What to look for in an RX8
 

So I'm going to go out and look at an 8 for sale. Are their things I should look for? This will be my first rotory engine car so I'm not quite sure how to tell if the engine is in good shape or not.


It's a touring model, and from why I understand a GT would also come with. . .

Heated Power Mirrors
Advanced Keyless Engry
8 Way Power Heated Seats
Leather Apolstry


Is there anything else that a GT has but a Touring model doesn't that I should consider?


Eric

It would help us a bit if you had your location listed in your profile....

RX-8 options differ around the world.

You could also try a search...

Ummm... I have a Grand Touring, and I don't have heated mirrors... was that standard on that package?

I dont think the RX-8 has heated mirrors. It does have heated seats in the GT pkg model, so he might of mistook heated mirrors for heated seats.

I say as long as there are maintaince records and also speaking to how the previous owner drove it can tell you if its good. I guess you could always test drive it and beat the snot out of it and see how it performs haha. :D:

In Canada, the GT and GS models all have heated mirrors as an option. So it depends on your location.

I would ask how frequent the oils chnages have been, collant flushes etc. If the guy seems clueless I would be worried. Also check if all recalls have been done etc. Have a dealer run the vin number to see if anything comes up like engine replacement etc

I am in the US. The 2006's with the GT package have both heated seats AND exterior mirrors. This information is listed on my window sticker and listed under the "1GT" equipment package.

On the '06 model a GT would have in addition:

Power driver seat (pasenger is a standard seat)
Heated driver and front passenger seats as well as both external mirrors
Advanced keyless system (very nice but don't think it came on 05 or earlier)
Leather interior

All the other package options would be found in the touring package except of course Shinka options and Nav (this is for a US model).

Yes it was standard and you have it too. I was also confused when I couldn't find the button but it turns on when you turn the back window heating. It is in your manual.

Sorry . . Seattle, Wa USA


Eric

So I just got back from test driving it. First of it was a big adjustment, as I'm use to driving an automatic Ford Explorer.

The car has 32k on it, and it has the touring package. Which is fine with me as I don't really care about the other stuff like leather or heated seats. It was very clean. It was a dealer who was selling it so it's not like the guy knew much about this history of the car. I ran a carfax on it a while back and it came back clean aside from the TSBs that had been done. I'd plan to take it in to get any other TSBs done anyway. I asked him if he knew of it having any problems and his response was that it was still under the factory warenty so it really doesn't matter. While not exactly the answer I wanted it has some truth to it.

Wow it was a very fun car the drive. I was very suprised how tight it felt. Almost like my dad's boxter S. My only real complaint, which I've obviously heard before, is the lack of torque. It just didnt' have that "push you back in your seat" feeling I would expect from a car that looks and drives like it does. I've torn between the 8 and the 350z. So I'm going to go see if I can drive a Z tomorrow to compare.


Eric