Looking for advice here.

Back in September, the lease ended on my 2005 RX-8 and since that time I've been driving a Mazda3 and missing the 8.

Lately I've been looking at getting another 8, and there are two available locally at the same price with the right spec (GS M/T). I'm a bit torn between them.

Option 1: 2004, early build (per vin, somewhere in the ~1400 range). Comes with winter tires on 17" rims, MAY also get new tires on the original rims (sales guy mentioned this, but wasn't entirely sure.) Has 71k on the odo, and is at a Mazda dealership.

Option 2: 2005, later build (per vin comparison to my old car, was probably built around April 2005). Does not come with winter tires, summers on the car look like they're in decent shape. Has 90k on the odo, and is at an independent dealership.

So basically, I'm comparing mileage + some extras (tires) vs. a later build that should be less prone to early build issues, will still be under full powertrain warranty but has more mileage.

What do you guys think?

 

One go GT...two...go with lower KM and the look/colour you want! IMO

 

Personally I wouldnt buy one from an independent used car dealer period.

 

IMO,
get the one that wasnt driven in the winter, even one winter up here completely ruins a car.

 

Al, I'm interested in this comment. I have also been thinking it would be preferable to get it from a Mazda dealer, but I'm curious about your reasons why. I can think of two good reasons:

1. Indies don't know these cars, and the chance of them having flooded it is high.
2. Assuming you don't have service records, buying from a Mazda dealer might make subsequent warranty work easier (although in the current case, that would only apply to the 8 yr/160k engine warranty.)

What does everybody think about "early build" issues. Is this a real problem, or an internet myth?

 

I tell folk to keep far away from 2004 builds...

 

My '04 with 90,000kms has had no real issues other than starter being replaced. I don't think I'm the exception really.

 

LOL.. my car is completely ruined... 2 winters and counting...Brand new 2007.

 

lol if you clean regularly or annuxl retentively like Footman, winter? What winter?

Just make sure you dont have CAI installed in winter tho

 

Well.. the 04 thing is bull... a large number of the TO guys have 04's and don't have any problems with em..

as for the dealership thing... I got mine from a used car dealer and they were a pain in the *** to deal with. Had a dying clutch (in first stages) and they were nothing but a pain in the *** to deal with. Didn't get me anywhere either.. plus you never know how the dealership has treated the car.... I've actually seen one used car dealership doing donuts in an 8. If you buy from a mazda dealer you have a) a much better chance that the car is in good working order b) you're dealing with an established company should something be wrong with the car.

 

Shady lots are full of pre-wrecked cars. You can't pay me to walk onto one of those lots. Now the RX-8 is probably an exception since there is such a glut of it at the auction, the legit dealerships can't take them all. Still I would not want to roll the dice on a big purchase like that.

Personally I'd go for a cheap 2004 and budget in some money for a rebuild. You will still come out ahead.

 

Thanks for the responses.

I took a QUICK look again at the 04 on the Mazda lot, and found that the rear fenders are pretty rusted around the wheelwell. Not surprising for a car that's possibly seen 6 winters, but still dissapointing.

I hear what you're saying about shady used car dealers. I'll take a look at the car but if I have any doubts about it I'll pass and wait for another one.

Any advice on where to look for collision damage? I'm thinking panel alignments, looking under the hood and trunk carpet, making sure that underbody coating is still intact, etc. Anything else? Any reports better than Carfax at picking up on these things (I hear Carfax is not always complete.)

 

1. Only reason a used car dealer would have the late model car is a new car dealer doesnt want it.

2. The histories of the used car dealers cars are sometimes very sketchy eg: out of province, damage, liens etc.

3. If you dont have a maintenance history on the car Mazda DOES NOT have to honor the warranty, it is up to the owner to prove maintenence not the manufacturor.

4. Most will not stand behind any problem you encounter with the car (ask Revillusions about that one).

 

Right now there's an 8 on Autotrader going for $3800. I don't recommend you even THINK about it. The history on the car doesn't check out.

 

LIsten to this...been there...done that...swaped out the engines

 

Key to winter longevity.... Reduce the amount of time that "dampness, damp-salt" exists on your car.

You can either have DRY SALT on your car (like on those cold days when your car just looks like it's coated in a layer of dried man-sauce)

---OR---

You can have NO SALT on your car, by frequent thorough rinsing of the undercarriage, cracks, and body.

Salt is very reactive when water is present.

 

dried man sauce.......loled

 

I recommend to buy from used car company or Mazda Dealer is fine, like you said..... Go for a lower km on engine is better as well, IMO.....