Mazda RX-8 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

midnightcowboy

In Houston they are advertising $3,000 off MSRP. Most delaerships have all colors sitting on the lo, some as many as 25-30

graphicguy

I think the good reliability goes back even further than the Protege and Miata. I can remember the 323s being bulletproof and were the RX generations. I still see some RX7s on e-bay that have gone well over 200K miles.

qbrozen

Oh, they certainly have other reliable cars in the past, but I don't think they were ever popular enough to give them that "reputation of reliability." Those who were in the know and who knew how to take care of their cars (there were plenty of disgruntled RX-7 owners because they did not maintain their rotary engine properly) loved their Mazdas, but the real mainstream didn't take notice until they developed much more popular and better selling cars like the Miata and Protege.

That's just one man's take on it, though.

stuartz

Is anyone familiar with pricing on the RX-8 in Florida, specifically the Orlando area? How much over invoice / under sticker are people paying? The TMV indicates about $1,000 over invoice for the model and options I'm interested in. I'd be willing to travel to the Tampa or Miami / Lauderdale areas to save $$$.

Also, what additional maintenance is required for the rotary engine? Thanks

graphicguy

Can't comment on the "deals" they're offering in the Orlando area. TMV seems to be right until Spring hits and the market for sports cars goes up.

Maintenance is the same as for any other car.....

--change the oil and rotate the tires every 5K miles
--you might want to check the oil a little more often as rotaries are designed to use a little between oil changes

Other than that, if you get one, drive it like you stole it. These cars love to rev.

clementunes

Hi everyone,

I've decided to take the plunge on the RX-8! Looking for the 6MT with Grand Touring package. I like the red with black/red interior and the nordic green with black/tan interior (I've only seen 1 nordic green on a lot however and it had all black interior).

I'd be grateful to any of you owners out there for any tips you might have in the buying process. My plan was to offer the invoice to start out. Should I start out even lower than that? There are 4 dealerships in San Diego county and 2 of them have a lot of RX-8's on the lot. I'm also wondering about the mileage on the cars before sale. What would be considered a high mileage that could be used as bargaining leverage in nogotiating price?

Also, I was curious if anyone with the appearance package had any ground clearance problems with the side aero flares. I'd noticed a warning sticker on the cars about going over speed bumps.

I've read some of the posts regarding problems with oil pans needing to be replaced and ECU issues. Any "heads up" info on these subjects would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to owning this spectacular auto!

carliker

I don't believe any dealerships that I know of that would be willing to sell a car at invoice unless it was some kind of clearance event (or some other situation). The RX-8 is too new of a vehicle to get at invoice and the sells haven't been that bad. I would try between $500 and $1000 over invoice.

graphicguy

I agree with carliker on the offer.

Regarding the oil pan. Anything on the lot now should have the baffles and new oil level unit installed already from the factory.

ECU should already be reflashed, too as only the first ones shipped over to the U.S. had to have this done at the port.

Can't help you on the "ground effects" question.

Good luck!

flatso

I got my car for 750 under legit invoice.

carliker

How did the dealership make any money on your deal then? $750 under invoice leaves no money even if the vehicle had a holdback amount.

graphicguy

That $500 rebate is the "recent college grad" rebate. That's been offered by Mazda on all it's vehicles and only those who can prove they are a recent college grad get it.

qbrozen

when did you buy? you just said 5 days ago that you were going to wait until some of the issues were resolved.

unless when you said "your car" you didn't mean the RX8.

audia8q

maybe I'm nuts. But, I think the bait is in the water....who is going to take it?

