Maybe getting first Rx8
03-15-2010, 06:07 PM
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Maybe getting first Rx8
Hey guys,
New to the forums..
Been doing some research on this car... and have come up with mixed reviews on both sides of the camp.
I'm currently driving a vr6 Jetta, so I'm looking for a car that has plenty of pep and some reliability.
But all these issues with the engine give me alot of apprehension.
Are they that problamatic?
I'm currently looking at an '06 with around 90xxx kms
Thoughts?
New to the forums..
Been doing some research on this car... and have come up with mixed reviews on both sides of the camp.
I'm currently driving a vr6 Jetta, so I'm looking for a car that has plenty of pep and some reliability.
But all these issues with the engine give me alot of apprehension.
Are they that problamatic?
I'm currently looking at an '06 with around 90xxx kms
Thoughts?
03-15-2010, 06:11 PM
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It's a great car and you'll absolutely love it! The engine isn't really as problematic as most people say, but it definitely something that you need to look after with care and maintain well. If you're looking of getting one, you should look for something with fewer Kms on it 90xxx is quite a bit.
check out the buy/sell section to see if there's any 8s that interest you, i know there's an 2005 Special Edition Shinka going for around 14000? with almost 100000kms
https://www.rx8club.com/canada-sale-wanted-147/2005-rare-cherry-shinka-rx8-191721/
Good Luck getting your car then
check out the buy/sell section to see if there's any 8s that interest you, i know there's an 2005 Special Edition Shinka going for around 14000? with almost 100000kms
https://www.rx8club.com/canada-sale-wanted-147/2005-rare-cherry-shinka-rx8-191721/
Good Luck getting your car then
Last edited by Maffu313; 03-15-2010 at 06:13 PM.
03-15-2010, 07:01 PM
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90,000+ is alot? I read somewhere that these engines last at LEAST as long as conventional engines do..
My budget is 15k MAX... And I'd like to get an 06 or newer.. since most of what I read regarding the engine issues were in the 04-05s...
Or am I mistaken?
My budget is 15k MAX... And I'd like to get an 06 or newer.. since most of what I read regarding the engine issues were in the 04-05s...
Or am I mistaken?
03-16-2010, 08:08 AM
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Why so eager to sell?
Does it have problems? :P
I'm looking to finance one anyways as I'm still a student with another semester to go.
Which is part of the reason I'm apprehensive of buying one. If they're a money pit, I might wanna go elsewhere.... but the car is so damn seexy :P
Does it have problems? :P
I'm looking to finance one anyways as I'm still a student with another semester to go.
Which is part of the reason I'm apprehensive of buying one. If they're a money pit, I might wanna go elsewhere.... but the car is so damn seexy :P
03-16-2010, 08:23 AM
#6
My 8 looks like a Smurf
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The RX-8 is a great car if you take care of it. It needs a bit more attention to detail than most other cars and isn't as forgiving about missed maintenance. That said, the problem is knowing how well the previous owner followed the maintenance schedule. Unless the seller really cared about his car, you are stuck with the problems.
Here's a post I put up on the Ottawa boards about buying an RX-8:
Here's a post I put up on the Ottawa boards about buying an RX-8:
Originally Posted by TheWulf
Here's my checklist for buying a rotary:
- Talk to the previous owner and get a sense of whether or not they are into cars at all. I wouldn't buy a rotary from someone that isn't.
- Ask about their maintenance schedule (specifically oil change frequency). Mazda recommends 8K, I do mine at every 5K. It's quite disgusting by that point.
- Ask what type of oil they use and how often they top up between oil changes (as you know rotaries naturally burn oil). They should be putting at least 1-2 quarts between oil changes. If they mention the word synthetic, run. (synthetic oil is bad for apex seals in rotaries -- although supposedly not as bad on 8s as in 7s, I find it preferable not to risk it. Some people run it without issues. You can also run it safely with an OMP adapter.). If they never top it up, run. That engine is on its way out.
- Red line through the first two gears [there is a shift beep] and feel for any loss of power. Don't worry about hurting the engine, rotaries love to be revved high. Ask the owner how often he revs above 7K RPM. If never, move on. The third intake port opens up just below that range and if he never revs to that, the port likely some buildup on it and that may prevent it from working properly = loss of power, possible engine rebuild.
- Shift through every gear smoothly and look for any grinding. These AISIN transmissions are made of paper.
- Look for any mods. They aren't necessarily a bad thing as long as they are done properly and are of reputable brands (if in doubt post here)
- Do a compression test! This is the single most important thing you will ever look at when buying a rotary.
Good luck!
