own a tiburon, wanting a RX-8
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I found this thread particularly interesting - because I went from a 2004 Tiburon GT to a 2004 RX-8. Both manuals.
I Autocrossed the Tiburon for a good 6 months, pulling off some super crazy **** - but FWD just wasnt for me. The RX-8 was a perfect "upgrade path" - and I havent been one bit disatisfied. It's been nearly two years now, and I am still very happy and content with my decision.
I Autocrossed the Tiburon for a good 6 months, pulling off some super crazy **** - but FWD just wasnt for me. The RX-8 was a perfect "upgrade path" - and I havent been one bit disatisfied. It's been nearly two years now, and I am still very happy and content with my decision.
Spin Triangles! Spin!
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From: Texas, US
Originally Posted by rodrigo67
ok, all the fan boys have spoken, now to the issues
First, it's an 04, which has some issues that follwing years doesn't. Now this car doesn't get great milage to start ( the average is 16-19mpg), but some 04's were getting as low as 9-12mpg, with no explaination from mazda as to why so great a difference with the results of "it's normal" from the dealerships. Many people who were getting these mpg issues traded them in.
The 04's had some tranny/clutch issues, but most of these have been corrected by either mazda or the previous owners having to fork over the buck.
First, it's an 04, which has some issues that follwing years doesn't. Now this car doesn't get great milage to start ( the average is 16-19mpg), but some 04's were getting as low as 9-12mpg, with no explaination from mazda as to why so great a difference with the results of "it's normal" from the dealerships. Many people who were getting these mpg issues traded them in.
The 04's had some tranny/clutch issues, but most of these have been corrected by either mazda or the previous owners having to fork over the buck.
And no clutch/trannt problems to date. 46,000 miles
So don't be too scared of an 04.
________
Extreme vaporizer balloon assembly
Last edited by dmorales; Sep 9, 2011 at 03:18 AM.
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Hm...crappy gas mileage yes, crappy oil pan sensor problem yes, crappy Bose stereo yes; but I don't think there were any more tranny-clutch issues on 04s than there are on any other manual trans car. Apparently I've been out of the loop longer than I thought.
thats fked up mdw hahahah
Herrroooo Rarrra
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by rodrigo67
ok, all the fan boys have spoken, now to the issues
First, it's an 04, which has some issues that follwing years doesn't. Now this car doesn't get great milage to start ( the average is 16-19mpg), but some 04's were getting as low as 9-12mpg, with no explaination from mazda as to why so great a difference with the results of "it's normal" from the dealerships. Many people who were getting these mpg issues traded them in.
The 04's had some tranny/clutch issues, but most of these have been corrected by either mazda or the previous owners having to fork over the buck.
Flooding issues were an issue on the 04's that has seemed to be corrected by reflashes, and most 05's + haven't had this issue.
All year rx8's have been subject to engine issues, with loss of power/stalling issues, caused by carbon buildup and compression loss. Some here will tell you that if you take care of the car exactly the right way, that this will not happen to you, but that is not true. A large number of engines have been replaced, some of those replacements have been replaced, and at least 2 of those replacement replacements have been replaced. I will say this is mainly a heat related issue and most are happening down in the south to a very small number of cars, but not all, and one guy in canada is on his 4th engine.
Mazda has increased the warranty on the engines to 5 years 60K to try to calm the RX8 community down, but does have a video out showing that they do not count complaints from RX8 owners against the dealership (read into that what you want ).
Stock tires are undrivable in winter. Many ex owners have found this out.
Over all it is a great car with some flaws, unfortunately, those flaws may be major, but so far, mazda is covering it. It handles unbelievably, seats four comfy, nice interior, looks exotic, revs to 9400rpm, and can be bought cheap.
I've had mine almost 3 year, it's an 04 and other then a dead battery, never let me down.
I would take it for an extended ride to see if it's one of the gas guzzlers, but if it does ok, I would recommend getting it.
First, it's an 04, which has some issues that follwing years doesn't. Now this car doesn't get great milage to start ( the average is 16-19mpg), but some 04's were getting as low as 9-12mpg, with no explaination from mazda as to why so great a difference with the results of "it's normal" from the dealerships. Many people who were getting these mpg issues traded them in.
