elara

it's the last 6 numbers of your vin (or thereabouts)

124Spider

07/03 build date, and no problems with 6,000 miles on it (bought in December of 2004). Manual transmission, with all the trimmings.

StewC625

GT Package, 6 speed manual, Lightning Yellow with black leather, only mods are upgraded tires and upgraded brake pads.

Razz1

WOW Glad to see most of you 03's use the M Flash.

M Flash, 6/03, 22k, No problems.... except A/C not the best but the A/C Mod works, Especially w/ the new AMP.

knight7

iTrader: (1)

Au 03 build, transmission problem is my last one, cat coverter replaced 1 month after got it, check engine on 2 times supposely the comp flash, radiator replaced for whatever reason. only got 7921 miles. and i have done 5 oil changes.

my opinion get a new build cause im abou

Aseras

Mine's a 9/03 had it since march 31st. 8,000 miles no problems so far except for the typical. ( thin paint, crappy ac performance ). Gas mileage is in the low to mid 20's for me as well.

Kid_Icarus

08/03 29k miles on her with nothing broken on her except for a broken a/c dial that my drunk friend fat fingered but was fixed. Also had a soccer mom tap the side with her mini van but fixed as well. Its running the M flash with no problems and gas mileage in the low 20's to high teens .

pritch

mine is build date of july/august 03 no problems yet

MI_FamilyMan

Also July '03 build with no issues. I'm on the original mid-'04 vintage M-flash, and only occasionally does it take 3-4 seconds for the engine to "fire up" (maybe 3-4 times total).

Jump120MPH

I have #82. I have an 04. I bought it AUG 15 03. All is good. I had the brake pads replace for squeaking. I have had the normal maintenance. Im on the N flash right now. I have 35k on her.

therm8

9/03 L Flash, 42000 miles, not a single problem.

Urchin

Build date 5/23/03, got 7/18/03, VIN ends with 1058. No major problems. Had the two recalls and the AC amplifier done, and have the early M flash. Mileage all city is 18-19. Mixed city/urban freeway is 20-22. No complaints, and have no regrets. While some early builds have had some issues, it seems most have bee OK.

Charles Cope

Build date 05/03, VIN ends in 00502. Purchased 8/6/03. 19K miles, MT.

Flooded once, partly my fault, I didn't charge the battery during last winter's storage. Changed to Pirelli P1 Nero's at 15K, much better, overall.
I wouldn't shy from an early build, but have it checked out - take it to a good shop or Mazda dealer and pay the $50 or whatever to do an evaluation to make sure it doesn't have issues. I've done this on most used vehicles I've bought and its worth the piece of mind!

ALWAZL8

Build date 9/03; received it 11/03. I have 23,900 miles on it, MT GT.

The only issues I've had with mine are the broken visor and the squealing brakes - both replaced under warranty. She's been flooded once - by the dealership, no less, so they replaced the spark plugs when they did that.

I just replaced the Potenzas that came on it because they had started roaring. I put Dunlop Direzza DZ101's on it and it rides much better now.

I LOVE my 8!

JeffS

Mine is not a great car... 9/03 build date, I think. Endless rattles on the interior that the dealer apparently just can't fix... latest problem is a suspension rattle that they failed to fix on their first attempt (it actually seems worse now). I love the handling, engine, & appearance, but the body integrity is driving me insane.

MI_FamilyMan

An added note on the flooding. Although it is recommended to have the engine warm before shut-off, and not to back the car out of the garage and turn it off, it is definitely not an absolute requirement. The dealership moves my car momentarily for oil changes, and the car does not flood. So there are other factors involved.

Also, no rattles here. Not sure if I am the exception or the rule.

brothervoodoo

Sorry, for being off topic. I've posted this in another thread but got no response. Does anybody here have a copy of the Free Maintenance Schedule Program for early rx-8 adoptors?? I believe it was in a picture format (JPG or BMP) and prints to about 6-8 pages?

Thanks!

rx8cited

I did post a reply to that for you! Search my recent posts or your original requests.

rx8cited

brothervoodoo

Thank you Aratinga and rx8cited for tracking this down for me.

gnj152

Build date 01/04 GT AT no problem at all got reflash to P a month ago. LOVE THE CAR!!