are there any differences between the 2004,2005 rx8? ....also is the flooded engine problem still the same in 2005?

 

The key...

 

The container for the window washer fluid.

The old one was of black plastics (not transparent), the new one is of white (or colorless) material and transparent. You can check the fluid level without opening the container.

That applies for Europe. For the US I don't know.

 

brother ... do a search.

Basically nothing. Like NoTears said .. a new key fob. Oh and no more yellow but instead white (and green in Canada).

 

flooding isn't really a big problem like it's made out to be.

 

the dashboard is all the same......usally there is some difference with the next year...like different dashboard/lights/etc.......... thanks guys......just wondering if there were differeneces

 

• Deleted yellow, added metallic white
• New (VW/Audi-style) switchblade key/remote
• Newer 'flash' version in the engine computer (older ones can be updated)
• Newer firmware in the NAV and audio system (older ones can be updated to some extent - see mazdaparts.com)
• Washer fluid tank is translucent, not black (can someone confirm?)
• Different MAF sensor wiring (can someone confirm?)

These are the visible changes. There are certainly a lot of undeclared fit-and-finish changes and improvements, as there always are over the production life of a model.

 

I have owned my 8 over a year now and have had ZERO flooding issues!!

Good luck!!

- Irish

 

The washer-fluid tank is white, which allows one to see the level without removing the lid.

While the other differences have been mentioned, my experience with my '05, after 1400 miles and two months:
No flooding
No broken climate-control buttons
Hot seat warmers
Cup holders are not "heated"
Relatively good heat output by the heater(not as good as other cars I have owned, but beter than others have reported with the 8)
No rattles or squeaks (hope I haven't spoken too soon)
No CELs
No problems with the console cover, but I keep it open most of the time

It seems that Mazda fixed a lot of the known problems with the '04s in the '05.

Same poor mileage (15-20 mpg)
Same amount of fun driving it (I take the 40-mile route to a destination 5 miles away)
Fewer gawkers (after a year of '04s, people are used to them now)

 

What does the NAV and audio system firmware update do for you?

I also noticed that Rosenthal Mazda advertised the OEM Bose unit as a CD/MP3 player what is up with that? Does it play MP3's or did they just put that in the description. I saw that and it got me all excited so I wasted a CD burning a bunch of MP3's and the damn thing didn't play.

 

Oh yeah...one more.

The 2004 has a 4 at the end where the 2005 has a 5.

 

Yes, one more!

I found out the front brake rotors are different for the 05 and 06.

Ummmmmm... what did Mazda find out?

The new rotors don't fit on the older cars.

 

That's an option. The default systems (Bose or not) don't play MP3 CDs.

 

I do believe the oil dipstick has been improved . . . has dots on it at half-quart intervals. Still fairly hard to read, though.

 

My '05 has a black tank.


Bill

 

HAHA! Exactly what I do...Gotta love it! :p

 

I just saw two RX8's (05) in Puerto Rico with a different OME wheels that have slots cut into the spokes.........everyone lese might already know this, but I just found out.

 

For me, the difference between the '04 and '05 was 1) getting the EXACT model color and options I wanted, and 2) about $4000 in depreciation which the dealership wasn't going to compensate me for by buying an '04 over an '05. So, I bought the '05.

Are there still '04's out there???? by mid model year 2005? unbelievable.

 

On my 2nd 8--My 1st was an 04- my new one is an 05- Other then some minor changes, the only real difference I have noticed is the -NAV system- definetly more up-to-date, but I suppose you could update the 04 system also.
It also seems to have a bit more launch-off line power, but that might be computer related, and seems like some (not all-rattles are gone)

 

Sounds like the smaller wheels on the automatic models.

 

I'm on my second RX-8 also , so far I see that the led's in the center cluster are slightly different . No better or worse , just different !