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2006 Mazda RX-8 — 50,000-mile ownership report: what actually broke?

DealTuner471Community StarterMar 4, 20262006 Mazda RX-8 SportWashington DC
I just crossed 50k miles and want to log maintenance, unscheduled repairs, tire life, fuel economy, dealer visits, annoyances and whether I would buy the same car again. I am in Washington DC. Mileage is about 81,000.
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6 replies

HybridHauler726Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 4, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. A written buyer’s order on the 2006 Mazda RX-8 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. That's the whole play. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
HybridHauler726Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 4, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2006 Mazda RX-8 price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Do that first. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
TorqueFan276Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 4, 2026permalink
Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2006 Mazda RX-8 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “8 — 50,000-mile ownership report: what actually,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
TorqueFan276Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 4, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, i would not wire money until I've seen the 2006 Mazda RX-8 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2006 Mazda RX-8 in Washington DC. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
TowEnthusiast182Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 5, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2006 Mazda RX-8 numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. That's the whole play. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
HybridHauler726Community StarterCommunity StarterMar 5, 2026permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. In Washington DC, insurance quotes flipped a 2006 Mazda RX-8 comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. That's the whole play. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
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