What would be the reason to sell an RX-8 for invoice less the rebate and less another $250?

carliker

No one. I'm with gbrozen on being confused on the sudden decision to buy a vehicle when you had concerns about issues being resolved.

qbrozen

I've been fishing for this one for several days now.

graphicguy

OK, I'm cutting bait and rowing back to shore to observe this one from the banks of the water......

flatso

Sorry I have not been on lately and I just saw the posts not believing what I paid. First I just pick up my car today (1/9) and love it best drive I have ever had. But yes I paid $750 under invoice(I live in central NJ btw). I asked the dealer if he made any money on my deal and he said they lost about 300 dollars. He said the cars where suppose to launch in the spring and because of the late launch a lot of dealers ordered many more cars then they could sell, nobody is buying them now because its winter and it costs them money each month the car sits on the lot. So better to sell at a slight loss. Actually I was a bit upset because I did most of my dealing on the net(the great equalizer) and I just got an "email" offer from another dealer in Wayne NJ of $800 off invoice.

blh7068

Please tell me you are not quibbling over 50 bucks on a car you paid under invoice for in the first place ????

Correct me if I am wrong...but nobody thats posted here has gotten remotely close to the deal you got.

graphicguy

Flatso, these cars are selling for about $1,000 off MSRP all over the country every day (which is what I paid for mine). Maybe the dealer had some "hidden charges" on the rest of the deal?...financing above the going rate?.....tacked on fees over and above what's normal? I don't think there was any announcement that the RX8 was delayed by any great amount of time. As far as I know, they were supposed to hit our shores in July. That's exactly what happened. So, I think your dealer stating they "lost" money on it is a bit far fetched. They aren't in business to lose money on any car....even less so on one as popular as the RX8. Since they weren't very honest about "launch dates", I'd have to question their honesty on the rest of the deal.

No matter, enjoy the car. Whatever you paid, as long as YOU believe you got a good deal, that's all that matters.

flatso

I am sorry you paid more gentlemen I am not stupid I matched the invoice the internet saleman sent by email to Edmunds and Cars Direct invoices and actually both websites were a bit higher on their total invoice price with the same options. Here is the deal I got with sports pack MT, spare tire, appearance pack, 6 disc cd, rear spoiler, and rotary accent MSRP was $30,659 dealership Invoice was $28,116 minus $750 and I paid $27366 plus 6% tax. Doc fees were a rather high $200 so perhaps they broke even but I still got a great deal I realize that.

And not quibbling over $50 dollars just wonder how much better a deal I could have gotten. I like keeping my money, car dealers make enough and I don't feel bad a bit if they lost money on me they will surely make it back on some poor naive slob.

graphicguy

Did you have a trade? What did they do on that end, if so?

flatso

I did not have a trade in because I know the dealer will try to make some of their money back that way. I will try to sell my 2001 BMW Z3 when the weather gets nicer. The RX-8 absolutely blows that car away BTW in just about all areas except headroom...when the top is down of course

qbrozen

let's not forget holdback. So they still made money. Regardless, if its all as stated, its a great deal. Worthy of a Chevy or Ford dealership.

graphicguy

"...Worthy of a Chevy or Ford dealership. "

LOL.....

My sister works for Ford. We just had a conversation a week ago about 0% financing, rebates, etc.

Amazing, but the MSRP means pratically nothing when she buys a car. With her "X" plan deal (I think that's what she calls it), rebates, etc. she can get some Ford vehicles for $15,000 off MSRP.

My sister's husband (my brother-in-law) works for GM (Makes for interesting debates when we're all together). He reports similar savings on GM vehicles. I qualify for their discounts (depending on the model and dealership willingness). Almost pulled the trigger on a new Corvette before the RX8 spoiled me (plus, the RX8 being about $10,000 less expensive, even with the GM employee discount).

She drives a new Cobra every year. When I showed her the C&D article about how the RX8 beat out the Cobra and the G35C, she went ballistic....even more so when I actually bought the RX8.

clementunes

Well we just drove home our new RX8 yesterday and I couldn't be happier. Got a velocity red with Grand Touring package, appearance package, spare tire, and 6 CD changer. Ended up paying $1264 below sticker. Last night I removed the licence plate bracket from the front grille. I know I'm taking a chance on getting a ticket but it's so much better looking without it I think it's worth the risk.

Overall I was pretty happy with the buying process. I felt like we got a good price and the people were pretty easy to deal with. Of course at the end of negotiations they tried to sell me on the extended warranty, Lo-Jack system, and clear-coating, all of which I declined.

