ok i always liked these cars and now after almost 2 years i am going to pull the trigger and get one. i am trying to learn as much as i can about them so that i dont buy a lemon. could you please help me understand some things? i read the faq and a few other stickies but still need some clarifying. Thanks

i am getting MT. no AT

Am i right in thinking the 2004 has the most problems with engines? i want at least a 2005 for the extra year on the warranty. Was there any large diffrences between the 2005 and 2006? i thought i read somewhere that the 2006 has a lot less engine problems. Is this correct? is it worth getting the 06 over the 05 for reasons other than begin a little newer?

the thing that really is confusing me is the tsbs and recalls. i have been told when i get the vin to a car i want to look into buying i can call mazda and find out if the recalls, tsbs, and recent flash have been done? do all the tsbs need to be performed? if the car is not under regular warranty and just the engine one are these covered if not completed all ready? what are the major ones to look out for on the 05 - 06 models?

I have another post about not having past service records. if i am buying a car from a non mazda dealer can i call the mazda dealer to see if there are service records for it so it will be covered under warranty?

Any important info on buying a used 8 would be great. Thanks

 

First model years tend to have more issues than later models. Most of the RX-8 on the road are 2004 so the pool of owners that have issues will be much higher than the 2006 +. After 2005 RX-8 sales fell off the cliff.

No major changes from 04-05, if the deal is good an 06 is what I would get. The first two years there were a number of changes to the ECU tune of the car. The changes became infrequent after 2006.

TSB are internal Mazda memos to their service departments. Unless you have the issue mentioned in the TSB Mazda doesn't have to fix it and would only do so when under the full warranty. I have an early build car (5/2003) and few of the TSB's effected me.

Mazda doesn't like paying for engines, if they have an out such as no service history they will use it. If you can find the prior owner or call Mazda USA to see if there is record of regular service. If your paranoid about stuff like this it would be a deal breaker for me. You want it in writing that the 8/100K warranty is in effect, if not walk away.