shakenbake61

just purchased me a 2004 RX8 with 8k miles on it. the price is right and my only concern is the recalls they had from that year, but the test drive was great and the car is in immaculate condition (never ridden in snow or rain) and has a clean car fax... not just that but its fully loaded with NAV. the downside? THE DEALERSHIP LOST THE TITLE. i dont know how they managed to **** that up, but now i wont see my beautiful sunlight silver beauty until the end of december, possibly not until 2012! the dealer is shipping up a new title from RI, since thats where the car was originally sold. what are you're guys' thoughts? should i stick with the deal?

sjschutz

A dealership miraculously "losing" a title to a car in their inventory that is about to be bought? Sounds sketchy to me. Not only that, but and '04 with only 8K miles could be of concern. Have you had it compression tested? If not, do that before purchasing. I bought my '04 with 33K miles and it hasn't given me a single problem, so if the compression checks out on yours then I wouldn't worry too much.

monchie

The dealership should expedite the process of the title and give you a year of oil change for free, just to keep you as their customer...lol

Anyway, its really up to you what you want to do. The dealership should give you something in return because of what happened.

shakenbake61

Yea they are going to try and work something out to make it "worth the wait"....and I didn't have a compression test done yet but I do plan on having it checked

godesshunter

Holy low mileage! Ive had my new 2010 car for 5 months and I've already put 7 thousand miles on it. I would be suspect of that 8k on the clock. What the history of the car? Why so few miles?

Polak Graphics

They might be pushing the sale to next year on purpose for inventory/accounting.

Id look into it.

shakenbake61

according to the car fax it was barely driven, only had one owner. it was taken in for service around 1500 miles and 6000 miles. the numbers all seemed to check out, and according to the salesman (whose claims i take with a grain of salt) the guy had the car as a "toy" for lack of a better term. it was never driven in the rain or snow, and is completely stock. i am still suspicious about the mileage but the test drive was flawless. the odometer was accurate as well at around 8500

shakenbake61

posting a few pictures i took while i was at the dealership, unfortunately its still there right now...

MS Addict

iTrader: (1)

I got my 04 with 36k mi, March 26th. Now, it's got over 49k mi. Driving my 8 everywhere, haha. I average 200mi every 4 days, somehow. I don't know how, my drive to work is only 11mi each way... My random drives places really is taking a toll.



But nice job on finding such a low mileage 8, hope everything checks out.

You should ask for a free compression check since you've gotta wait so long.

I'll admit, I didn't get mine checked, but out of the 4 I drove, 3 used including it, and an R3, it felt just as good as the R3, while the other two did seem to not be quite as lively, but they had 100k mi.

Mazurfer

And I take **** for only having 34k on my 05.

Anyway, I too would be really suspicious of this deal and that mileage.

Just be careful. I would for sure tell them you want your mechanic to look it over(even if you don't have one) and take it somewhere else to have it looked at.

Also, I would have a compression check done(at no cost to you) by them or preferably somewhere else. Is this a Mazda dealer?
I'm guessing not.

Also, get the VIN number and call Mazda North America Operations and see what they have to say about it.
1-800-222-5500

Good luck!

shakenbake61

yea im definitely gonna have it checked as im suspicious as well, but im definitely gonna get teh VIN checked, thanks for the phone number, i never wouldve thought of that! i know the 04s had quite a few recalls im hoping this isnt one of them

MS Addict

iTrader: (1)

Also, check and make sure it's got the latest ECU reflashes. If it doesn't have them, get them.

It was free for me to check for mine, but it'd cost some money to get them, but you'll want them.

shakenbake61

i heard that some of the flashes were free because they were part of the "recalls" on certain models. dont know how true it is though...

Mazurfer

^.............Mazda NA will be able to tell you what flashes have been done when you call them with the VIN.
Be polite and explain the situation that you are buying it and it has very, very, very low miles which makes you suspicious.

Also.............seems like the car might have been stored for quite sometime on occasion(s), have you driven it? Do you know if it was stored, was fuel stabilizer put in the tank? Not a big huge deal if you have driven it and all is okay.

shakenbake61

yes i have driven it and from what i understand it was never driven in snow or rain (which could partially explain the low miles) but it felt solid in the test drive. no idea about fuel stabilizer, i know it wasnt sitting at this particular lot/dealership too long as i jumped on this as soon as i found the car on autotrader

sblethen

iTrader: (3)

Which dealer? Maybe I know someone at that dealer and I can ask a few insiders about it for you!

Stephen

shakenbake61

herb chambers in millbury, MA

Digger1911

Take a couple of pictures of the oil pan, transmission, and exhaust.
The rust on the exhaust in it self will tell a story. The road grim on the trans will as well.

shakenbake61

just spoke with mazda NA, all their records indicate every recall/flash was done and the engine and clutch are under warranty until 2013. only suggestion he had was to get an oil change ASAP

sblethen

iTrader: (3)

Bummer... Can't help you, I was hoping it was Manchester.
Sorry. I bet it works out fine, they are a big reputable dealer.

Stephen

shakenbake61

hey no worries man, thanks for the offer. i figure it should smooth out as you said they are very reputable. im hoping ill get it here later this week *fingers crossed*

Mazurfer

Looks good............glad you made the call? Still consider that compression check though. And ANY car I get, I automatically do a full tune-up and oil change just so I know it's been done, then I have my T0 point.

shakenbake61

Making the call put me at ease, im hoping to hear from the dealership later today to see if they got the title yet.

pistonhater

Has this can been in storage by any chance?

If yes, I would certainly change all fluids right away - at a minimum the engine oil and brake/clutch fluids.

The idea of such low miles on an 8y/o car would make me nervous. but hey, if the deal is right....go for it!!!

shakenbake61

oh trust me it arrouses a lot of suspicion, but the deal is quite right if you ask me. ill definitely try to get as many fluids changed out as i can if the dealer hasnt already