What about the clear-coating? Anyone have their dealership do it, or an independant detail shop?

flatso

clearcoating is just a good waxing which you can do yourself.

audia8q

I would love to see the buyers order on this one, showing us all the details.

carliker

Flatso is right about just waxing the car yourself. The dealership I got my RX-8 was trying to sell a bogus rust protection plan for $600.00 and threatened at first not to sell the car to me if I didn't take that option. Needless to say, that was the beginning of a bad experience with that dealership.

It's been established that some regions in this country are trying to rid their lots of RX-8s (as with a lot of cars). It doesn't surprise me that flatso was able to get such a good deal since he's in the northeast where a harsh snowfall is only a front away. It's easy to see how this dealership would rather give a great deal (make a small amount if any) than pay more money for the vehicle's upkeep on the lot through the winter. It's time to cut their losses.

graphic - Why would your sister go ballistic when she gets her Ford vehicles almost half off and you only got $1000 off MSRP of the RX-8? I know the RX-8 is a great and innovative car, better than the Cobra in many ways. However, I'm sorry, if I'm getting $15,000 off a Cobra or choosing an RX-8, my decision to select the Cobra couldn't make me sleep easier. Not knocking the RX-8, but it's not worth spending the extra $15,000. The discount on the Corvette might have been tempting, but at least with that I can understand how the vehicle would still be more expensive. Please explain.

graphicguy

When I bought my RX8, it wasn't on the list of cars that qualified for the Ford family discount.

My sister bleeds Ford blue. If it doesn't say Ford or Lincoln on the badge, it's not a real car to her. My brother-in-law is not nearly the GM fanatic that my sister is with Ford. He drives a CTS (GM really got their act together on that one.....a really fine car, just not my "cup of tea"). He's been known to "stray" from GM and has bought other brands in the past, even with the steep discounts he gets from GM.

My sister doesn't get $15,000 off Cobras. She can get about $15,000 off some Lincolns (with current rebates) and I believe some Jags. I'm not certain since I wasn't interested in any of the cars that qualifed for such a big discount.

I did look at the Corvettes using my bro-in-law's GM discount. That was when they had a $2K rebate on them. I can't remember the exact options on the ones I looked at, but they were all '03 base coupes with a 6-speed. I could have bought one for right around $41K.

My sister always gets Cobra convertibles. While she buys one every year, I don't recall what her exact purchase price was. I think her last one (an '03 she bought two weeks before I bought my RX8) cost pretty close to what I paid for my RX8 (about $32K...give or take a few hundred).

I've driven her car. The Cobra is one heck of a performance car for that kind of money. If push came to shove, I would have bought a Cobra over the 350Z/G35C, but chose the RX8 over the Cobra for roughly even money for all the reasons I've stated previously. I'd do it again given the same scenario with no hesitation.

My sister is all about numbers on paper (as some others here are). I really irritate her when I tell her I drive a sports car, not her "quoted" numbers. She tried to drive my car once over the holidays. Stalled it coming out of the driveway because (according to her) the clutch was "too light". She pulled it right back into the driveway and has never been in it since.

As I said, it makes for lively and interesting conversation when we all get together.

petea

Just wondering what dealer in North Jersey you got your deal at? I just sold me '97 M3 and am seriously thinking about the RX-8 if I can get a good deal. Sounds like you did very well. Thanks.

revdrluv

RX8 clutch too light?!?! No, it's just the Cobra that she is used to has a clutch that is clunky and the action is too long. LOL

If she had actually made it out of the driveway would she have told you the steering (because it actually gives feedback, unlike the Mustang) was too heavy? hehe

The RX8 is definately the epitome of the idea that the driving experience of a good sports car can't be defined by numbers.

graphicguy

That clutch in the Cobra is definitely not one of its strong suits. It is heavy and clunky. The shifter reminds me of the shifter in the 350Z/G35....heavy and very deliberate with "high effort". Both are precise, though.

