Hey guys I was thinking of getting myself a used 2004 Rx-8. I was wondering what I should look for when buying one (so is there some common things with the car I should look for that usually go wrong).

As well did they all come with limited slips ?? or maybe I should ask did any of them ?

 

Same as any other sports car:

1) Get a manual transmission model

2) Do a carfax report to make sure it wasn't in a crash.

3) Have a reputable Mazda dealership check the car out. If it's being sold by a Mazda dealer, have ANOTHER reputable dealership check the car out.

4) Ask for the service records.

And then specific to an RX-8:

- Search the internet and learn about a rotary engine, but ignore all the bullshit about the engine needing to be replaced every 40K miles, etc. It's all bullshit.

- Search this site and learn about life with an RX-8.

Stew

 

Just a little heads up before people start to be rude to you. Read all the stickys & use the search button. I learned the hard way.

 

as far as I know . . they all came with LSD. Limited slip diff's, not the hippie drug.

 

cool thanks. yeah I'm no stranger to sports cars however just never owned a rotary. Just curious if there is anything i should look out for with these cars. Its good to hear they all came with LSD's.

 

I would personally try to get a 05 or higher... but that's my personal thought.....

 

any specific reason ?

 

04 had some issues , that being the 1st year of production. Not all , but some. Just make sure all updates are taken care of.

 

yeah i saw some other posts where people say as long as its recall's and TSB's are taken care of the car should be fine.

 

MIne's an '04 with 40,000 mostly troublefree miles and the only major issue it's had (other than the occasional rattle) was the airbag circuitry died and had to be replaced.

 

Like he said, his personal thought......which in my personal opinion, is complete crap. As long as the recalls have been done on an '04, and it is a manual transmission, it should be as reliable as any other year.