I do like the seats... But besides that, its pretty much the same car. Unless its now making 50+ more hp... which it isn't. I wouldn't spend 20K more to get an R3.. I would rather get an older 8 and get a daily or an FD :)

By the way, my engine light went off... Weird.. one day its on, one day its off.. Love the 8!!!

I love my RX-8... Its a 2004 AT mildly modded with 56K miles and on the 3rd motor. Like some people have said stay away from 04 and 05. Also if you get the 09 R3 that would be amazing.. those seats are just sick.

Someone explain to me what parts have been updated from 04/05 to 06+ to make it more... well, less trouble?? Is it the ECU?? what is it??

Well I'm sure there are a few minor upgrades to work all the bugs out.....but the one that sticks out most in my head is where the 04/05 models have capped nipples on the intake manifold, the 06 models have tubes on those nipples that connect and run up to the oil fill tube. I've heard that this is another safeguard against flooding. I've had my 06 for almost 3 years now and it has never flooded (knock on wood)......and yes I've had one or two instances where I moved it without it warming up and shut it off cold. (Simply because I forgot)

This is is a good thread to see the changes each year-----> http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=143280

Hmm.. Do you mind taking a picture of this nipple and the oil filled tube? I wondering if we could just buy that part and add?? I personally had issues with cold start... Even revving to 5+k and shutting down..

i have also heard that the 09 models have a few other features like extra oil injectors.

No I don't mind, but it'll be saturday or sunday before I can post pics. I first noticed this difference when I looked into doing the "washer fluid de-flood" procedure.

The dealer master mechanic was telling me about that... But beside bit of difference out side the car and few add on on the engine (and the seat), I don't know if its worth it... Especially you know as soon as you drive out of the dealership, it will loose 1/4 of its value.. I mean, I bought my 8 in 07 and paid less than 1/2 of what the original buyer paid... As a person who owned pretty much all generation of RX7s, I say if you got 30+K to blow (unless you are financing it) I would get an FD. Its a completely different beast.. Unless you turbo your 8.. But I'm guessing you are not going to do that to an 09 R3.

That would be awesome! I would like to see what these small differences that makes the older vs newer more reliable... or if its just age on the engine or ECU.

im sure i can find a used R3 right quick. Either that or just just an 09 Rx8 wouldn't be about fine.

Then again i will have to test drive a Genesis turbo...

then there is always the "buy a bunch of older 7s" route i usually take...

I know that I loved my Rx8 to death, literally, I only had it for a year and a half bought it brand new right off the truck no less it litterally had 7.8 miles on it when i bought it on 23 Dec 2004 (05 sport model) in a year and a half I put 47k miles, lets see where to begin, i saw 153mph that was awesom. i got nailed coming back from 7-stock at 110mph that was fun... not should have kept going. After she got hit the first time (hit and run) we installed a complete mazdaspeed body kit, down force was awesome( with stock suspension it will rub the nose at 130mph). Got rid of her after I stuffed it in the back of a Mazda 6, their fault but even after the repair she didn't drive right and I think that it did irreperable damage to the engine. Will I buy another, until I came on orders to Iraq I had a contract on an Anniversary edition, I plan on picking up a R3 model when I get back but I will probably order it

I love my 8, but I've never even had a ride in a FD so I can't compare the 2. I haven't had flood issues yet, but I know people that have and I try to avoid it :) I'm hoping you have some vendors at the meet that deal some good parts for the 8's, have you asked Fluid Motorsports, Vivid Racing or Racing Beat if they want to participate? That my be an obvious question so please don't flame me for being an idiot :)

i absolutely love my rx8...its an 05 manual....the only major problem i've had is having the transmission replaced....had it for 3 years now. first 2 years i put 40000 miles on it..including a trip to the dragon, this last year has only been 6000 miles....been trying to preserve the warranty....i doubt i'll ever get rid of this car. I am going to get an FD eventually...white of course... and park that next to my 8.....but i love my car

I've loved my 8 ever since I got her off the showroom floor in May of 04. I plan to never let her go, and since riding in Proxy's 7, it sealed the deal on me getting an FD asap. However, my 8 will always be my first and primary rotary love.

My 8 > FD....

I know you are all going to get worked up - but yea I have owned both; built both and drove both. While the single turbo FD (GT35) is a faster car; everything else else about my 8 is better than the FD (looks is kind of subjective; the FD is def smaller, lower etc.).... but to drive them; I would pick the RX8 anyday.

Just need to give it some guts and it can compete easily.


Oh I will say working on the FD is a lot easier than the 8 because of the engine placement.

I think the car is absolutely fantastic. Mine has given me little problems in the year I've owned it (put 30,000 miles on it this year, though). It flooded twice. That is all the problems I have had with it.

Its just too bad that my job has slowed down so much as I'm going to need to sell it due to finances.