Tenken

hey everyone name is derrick and I'm looking to get my rx8 in acouple months I just need to know if anyone can answer my questions?

1 What should I get an 04 mt or and 05 mt?
2 How long will the engin last I heard alot of good and bad?
3 how are they in the winter and what helps them?
4 has anyone tuned them Cor drfting if yes how are they?
5 my last question is my brother owns a 06 wrx and his best friend owns a 05 evo how will I look next to them?

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Welcome Tenken! It's always great to see people looking to buy an RX-8.
I could probably answer most of those questions but to be honest, the easiest place ot find them is by using our search function near the top right.
You can change the search to look at thread titles only and it should narrow the amount of results you get.

Here are my thoughts on your questions. (search could confirm or disagree with me depending on the thread)

1. 04 and 05 had very little changes made. get which ever one you can at the best price possible.
2. the engine will last as long as you take care of it. Yes, there were some bad apples, which car company doesn't have a few that dont' make it. Rotaries have been and will continue to be reliable.
3. MANY people drive them in the winter: check the regional forums for certain locations. If there's snow involved; DO NOT drive with stock tires. YOu MUST get snow tires / winter tires
4. search
5. Yours will be the best looking car out of the bunch. Your brother and your friend can confirm that when they look in their rear view mirror.
They'll kill you in a straight line race but WHO CARES, this isn't a drag car and there's a LOT more to performance then straight line driving.

Razz1

If your in Cali you should by Kwescott's car.

Mendossa

Jedi54, this is a killer example of "how to reply to a newcomer". Yes they all ask the same questions, yes they don't search, but we should all reply to them like you just did.

This is a stellar example of behavior I'd like to see more often instead of "stoopid n00b use th3 search!".

Kudos

Tenken,

1) Like Jedi54 said you can get a 04 or a 05 since there is basically no difference (if all TSBs were done) but you should aim for a car that hasn't had a lot of mileage put on for the 1st (and ideally 2nd) year if it's a 04. There were some less than ideal ECU configurations in the first year or so that were not optimal for the engine, it has been said that putting a lot of miles on the engine with the oil injection map that came with the 04 wasn't good for the engine and might contribute to early failure.

2) I personally own a '04 that I bought with 10 000 miles on it in 2006 and had no serious problems (it now has 30 000 miles on it).

3) Regarding winter, I store mine for 4 months but I live in Quebec, Canada... it depends on the type of winter you have.

4) As for drifting, I've heard it said several times by experienced drifers (eg.: professionals, not buddies of buddies) that the 8 is an awesome car but not a good choice for drifting.

5) The Evo and STi will leave you in the dust. However I've read that if you don't really care about your clutch, are a PRO (not somehow good, a PRO) at feathering it, and have good tires, you could reasonnably keep up with the WRX on a launch. But don't count on it.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

the only reason i would say stick to '05 is b/c you'll still have your bumper to bumper warranty. our '04s are losing theirs this year so if i were buying i would go with an '05 just for that (although i love my '04).

Razz1

5) You will look like a fool because you will attempt to race them in a straight line.

Take it to a track road and see who wins.

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

5) if you do decide to race straight line, a least you will still look awesome losing...better than an evo or sti could look! (imo of course)

superdon2

5) those are straight-line bullies that will eat you alive once they reach 3rd gear

Tenken

thanks alot for the helps guys, and thanks for letting me know how to find things on here. although i would never dear race my bro or his friends sense they have better reactions than me and more experience but i do plan on racing my best friend who owns a 03 is300 lol. also i live in CT so the winters here can change from day to day. if anyone has any more advice that doesn't have to do with my question feel free to tell me

musclecarconvrt

Welcome
1. Best price w/lowest miles. No appreciable difference between '04 (mine) and '05
2. My '04 mt has 87k on it and is still rolling right along just fine.
3. I'm in TN. I'm sure you would laugh at my version of winter.
4.
5. I have a freind that has an EVO and use to have a WRX. He loves the way mine handles and looks... he he can watch from a great distance as he leaves me behind.

May the search be with you

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

where in CT?

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Once you master the 4-5k feathered launch and quick, precise 8500k-9000k shifts, you will be surprised of just how quick the 8 can be. That being said, trying to match evo's or sti's is futile (beasts in straight line), but i see thats not your intention. Now, a stock WRX you can keep up with a little better, and also with an 03 IS300. But good drivers in these will also edge you out. The 8 is pure driving exhileration, light, agile and smooooooth as silk. And as stated above you will look 10X better doing it Trust me, after your your bro rips around at 9k shifts he wont be able to dispute the fact that driving the 8 is fun as hell!

ken-x8

I assume you're going to do that on a track day or at an autocross, or maybe on some controlled private property, and not on the street.

Ken

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

Thanks Mendossa, I try and help when I can.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

well, I dont know how an 8 will handle a WRX, but it sure is fun when a 95 civic with an exhaust pulls up next to ya and revs it, haha I just laugh at them. Then as Im laughing at the red light I rev my engine to 9K making it roar, then when the light turns green I just sit there as they peel off like an idiot and laugh, haha!!