Well I have been waitin rather IMpatiently since last Thursday when I gave the dealership 5k down payment to pick up my car. I am purchasing a 04 with sport package and only 1500 miles on it for $22,900. Good deal, I think. Anyway in my waiting I have been on here every day reading up on the car. One thing I can't seem to find that just popped into my head is... Do the rear seats fold down at all?? Not going to sway my decision from buying, just a thought. I am picking up the car tomarrow (hopfully) after waiting for the lein release on the car to go through. CAN'T FRIGGIN WAIT!!!!!

 

Nice! 04 is kinda outdated though, 22.9k really the best deal you could get? >.< I'm sure you could've done alot better!
You'll love the car soooo much once you get it! I guarantee it :p

 

The rear seats DO NOT fold down, there is a storage bin in between the seats that comes out and is open to the trunk. Maybe good for a set of Ski 's??

 

Correct--I've read that the crossmember between the C-pillars is essential to cabin rigidity, so folding seats are out. The rear seats in the 8 are far superior to the typical folding versions found in less-expensive sedans (like the Corolla I was stuck in for a week while the body shop restored her crumpled bottom)

 

Please pardon my ignorance, but: what's a C-pillar?

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

The pillar between the rear door windows and rear window.

Pillars:

A - between front window and main side windows
B - between side windows
C - between rear door windows and rear window

 

Ahhhh, I get it. Thanks!

 

Not sure what you mean. Except for some minor features (retractable key, windshield washer tank color, etc) I know of no real difference between 2004's 2005's and even 2006's (unfortunately).

 

One of the reasons I bought early. The more changes that the auto makers do each year the greater the rate of depreciation. Mazda does not make frequent or large changes compared to other automakers.

I don't need to be getting jealous of the new model year every year.

 

You can see the relevant crossmember from within the trunk -- it's right up against the back of the seats and blocks the opening that might otherwise be used as a passthrough. And it IS essential to keep the cabin structure rigid, due to the huge open area created by the suicide doors.

 

You can see it in this pic, that is the pass side rear. There is a similar one on the left side.

 

Aha, I get it! (dawn breaks over marblehead. )

Thanks large, Nubo and expo1. This is the kind of info that makes this place worthwhile.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

It's good for a set of skis, but also dangerous. Imagine what happens to those skis when you hit the brakes. As an answer to this, I saw a Japanese site some time ago that had a special ski bag meant for the RX-8 that you secured in the trunk by tying it down, so they wouldn't launch forward in a hard braking or crash.