Purchasing a used RX-8
 

I apologize if something like this has already been posted. I have been doing a little research on RX-8s, because ever since I first saw one I just fell in love with it lol...I've seen alot of '04s for sale, but I have also read that they have had a ton of problems with defects. I figured it would be worth it to spend a few thousand more to get an '05. Do the '05s have the same kind of issues? I'm also looking to get an auto...I know they dont have as much power, but is that they only advantage? I would love to get a Manual, but I've only driven a stick once, so I'm not sure an RX-8 would be a good car to learn on.

Thanks for the info!,
Mitch

Oh, and What price range should I be looking at for an '05? around 15k?

MT is fairly forgiving in the 8. I learned to drive stick in my 8, took a whole like 3 hours to get decent, like 3 weeks to get good.

Ok, I'll take a look at the MT's as well. My friend is going to test drive a few with me today, so I'll have him drive the MT, cuz hes good at it lol...I'll just test the auto to get a feel for it. Any recommendation for a year to look for?

if you decide you want to try a MT, just push the gas in to about 1500 RPM and ease off the clutch the car should start rolling smoothly if you keep the RPM around 1500 to start once off the clutch completely you can hit the gas as hard as you want, when you rev high enough push the clutch in let off the gas switch gears ease the clutch back off and give it a little gas, if you do it right, you should switch gears pretty smoothly. Stopping is easy for beginers, clutch in, neutral, brake.

I don't think there are many differences between the '04-'08 models. There's a sticky at the top of this board about the differences. Just look for low miles at a good price. The real worry isn't with defects, but with improper care.

Do NOT get and AUTO IF YOU CAN AFFORD AN MT!!!!

Ok, so after hearing it from not only everybody on here, but also ppl around campus I'm definitely gonna look at MTs. I know the '04s had some major stuff with recalls, but I didn't see it as much on the '05s. I'm sure 04s are fine as long as you had all of the recalls done it it, but I just wanna make sure that I dont trade in my crappy checy lumina with 160k miles on it that still runs great for something thats only gonna last me 10-20k miles.

If you have room keep the lumina as a beater/winter car. you wont get much for a trade and its always good to have an extra car.

Mine is an 04 MT with about 36k on it. Its running and driving fine. No complaints yet, just keep up on the maintnance.

I agree, I would kill for a pos lumina for a winter car, lol. I just share expenses on my girlfriends Grand prix and drive that while mine stays waxed in the garage :)

nothing buy MT it is very very easy and you will love it alot more but then you will prob see that when you drive in the 2 different ones

Be afraid be very afraid. Don't buy an auto! They suck when it comes to having problems. Buy a manual chicks dig stick.

Try for an 06 if you can find one.http://www.rockstargames.com/midnigh.../videos/?id=14

Just buy a manual. end of story.

dont know if you have read this thread, but it will help you a lot...

btw, good job on research!!

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

beers :beer:

Thanks! Yeah, I actually just read that thread earlier today. I went and looked at an 05 manual today and OMG! It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen lol....Unfortunately I wan't able to test drive it, cuz I can't drive a stick, but (and I'm pretty sure that this is a sign from God that I need to get and Rx8) I'm up at a friends house, cuz he lives close to lots of dealers that have used ones, and his neighbor has an rx8 and I'm pretty sure hes gonna teach me how to drive it tomorrow! So then I'm gonna head back to the dealership and take that baby for a test drive!

Got my 8 two weeks ago, first time I ever drove MT, took me a day to get used to it.. parents had me thinking you were supposed to let go of the clutch and hit the gas at the same time..

Once I figured out you're sposed to push the gas and then let off the clutch though, took a few hours.
So you really shouldn't worry about it ;)

I really wouldn't bother with an AT, MT is just so much more fun to drive, and it's very easy to learn :D

I'll reiterate what everyone else is saying: avoid the huge surge of '04s for sale, spend a few extra grand and get an '05. Absolutely do NOT, under ANY circumstance get this car in automatic.

Yeah, I'm pretty much set on an MT now... Just to clarify something, did Mazda bump up the warranty for the engine, so if the seals blow you can have it repaired under warranty? Cuz just in case it does happen I wanna make sure I don't have to drop thousands on an engine rebuild...

motor only. 8 yrs. 100k miles.

beers :beer:

sweet, good enough for me!

i second that. i got an AT 04, worst decision of my life. its really really slow.

So I had another experience that makes me feel like I "need" an RX8 lol...I was out looking around for one when I came to this used car dealership...He told me that they didn't have any 8's and proceded to show me everything that he did have. Right when I was getting ready to leave this lady pulled up wanting to trade in an 04 rx8 with 50k miles on it. Its got a body kit, sweet rims lol, some audio stuff, and tint...I went home and he told me he would give me a call if she traded it in. 2 hours later he calls me, and she had traded it in. I drove up there and he let me check it out...I couldn't drive it, cuz they were still filling out paper work, but it was sweet! I think they are gonna ask around 13-14k for it. Is this reasonable? I'll post some pics later tonight. Oh, and I'm 18, is this a good idea for me? lol

sry for dbl post...heres some pics

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/phot...02781_2899.jpg


http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/phot...02782_4253.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/phot...02783_5599.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/phot...02784_7128.jpg

wow that looks hot

buy it. that's what i would do if i were you.

gl

imagine washing it and waxing it omg i am in love again ahaha