Chinkecheese

I'm thinking about buying a mazda rx8 from a local auction here.
From my understanding there are rx8's from 2004-2008.

Obviously the 2004 is much cheaper than the 2008.

My question is, what are the benefits and differences to the years?
Is there any change in what the car looks like? Better MPG? What?

This is my first post! Woo!

but anyways.

Thanks!

Jasonawojo

iTrader: (2)

2004s are more prone to problems as they were subjected to the most recalls/repair bulletins. For Automatics, the 04 & 05 had an entirely different (weaker) engine than what was in the manual model, 06+ they share the same engine. Car looks the same through all years, depends on what package you have and what trim pieces are on the car. MPG varies widely but 15-20mpg overall seems typical unless you spend all of your time on the highway, and then you'll probably be able to get above 20.

Search these forums & read the sticked threads! There is more information here than you could possibly want to read!

Chinkecheese

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/ap/ap_7.jpg

I stole this from a thread. Is there a different in the Blue and Red car? the blue looks a bit longer...maybe im just new.

ken-x8

Interesting optical effect. You're just seeing distortion associated with a 44 mm (35 mm equivalent) lens.

Unless Smokey Yunick built one of those...

No real changes over the years. Mostly differences in available colors. Also upgrading things like heater ***** and sunvisors that tended to break in early models. IMHO, the biggest change is the ECU flash, but that was a recall and all of them are eligible for that. AT's had some drivetrain changes, as Jason pointed out.

Ken

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

there really is no difference in any of the model years as long as you stay with a manual transmission. which you should anyway. but try for 05 and up. for an automatic, get an 06 or up.

all rx8s are exactly the same size. as ken said, distortion from a camera lens.

the only changes per year were colors. so if you like a particular color, you are limited to a particular year. lightning yellow was only available in 2004 for instance.

Chinkecheese

Thanks a bunch guys.
How about that shinko (sp?) rx 8? Is that a good buy, say for the year 2005?

As of right now, I guess I'm set for an '05 Rx8 Manual.

What about the different between the models? the Sport, GT, and T ?Any recommendations?

I want something that has the most features (i will also be adding a carputer as well) rather than speed; if that helps..

Mazurfer

Shinka has unique paint colors, I believe unique interior(white leather?), not much else.

05 manual FTW!

Shini

Orly?

Chinkecheese

As of right now, I guess I'm set for an '05 Rx8 Manual.

What about the different between the models? the Sport, GT, and T ?Any recommendations?

I want something that has the most features (i will also be adding a carputer as well) rather than speed; if that helps..

Shini

Sport adds HID's, traction control, and some other junk, going up from there just adds on more, leather, 6 disc changer, moonroof, etc etc. Nothing really that improves performance a whole lot, even the shinka isn't that much more beastier than the rest and it's the high end model...

Pretty much you want to get atleast the base model with the sports package (otherwise known, pre 2006 as the Sport model...No idea why it changed.) - I might have that the wrong way around, but you get the idea...

Anything after that is just to make you feel more comfortable, creature features and such.

Chinkecheese

So what would be the most feature filled rx 8?

I think the GT has a nav package.. In the cars that dont have a nav package, does that compartment still open up?

here is a picture.

http://www.siocommunications.co.uk/M...X8-610-nav.jpg

Because if other cars have that compartment slot, maybe I can take it out; cut open a usable slot, and stick my own LCD touchscreen in there... That would be sweet..

Jasonawojo

iTrader: (2)

Indeed. I won't hate on the model though, as I almost went after an '04 auto myself. Still ended up getting a reman engine with the '04 manual though :P

Nav was a separate option, not part of any of the packages, and only models equipped with nav have the flip up screen/slot there, models without simply have part of the dash there. For the most features you want Grand Touring, and as far as the nav I believe that you can get the nav dash slot without the screen and equipment for creating your own touchscreen system in a stock-like manner, but I haven't really looked into it - search on here.

(If you go to the "Build a Vehicle" section on Mazda's site, you can see what the different packages offer. There haven't been many changes to the higher packages over the years.)

champi0n

iTrader: (1)

I bought a 2004 and found it was in much better shape and cheaper then a 2007 I was looking at. Sure it had more miles on it, but the maintance record was immaculate.

I haven't had any problems with my used 2004 as of yet and everything is mint on it. The 2007 I would probably feel like i paid too much.