that is what i thought lol just confusing is all. Thank you

 

from 1981 the US has had a standard 17 digit vin, and every car after 1981 uses this system

the VIN breaks down like this, we'll use JM1FE17N940100001

J = Japan. i think 1 and 4 are the US, W is Germany, etc
M1 = Mazda. in europe mazda is MZ*
FE = Rx8. the FD is FD here, the 6 is like GC or something.
17 = body style, 17 = coupe. convertibles are usually 35.
N = on the Rx8 this tells you the engine, N is low power 3 is high power. some cars its airbag no airbag, or some other option.
9 = check digit, there is some secret formula to come up with this so you can't steal the car and make your own vin.
0 = assembly plant. 0 = hiroshima, 1 = hofu, 5 is flat rock.
100001 = assembly number.

notice there is no spot for the model, sport/gt/base.

* so the european vin is JMZFE17N90100001, and every markets vin style is unique, so there can be the 100001 US car AND the 100001 EU car AND the 100001 JDM car.

 

that was very informative thank you. I like the sport anyway lol I don't like leather seats nor a sun roof but some of the other stuff would have been nice. and if i would have paid attention to this when i bought this car used from the dealership i could have talked them down about lying on the package. I was just to excited to get it and had to play it cool at the dealership when i went to test drive it lol and thanks to RIWWP's thread i armed myself with enough information about the car to talk them down lol.

 

Any idea on the engine codes for the Series 2?

I see 4 different engine codes for 2009-2011:
M, P, 2, and 4

 

from the 2009 service highlights;

2 = High power for california
4 = high power for federal/canada
M = standard power for california
p = standard power for federal canada

i wonder if they mean auto/manual when they say hi/low power?

 

Thanks.

Yeah, I'd guess that hi/low would be MT/AT.

 

i think so, i kept scrolling, and the low power doesn't have VFAD, and i think VDI, and that says A/T to me

 

Yeah if special ordered cars can come with frankinoptions. My first 04 8 was a wierd mix of options. The newer ones 2008 and up are easier to point out what model they are.

 

Just thought I'd mention that I too have the Sport, but all the paperwork lists it as a GT.

 

Haha.. this is what happens when owners do aftermarket factory upgrades. A cluster of options that shouldn't be there, ARE, and vice-versa. So glad my fiance's 'sport' is unmolested!

 

I feel the same way. Here and there you'll find an aftermarket upgrade that might make sense, but generally aftermarket = squeaks, rattles and unintended consequences. Either the parts aren't of the highest quality, they don't fit perfectly, or the previous owner had them installed poorly. If you're really unlucky, all three.

 

I have a 2005 RX-8 and I am looking to upgrade the brake rotors and pads. I am trying to figure out if my car has the sport suspension or not and am having trouble figuring it out based on the VIN. I have a 2005 RX-8 Sport AT however I need to know if it has the sport suspension. I called the dealership and had them look up my VIN# for me and they did say that it said I had the SP2 sport package under the Accessories portion of the VIN# lookup but did not specify whether or not it had the Sport Suspension. I would assume that I do have the sport suspension if I have the Sport Package but figured it would be best to ask the Forum to be sure before I order the wrong brakes. Thank you all kindly in advance for your assistance!

Cheers!
Nic

 

If you have a Sport AT then you have the Sport suspension. If your car came with factory 18" wheels then you have the Sport package which includes the larger brakes.

 

the only Rx8's in the US that do not have the sport suspension are the 04-05 AT with the 16" wheels.

so if you have a manual, or an at with 18" wheels, then you have sport suspension

 

hey, while were at it, I got mine last week and it's an 06 mt gray/silverish exterior black leather/heated seats, has bose sound system (I suppose that could have been done after market but looks stock and loud af), rear spoiler slide/tilt sunroof, power driver seat, no nav. 6disc cd, I'm not sure about heated mirrors, never had them before and don't know how to use them/check for them. any guesses at what trim? I'm thinking GT, the doors have a little rubber nub in the handle but to be honest I haven't tried to see if it was keyless entry for some reason, I am near the car but I'm at work so I'd rather not sneak out to look at it. too bad VIN can't tell options :/
I did research on the engines of the rx8s prior to buying, not the options :p

 

If you have black leather seats and Navigation you have a Grand Touring.

 

black leather but no nav. it does NOT have nav.
i checked on my lunch break and it does however have heated mirrors and keyless entry (the little rubber button on the door handles)

 

Black leather still = Grand Touring. Heated Mirrors? Where are you from?

 

West Virginia... Why? I bought the car from Pennsylvania.

 

I'm pretty sure I have heated mirrors on my GT.

 

Hmm, I never noticed them on a GT, but never looked either. Do they just come on with the defroster?

 

yes, they come on with the defroster. just got a chance to test them out on the way to work (now that I know I have them) and they work much faster than the defroster

also I got my email back from mazda to confirm its a gt:

Thank you for taking the time to contact Mazda.

Attached you will find the Specs & Features Sheet for the 2006 Mazda RX-8. Please note that VIN JM1FE173160200508 came equipped with the following packages and options:

*IN-DASH 6-DISC CD CHANGER
*CARGO NET
*CARPET FLOOR MATS
*PORTFOLIO
*REAR WING SPOILER
* WHEEL LOCKS
*FAUX LEATHER DOOR TRIM
*FOG LAMPS
*XENON HEADLIGHTS
*HEATED OUTSIDE MIRRORS
*LEATHER SEATING SURFACES
*AUTODIM MIRROR W/HOMELINK
*POWER MOONROOF
*HEATED FRONT SEATS
*POWER DRIVER'S SEAT
*PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
*ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL
*GRAND TOURING PKG M/T

what is "portfolio"?

 

Got me in that one. I don't recall seeing that, unless it's the owner's manual case.
No idea.

 

I suspect your right about it being the case for the manual, which is gone anyways, along with the wheel locks, floor mats and engine cover. Also it has the straps where the flat tire kit should be but that's gone too -.-

 

I have the original sticker from my GT, and 'portfolio' isn't on it.