Hi I'm new and have RX-8 Questions

[andyreid]

Hi this is Andy Reid from Classic Motorsports and I am new here. I was wondering if you guys could give me some tips when buying a RX8. Are there huge differences between years in regards to reliability? Also is a non- sunroof car hard to find? It seems that every one I see has a sunroof and I need the extra headroom.
Thanks
Andy

 

[lil_red_wagon]

first year is always the worst with any car. i think that the 2009 + models are pretty nice, but don't know the numbers on reliability.

since you own a 7, you should know that mazda loves sunroofs. their rx line is going to be fairly hard to find in a slick top, so good luck on that one. it doesn't look like it was standard equipment, so they are out there.

 

[solidtrance]

Non sunroof cars are not that hard to find in the base model. Also doesn't have leather or nav and there are a few other items that are not available on the base model. The only performance difference is the base model does not have DSC or TC, can't remember off hand.

There are some good tips in the RX-8 FAQs & New User Guide Thread. Check post 2 to get started. The first year ('04) engines seem to have the highest failure rate. To make matters worse many of the first hundred or so "reman" engines that were used to replace the first batch of failed engines were not very good. By '05 Mazda had addressed many of the reliability issues with different PCM flashes and things got a bit better. In '09 the engine was redisigned a bit and seems to be better still. The trans was also redesigned with a different final drive ratio and the whole trans seems to be a bit stronger. So it would seem that 09 or newer would be a no brainer right..... Not quite, there are a lot more aftermarket products for the S1 (04-08) than there are for the S2 (09-11) not the least of which being the Cobb Accessport which is by far the most cost effective tuning solution. It allows you full control over most of the ECU and allows very comprehensive tuning. Sorry about the rambling, I am just finishing up a long shift at work. Post up any othe questions you may have an I will try to get tot them if I have an answer.

What are your plans with the car?

BTW, there is a way to lower the OEM seat about an inch or a little more. I will look for a link when I have a few spare min.