wrexeight

Hello everyone. Im new here and with any luck I will be purchasing a 2005 RX8 tomorrow and will be loving it for a long time.

I want to make sure ive got everything correct here though.

Things i need to look for before buying are

• Computer Flash (msp15 or somthing?)
• 05+ motor with good compression (was reading there is a reman engine pre 05 and they were crap) OR a reman motor 05+
• obvious things like body damage, suspension issues (including looking at tread wear)
• what current gas mialage is and when/if coils/plugs have been changed

Is this correct?

Also, once i do have the vehicle and it is saftyed and smog tested, I was thinking to avoid the whole blocked cat issue by either punching the cat or removing it all together. Is this a good or bad idea? is the rotery really picky on back pressure that the removal of a cat would cause issue?

Ive been trying to read a bunch of posts on here both the good posts and the bad posts to get an even idea of what to expect from the car as well as having read the pre purchase thread on the fourms here.

Im super excited to get the car and the one im looking at has 120xxx km on it. and is an 05. Could you guys inform me if im missing anything to be looking for here?

THANKS!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

This point has a fundamental flaw.


You need a compression test on the engine. Period.


There isn't a line on what engine mileage is safe, but new OEM FACTORY engines under 10,000 are probably not worth getting a test on, but it's still a good data point. If the engine is a reman of any mileage or still the original factory engine, a compression test is a MUST.

I assume the pre-purchase thread you were referring to is mine? (https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/) If so, jump to the last page or two. Several people posting up that they got a compression test before purchasing and it either saved them from a mistake or gave them a new engine.



Gratz on being my 5,000th post

wrexeight

ok, Im buying it from an auction though so the compression test wont be possable till ive purchased the car.

Tho, the car was in the auction last week and didnt sell, and the most thease sell for in auction is 3 grand. So if i get for 3 grand or less, i dont think it will be much of an issue to put a new reman in it.

The problem is i would compression test it my self if there wasnt a requirement for specal testing permaiters due to it being a rotery

wrexeight

ps yes i was reading your thread. thats where i got most of my usefull info

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

What riwwp said +

Are you looking at this as a chance to get into the car on the cheap?
Does the car have a clean title?
Are you in Canada? (based off of you 120km's comment)
Does the car have any service records?

If you're in Canada, you'll still be covered by the 8yr/100k engine core warranty, but you'll most likely need service records (at least oil change receipts) and it will have to have a clean title (not salvage or rebuild).

If the car doesn't meet the above requirements and needs an engine, you're on your own most likely. Depending on who you know, your mechanical ability, and where you get the engine, you're looking at $1500 (junk yard engine) to $5k (built by a reputable builder) for an engine not counting labor.

Just some things to think about prior to purchase.

If you're buying one as a project and it's not a money thing, you don't have to care much about what i posted.

wrexeight

im not looking to get into it because its cheap. I was going to pay 10, 000 for a used one from the dealer or a local personal ad. The price of 3g is a dealer prices i have an ability to get at dealer prices, and not a salvage title.

I would never buy a peiced together car, Ide only buy it if it was a clean title. like i say the 3g price tag is because its a dealer price auction.

Ive been looking at alot of different years mialage and trim levels. Im pritty set on the GT from an auction or a GS from a local personal sale.

wrexeight

lol yes btw, I am in canada.

Ive also done countless motor swaps (both re&re and full swaps/frankenstines if you will)
I can do the motor swap my self if its outside of warrenty terms. im going to get the vin before purchase and run the vins thru the mazda dealer to see if the computer has been done and if the motor has been replaced.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

Sweet. These are good things to know. Right now, because the car is cheap we've been having a rush of people in way over their heads. You sound like you'll be fine. Good luck with the purchase.

wrexeight

ok, so one of the ones i was looking at buying from an auction, i went and got the vin and ran it thru mazda. It has had a motor swap in 07. That means good motor not crap reman shop motor right?

monchie

If you got the information from Mazda, then Mazda installed it.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

likely you are ok,

the questionable rebuilds were in 04 and 05. if you car start it cold, and let it idle. if it starts quick and idles fine you are pretty much golden..

beers

wrexeight

Sorry to dig up an old thread guys...

So ive found the final two cars (and been approved for financing on both)
1) Grey 2004 with 71xxx KM on it, good compression, strong running motor extreemly well taken care of, no motor swap, clutch pedal swap done with a warrenty for another 60000KM. No rust on the body at all, just two spots under the spoiler on the trunk lid. Leather intiror, immaculate shape, and a turbo timer (just incase you do need to move it out of the gaurage and it wont have time to warm up, just set it for like 10 mins and walk away, it will warm it self up.) compleate history from previous owner, including him changing oil every 3000km and coils before they fouled. (this car was babied from the second he bought it.)

2) red 2005 with 120xxxKm, one motor change in 2007. no clutch pedal fix. OK running (havent gotten compression test on it) but it feels a big rougher compaired to the grey one. leather is aged obviously, and its had a bodykit and exhaust put on it. tinted windows, and no other history other than it was traded in by a young guy who bought an explorer after.

car 1) 8900$ car 2)9999$

I think its obvious what one i should buy but Im just running it past the people who know thease best,.... anything i should be curious about?

Gex

Couldn't get it for 3k

swoope

iTrader: (5)

what is your location. that would help a bit.

but really #1

beers

wrexeight

Lol, no I wasent able to talk them down to 3grand for it unfortunatly.. Altho i looked at the red car first, and then found the grey one after. Long story short i faught with the dealer and played hard ball down to the point where they bought the grey one off another dealer for me, and i told them the only way to make the red one worth it would be to give it to me with all body work done compleate tune up, and 4000 less

Im in Canada as well... Sorry thought that was in my discription under my name but i just looked and its not... Time to fix.

cwatson

iTrader: (1)

Of those two, Car #1.