Buying a RX-8
06-22-2007, 12:58 AM
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Buying a RX-8
Hi Guys!
Long time reader, first time poster in need of some expert advice.
I am in the market for an RX-8 and have a few questions. About 10 years ago I had a Series 3 RX7 which I had extend ported and all the other good bits...so I understand the pros (lots of them) and cons of rotaries.
Due to finances (or lack of) I am going second hand. Options will probably be between 2003 to 2005 Leather Pack models, manual. These days, whether I am going through a dealer of private, should the engines still be good enough so as not to require any inspection (eg. compression testing etc) and should be good enough to go as long as there is a good service history? Or is still it wise to get the whole vehicle inspected? I realize if I get a car still under warranty this won't matter as much.
Secondly, even after reading through lots of threads, is there anything I should be particularly aware of when looking at second hand RX8s?
Thanks everyone who can help me!!
Cheers
Rimmsy
Long time reader, first time poster in need of some expert advice.
I am in the market for an RX-8 and have a few questions. About 10 years ago I had a Series 3 RX7 which I had extend ported and all the other good bits...so I understand the pros (lots of them) and cons of rotaries.
Due to finances (or lack of) I am going second hand. Options will probably be between 2003 to 2005 Leather Pack models, manual. These days, whether I am going through a dealer of private, should the engines still be good enough so as not to require any inspection (eg. compression testing etc) and should be good enough to go as long as there is a good service history? Or is still it wise to get the whole vehicle inspected? I realize if I get a car still under warranty this won't matter as much.
Secondly, even after reading through lots of threads, is there anything I should be particularly aware of when looking at second hand RX8s?
Thanks everyone who can help me!!
Cheers
Rimmsy
06-22-2007, 01:15 AM
#2
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Nothing is new if you are up to date to about few months ago, when the hard start recall started.
Mainly the engine mounts as discuss extensively recently. Otherwise there has been other minor stuff you can claim before the warranty runs out on the 2004 models.
Doing a compression ratio is good if you can do it (it does not take a lot of time and certainly the best marker for engine health) and you can get some figure on this from the US experience, but mainly the pattern of compression is the key rather than the absolute figure, which will vary in the rpm you use for testing.
Bottom line, get one soon and make the trip to the Nationals in Oct!
Mainly the engine mounts as discuss extensively recently. Otherwise there has been other minor stuff you can claim before the warranty runs out on the 2004 models.
Doing a compression ratio is good if you can do it (it does not take a lot of time and certainly the best marker for engine health) and you can get some figure on this from the US experience, but mainly the pattern of compression is the key rather than the absolute figure, which will vary in the rpm you use for testing.
Bottom line, get one soon and make the trip to the Nationals in Oct!
06-22-2007, 01:19 AM
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Check the whole car Rimmsy - firstly pop the bonnet and look down each side of the car to see if any of the bolts have moved - if you can see bare metal where there should be paint then chances are its had a biff 
also there have been a couple of recalls - nothing too serious (like engine mounts) 
I would check the books and get an RACV inspection done, don't forget the VSR inspection too if its a private sale....
Rik
also there have been a couple of recalls - nothing too serious (like engine mounts) I would check the books and get an RACV inspection done, don't forget the VSR inspection too if its a private sale.... Rik
06-22-2007, 01:29 AM
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All I can say is make sure all the recalls and tech fixes have been done on the car before you buy it! As was experienced by another member in this forum, it's hard to get Mazda to pay out on a warranty issue if you're the second owner.
06-22-2007, 03:18 AM
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As far as Mazda recalls, get the VIN of any car you are interested in and get a Mazda Dealer to check see if there are any campaigns outstanding on it. Insist that all relevant campaigns are completed on any car you buy. Also ensure the engine mounts are checked for not only cracks but sagging.
Apart from that I would also get a full RAC?/NRMA check done.
Cheers
Andrew
Apart from that I would also get a full RAC?/NRMA check done.
Cheers
Andrew
06-22-2007, 03:38 AM
#6
I'd go for late 04 or 05 if I was you, due to the recalls in the early ones. check the transmission for excessive gear noise and the frist-second change that isn't difficult or notchy. people who can't drive may have been hard on the clutch but it's a cheep fix if you don't go genuan Mazda or some race clutch.
06-22-2007, 05:46 AM
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If you are buying a car out of warranty check the engine mounts! If they are cactus then i would make sure that Mazda agrees to replace them before you buy the car
06-22-2007, 07:27 AM
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Thanks guys!
Really good advice! Going to have a look at some tomorrow. There's a 2004 that looks interesting bu the mileage is a bit high at 70000km. But at least it will give me a feel...
Spoken to one dealer who "assures me" that it has full service history and was serviced in Melbourne. Dealer is trying to contact the previous owner to see if any of the recalls were done under warranty.
Cheers
Rimmsy
Really good advice! Going to have a look at some tomorrow. There's a 2004 that looks interesting bu the mileage is a bit high at 70000km. But at least it will give me a feel...
