MoeZ

Hi all

I´m new to the board and like it very much. I am thinking of buying a 2003 RX8 and I wanted to know what I should pay special attention to when inspecting the car.

Please help me


Regards from Iceland

MoeZ

NoTears316

Ensure that any recalls have been completed. Also run a Carfax report on the VIN number to ensure it hasn't been in any major accidents.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

Rhawb

Er, I may very well be wrong, but wasn't 2004 the first year of production for the 8?

hemanrulez

First model year is 2004 but there were many cars built in 2003 (including mine) with a MY of 04.

These cars should be referred to as 04 models to prevent such a confusion.

NoTears316

My 04 was built in August 03

CarAndDriver

In some countries outside NA, it came out in 2003. Doing a search should yield answers. Just get the recall work done.

MichaelBrown

my 2006 MX-5 was built in 08/05
Made in Japan, Baby

Cody Red

I thought they always made vehicles a year ahead, kinda like magazines when you get an April issue in March. Or am I wrong?

-Cody

early 30's crisis

Yes you are correct. They come out a year early, but they keep making them even early into the model year (depending on demand/model etc.).

Mine.. build Feb 2006. Bought June 2006

rotor_man

from what i understand its an American thing to buy say a 08 car at the last part of 07. it is just marketing BS The rx8 came out in Japan and i know New Zealand in 03.

Anyway MoeZ what to look for: Firstly as i don't know much about Icelands car market. Is the car a used import from Japan. If so the main thing is to make sure it is the top spec model known as type S in japan. If it was sold new in Iceland make sure the services have always been done.

Razz1

what he said what he said what he said

MoeZ

Hi all
Thanks for all the answers but I still need some info. I will start with what I know about the car.
This car was built in 2003 but bought in December 2003 in the USA. So the car was exported from the USA to Iceland in December 2005. It has done 25000 miles. How can I see if it is the 192hp version or the 231 hp version. Was the 192 hp version even sold in the USA? What do you mean by "Just get the recall work done".

Thanks in advance

Regards from Iceland.

MoeZ

Go48

The "standard" engines in the automatic transmission versions for that model year were 192 HP due to a different internal engine design from the "high-power" manual transmission engine. All the MT cars had the higher powered engine. There have been several--I think 3--relatively major recalls and a bunch of service bulletins. (I'll post a link shortly.) You may not be able to get those done in Iceland since your car is a North American car. But at least you can read the recall information and see if Mazda will take care of them for you.

Edit: Here is the link to the service bulletins and recalls.
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

RotrDoc

So that makes your car a 2004 North America model. Granted, that's marketing hype, but it is standard hype. (In Texas, the very first RX-8s hit the dealer floor in June or July 2003. I bought mine in October).

Automatic tranny--192 hp

Manual tranny--231 hp

Become familiar with the TSBs on the finishline site. Most of these items are Technical Service Bulletins which authorize repair or replacement of components if a problem is experienced with that particular vehicle. The dealer is not required to accomplish the service if he does not confirm that the problem exists on that vehicle. The "emissions recall" last year is the only one I am aware of in which the dealer is required to inspect, test, and repair (if needed) any vehicle that is presented to them.

Do ensure that the car is thoroughly inspected by a knowedgeable mechanic familiar with this car to ensure that no problems exist prior to the warranty expiration (in NA, 50,000 miles (4 year) bumper-to-bumper, 60,000 miles (5 year) powertrain).

Note that you are aproaching the end of warranty coverage. Inspect thoroughly, or buy an extended warranty, if available).

MoeZ

Thank you all for your answers, I will let you know how it goes.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Actually, European-spec RX-8's have the 192 and 232 horsepower engines both avaible in manual. However, the low-power version only has a 5-speed while the high-power versions all have 6.

MoeZ

Hi all


I at last i bought the Rx8 and love it Here is some info I know about the car now.

All info I got from Carfax
My 8 was in Belleview ,FL
Vehicle manufactured 09/05/2003

Recalls done:
Recall#1604B Front Passenger Side Airbag
Recall#1704B Dynamic Damper
Recall#3305G RX-8 Fuel Tank Issue
Recall#3405G RX-8 Lower Arm Balljoint
Recall#4206F Emission

But I need your help with a few things:

1. The brakes on the car a nearly finished and I need new brake discs and pads. I have done a search and dind´t find much. I found discs and pads at Pettit racing, Racing Beat and Black Diamond. I prefer drilled and slotted disks, what are my options without going to a big brake kit? The Rotors sold at Ebay are they Ok or should I not even consider buying rotors at Ebay.

2. Where do I get these parts marked with RED arrows.


3. Idle speed.
My car is ideling slow and changing ideling speed and it shakes a little. Is this normal or what could be wrong?

4. Airbag light
Sometimes the Airbag indicator light comes on and then goes of again. Any idea anyone what could be wrong.

5. Finnaly a pic of my car




Thanks in advance

Regards
Maurice Rx8 owner in Iceland.

Leal25

The parts marked in red can be bought anywhere where they sale rx8 parts. i ordered mine from http://trussville.buymazdaparts.com/.

the airbag light may be something wrong with it, the carfax did show u had a recall on one of the airbags. would be best to check that out.

the shaking part, you may need a tune up or maybe the car is just cold when turned on and not warmed up

Wizerud

When you say the airbag light comes on then goes off, do you mean when you are first starting the car or while you are driving? I know in my old Mazda 3 the passenger seat sensed when the front seat had a payload of less than 65 lbs and automatically turned it off after a couple of seconds. I'm not really sure if the RX-8 even has this feature, I assumed it did.

MoeZ

Hi all

Thanks for your answers but what options regarding the Brake rotors?


Regards

Maurice

Rhythmic

The stock brakes are so good that unless you are racing the car you really don't need to upgrade anything. If you do track it, some racing pads and maybe different brake fluid are all that's needed. Check out the braking performance numbers compared to "high end" sports cars: not much difference.