Hi - Just purchased a 'new' 2004 RX-8 on Friday from the local dealer. We originally intended to buy an 05 MSM.....but, after driving it, and then taking an RX-8 for a test drive, my wife and I were sold on the RX-8. Great ride, good performance, and a tad more room for passengers (namely kids!) The Dealer 'presented' us with information on an 05 Shinka (which we were very interested in) and his last remaining 04 6-spd with the Touring Package, Appearance Package, Rotary Accents, 6 disc CD, Rr Spoiler, and front fender side strakes package. After much discussion and looking at both cars for a couple of hours.......and.......since the 04 was approx. $6,000 less, we decided to purchase the 04 (Nordic Green Mica - cloth).
A couple of questions.

1) I'm a bit concerned about the 'break-in' period for the motor. This car already has 481 miles on it from the Dealer. I have no idea how it was driven. Any suggestions? Anything to 'worry' about? Should I baby it for a bit or will it not matter at this point?

2) Also, I'm thinking about painting the brake calipers....anyone out there done this? What color would be good with the Nordic Green? I know this may be a silly question (and maybe I won't paint them, but I kinda thought it would add a bit more to the car?).

Thanks

ps - oh yea - I'm very interested in finding an RX-8 poster...any idea's?

 

got mine with 500 miles, probably driven kinda hard, look on the inside of the freestyle door on the drivers side i believe and check your build date.... that can give you a time frame of how many miles in how long... enjoy

 

Welcome to the club!!! I have the nordic green as well and I love it.

 

Welcome to the cult! Your gonna love your new ride! The 8 is truely an amazing car.
As far as your first question. There are many opinions here on the "break-in" period. Just do a simple search and you'll find lots of info. As for the second question,again do a search. this is the best way to see all of the information you've requested. There are many 8 owners who have painted calipers and many pics to see also. You can also get RX-8 decals for when you paint them.As for your last question,I can tell you that I got two rx-8 posters free from the dealer when I bought the car. I have them hanging in my garage.

 

Congrats and enjoy!

 

May I ask what you paid relative to dealer invoice? Just closed a deal on a red GT 6 speed for $700 under dealer invoice and $4000 off for rebate. I have that "Could I have done better" feeling, but still feel this is a ton of car for the $. Also, I drove the Shinka and wouldn't touch it. Probably the most gorgeous color and interior combo I have seen, but it road so hard compared to the standard that we would have been miserable on our horrible Michigan roads. Plus the one we drove was an automatic which is a real let down in power and feel.

 

1. Probably not the worst thing in the world...all you can do is be careful for the remainder of the time until it's broken in.

2. Silver, gold, or black would look good on Nordic, I'd probly stay away from the other colors.

3. welcome!! and get some pics up, we love that sh*t here

 

Our 04 had an MSRP of 32,264 and we got her for 25,102 (S-Plan, $4500 Rebate and dealer threw in front fender side strakes). We didn't drive the Shinka.....just sat in it. While we loved the color combo, my wife thought the leather wasn't as comfortable (as it should be) compared to the cloth......
The Dealer we were at had plenty of 05's and no fewer than 6 Shinka's in stock.

I think I feel a caliper painting week-end coming! Most likely the Silver/Gray to match the wheels as I don't want the calipers to stand out that much from the car!
Thanks!

 

On my Nordic Green the Red from the EBC Red Stuff pads look good--I would leave the caliper alone though--maybe gold or silver. You can paint them red though cause remember most of those high end cars brake calipers were red regardless of the color of the car--now they allow you to specify color.

 

481 miles from a dealer new? sounds like a demonstration model.

One of my concerns about buying demo models like that is the car may have been driven really hard before the breakin period, but if it goes well, then those fears are unfounded.

I purchased a showroom model that had sat inside doing nothing much for 6 months with 6km on the odometer. Got a good deal because the rrp here in aust it would have cost 71k but I got it for 64k with all the options (yes, everything is really expensive here)

Congrats on the purchase!