Spoken to one dealer who "assures me" that it has full service history and was serviced in Melbourne. Dealer is trying to contact the previous owner to see if any of the recalls were done under warranty.
Cheers
Rimmsy
06-22-2007, 08:31 AM
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If you are buying from a dealer, they can search if an recall or TSB has been done. The dealer serviced suppose to put all the work done on the Mazda database.
Plus there should be sticker on the door somewhere about it.
Engine mount is not a recall and no sticker for that on the door.
Plus there should be sticker on the door somewhere about it.
Engine mount is not a recall and no sticker for that on the door.
06-23-2007, 02:03 AM
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Umm yeah I would be telling the dealer to get a clue as if a "recall" is done then its a mandatory reporting job and so should be on the Mazda system.
If it was just a campaign such as the recent "hard to start" campaign where they replace plugs and a few others things then at worst its only on the dealer system but really should be on the mazda central system. Worst case get the car on a hoist and have a look at the parts involved at the relevant campaigns.
Personally I would give this one a miss. plenty of 8's going around now. ProMaz are wanting to sell their turbo'd car if you really want he apparently wants a purple one
If it was just a campaign such as the recent "hard to start" campaign where they replace plugs and a few others things then at worst its only on the dealer system but really should be on the mazda central system. Worst case get the car on a hoist and have a look at the parts involved at the relevant campaigns.
Personally I would give this one a miss. plenty of 8's going around now. ProMaz are wanting to sell their turbo'd car if you really want
he apparently wants a purple one
06-23-2007, 08:31 PM
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Well I had a look at it. It did have one recall sticker on the drivers side door dated 2005, so it appears the owner was following instructions from mazda.
However, the body had various scratches, dents and paint chips. Also, the the kms seemed to be pretty high for the year. Do you know of many RX8s built in 2004 with more than 70000kms, or am I just being too picky? Especially, when there are a lot of better examples for less kms!
Anyway I will keep looking...as Auzoom says, plenty more to choose from!
Cheers
Rimmsy
However, the body had various scratches, dents and paint chips. Also, the the kms seemed to be pretty high for the year. Do you know of many RX8s built in 2004 with more than 70000kms, or am I just being too picky? Especially, when there are a lot of better examples for less kms!
Anyway I will keep looking...as Auzoom says, plenty more to choose from!
Cheers
Rimmsy
06-25-2007, 01:06 AM
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About $38000. But I have seen RX-8s of the same price but with mileage between 30000 and 50000km being sold privately.
The one I saw on the weekend was from a Mitsubishi dealer. I don't think I would buy it from him anyway as he didn't treat me right...rubbed me the wrong way.
Only early days yet though, but an RX8 will be mine...oh yes, it will be mine!
Cheers
Rimmsy
The one I saw on the weekend was from a Mitsubishi dealer. I don't think I would buy it from him anyway as he didn't treat me right...rubbed me the wrong way.
Only early days yet though, but an RX8 will be mine...oh yes, it will be mine!
Cheers
Rimmsy
06-25-2007, 01:26 AM
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$38k? I have my car insured for a lot more then that, but it sounds a bit rich on the second hand market! Is it from a Mazda dealer?
You may be able to bargain them down a fair bit ... but if it's a trade-in they're trying to sell, it may be best to wait a while for them to drop the price first.
You may be able to bargain them down a fair bit ... but if it's a trade-in they're trying to sell, it may be best to wait a while for them to drop the price first.
06-25-2007, 01:29 AM
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Oh ... or you could buy your car from Melbourne or Sydney!!! You'll get good deals over here ... and we don't have rising damp problems like Adelaide in Melbourne, so it won't rust out as quick
06-25-2007, 03:17 AM
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Aaah yes, don't forget the stobie poles!!!
BTW ... if you plan on having a car accident in South Australia, don't plan on having it with one of those ... they hurt!
BTW ... if you plan on having a car accident in South Australia, don't plan on having it with one of those ... they hurt!
06-25-2007, 05:42 AM
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Can you adelaidian locals explain this stobie pole thing to me?
I've heard a few other SA locals throw the term around but I don't know what the hell it means!
I've heard a few other SA locals throw the term around but I don't know what the hell it means!
06-25-2007, 06:26 PM
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Stobie Poles
In 1924, South Australian James Stobie invented a steel and concrete pole to carry electricity and telephone lines, due to SA’s lack of suitable timber. A particular impetus for their invention was the need for a reliable supply of poles for the expansion of electricity into the countryside. Stobie Poles have other advantages too – they’re termite proof and have a life span of around 50 years. All Stobie Poles end at the SA border, with most other States preferring wooden telegraph poles.
In 1924, South Australian James Stobie invented a steel and concrete pole to carry electricity and telephone lines, due to SA’s lack of suitable timber. A particular impetus for their invention was the need for a reliable supply of poles for the expansion of electricity into the countryside. Stobie Poles have other advantages too – they’re termite proof and have a life span of around 50 years. All Stobie Poles end at the SA border, with most other States preferring wooden telegraph poles.