Fubared

Hi everyone,

I have been trolling around the forums for a couple of months after I set my mind on buying an RX-8 (once my current car gives out or when April comes around) and I figured it was time I introduced myself. I live in Guelph and currently drive a '97 Nissan Sentra that has a list of issues a mile long, but I have hit a point where I can no longer in good conscience waste any more money on this beater.

I am hoping to pick up a used 2004-06 RX-8 in the 15-20 grand range, mostly keep it stock, and enjoy the hell out of it. I am fairly capable at fixing/maintaining my car, and I occasionally do small work for friends. I have helped a few people pick up used cars before, so I know what I am generally looking for, but besides recalls/flashes, general maintenance, does anyone have any RX-8 specific suggestions on what to avoid?

Cheers,

Pete

eMpTy265

Welcome to the forum Fubared! Hope you find your 8 soon and come out to the many meets we're having!

Maffu313

iTrader: (2)

oops didn't know i was posting on my brother's account, but welcome again :D

rotarygreg

Hey pete. Im from guelph as well. Couple things. Stay away from guelph nissans used lot. I dont usually like to bad mouth other dealers but ive seen nothing but trouble from the rx8s they have been selling and their prices on them are really high anyways. Also one thing i've been noticing on the early production rx8s so far is that there is rust forming on the rockers where the two doors overlap. so thats the first thing you wanna check i think. There are other problems but nothign major. just make sure you take the car for a really good run once its warmed up. all the way to the beep in second gear and make sure it pulls smoothly all the way there. That should take you to about 100km/h so dont do it on a side street. lol.

I work at guelph city mazda, i can let you know if anything comes in, but its doubtful we will sell any used rx8s in the near future. i didnt even buy my 8 from work. There is a silver rx8 at berry cullins right now i think. Might want to check it out. I havent looked at it or anything, but cullins is a pretty good dealer as far as pricing and trustworthyness goes.

good luck finding your 8 and i hope you get one soon so that you can enjoy it before the nice weather is gone.

Fubared

Thanks guys, and I have learned to steer clear of Guelph Nissan, I initially (and quite stupidly) was thinking of getting the new Spec-V, so I went to their lot to check it out and was hoping to get a test drive in one (I booked an appointment, but they seemed confused about letting me in the car...). After about 45 minutes of waiting for the guy to get back to me with some keys, I find out he left on lunch, so after having wasted my lunch hour, I left. I checked some reviews on the internet and my suspicions were confirmed, they will sell you anything, but then they will do anything to not honour the warranty...

I am keeping my eyes open for the right car for me, but I won't rush it, my old beater is sadly still running, so I have until April when I need to get it through emissions again (never gonna pass without me throwing money at it) to find the right 8. The thought of a smooth second gear around 100km/h makes me smile .

Greg, I may have seen your car around town a couple of times, but then again, it could have been someone else hahaha.

abs016

Welcome to the club.

DarkBrew

Welcome to the club!

Good luck with your search

Hope to see you at a meet some time soon.

TheWulf

iTrader: (4)

Welcome.

I would avoid the 04 if possible, they've had the worse luck with bad engines, although some will disagree with me.

Skyfire

Welcome to the club. I suggest you test drive more than one RX-8 even if you do not intend to buy them... don't let the dealer know that. This way you can more easily identify problems that one may have that the other may not. This way you get a feeling for the RX-8 and not just for the specific car you want to buy.

Fubared

Thanks for the advice, I intend to start lining up test drives left and right so that if the right one comes along, I will know what to look for so that I can grab it before someone else.

I guess the only thing keeping me from buying another car right away is the loan payments. I have 2 more semesters of university to finish up (I am 22, but I have been going for a while now and taking a semester here and there off to save up money for classes), and I have all of that money set aside already along with a nice amount to live on. I work full time during the summer with the government (CFIA) and part time with them during the fall, I just need to make sure I can afford the higher monthly cost of the car loan. Oddly enough, the insurance on my old 4 door, microscopic 4 banger, is higher (almost double) than the insurance on an 8...

nate340

i would do a few high rpm downshifts on various gears some of the older 8's have syncro problems.

it's odd you mention Guelph Nissan i went and looked at a 8 there. rough condition grinding on high rpm downshifts from 3rd-2nd. had a ugly spoiler cigarette burns in the head liner just all around bad and they wouldn't budge on the overly high price.

Fubared

There is a part of me that wants to go buy this, or at least give it quite a bit of thought, but I think I have my heart set on WB or BB, and the inconvenience of my beater still running (barely...) keeps me from putting down money.

I'm jumping the gun a bit since I have yet to start really shopping around, but I want one... why is my beater still running...

Scoot RX-8

Ummm ... I believe that's referred to as "The Addiction!" Welcome!

eMpTy265

Remember to get the seller to agree to a 3rd party inspection.

And at least get them to provide a carproof.

Goodluck with getting your new 8, and welcome to the addiction.