My First Car: An RX8
 

Hi,

I'm looking to get my first RX8 car. Looks wise it is a great car. I understand that the cars are very high maintenance but I enjoy looking after a car and tinkering with it as some people are put off by this I am not.

I have been looking on auction websites and am looking to spend around £2000-£3500. I have seen some with 2004-2007 year range.Looking to get one with under 70k on the clock. Models I've been looking at include:

Mazda RX8 1.3 ( 190bhp )

Mazda RX8 R3 08 plate (slightly over budget but its a 231 would pay the extra)

Mazda RX8 231 PS 2.6


Now I have done a lot of research on the car and know what to expect maintenance wise. What I am unsure and need help on is what do I look at when buying a RX8 and what things to look at. Below is what I figure I should look at.


1. Should have full service history (preferably with receipts and invoice) and V5 documents.
2. Rusting around the underside of the car and around the boot lid (read its prone to rusting)

3. Engine test from cold - listen to the sound of the engine and revs. Note any vibrations etc.
4. Check Tyre tread on all 4 wheels
5. Look under the hood, check oil level and overall condition of pipes and fixtures rust etc.
6. Coil upgrades / plug upgrades - read these should be changed every 30K miles.
7. Number of previous owners - if too high be careful as it only takes on owner to not change the oil regularly to mess up the engine.




If anyone has anything to add would be helpful.


Coming to the next question - compression test report.


I would not buy an rx8 personally if it has not got a compression test report with it. How do I go about getting one? Should I ask the seller to get one done / pay myself to get one done? How does it normally work? I would not want a discounted price of the car as I would be more at rest with a compression test report.


I understand these cost around £50-70 per hour .


Also any recommendations on which model is best or preferred when buying second hand and mileage factor.



Thanks hopefully this could turn into a sticky if it has some good information on buying an rx8 for first timers.



:yelrotflm

Have mazda or a shop that deals with rotarys do a compression test. I wouldnt suggest an ordinary mechanic doing it. That and a clean carfax are very important

Don't do it.

RX8 is a expensive and time consuming car.
Not a first car ... for anybody

If you're willing to get your hands dirty with it and keep up to date with maintenance then its fine. Just depends how mature you are and if you are willing to spend time. RX8 was my first car, and I kept it fine. I'm on my 2nd RX8 now :)

agreed
i'm on my first Rx8 still 2005 shinka got it with 35k miles 2 years ago barely at 50k
I bought a mazda 3 after incase my motor ever goes boom /-\ so far so good *knock on wood*

its a great little car and gets so much attention!!
don't expect to be going fast for cheap also if you're looking for that i would recommended looking at another car.


and i personally would just go ahead and ask the seller to perform a compression test for you or take it to a mazda dealer to have this done BEFORE you purchase the vehicle
and if you do purchase an rx8 expect to upgrade the coils to BHR which most of us have done it'll save you from future troubles.

Ok fair enough but you guys are rare and far from the "Typical" first time buyer.
The way I see it anyway

If that's your budget the only sound advice is to stay away from such a car.

How much would you say is a decent budget ?

£5k-7k?

I'm looking for a black rx8 post 05 reg preferably 231 with 18" alloys and a satnav and sun roof...
Also want the red/black interior and less then 50k on the clock with no rust and a full service history and compression test

Not a lot to ask for

:D

for 7-9k you may find an rx8 that doesn't need to be overhauled.
Especially in the UK it's possible to buy this kind of car for dirt cheap, like 2\3k£... what happens after you discover that the engine is toast, the catalytic converter is gone, the ignition is worn and the tranny grind? ;) £2k quickly becomes £10k.