XMidnightSky

So today I was browsing in depth of 8's, Found a blue one but it happen to be a GT, For insurance sake is it better to go with a regular?
Also it is for 11,800 has 44k and a 05....

Should I actually test drive this one or take my searching elsewhere?

Also what is the best year on the 8's and why?


Thanks for reading and input is much needed on this.




-Rach

MariesRX8

The car's service history is probably as important as anything else. Were all thr TSB's done to it? Is it the original engine? And so on...

Silver6

That sounds like a good deal. Try to talk them down some. But yes insurance will be worse on a gt but thats because its worth more. Before you buy it get a compression test. And like mentioned above see if they have the old maintenance reciepts so youre eligible for the warranty. Also is it a mt or at? ^and the tsb's are just common problems that they made updated parts. You want to make sure all the recalls were done on it like the pcm flashes. Also check if it is the original engine. But yes test drive it also. Also test drive a different one to see if they drive the same.

XMidnightSky

It is a mt, I really do not need my insurance to go up though, I am paying enough as is and it will not go down until December. I will ask them about receipts and etc. I found it online and have not scheduled a test drive yet but I most likely will. I am still looking though and may end up with a original instead of GT because of the insurance reasons. Love the color on it though and it is the only mt in that color I have found, all the rest have been shift at and I would rather have mt. Thank you for your opinions they are very helpful.

YaXMaN

Wait, wait, wait... you're so strapped for cash that you're nickel and diming the insurance rates based on which model you get? I hope you're budgeting for the RX8's routine maintenance that everyone is telling you about.

I get it if you would rather look that the sport model because the overall lower cost of purchasing the car, but how much of a difference could it possibly be for insuring the GT?

XMidnightSky

I have never owned either one so I am not sure what the difference is, I do know maintaining the 8 is going to take alot but I am ready for it, I am contacting insurance later today, and also I was curious if anyone could tell me the mpg difference between GT and regular... I'm thinking they are about the same because it's a rotary engine but I am no where expierenced on these yet, I have a few scheduled for test driving, and I will talk about recalls and mantinance and receipts. My insurance is already up but I have decided this car will be worth re insurance bill which ever one I get.

MariesRX8

No difference for trims, as far as I know. The difference is between the manual and automatics, as they have different power ratings, but even then I think the mpg difference is minimal. Looks like in the 09 brochure for example, the automatic gets 23 highway, and the manual gets 22

Silver6

The insurance rates will not be very different. I was just saying since the GT is worth about 1000 or so more used then the insurance will be higher because it is a more expensive car. Not very much though. Just call your insurance and ask them about the difference.

XMidnightSky

turns out the GT was a fake ad anyway, I'm traveling this weekend some to look at car lots, online shopping is just coming out to be horrible. Its going to take time to find the right 8 but from the research and answers I get on here make me believe it'll be a great choice for me.

Silver6

Yeah it sometimes takes a while. But it is definitely worth it. Good luck with the search

ken-x8

'06 was a very good year. Build dates after August or so had the 4206f flash, which is important for longevity and anti-flooding. Earlier '06 build dates are likely to have gotten that flash after not too many miles.

'06 had some improvements. It comes with a stone guard in front of the AC condensor. The washer fluid tank is translucent, not opaque black. Builds later in the year are likely to have the improved, less fragile, sun visor.

Personally, I'd avoid '04s because it's usually good to avoid the first model year of anything. I will, of course, now get flamed by a bunch of '04 owners who are very satisfied. But, as a couple of others have said, the maintenance history matters more than anything else.

Since you're looking for a model lower than GT, look for one that has the sport package. That gets DSC and traction control. Not needed if you're a professional race driver, but really good for the rest of us.

Happy hunting!

Ken

XMidnightSky

Thanks Silver,


I have seen everything but an 06 for sale... That explains why there are so many 04s for sale then...

an 05 would be alright and I have found a few but so far no responses back.. an 07 poked out but had pretty good set of miles for not that great of a price.

I know these things are going to be a bit pricey however that one was way out of the question. I am keeping my eyes pealed and that is all I can do. Hopefully within the next few weeks though if not then that is alright to my 8 will turn up eventually.



-Rach

Silver6

I agree with Ken even though I am a happy 04 owner lol. An 04 is more of a risk than other years. The newer the better. Like Ken said the 06 was a big jump from earlier models with the biggest thing being oil injection? Don't quote me on that. I haven't looked up that too much since I have an 04. But most 05's are very good too. From when I was shopping for one there was definitely a price jump to 06 so it might be harder to find one in your range. Gl though. You should read the stickies and post up some pics when you get it. There is a really good thread for potential buyers. I would link it but I'm on my phone right now. You should take a look though

XMidnightSky

I will look into the 06 model and up but no promises

however I will promise to post pictures when I do receive my 8.

I have been reading so many threads, and plan on reading many more, so I will do that for sure. I am so interested it is hard to stay off of this forum because it is so helpful on every level I need. I am mostly on my phone to so I understand that.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

Drive as many as you can, and get as much history on the car up front as you can. Besides a compression test, have a mazda dealer pull up the service history if they can. A call to Mazda North America with the VIN might get you some history too. They may not give it out if you aren't the owner of the car yet, but it never hurts.

XMidnightSky

I can't test drive to many because they are rare where I am but at least want a handful to test out before I buy. The more history the better so I will try the North America thing as well.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

Oh and don't be too afraid of a car with an engine replacement. An 05 with higher but decent mileage and a recent engine replacement might end up a good deal. Just make sure it has a clean history other than that.

XMidnightSky

Haven't seen any with a engine replacement but the ones I have found have 40k to about 90k and look decent but looks can be misjudged.

Silver6

It doesn't get any better after you buy the car either. Lol. Your life becomes work sleep eating and rx8club.

blazenblue63

The biggest difference between gt and sport is sport doesn't have leather heated seats no traction control or stability control (which means more fun lol) no sunroof no navigation no puddle lights in mirrors. The sport is however almost 200 lbs lighter because of it.
The rx8 is considered a 4 door sedan by most insurance agencies making it cheaper. I pay 75 a month full coverage.

Depending on how long you keep a car for go with a mileage that will keep you under the 8 yr 100000 mile mark. And it's always a good thing to buy extended warranty for the rest of the car. But like mentioned above buy newer than mid 06. I've had my 07 sport trouble free for a year now and I love it.

Oh and set a couple hundred bucks aside for coils plugs and wires if there's no recent history of them being replaced.

MariesRX8

It all gets confusing, because it looks like back in 2004 the Sport Package did have the traction and stablity control. The Touring (mine) added a sunroof and the Bose system. And the GT added leather seats and heated mirrors.

blazenblue63

Lol I know right? I believe back then it was known as the base model with an optional sports package and they later renamed the base to sport. Atleast so I've read :p

jrx13

It is pretty confusing. When I was looking online at ads and stuff, I would usually look for fog lights as the giveaway in the pictures. If it has fog lights, it usually has HIDs and DSC. Of course, unless the fog lights were added on then you had to make sure! But it was a great way to narrow it down when searching.

blazenblue63

Good point! I forgot to mention sport doesn't have fog lights

ken-x8

"Sport" means different things in different years. In '06, sport was a package that added DSC, TCS, HID lights and fog lights to the MT, and those items plus the MT's wheels, suspension, brakes and LSD to the AT. In '07 I believe sport was used to designate base, none of those goodies.

Check out the "Year by year changes" and "Spec Decks, Color Charts and Pricing for each year" stickies at the top of this forum for definitive model field marks.

Ken