Hi All,
I bought a 2004 RX-8 a couple of months ago with AT,sport and appearance packages, and 75k miles on it. I took it to the local dealer the day after I got it for an oil change and lube and got an extra quart of oil to put in the trunk for the regular topping-up.

I changed the air filter today to the K&N drop-in replacement and noticed that the air filter I removed was the original,it had a date sticker on it. The car did not come with any maintenance history but runs smooth and quiet. I did the free airbox mod when I changed the filter and the car seems to run even smoother now.

I am going to replace the plugs,wires, and coils next which look to be the originals also,which doesn't look like the easiest of jobs. The muffler has a small hole in it from road debris so I am going to replace it with the mazda speed cat back exhaust.

So, my question is, what would you suggest I also do to make sure the car is running at its best knowing that it has 75k miles,is an AT,and has no maintenance history? Thanks for your help

 

thats about it

 

Should I have the AT fluid flushed and screen cleaned at the dealer or no?

 

getting any car with 75k miles on it....probably a good idea to change out all fluids, especially one without any service records...oil change, coolant, brake fluid flush, transmission and rear diff. Just my 2 cents.

 

Midpipe/hi-flo cat if you didn't already cover that
Headers
Cobb Accessport
Suspension

Beyond that all you really have is visual/audio upgrades lol

For anything more then small gains you need F/I. The Zex Nitrous kit could be a good idea depending on how trustful of nitrous oxide on your engine you are..

 

Those are good ideas for aftermarket.


I believe this topic is referring to basic maintenance considering you do not know any particulars of the previous history of it.


I mean if you got the cash get a full flush and everything done. I'd assume that if the dealer isn't providing carfax it may be a lower end dealer(nothing wrong with that) But go with my idea that whoever traded the car in there. That I'm sure there has not been full tranny flushes


All of that stuff is expense but cannot hurt but only help your car in anyway.


Oil should be changed atleast every 3,000 miles without a doubt.

 

Thanks for the helpful advice. I will have all fluids flushed and filled,along with the rear diff., and do the other work myself. I am probably looking at about $1400 for this with the exhaust and plugs,wires,and coils so the aftermarket mods will have to wait a few months but they will be on my list.

Just as an aside, I am 40 years old and treated myself to this car after driving a '92 Nissan Sentra for 12 years. I only had $9k to spend on the car and I was lucky to find this one because it looks like new inside and out,runs great,and drives great. I drive it in the manual mode which is surprisingly fun with the choice between the stick and the paddles. I wanted the 6 mt but I couldn't find one in my price range, even with very high miles. Oh well, I have been loving driving this car and want it to last me for many years. Maybe at some point I'll even be able to supercharge it. The dreams begin! Thanks again

 

Check and see if it has a rebuilt stamp on the front cover, its located when looking at the engine to the right of the alternators big mounting bolt(14mm I believe) but to its to the right of that bolt alont the side. It would be a blue/silver stamp, with 75k miles you should be conscerned with the engines life on a AT, they tent to need rebuilds around then but its covered under the 8yr/100k miles warranty. Its not bad if its a rebuild but its nice to know where your motors lifespan sits.