So, I've been spending the past few months staring... and staring... and staring at the RX-8, and I finally decided to get rid of my 03 eclipse to move to the 8. I have three options, relatively close to me. The yellow one's a bit of a drive, but if it's the best option, I'd be more than willing to take the trip.

Here they are:

2004 Mazda RX-8, $10,913 - Cars.com

2004 Mazda RX-8, $10,995 - Cars.com

2004 Mazda RX-8 SPEED ! ! RACING BEAT UPGRADES !, $12,999 - Cars.com

All of them have clean carfax's, as well as relatively low miles. But none of them have any open recalls, which I know is something you guys say to look for.

And, I'm not sure if it would make any difference, but I do plan on integrating bluetooth, satellite radio, and a back-up camera into the vehicle but without getting rid of the stock look of the console. Not sure if the one with the navigation system would make those easier.

I haven't done the compression tests, nor have I test-driven them yet, because I didn't want to spend the gas, time, and money until I had someone else look over the choices.

 

I think that it would be hard to give an accurate decision on which is better without the compression results.

I personally don't have a lot of experience but the red one says that it has 'free warranty' in its description. Depending what that entitles, it could be very good to get that one.

I think that the yellow rx8 looks the hottest with the performance and convenience upgrade it has and the lowest mileage.


All in all, please remember that I am new and my opinion should not be taken to heart. One of the more experienced members would probably have a more educated opinion...

 

Please read through the new owner's thread. There are some very critically important pieces of information there that you need to determine before buying any of them.

All 3 are overpriced, the last one is absurdly overpriced. You shouldn't be paying more than about $8,000 for a 50,000-70,000 mile 2004. The only way I would justify paying more is if the engine compression test results are in the 8s.

With the limited information in the ads, all 3 are worth looking at as long as you expect to be able to talk them down a bunch.

 

I was about to say the 3rd one, but the compression test results is the decision maker...good luck!

 

+1 waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced.

IMO even 8k is overpriced.

5-6k for a perfect condition 2004 RX8 GT

 

I concur with overpriced.

I did a quick search down here (central florida) and found a few 04's in the $8,500's, and a few 08's in the $10,000 range. This car has what is probably the most seasonal of volatile price of any I have ever looked at. When I was shopping for mine, I would see a 20% fluctuation across a few months. They way it played was a few for sale at a high price, a lot for sale at a high price, a lot for sale at a lower price, half of those at a low price, then a few at a low price. Then the price would climb again. Cycle was about 3 months.

I suggest waiting a bit and tracking prices. AutoTrader helps with this. Also, put out what you are looking on RX8 club. There could be a good one on this list.

 

Where can I find these better prices, though? (Bank only allows loans of an 08 or newer, so I'm having to go through the dealers, sadly.) Even the ones I've been browsing in the MW for sale forums on this site are showing roughly the same prices.

Is it something to consider to buy in another region of the states for lower prices?

 

I would honestly really prefer to get one through these forums, but sadly my bank only allows for loans on a car no older than 5 years, so unless there are other options, I have to go through the dealer to get my loan.

 

Seriously
This is going to sound like a flame but it is not.

Do not buy an RX8 if you can't even afford a 2004 model.
And defiantly do not buy a 2004 at 10k+
You'll never be able to afford the repairs if you can't even get a bank loan for 10K

I'm respectfully telling you to walk away and get something more suited to your situation.

 

I CAN get a loan for 10k, but my specific bank won't allow for car loans under an 08. Or I'd already have gone out and gotten myself an rx8 at, now I know, way overpriced.

 

Sure
It's your story man.
Goodluck

 

I don't understand your story :

If you can only pay cash, you are going to get an overpriced 2004? Or you can only get an 08+ if you get a loan? I'd keep going but I think i'd be confusing myself even further.

 

What I meant was that if I could have gotten a car loan through my bank for the 04, I would have already purchased one. But I can't, because my bank won't give out loans for a car that is older than 5 years, and over 75k miles. No matter my income. So that was when I decided to start looking at dealerships, because I could get a loan through them regardless of the year of the vehicle.

 

So...what about other banks? What about non 2004s? What about cars farther away?

I just haven't figured out your reasoning yet

 

OP, I am not following your logic.

All other crap aside I am partial to the VR (Velocity Red Mica) even though it is a bit overpriced The BB's (Brilliant Black Mica) paint looks jacked, and I could get low mileage 07' or 08' for what they are asking for the LY (Lightening Yellow Mica).

 

Admittedly, I haven't looked at other banks yet. And, 2004 was the only one I'd seen for sale in the local area, besides an 09 R3 at 19k. And as for farther away, I would hate to drive many hours and find out I'm being screwed with, and most of the people I know are local, so I couldn't have someone I trusted check out the car for me.

 

choose the one with the highest compression

 

I bought mine from Ohio while living in RI. I sold it to a guy in Seattle while living in PA.

Buying one farther out requires more care, but then, you have a huge amount of resources here to assist you with that, including people that know far more about the car than any dealer will.

Just an example. If you aren't comfortable with it then you aren't. I'd recommend not rushing into a purchase just because it's the only viable one close by though.

 

I definitely didn't want to rush into anything. Which is why I came to you guys first. Had I not, I'd already have one of those three. Haha.

And, thank you for bearing with me through my stupidity. I'll start looking around and seeing what companies'll give me a loan for an older vehicle.

That being said, I might go with a 91 rx7 for 13k at a local dealership if all else fails. Or a 9...3? rx7 for 13k, as well.

 

So, I'm a bit of a dummy. My insurance company should be able to give me a loan for the vehicle. Time to post a WTB on the forums, it seems. Thank you for your guys' help, considering the confusion.