I'm going to head up to Orlando on Thursday to look at an 8 on a lot at Colonial. I ran by there when they were closed and looked at it. It was in really good shape, but what worried me were a set of ghetto "tuner" side mirrors on it...Makes me wonder it maybe the previous owner thought he was something special?


Annnyywayyy... I'm going up there on Thursday and I was wondering if any of you vets would be around and wouldn't mind swinging by to take a listen? I'm really good with normal cars, but I'm afraid I won't detect something since this would be my first rotary.

Also, if there's anything I should look/listen/feel for, PLEASE let me know now. I'll make a list and take it with me on Thur and see if I see anything amiss.

Also, it's a 2004 with 42k miles on it for 11.9. From what I've seen, that's a pretty decent price for a six-speed with that kind of mileage. Am I on target with that price? Or should I keep shopping around?

Thanks a million!
Neo

 

I'm sorry, I got my numbers mixed up. >>

It's got 55k miles on it and it's 10.9.

Thanks. :P

 

To much. '04 should be around $9000.00/$10,00.00 with that mileage.

 

Ouch, I was afraid of that. Could you suggest a few places to look for cheaper ones? That's one of the cheapest I've found between auto-trader, craigslist and the paper.

 

Your guess is as good as mine. I don't live in Florida.

 

lol Good call. :P The only 8's I've seen for less then 10k have over 100k miles on them. I've yet to find one with low milesage for any cheaper that hasn't been torn to pieces. Maybe it's a locale thing.

For example, WRX's down here cost a fortune, but up in Vermont they were a dime a dozen, and muuuch cheaper. Maybe they're just popular down here, thus the pricing difference. >>

I've been wanting one for years, we've been saving for what feels like forever and it's right there in my grasp, I don't want to make a mistake and blow our cash on a mistake.

 

I'm heading to bed for the night. Goodnight everyone.

 

get an 06 and up 04 and 05 had engine recalls.but if u do get it make sure all the recalls and flashes have been done to it.

 

10.9 isn't bad and you can always try to negotiate down. take a look at it and see if it's even one you want. as for not getting an '04 or '05, that's just silly. as long as the recalls and flashes have been done and you have it checked out by a third party (which you should do with any type of car), you should be okay.

 

Alright, I appreciate the advice guys.

Anything else you can think of?

 

Isn't there a place on the mazda website that you can check a VIN and see if the recalls and flashes were performed?

 

If there is, could someone point me in the direction? I remember hearing something about it a year back or so, I just can't seem to recall.

 

Oh please. Only some had recalls. I would get an 04 or 05 if the miles are lower and the price is right.

 

That's what I heard. I'm not stressing the year so much as the awful mirrors on it. lol It's still under warranty right? As in, if the motor decides to be a bad one, I can have it replaced as long as it wasn't ruined by the previous owner, correct?

 

just trying to help the guy ,that SOME could be that car. like i said before just check if it had the recalls and flashes.someguy i know had to pay like $4,000 out of his pocket even though he bought extended warranty a week b4 for his 04 cuz of problems w the car.

 

Ok well one thing you have to do is make the car go WOT and go all the way to redline... that's what I did.

If it's a bit hesitant in first gear, going around 7k or 8k it means the coils are finished and you will need new ones.

Also, make sure the car is completely warmed up.

If it's an 04, when you start the car, is it the new upgraded starter? If it cranks slowly it's the old and they kinda suck. The new one is much much faster.

Check going into reverse, and you know the usual stuff you would check for...

Also, one thing you should do is, pop the hood and check the air intake. When I got mine, I only realised after I bought the car, that the mechanics who changed the oil overfilled it and oil was all inside the intake...

Hm... what else... Check the tailights, cause rx8's are known for having water seep into them and causing foggy lights in the back.

That's all I can think of for now.

 

Any Mazda dealer will be more than happy to check the warranty history on the car. Just ask the service dept.

 

Thanks a ton guys, you've all been more then helpful. If I get the chance we're going to go up there today to look at it. Wish me luck.

 

Just an update, I test drove it today and it ran smooth as butter. I heard no odd noises, nothing out of place. The starter was the old one, it took it a second or two to start. The only thing I noticed at all was that when the fan came on and off, the click noise was incredibly loud on the outside. Is that normal? haha. They're doing my paperwork now, they're also going to take it to Mazda for me and have the recalls and flashes checked for me. I should be in it next week.

 

I also went WOT twice with no problems whatsoever. Everything felt very smooth, very well done. I caught myself really enjoying the test drive. I had to literally fight off my giddyness as I was checking for different problems. haha Thanks again for all the help guys, I'm sure you'll hear me blowing it up sometime next week.

Thanks again guys.

Best.
Community.
Ever.

 

great to hear things went so well. it really is a great car and the forum is a great resource. now to see some pictures posted in the multimedia forum when you get her home.

 

I took a few at the dealership, but I'm not going to post until she's in my driveway. It would just feel wrong. XD I can't wait, supposed to be Tuesday when I can pick it up.

 

Paperwork is all locked in, just waiting on the bank's approval....which is killing me, considering Monday's a holiday, Tuesday's the earliest I will hear back. >>

 

Oh boy, you have no idea.


Hope to see you at some meets.

 

I will definitely be there. I'm a huge community-oriented kind of person. I like spreading my knowledge..which on the subject of 8's isn't that great... but if you need video game inf0z...I'm your man. :P