Just got into these cars and like them a lot, going to be looking into buying one as soon as I have some spare case, would just like some tips on what to look out for and also was curious if all models have the option of turning of traction/stability control as i would like to be able to take advantage of such when possible, if such isnt available on all models please fill me in on which ones do come with said option itd be much appreciated.

 

Check out the stickys....

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/

 

All models with tcs and dsc should have the ability to turn it off. The sport models for 09-11 do not even have those systems so no need to turn them off. I'm not sure if it is the same for the previous years base models though.

 

alright thanks was just curious, tried finding vids on them to see if i could spot the button in the different models but was having a hard time finding very many in depth videos,

 

I have an 05 with DSC and its the sport model. Its just a button that lets you turn it on and off. Its located on the left hand side of the dash next to the steering wheel, cant miss it if its there.

 

alright was mainly curious because i will probably end up getting an 04-05 so i wanted to make sure

 

Do not forget to get a compression test on the engine before you buy...

 

so far on the pre buy inspection, you should do the following.

1. compression test the engine, if its bad i would use that as a negotiating point, IMO you want to start with a new engine anyways.

2. DSC/TCS is on anything with the xenon lights, which is a little bit of a bummer, but it does turn off, or you can put the xenon lights in a non TCS/DSC car... actually the afterthought is i wonder if you can just disable DSC since it was an option in the first place?

3. if you need to pass an emissions test, get it checked before you buy, the cats also live a short life, and they can die in such a way that the computer doesn't see it, so you can have no CEL, but it'll fail a sniffer test.

4. call a dealership or mazda corporate with the vin and see if there are any open recalls on the thing. depending on the build date, there are a bunch of different ones, so just make sure its been done.

the POST buy checklist gets better!

1. have it detailed, if it wasn't already. people are dirty animals, and if you add in almost 10 years of dog hair and spilled coke, the interiors get DIRTY.

2. have it aligned! a big part of the way the car feels is in the alignment, and like the interior, once you add 10 years of bouncing over curbs and things, the alignment is probably way off. the stock specs are fine, but presented in a really odd way, i suggest you use the stock specs, but instead of mazda's 1 degree tolerance, use .1 degree.

3. check the clutch free play, i'm 2 for 2 with the clutch pushrod coming loose and being horribly misadjusted. takes about 5 minutes (like everything else on the car).

4. enjoy!

 

thank you so much to everyone for the replies, if i do end up getting one ill be sure to throw up some pics