Hello all,

I have been lurking for a couple weeks now, reading up on the site and about the platform. I have been looking in my area for either a 350z or rx8, and I believe for the price and my future plans, the rx8 is the way to go.

Now, that brings me to my question that caused me to finally register:

A new listing appeared today, 2006 Shinka (black with tan/white leather), 17K miles, 1 owner.

From my research on this site, major reliability upgrades started in 2005, and increased from there per model year. So a 2006 is probably pretty good, correct?

Beyond the New and Potential Owners thread illustrating what questions to ask, is there anything specific to the 2006 model years I should ask, or be aware about as a future owner?

Thanks! I look forward to owning an 8, if I can get a deal to go through!

 

No one has any advice?

 

Hook up with member chico elder. He lives in Delaware and has a 2006 Shinka. BTW they aren't black, but a deep violet. I have a 2008 40th Anniversary edition, and have owned seven rotary Mazdas since 1973. But Chico is the Shinka guy and knows all about them. The first thing to know is if that 17k miles is on an original engine or a rebuilt. You are correct the models after 2005 have had great reliability for the most part. But it is very individual and really what matters is how you care for the engine. Some RX8 owners don't do a good job of this. For myself I have NEVER had a rotary engine failure in easily a million rotary driven miles (street and track) since 1973.

Hook up with Chico Elder on the forum to answer your Shinka questions. Best to you.

 

Great, thanks.

It definitely looks black to me, and I know for sure it is a Shinka (besides him telling me--I looked it up, and his vin matches build number 403)

From my discussions with him, he seems knowledgable about rotaries, perhaps not an enthusiast, but treated the car well. Has complete records of service including replacing the sun visors, MSP16 performed in June of 2008 (7700 miles), and he is still on the original motor.

Said plugs, coils, and cats have never been replaced, and I it hasn't been flooded.

 

From wikipedia:

Shinka
In 2005, Mazda introduced the first special edition RX-8 called "Sports Prestige Limited" in Japan and "Shinka" in North America. Billed as a more luxurious grand touring model, this Shinka came with Black Cherry exterior color and Parchment leather interior along with subtly chromed 18" wheels. Only 1357 were made in the 2005 model year (though 2150 were scheduled, production never reached that amount). The most significant mechanical change were slightly revised Bilstein shocks and suspension cross member injected with urethane foam to improve ride quality.
Shinka returned for 2006 as a production trim package, now available in Copper Red, Galaxy Grey, and Whitewater Pearl. Only 1500 were made in 2006.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-8


gwilliams6 here. It may look black but it is a dark cherry mica, very nice up close. His camera and the lighting really cant reproduce this very subtle dark shade of cherry. (I am a professional photographer). So it is the second rarest model of RX8 made, very collectable. Only the 40th anniversary edition in 2008, with only 1000 made for the US market is rarer. Again look up and talk with some Shinka owners on this club forum like Chico Elder. I go to events with him and he has a beautiful shinka and knows all about them. Hey if the car is in good shape, and a compression test comes out ok on the engine, then it is a great buy if the price is reasonable. Go online to Kelly Blue Book to find a good price for this car with this mileage.

 

Shinka photos

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...9QEwAQ&dur=296

 

I have seen one driving around here and the color is amazing, I love it.