NokiaFanatic

So, I have recently had an outstanding year at my workplace (I'm in sales) and I decided that my wife and I can get a summer car. She was very into Eclipses and had commented to me that she would like one, but to only get a 2G. Well, after looking those over and noticing the ever popular "crank walk", we decided to part ways with the minimally 10 year old to 15 year old car.

Then I started toying around with other cars, and the RX8 appealed o me very much for the convenience of the back seat. We are expecting in October, and have read that baby seats CAN be placed in the back. So now I am looking at a FAMILY summer/nice day car.

I have read up a bit on the RX8 and the Renesis, and know that they are not the best gas MPG, but who cares as its a TOY. They do burn some oil as well, which I can handle...

Heres my question... I found 1 about an hr south of where I live. its a 2004, 78K miles, base RX8. Cloth, no moonroof (DIDNT WANT ONE) no rear spoiler, charcoal gray. he's asking $8250. the rear tires are pretty much all but gone on the tread. Hence, I can imagine that it may have been beat on slightly...

Does one consider this a good purchase, or would you be weary as a buyer beware.

Running a report on the car by AutoCheck, it appears that it was a "Fleet/Rental/lease car" My uncle, who is in the auto business of taking pictures of vehicles for dealers and doing write ups, said that MOST likely, since it is a manual, it was a lease. Following the titles, One was done up with 22 miles, then at 26K, next at 30K. The next was for an Auction as Fleet/Lease at 69K.

The RX8 is a very sharp looking car, and reading about how Mazda extended the warranty on the rotary and seals to 100K, I feel very confident that i SHOULD NOT encounter many problems after immediately purchasing it.

This is a car I plan on modifying with at minimal re-working the intake and exhaust all the way through (i read the guide that replacing some items may require ECU programing), body kit, interior work, sound system, rims, and possibly lowering (wife doesn't like lowering it though - as of now).

So, does one consider this car, or wait untill a lower mileage comes across. What more can I give you, the experts, on how to make my informed purchasing decision.

I will admit, I have never been a daily driver of a manual. I have driven them just fine in standard conditions, and take my father in laws Camaro out quite a bit. Therfore, I would be taking with someone who knows clutches and what to feel for for slips, and looseness of the clutch.

04RX8man

that's not a bad price but personally I'd wait for something with less miles...alot of ppl on here are going to say to stay away from 04's but 04's are just fine as long as the tsb's have been done(which you can find out by calling mazda with the VIN).....

You def wil b able to find an 04 05 with less miles for 12k or under...so it really depends on how much you're lookin to spend...

CarAndDriver

Miles concern me. Did the prev. owner rotate tires? If he didn't, would concern me that maintenance was not followed well.

rled

I would run from a car that the rear tires were worn out and the fronts were good.It's not too hard to figure how that happened.As for the miles ,not a problem with me. My car has 75,000 mi. and has not given me any problems. It all has to do with how the car was treated. I would look for a different car. Talk to the owner.

Krazed_Rx8

iTrader: (5)

+1 I would look for another w/ lower miles, 78k is quite abit already. If you get an 04 just make sure all the recalls have been done.

Razz1

04 here and no problem.

We have members in the TC area. Look them up.

I'm sure you can get one that was cared for properly.

By the way... are you near Frost Bite Falls?

NokiaFanatic

No - In the Brainerd Lakes area.

Good call on putting the 2 qnd 2 together on the tires vs maintaince.

I did ask the owner if the vehicle ever had to have the engine swapped, and he said that he had no knowledge of this being done. I may try to contact a Mazda dealership to see if they can run the vin to see what has been done, or if something NEEDS to be done..

I am looking for those TC members. If I ever found one, I would love their input on the car...