The 04's had some tranny/clutch issues, but most of these have been corrected by either mazda or the previous owners having to fork over the buck.
Flooding issues were an issue on the 04's that has seemed to be corrected by reflashes, and most 05's + haven't had this issue.
All year rx8's have been subject to engine issues, with loss of power/stalling issues, caused by carbon buildup and compression loss. Some here will tell you that if you take care of the car exactly the right way, that this will not happen to you, but that is not true. A large number of engines have been replaced, some of those replacements have been replaced, and at least 2 of those replacement replacements have been replaced. I will say this is mainly a heat related issue and most are happening down in the south to a very small number of cars, but not all, and one guy in canada is on his 4th engine.
Mazda has increased the warranty on the engines to 5 years 60K to try to calm the RX8 community down, but does have a video out showing that they do not count complaints from RX8 owners against the dealership (read into that what you want ).
Stock tires are undrivable in winter. Many ex owners have found this out.
Over all it is a great car with some flaws, unfortunately, those flaws may be major, but so far, mazda is covering it. It handles unbelievably, seats four comfy, nice interior, looks exotic, revs to 9400rpm, and can be bought cheap.
I've had mine almost 3 year, it's an 04 and other then a dead battery, never let me down.
I would take it for an extended ride to see if it's one of the gas guzzlers, but if it does ok, I would recommend getting it.
Laid back in the pocket
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From: Blacksburg, VA
As long as all TSB's and recalls have been done, I've yet to hear any solid evidence that '04s are any different than '05 & '06.
I paid $21k for my '04 GT w/ nav. with 19k mi. It did come with RB springs, sways, endlinks, toyo t1s 245's, viper alarm, and aftermarket audio system (speakers, amps, and sub w/ custom enclosure). I think the price you mentioned is pretty fair.
My '04 has not given me any trouble whatsoever...knock on wood. I do think that my RP shifter is putting extra strain on my tranny, though. Syncros seem to work hard sometimes (stock tranny fluid-soon switching to Royal Purple).
As far as the '04 tranny issues mentioned, is that the 2nd gear syncro, shift fork, or what?
I paid $21k for my '04 GT w/ nav. with 19k mi. It did come with RB springs, sways, endlinks, toyo t1s 245's, viper alarm, and aftermarket audio system (speakers, amps, and sub w/ custom enclosure). I think the price you mentioned is pretty fair.
My '04 has not given me any trouble whatsoever...knock on wood. I do think that my RP shifter is putting extra strain on my tranny, though. Syncros seem to work hard sometimes (stock tranny fluid-soon switching to Royal Purple).
As far as the '04 tranny issues mentioned, is that the 2nd gear syncro, shift fork, or what?
Last edited by Rhythmic; Dec 30, 2006 at 11:39 AM.
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It amazes me the number of times people complain about the stock tires being undrivable in winter.
They are summer only tires. Duh.
If you drive the car in winter you will need to get a second set of winter wheels/tires or buy all seasons. It should be obvious.
I dont think this is a bad deal. But it's not a steal, if you're into that sort of thing.
They are summer only tires. Duh.
If you drive the car in winter you will need to get a second set of winter wheels/tires or buy all seasons. It should be obvious.
I dont think this is a bad deal. But it's not a steal, if you're into that sort of thing.
.:. causing mischief
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From: EVOLV-Chicago
Originally Posted by HolyCross05
Agree with everything you said Steve except for the stock tires being undrivable in the winter. I think they are fine as long as there is now snow on the ground. They may get hard relatively fast in the cold but once they warm up they're better. I've been driving mine this winter since we haven't seen much snow and it's been relatively warm around here....knocks on wood.
here in chicago we have a former track instructor who did an unexpected full spin on an on-ramp on the stocks.
spend the extra $1K and be safe ... my .02
Mon May 29 2006
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Esp Since Winter still has yet to hit us with her hard stuff we are going to get at least 2 weeks of really bad weather, iam from toronto and we havent gotten snow yet but i know its coming
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