- Talk to the previous owner and get a sense of whether or not they are into cars at all. I wouldn't buy a rotary from someone that isn't.
- Ask about their maintenance schedule (specifically oil change frequency). Mazda recommends 8K, I do mine at every 5K. It's quite disgusting by that point.
- Ask what type of oil they use and how often they top up between oil changes (as you know rotaries naturally burn oil). They should be putting at least 1-2 quarts between oil changes. If they mention the word synthetic, run. (synthetic oil is bad for apex seals in rotaries -- although supposedly not as bad on 8s as in 7s, I find it preferable not to risk it. Some people run it without issues. You can also run it safely with an OMP adapter.). If they never top it up, run. That engine is on its way out.
- Red line through the first two gears [there is a shift beep] and feel for any loss of power. Don't worry about hurting the engine, rotaries love to be revved high. Ask the owner how often he revs above 7K RPM. If never, move on. The third intake port opens up just below that range and if he never revs to that, the port likely some buildup on it and that may prevent it from working properly = loss of power, possible engine rebuild.
- Shift through every gear smoothly and look for any grinding. These AISIN transmissions are made of paper.
- Look for any mods. They aren't necessarily a bad thing as long as they are done properly and are of reputable brands (if in doubt post here)
- Do a compression test! This is the single most important thing you will ever look at when buying a rotary.
Good luck!
03-16-2010, 08:42 AM
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Consumer's Reports rates RX-8s as having average reliability. In fairness, looking at the posts on this forum there do seem to be an abnormal number of engine failures. Look on other forums and other cars don't seem to have this issue. Consumer's reports rates the engine reliability on their 5 point scale as a 1 (significantly below average) on the '04/'05, 3 (average) on the '06s. Keep in mind there's a 160k warranty on the engine.
Pros: The handling, precision, steering, braking, and dynamic characteristics of the car are incredible. It even flatters a poor driver. Cons: Power is adequate and the fuel economy isn't the greatest.
I've had my car for a year now and put 15k on it (22->37). I had two highbeam light bulbs fail (not the HIDs) and an issue with the "advanced" key system. Other than that I've only had to change oil and rotate tires.
My personal opinion is to ignore the point in the post above regarding synthetics.
Pros: The handling, precision, steering, braking, and dynamic characteristics of the car are incredible. It even flatters a poor driver. Cons: Power is adequate and the fuel economy isn't the greatest.
I've had my car for a year now and put 15k on it (22->37). I had two highbeam light bulbs fail (not the HIDs) and an issue with the "advanced" key system. Other than that I've only had to change oil and rotate tires.
My personal opinion is to ignore the point in the post above regarding synthetics.
03-16-2010, 10:22 AM
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Well your car looks like a good deal.. but I have to finance the car.
So unless you know a good financing company that would deal with a private sale involving 2 students :P lemme know.
Heres what I'm looking at right now.
1.http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...ributes=photos,,
CURRENT FRONTRUNNER.
2.http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...otos,,priority
3.http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...ributes=photos,,
Check em out and let me know what you think.
I realize without test driving these guys its impossible to make a decision. Just trying to get a feel for which years to avoid...
So unless you know a good financing company that would deal with a private sale involving 2 students :P lemme know.
Heres what I'm looking at right now.
1.http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...ributes=photos,,
CURRENT FRONTRUNNER.
2.http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...otos,,priority
3.http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...ributes=photos,,
Check em out and let me know what you think.
I realize without test driving these guys its impossible to make a decision. Just trying to get a feel for which years to avoid...
03-16-2010, 10:34 AM
#11
This forum should screen members using a "maturity" test.
End rant.
03-16-2010, 10:52 AM
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03-16-2010, 11:29 AM
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03-16-2010, 11:41 AM
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My 8 looks like a Smurf
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You will need a co-signer for sure unless you have steady income. However, the same is true for dealership financing. All the dealerships do is pass it onto the bank for you, there really isn't any difference.
03-16-2010, 11:47 AM
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If you have more pictures of the car please send them to yanie.nicole@gmail.com
Cheers.
03-16-2010, 11:48 AM
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i dont have many pictures but what you can do send me your number in a pm ill text you some pics i got on my phone where r u located if you wanna see it have u ever drove an 8 before
03-16-2010, 11:52 AM
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Out of the 3 cars you listed, I'd get the 05. I bought an 05 13 months ago, have put 30k on it, and have had 0 problems with it so far (other than a burnt out cat, which mazda is fixing for free tomorrow) The 06 is too much for the km it has, mine is an 05, and had 73k when i bought it, and I paid the same price as what the 06 with 97 k is listed for! Take some cars for drives before you descide on one. I bet a local member or 2 would be happy to go on a test drive with you.