After driving my sister's Cobra and getting back into my RX8, I can tell you that the the 8 clutch feels as if it has a 50 pound weight removed in comparison. Like the Z/G, the acceleration feels like it's either on or off....nothing in between.

If you're into numbers, my guess is the Cobra feels like under 5 sec 0-60, but I can't confirm that except through my "butt dyno".

If MPG is your thing, my sister, who is into "stab and stop" stop light to stop light driving (rarely gets out of 3rd gear) is getting about 12 MPG...highway (which she has to hit to get to my house) nets her about 17 MPG.

Truth told, for the low 30s (what she paid for the car) to have a convertible that's so capable, it was tempting, but again, I'll take my 8 over her car any day.

carliker

Not to mention the reliability and resale issues of the Cobra Mustang; especially since the new version is almost available. I don't know what the 0 to 60 time is on that vehicle since I knew I'd never want one.

rpkrx8

I know when the 350Z first hit people were paying as much as 5k over msrp. Any situations like this with the RX-8 , I got mine GT pack 6 speed manual titanium gray w/black leather about 1250 below MSRP. Just curious about that. There is no need to feel bad if you bought early. I got mine in November and people seem to be too concerned with how good a deal they got. It should have been an enjoyable experience, especially with a car like this.

graphicguy

Some dealers sold the first ones off the boat for over MSRP. Some paid MSRP up until mid Oct.

I think in general, the RX8 is selling for around $500 to $1,000 off MSRP since winter has hit. The sports car market goes soft when the weather turns.

There have been very sporadic reports that some have bought 1 or 2 below invoice, but those are hard to document since we don't know the entire deal (finance rates, trade-in amounts, extra fees, etc). I would expect that the price would be a little more "unflexible" when Spring hits.

automite

bought 15dec titanium gray/tan and black leather...options gt pkg, in dash 6cd,moonroof wind deflector, rear wing spoiler, nav system, appearance pkg, and rotary accent pkg. msrp including freight $35,209. what mazda calls its S plan, is the equivalent to fords x plan. the s plan price is printed on the bottom of the dealer invoice. ask to see it if your buying the car from stock. this takes away the haggling for price. the s plan price is suppose to be aprox equal to dealer cost, but whats not so apparent is the 200 dollar amount they add onto the individual edmunds dealer figures [similar to toyotas advertising fee for region]. my s plan price came to $32,154 plus 160 dollar paperwork fee, plus $1,962 tax, title, transfer fees. so in approx figures, it was $3,000 below msrp, before taxes. when "priceline.com" had an auto purchase section, they displayed a money amount for your particular region that was added into a dealer invoice in their pricing displays. ford employees and different supplier companies to ford can easily obtain a computer "pin" number related to their x plan, to be used by mazda salesman in giving you the s plan amount.....only have about 400 miles, but have had none of the problems discussed on this site. all this talk about flooding problems...its misleading to future buyers because mazda makes it very clear in its owner manual and quick reference operating manual to allow for a 5min warmup before shutting down a cold engine. this is not a flaw in the rotary. its an operating characteristic. do what they tell you up front, and you won't have any problems. has anyone purchased as an accessory, the aluminum fender strakes? if so, tell me your thoughts on the "accessories" site

johncalifornia

I'm shopping for an RX-8 (base model 6-spd) and would like to hear from my neighbors in the San Francisco Bay Area about the dealers here. Who are the good, the bad, and the ugly? Who's got the sharpest pencil for cutting a good deal? Who's got a great service department?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

tidetexas

Town North Mazda has a TON of RX8's on the lot - approx. 40 of them in all shapes and sizes. They will definitely sell for way less than MSRP if you live in this area and want one of these gems.

I'm debating on this car and the G35 S.Coupe - the RX8 has very little torque, and that's really where it counts - even the HP is more in the G35, but you pay a little more - about 2-3K more. G35 also gets better MPG and is a bit more 'luxurious'... I'm really torn here - both have good points, but it seems that the G is luring me a little more....

bigmike5

A volume dealer in L-ville listed one this past weekend in the newspaper for $28.9 off a sticker of supposedly $33.9. I don't trust the dealer involved, so I am not sure if it is a bait and switch deal.

graphicguy

It sounds like you haven't driven the RX8, yet. Just going by what some posts have said, ou really would do either car an injustice if you don't test drive them. Once you do, I'd bet your perceptions will change.

