Difference? 04 Touring / 05 Base?
 

So i went to the dealer today, they had 2 different RX8's

Both 6-Speed Manual

05' White Base - 13,000 miles
04' Grey Touring - 30,000 miles

The 05 is 1,000 more than the 04

Are there any differences?
Which one should i get?

05
Newer lighter car

You lose DSC and HID

Find a '05 GT, and negotiate it for almost the same money as either of those. You'll be glad you got one "fully loaded" rather than stripped, or half-stripped.

That, or PM some of the people on here who seem to have gotten miracle deals on new '06 Shinkas for 10 grand off list; along with bargains like that you can refinance and get a sweet new car rate making your new 8 purchase the deal-of-the-year.

Base

Halogen lights
no fogs
16-in wheels
100 watt am/fm/cd stereo w/6 speakers


Sports Package
Self-leveling Xenon headlights
Fog lights
Dynamic Stability Control with traction control
Tochigi Fuji Limited Slip Differential‡
18-inch wheels and 225/45R18 tires‡
Larger front brakes‡
Sport-tuned suspension‡
‡ standard with 6-speed manual


Touring Package
Sport Package
300-watt Bose® 9-speaker audio system with AUDIO PILOT automatic noise compensation technology
Power sliding-glass moonroof
Auto-dimming mirror with Homelink® system


Grand Touring Package
Touring Package
Leather-trimmed upholstery§
8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support
Heated front seats
Heated mirrors
Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System


"SHINKA" Special Edition Package
Grand Touring Package
SIRIUS Satellite Radio System with 1 year subscription (N/A Hawaii/Alaska)
Urethane foam injected suspension cross members
Unique combination leather/Alcantara® seating surfaces
6-Disc in-dash CD changer
Bright-finish alloy wheels
Leather-wrapped parking brake handle with bright tip
"Shinka" B-pillar applique

Options are the difference. Depending on the actual make date, you MIGHT have less problems with the 05, BUT you'll be sacrificing some plush features that aren't nessicary, but are very enjoyable.

If you're concerned about resale value, they both are likely through the floor already due to the 8's high depriciation value. Buy to keep, not to sell. Don't take the miles into account too much. The rotary spins beautifully through both of those milage numbers. Some major rotorheads every swear by it that the rotary gets faster with age. Myth or not, something to take in.

IMO if the 04 checks out nicely, it'd be my b$%^&. It should almost go without saying...check if either have had their engine replaced. Oh yea, and for HEAVENS SAKE...if one of them HASN'T had the emissions reflash...you've got your horse. Heed the warning...stay away from it.

I'd love to have an RX-8, but i have a 2006 MX-5. Both are nice cars, i just want the RX-8 because of the increased space and looks. Trust me, once you go from a hatchback to a two seater convertible, you get caught in situations that you never thought would be a problem in the past.

Either way i'm happy, if they can give me a good trade-in price for my car then i'll do it, if not i'm perfectly happy with my car. I bought it for 25,000. 10,000 down payment, 15,000 left on a 2006 convertible.

Then again i'm sure alot of dealerships are trying to get rid of their 06's and 07's to make room for their 08's. I'll go check out new dealerships and see what they have to offer. The only problem, i love the blue of the older cars, the new "stormy blue" just isn't as nice.

Would not get the Base model in any year. No HIDS or DSC.

Ah who needs DSC..
You can always add HID's..

Unless you're a pro driver, nearly everyone.

the HIDs are certainly nice, but i find myself feeling slightly more reassured with the DSC. Even though i've hardly ever had it engage in the 12K i've driven, its just one of those safety nets i love knowing is there.