Prospective RX-8 Owner
 

Hi all,

I'm leaning strongly toward an RX-8 purchace in the next week or two. I've been reseaching them for a while and think I'm fairly comfortable with what I'm getting into. This car would be used as a daily driver. I'm in sales and am on the road all the time so I need a reliable car. I know about the lousy milage but I'm not too worried about that as I have a company gas card. (Wrong attitude?) I also know that the rotary engine core is now under warranty for 100k miles or 8 years. Generally, it seems that any modle year RX-8 that has all the recalls and latest flash should all perform similarly, right? I guess the newer the better, but would a well maintaind 04 be a good buy? I'm looking at a nice 05 with the Bose and sun roof with 25K miles on it. I guess what I'm asking is is there any reason that an RX-8, any model year, wouldn't make a reliable daily driver. I know about watching the oil level. I lived with an 88 RX-7 turbo for 5 years so that's no big deal. My RX-7 was builit proof and I loved it so there's a place in my heart for the rotary. The idea of a "family" RX-7 I think is great. I have three daughters and we like going out for that Saturday/Sunday drive. I love the idea of the RX-8 but have been a bit leary given all the issues I'm reading about. I'm also looking at G35's and 330i's. I like them all but the BMW's too expensive to maintain and the G35's lack the light, refined, perfect balance and feed back thet the RX-8 has. Any advice would help. Also any non warranty repairs, including a engine rebuild, I should expect and their approximate cost would be great too. Thanks!

If it were me I go '06 or later unless I got a killer deal on an '04.
There's no reason an '04 would cause you much more troubles if it's been updated and well taken care of but I think the '05 1/2 and 06's is where I'd start.

I saw 4k for an engine rebuild but that was online somewhere so I took it with a grain of salt.

Good luck in your search.

My 04 has not yet had a major problem and Ive got 71k on her.....but I would listen to what hidef said and go for an 06 or later if you can afford it that is

I have a late '05 and it has been mostly trouble free. Except for the transmission which may have been caused by the GL5 fluid I put in (hey, the '05 manual said it was okay!).

On the other hand, my buddy with an '05 has had some emissions/ignition issues.

Well, my 2004 has been a wonderful daily driver for about 55,000 miles now. No real problems, though there were a ton of TSBs those first few years after I bought it. Just make sure all of the TSBs and recalls have been done.

I had my coils replaced recently (longer and longer starts), which was probably my worst mechanical problem.

I flooded it once too. Totally my fault.

With snow tires, it's even pretty good in the snow. The car is so balanced, and with the DSC it's actually very confidence-inspiring.

In scary traffic (Trenton, NJ anyone?), the handling makes you feel invincible and safe.

And the real rear seats means you don't have to take a different car when going out to dinner with friends.

Overall, aside from the milage (which I knew about, but still it's ashame), it's a wonderful daily driver.

That's a bummer. That GL5 trans fluid eats up the 8 transmission.

So OP - how much is the 05?

I have an 04 that has been a good car, but I would still follow this advice since I have known a few owners who had 04's and had problems even though they cared for them well.
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TatianaFoxy

I agree with the above recommendations; an 06 or newer would be the way to go. In terms of reliability, looks like you already know the essentials. Keep checking the oil, redline once a day etc. etc.

Steer clear of 330s if they are out of warranty, the simplest of repairs will break bank. And drive the G35 after you drive the 8, you won't buy it :) G35 that is.

Well... before you buy an 8, all prospects need to come over to my house and wash my car.