BTW....in Edmunds most recent Sports Car Shootout, they tested the 350Zs MPG to be between 14 MPG and 19 MPG....about the same as the RX8. The G35C is going to be heavier, so I'd bet the MPG is a bit worse.

johncalifornia

For the information of would-be RX-8 owners in California, as of Jan. 26/04, dealer invoice on an RX-8 (base, no options or packages, 6-spd) has been reliably confirmed to be $25,179. I offered $25,500 and they would have accepted except that I was not ready to close that day.

IMHO the base 6-spd is underrated. If you want lean, clean and mean, as well as lightweight and uncomplicated, get the base model. It lacks nothing you really need. And by virtue of its lighter weight, it's the fastest and best-handling RX-8. The fabric upholstery looks great and to me is way more comfortable than the leather.

graphicguy

I agree with you about a base 6-speed. It's really quite a car at $25.5K....which is about the same price as an up level Accord or Camry. Plus, it really does have all the "goodies" you really need in a performance car.

I'm on the opposite end of the scpectrum from you, however. My butt likes heated seats. I like the HID headlamps (a lot). I wanted the upgraded Bose and I like leather. I chose to sacrifice some performance to get those things.

I certainly do understand the appeal of the base 6-speed, though.

carliker

Though I completely understand you wanting just the base 6 six speed, the RX-8 has a tremendous stereo system. One of the best in my opinion. The HID lights are a must with a car like this. I'm not sure how much that chip is going to cost to increase the HP back to 250, but I don't think there would be much of a difference (if that is the reason you aren't adding options due to cost). I believe there is a version where you don't have to get the leather or heated seats but you can still get the stereo system and the HID lights. I would select that one if I was you. You won't regret it. That might put the car around the $28-$29K mark. Truly worth it!

cheezeboy

JohnCali - I am with ya on the fabric over leather. However, I would love to see an option for my RX8 with a red/black cloth mix!

but I gotta go with gguy/carliker on the HID lights. Man are they sweet!

now the question of heated seats - well...ah...not an issue here in South Florida. Sorry. :-)

and don't get me started with the electric seat adjust.....jeeze. How often do you have to adjust your freakin seat?!? LOL!......people always look at me strange when I tell them I like fabric seats, manual adjust, and that moonroofs freak me out! boy do I love this car! I gotta take more pictures of her soon - keep some at my work desk!

carliker

Why do moonroofs freak you out, Cheese?

jjgittes

What's the best price anyone has paid/seen for a base automatic? In So. Cal? Do dealers ever actually get such cars? I haven't seen one. Most seem to be optioned up auto's and 6 spds.

bigmike5

Again this weekend in the newspaper, the volume dealer in L-ville listed one at $27.6 off a sticker of $33.6. Zoom-zoom.

graphicguy

That should be a "big flag" that the dealer is either overinflating prices on the MSRP side. or there is "bait & switch" going on.

Every option added to the most expensive version with NAV, might bring the car's MSRP to $33.6K. Then they plan on selling it at nearly $3K below invoice (in other words, they're going to lose thousands on the deal)....that just doesn't make sense.

Don't know what's going on there, but it doesn't sound legitimate. I don't think I'd trust that deal or the dealer. There's something in the dealer's ad that doesn't "add up".

carliker

I agree with you. I believe in discounts, but there is no reason to lower the car price by that much. Something is missing.

siteexpert

Has anyone recently leased an rx-8? I am curious as to the current money factors and residuals. Also, is s-plan the way to go (I qualify) or can better deals be had by negotiating?

My hope is that w/ the s-plan a loaded rx-8 (rx-8 6sp, grand touring, and navi system) could be had for <400 a month for a 36month/ 12K mile lease.

Thanks.