03-16-2010, 10:59 PM
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I'm pretty sure you can still finance a private sale car. Car dealerships offer more or less competitive rates through banks. The car dealership themselves gets a cut of the action. Shop around financing. It's definitely harder when you're not gainfully employed. As mentioned above you need a co-signer. I don't think you're going to get a remotely sane rate without one. Keep in mind that each time a bank checks your credit rating, it effects your rating. You can get a couple of hits on your record, but more than that starts to cause real impact. A line of credit is probably the cheapest way to go. You can negotiate rates as well. In my experience, unlike car sales people, bankers at local branches are not accustomed to aggressive negotiations. Hammer them, these are the people that nearly destroyed modern society. I lost my tolerance when negotiating my line of credit last year (now 3/4 paid off), after they casually suggested how I could get away with committing fraud in an attempt to close the deal.
eg. http://www.financialpost.com/persona...loans-car.html
Dealerships typically have ~$3-4k worth of margin in used cars. There are lots of cars out there. Don't feel you have to bite at the first one. If the negotiations don't go how you want, walk away. You can always go back or go elsewhere. Also, don't expect the price to drop immediately when you walk/call up. For some reason people think that causal discussion constitutes negotiation. If you want the price to budge you need to make an official offer you're willing to stand behind.
I lost my tolerance when negotiating my line of credit last year (now 3/4 paid off), after they casually suggested how I could get away with committing fraud in an attempt to close the deal.eg. http://www.financialpost.com/persona...loans-car.html
Dealerships typically have ~$3-4k worth of margin in used cars. There are lots of cars out there. Don't feel you have to bite at the first one. If the negotiations don't go how you want, walk away. You can always go back or go elsewhere. Also, don't expect the price to drop immediately when you walk/call up. For some reason people think that causal discussion constitutes negotiation. If you want the price to budge you need to make an official offer you're willing to stand behind.
03-16-2010, 11:33 PM
#23
Line of credit is the way to go, if even just for the flexibility. If you expect to have disposable income, you can choose to dump it into the line of credit and get it over with that much sooner, and sooner = cheaper.
As far as it being a money pit... define "pit". It's not a Corolla. It likes gas, it likes oil, it likes 18" tires which aren't cheap, it likes.. ok I've run out of things it likes. Twisty roads! So it's not all that high maintenance...
The only thing beside regular maintenance I would recommend is the BHR coil upgrade. It's about $500. And by the way, add asking the previous owner when the coilpacks were last changed to that list of buying tips. If they're original or more than say 40,000km, be prepared to inspect and replace if necessary. Cost in parts is about 200 bucks.
I'd hazard a guess that a majority of engine failures are actually coilpack failures that go unnoticed and take out the cat and the engine itself.
As far as it being a money pit... define "pit". It's not a Corolla. It likes gas, it likes oil, it likes 18" tires which aren't cheap, it likes.. ok I've run out of things it likes. Twisty roads! So it's not all that high maintenance...
The only thing beside regular maintenance I would recommend is the BHR coil upgrade. It's about $500. And by the way, add asking the previous owner when the coilpacks were last changed to that list of buying tips. If they're original or more than say 40,000km, be prepared to inspect and replace if necessary. Cost in parts is about 200 bucks.
I'd hazard a guess that a majority of engine failures are actually coilpack failures that go unnoticed and take out the cat and the engine itself.
03-17-2010, 06:16 AM
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Be careful.
I'm a new owner, I've had my 8 for about six weeks, oh I've been told I paid " way too much " for my 8 but again what was it worth and what was I willing to pay.
I came very close to forgetting about the RX8 because of this forum ( and that's the truth ) so much doom and ******* gloom from owners ( not all of them by any means ) constant whining about blown motors etc. etc. most of these guys drive the bloody Hell out of their cars then spend all kinds of time on this forum complaining about Mazda and their ******* RX8's !!
I was close to sealing the deal on a 2007 350 Z Nissan ( loaded, manual, 38 thousand k's on it and new Pirelli tires ) beautiful car Nissan was asking $ 29500.00. I did a lot of research on the RX8 and the whole key is maintenance that's it in a nutshell, and don't let anyone put you off, keep this car well maintained and it will last as long as any car out there. I found by chance a late model 2006 GT model, absolutely loaded with only 24 thousand k's on it, full maintenance history, just a beautiful car and when it was all buffed up she looked as good as the 2009 in the showroom they were asking $ 54,000.00 for.
