Alright so I'm looking at a gray 6 speed 2004 rx8 Grand Touring with sport suspension and just over 100k miles. The car is fully loaded with premium sound, leather heated seats, sunroof, etc. I'm purchasing it for about $9000. Now I'm posting this for two reasons. The first one is that I haven't bought it yet because it's not passing smog. The guy I'm buying it from is working that out so I figure it'll be worked out in the next few days and the car will just have a bunch of new engine parts, good right? The next thing is that should I be worried about the engine with 100k miles on it? Like I'm just worried about needing a rebuild within a year or so. I plan on driving this thing till it dies, and then some so I am expecting to rebuild it, just not for another 30-50k miles. Any ideas on what I should do?
(I'm also worried that the smog problem might be hinting at some other problem in the engine. But I am in California so it's hard to take failing a smog seriously)

1.) Probably a bad CAT causing it to fail smog. Possibbly coils or other issues(MAF) etc.
2.) Warranty on engine was only good up to 100k miles.
3.) It's an 04.....somewhat more prone, especially with that many miles.
4.) I wouldn't buy it......sorry.


Here's some things to go read.


http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=202454

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=202548

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=959

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=163824&highlight=FAQ

Hmm aright, thanks Mazurfer.
The Coils and plugs were just replaced a few days ago when it first failed the smog...
But let's say it's just a bad Cat(1k-ish?) and he gets it replaced before he sells it to me. Is the risk of the engine blowing so quickly that big? I'm not a crazy driver, but I am *brisk*.

As a side note I'm pretty DIY oriented and the only thing I'd be scared to tackle is a rebuild. There's still a turbo 1zz-fe in my garage from last year in pieces with a snapped rod.

Get compression test of the engine. if it checks out (and the smog issue), then I'd say try to knock the price down a bit. 9k for over 100k miles brings it out of warranty. Maybe try between $6-7k
That being said, I have read a few threads about some owners making well over 100k. But, they had a good history of maintenance...
Good luck!

Aright. Well as far as the smog check goes he's getting a new cat which is good news because they only last about 100k miles from what I've heard along with the new coils. On the price ill try and get it down more. But its already almost 1500 bellow the blue book value. And before I buy it he's gonna get a mechanic to do a full check and ill make sure it includes a compression test.

You want to take it to a mazda dealer for the compression test. Not some back woods mechanic.

Aright. Well as far as the smog check goes he's getting a new cat which is good news because they only last about 100k miles from what I've heard along with the new coils. On the price ill try and get it down more. But its already almost 1500 bellow the blue book value. And before I buy it he's gonna get a mechanic to do a full check and ill make sure it includes a compression test.

^ didn't you just post that EXACT same post?? :scratchhe

^.............There just an echo in here, that's all. :)


StreetGT,

FYI....coils won't last 100k miles!
You'd be somewhat lucky at 50k and we've seen numerous failures at 35k.
I don't have OEM coils, but if I did, I'd change then at 25k. It's cheap insurance.

Yes, you really should get a compression check...if still serious. Take it off the price you pay for the car if he's not willling to pay for it. And it does take sort of a special tester and method, so get it done right.

No I meant from what I hear cats only last about 100k miles(and the mileage on the current cat is about 100k) and then it also has brand new coils and plugs(although that's not such a big deal). But the guy I'm buying it from is paying for everything. He's getting everything worked out. Paying for all smog related stuff, once that's fixed hes gonna get a full synopsis of the car(brake check, clutch/flywheel/transmission, compression, etc). and if anything is wrong there he's gonna pay for it to get fixed(unless of course it's to expensive for him in which case it's back to craigslist for me).

Went and read it again, I mis-read it......my bad.

Aright well im worried. But with a brand new cat and an approved dealership synopsis. Im gonna go for it.

Hey how long does it take to install a new OEM cat?

About an hour if you don't know what you are doing.
20 minutes if you do.

Just make sure he is replacing it with an oem cat or one that has good reviews for a rotary at least. I have been reading a lot about cats on this car recently and it can eat them fast because of the heat it produces. So even if he puts a new one on, it might go bad quickly.

you will be needing a new engine while you own it, there is no getting around that.

you will be needing a new engine while you own it, there is no getting around that.


I know it's totally dependent on the engine, but how long do you think I'll get before it needs replacing? All I'm truly asking for is another 20k miles before it needs replacing? think it's likely or at least possible?

If you want another 20k miles, then do what everyone has recommended you do (compression test by mazda, make sure cat, plugs/coils are good to go, etc) if these are up to par, you should be able to pull some mileage before she blows, with care and maintenance
Once you do that, read the "first $100" thread to make sure you've taken a few respected precautions...

Alright thanks. it has brand new coils and a brand new Cat. So hopefully I'll finally belong in this forum by next Wednesday. :)

Alright so I searched around but couldn't find anything that answers this question directly.. So my bad if I missed it. But let's say I want to teach someone stick. Obviously id let it heat up and run before they got behind the wheel. But what happens if they stall? And what if they stall again right after that? It seems like a reciept for flooding...?

not quite. but, stalling the car in general = no bueno. start, stall, turn off, turn on. If you feel the engine is having difficulty turning over, call it a day and don't continue with training :)

Haha aright good. Jesus, I can't wait to get this car... It's gonna be like a late christmas present.
But Merry Christmas everyone.

Hey guys, so I'm still carless :(
But I've found another one that I'm looking to buy(04 GT, ~70k miles) and was just wondering how the extended warranty works, the ad says there's a "constructor" warranty up to 100k miles. which all makes sense, I just haven't heard the constructor part before.. Could someone clear this up?

Also I'm getting it for 9300, good deal, yes/no? kbb says about 10500.