Unfortunately, I didn't log on to this grand site before buying, so I wasn't looking out for build date, figuring they would be the same over time. In hindsight, I should've realized that a brand new production model would have kinks to be worked out through the first year. Spilled milk now but I could use advice...

Buy date: a few weeks ago.
Build date: 06/2003
Miles upon delivery: 401

Ok, so besides the "N" flash, what else should I look for that cars built in mid-'03 may be having problems with?

- Loose plates affecting my tranny?
- Anything else that got worked out with later builds?

Also, I now shudder when thinking about the abuse my baby may have taken during those first 400 miles (test drives, maybe a transfer?)... ugh. Could that cause problems for me later? Could it be affecting my crappy MPG (13-15 city, easy driving)?

And lastly, I believe the factory warranty is effective as of the purchase, not the build date. Let me know if any of you think that's not correct. Otherwise my 4 years just got cut nearly in half!

Thanks for your help in advance guys. This forum has been my car's savior!

 

Not all early build cars are an issue - I have an 05/2003 build car (purchased in July 2003) and it's got 23k trouble free (but fun) miles on it. No issues with the clutch, never flooded or anything like that.

Simon.

 

Ditto....my 8 is a July '03 build date!! No issues what-so-ever!!

- Irish

 

Mine's 10/03. Only issues so far are keeping it looking clean.
Unless you consider inordinate lust for a mechanical object an issue.

 

Mine is July '03 and people call me the man! No major issues, but get all the recalls done and any TSB's that may apply to you.

 

I wouldn't worry much about the build date, but you may want to worry about how badly the test drivers ragged on the car. I'm assuming it was a Demo, I hope you got one hell of a deal...

 

Sadly, I don't now if it was a demo or if it had been moved a great distance without a flatbed in a dealer trade or something.

Could heavy test driving for the first 400 miles be a cause of poor MPG? Are there any other problems that might be caused by excessive test drives?

I luv her, but I'm now very afraid of having accepted a beat up car in all the emotion. And yes, I did get a good deal considering she had the exact options I wanted...

Blk/Blk, GTP, Navigation, MT, $7400 off sticker

Then again, others seem to be getting comparable deals w/o the worry of 400 miles.

 

same damn thing happened to me
bought a "new 04" in july and the build date was also june 03' with 500 miles

 

How's yours running so far Santoz?

So far, I've got no complaints except sh*tty MPG.

Oh wait, one thing, my damn Nav gets fuzzy sometimes, then the interference goes away after a while. I should probably do a search for that problem.

 

Check your VIN against the Service Bulletins at the link below and make sure the dealer has done, or will do, those that apply. You might want to print out the relevant SB's and take them with you to the dealer.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

 

I think you'll be fine!! I'm not sure much damage can be done in 400 miles. I would urge you not to worry about it and enjoy your new ride. Don't worry about something you don't know about.

- Irish

 

It doesn't look like anybody answered your last ? yet. So, I will. The warrenty starts from the date of purchase, NOT the build date. So you have until roughly Mar. 09/50,000mi. whichever comes first.
The only thing I would be concerned about is how it was driven. I agree it was probably a demo and hence may have been driven harder than it was supposed to be. Mine only had 29 miles and I was apprehensive about purchasing. And unfortunately any problems that it may cause more than likely won't surface for a while (years). Hopefully, to reiterate what was said above^ , you got a helluva deal. Good luck nonetheless.

 

I have an RX-8 with a May 2003 build date (I bought in July 2003) and I have had no problems.

1. You absolutely need the N flash and to make sure the two RX-8 recalls (transmission damper and passenger airbag) are done.

2. Check out the TSB list at http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html and keep an eye out for those issues. If they come up, print out the TSB and head to the dealership. If they don't, don't worry about it. I have had a few of the TSB issues but not many.

3. Your bad gas mileage is probably not from abuse. Your mileage is not unheard of, particularly from the early build RX-8s, and matches what I experienced. It got a little better at the 2,000 mile mark. I average 15 around town now. But even some brand new 8s get low gas mileage.

4. Warranty starts from delivery date, not build date.

5. Whether its is a 2003 build or a 2005 build:
- you WILL get soot showing on the chrome tail pipes
- never shut the engine off without letting it fully warm up to avoid flooding
- you have summer tires on the car, don't even think about driving
the car if there is even a trace of ice/snow on the road (unless you get
different tires)
- people are going to stare at you as you drive by

Enjoy your new car!

 

How do you find out the build date? is it on the sticker?

 

ran like a dream got 18 mpg city on the first tank, then down to like 15-16 avg now, but at 6500k a raccoon ran out and caused an accident in which the radiator was busted by the raccoon skull causing an "overheated engine", drove the car like 1 mile and watched the temp gauge never left normal, but it had to have a new engine and at 13K now its great still same mpg and no rattles or anything

I didnt get but like 1K off msrp, and that pisses me off to find out it was that old

 

Your build date is shown on the sticker on the inside panel of your driver's door, and you can ask your dealer to supply it for you if you can't locate it yourself. They will run a "Warranty Vehicle Inquiry Detail" report which shows assembly date and any warranty repairs made to the vehicle (including port recalls).
I certainly agree with Irish's assessment of the situation. I'm reminded of the infamous quote by Bobby Knight, who said "if rape is inevitable, you might as well sit back and enjoy it!" While the analogy is a terribly insensitive reference to a rape victim, you should accept your own situation and move forward. This is a wonderfully engineered sports car which is absolutely intoxicating to drive. And it has a fantastic warranty. Enjoy it. Don't dwell on what might have happened before you owned it. It can only interfere with the enjoyment this car provides.
By the way, I purchased a used 2004 MT GT with a build date of May 26, 2003 with 9580 miles on it. It came with the "M" flash, and I've since had the brakes, headlamps and battery replaced (under TSBs), and my a/c needed tweaking. I get 17 mpg in all city driving, which is 2 mpg better than my former Ford Exploder. I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase. I pinch myself everytime I see the car in my driveway, just to make sure I'm not dreaming!

 

I too recently purchased an "old new" 2004 Rx-8 with a build date of 9/2003. On the dealers lot there were two VR GT Rx-8s, one had around 500 miles the other had about 100. I took the lower mileage one. First had the dealer replace the battery, since on the test drives they had to jump start the car. I reviewed the TSBs with the service manager he agreed that the car needed a reflash. I had that done and also some tape between the doors to protect the paint.

I'm getting ready to break it in at 545 miles, can't wait to hit those high RPM's. As for gas mileage, what gas mileage I'm having fun!

 

YES, one very important thing that must be done to your car NOW!

Change the oil and filter or have Jiffy Lube do it. Maybe the dealer will do it for free.

Basicly the engine has been broken in by Demo drivers. Clean up all the old junk in the oil.

I always change my oil any where from 400 to 1000 miles on new cars. Then I go into the normal maintence schedule.


Mine is June or July 03. No problems here.