They were asking $ 24950.00 I got it for $ 22,000.00 and that included a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. Sure there was comparable RX8's out there if I wanted to travel to Vancouver and they were a bit cheaper, two in particular my son checked out for me, both had damage declarations, they never advertise that.
The RX8 is an awesome sports car, without question as good as anything on the road a sheer pleasure to drive, hope you find what you are looking for,,,,,good luck.
I came very close to forgetting about the RX8 because of this forum ( and that's the truth ) so much doom and ******* gloom from owners ( not all of them by any means ) constant whining about blown motors etc. etc. most of these guys drive the bloody Hell out of their cars then spend all kinds of time on this forum complaining about Mazda and their ******* RX8's !!
I was close to sealing the deal on a 2007 350 Z Nissan ( loaded, manual, 38 thousand k's on it and new Pirelli tires ) beautiful car Nissan was asking $ 29500.00. I did a lot of research on the RX8 and the whole key is maintenance that's it in a nutshell, and don't let anyone put you off, keep this car well maintained and it will last as long as any car out there. I found by chance a late model 2006 GT model, absolutely loaded with only 24 thousand k's on it, full maintenance history, just a beautiful car and when it was all buffed up she looked as good as the 2009 in the showroom they were asking $ 54,000.00 for.
They were asking $ 24950.00 I got it for $ 22,000.00 and that included a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. Sure there was comparable RX8's out there if I wanted to travel to Vancouver and they were a bit cheaper, two in particular my son checked out for me, both had damage declarations, they never advertise that.
The RX8 is an awesome sports car, without question as good as anything on the road a sheer pleasure to drive, hope you find what you are looking for,,,,,good luck.
03-17-2010, 11:52 AM
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I'm a new owner, I've had my 8 for about six weeks, oh I've been told I paid " way too much " for my 8 but again what was it worth and what was I willing to pay.
I came very close to forgetting about the RX8 because of this forum ( and that's the truth ) so much doom and ******* gloom from owners ( not all of them by any means ) constant whining about blown motors etc. etc. most of these guys drive the bloody Hell out of their cars then spend all kinds of time on this forum complaining about Mazda and their ******* RX8's !!
I was close to sealing the deal on a 2007 350 Z Nissan ( loaded, manual, 38 thousand k's on it and new Pirelli tires ) beautiful car Nissan was asking $ 29500.00. I did a lot of research on the RX8 and the whole key is maintenance that's it in a nutshell, and don't let anyone put you off, keep this car well maintained and it will last as long as any car out there. I found by chance a late model 2006 GT model, absolutely loaded with only 24 thousand k's on it, full maintenance history, just a beautiful car and when it was all buffed up she looked as good as the 2009 in the showroom they were asking $ 54,000.00 for.
They were asking $ 24950.00 I got it for $ 22,000.00 and that included a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. Sure there was comparable RX8's out there if I wanted to travel to Vancouver and they were a bit cheaper, two in particular my son checked out for me, both had damage declarations, they never advertise that.
The RX8 is an awesome sports car, without question as good as anything on the road a sheer pleasure to drive, hope you find what you are looking for,,,,,good luck.
I came very close to forgetting about the RX8 because of this forum ( and that's the truth ) so much doom and ******* gloom from owners ( not all of them by any means ) constant whining about blown motors etc. etc. most of these guys drive the bloody Hell out of their cars then spend all kinds of time on this forum complaining about Mazda and their ******* RX8's !!
I was close to sealing the deal on a 2007 350 Z Nissan ( loaded, manual, 38 thousand k's on it and new Pirelli tires ) beautiful car Nissan was asking $ 29500.00. I did a lot of research on the RX8 and the whole key is maintenance that's it in a nutshell, and don't let anyone put you off, keep this car well maintained and it will last as long as any car out there. I found by chance a late model 2006 GT model, absolutely loaded with only 24 thousand k's on it, full maintenance history, just a beautiful car and when it was all buffed up she looked as good as the 2009 in the showroom they were asking $ 54,000.00 for.
They were asking $ 24950.00 I got it for $ 22,000.00 and that included a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. Sure there was comparable RX8's out there if I wanted to travel to Vancouver and they were a bit cheaper, two in particular my son checked out for me, both had damage declarations, they never advertise that.
The RX8 is an awesome sports car, without question as good as anything on the road a sheer pleasure to drive, hope you find what you are looking for,,,,,good luck.
thats 100% true man
put it this way eat mc donalds every day dont go to the gym and expect to stay sexy
dont wash expect to smell good
you cant expect what you dont do
maintenance is mandatory and there should be no issues