My sister is looking at purchasing a 04' RX8. It has low miles, 15k and is in great condition, great price, and checks out clean on Car Fax.

I dont know too much about the reliability of the 04's. Are they more problematic than say a 05 or 06?

Other than that I would tell her to take it to the dealer and get the latest flash on the ECU and all the service bulletins done.

What do you guys think?

 

My 04 has 96,000 miles. I personally think RX-8's need miles. Sitting parked is not good for any car. But if it's up to date on flashes an 04 is not any worse than a 05 or 06.

 

Is it an AT? Seems like most of the problems are coming from '04 AT's...

 

Is it an automatic?

Edit: Blast. Beaten to it!!

 

No its a 6sp.

 

Well....at least that's in your favor!

 

As long as the recalls have been done, you should have no problems. Many people on here have '04s that are above 50k with no issues. My 04 6sp has 57k and I've never had a reliability issue with it.

 

I have an 04 AT and have no problems..but for some strangeee reason, my Tire and Engine Light turns on..but I dont know why....yes yes, I have to bring it to a Delaer ship, but I'm afraid of how much its gonna costs, and they probably want that money up front (Sigh.)

 

This one is stil under warranty.

Of course before it was taken home I would insist that all the TSBs, Recalls, and ECU reflash be done regardless if it is showing a problem or not.

 

Recalls and flashes should be no problem. TSBs are usually only done when the problem actually exists. For example, there are TSBs for all kinds of things like, updated HVAC *****, starter, battery, tailights (from water entry), brake pads, cd player and on and on. There are probably 30 or more. I'd be very surprised if they were willing to replace all those things with out exhibiting the issues that caused the TSBs to be written in the first place. I know my dealer wouldn't, but maybe you've found a better one.

 

I have an 04 with 33,000 miles on it. It runs great, actually better than my 05 did.

 

I have an 04 with 31k miles on it. 0 problems.

 

I have an '04 w/47k...but I'm on my second engine!

 

If you have mazda service dept near, that is all that matters.

 

I have an 04 with 31K. As long as the recalls are completed on it, issues with it should be kept to a minimum. I did purchase an extended warranty when I bought mine for added peace of mind.

 

Should be fine. 04 AT's are the runts of the 8's. I have one and yeah, you might have to take it up to the dealership for something unless they've already done all the recalls and stuff.

I'd go for it, if it's a good price and it's only got 15k that's not bad at all. Got mine with 9k miles back in '06 for 18k-ish.

Had to take it in for a recall with my gas cap and another time to get it flashed since it was running funny.

Another thing I don't think anyone has added is that it's been my experience that you'd need to use higher octaine fuel. I was using 86 for awhile, and my car was running really badly, took it into the dealership and they said they couldn't find a problem but what was probably causing it was the low octaine fuel and suggest I start using 92. So that's what I use now and ever since it's been running great.