RX-8 Died today - thoughts on what to do?
 

Okay, debating what to do and figured I'd see what everyone's opinion is on here (not saying I'm going to do it, but wanted some thoughts from those who deal with these).

Drove my RX-8 yesterday - 2004, MT, has 99k on it, got a little bit of custom stuff in it - nothing too fancy - rims, custom installed CD changer (put the controller just below the shifter in the console), footwell light kit, lo-tek gauge pod, ipod interface, etc. Has brand new (two month old) headlight assemblies too. Anyway, it overheated. Took it to the mechanic - was told it's the seal between the coolant and combustion chambers (he did a pressure test). He told me it would be cheaper to throw in a low mileage used motor rather than rebuild what's in it.

I still owe roughly about $2800-3000 on the car (will be paid off in December). Other than the motor, it's in really nice shape. Interior is good (cloth), exterior has a few minor scratches and shopping cart bumps, but decent. Thinking of selling the car as-is for someone who wants to repair it themsevles - but I have to get enough to get out from under the note (and obviously someone who's willing to buy it without title in hand until I can take the money and pay back the bank).

I guess my question is - does anyone think it's realistic to get the $3000 for it as it sits with a crapped out motor? If not, I'm pretty much stuck with it until it's paid off and I really want to get something else. I know separately I could probably get that by parting it out, but I really don't have the set up for doing that.

I'm in the DFW area, if you are curious.

You do know that there is an 8year/100k mile warranty?
If you have the maintenance receipts, you're good for a new/remanufactured engine.

Or, $3k is a good price for a project car. Don't be surprised if it sells for less, though...

Your engine is under warranty up to 100k buddy...

Call your dealership and get a reman! For a used motor you would spend 2K-3K easily just for the motor and even then you are not certain or guaranteed what condition the motor is in. Then you have the labor and parts if needed to install it. Like they said...you're under warranty...go for it!

I am having similar problems with my 04' Rx-8, let us know how this turns out...

There are a few 8's selling with just over 100K miles on them for $9000 or so...with room to be talked to/bargained with a bit, I'm sure, so we'll say $7000. So...my thought is $3000 is a good price if it needs a new engine (cuz surely those are right at, if not less than $4000 right?)...

But yeah, just in the nick of time, I'd take advantage of the warranty and keep it! Hope you are zoom-zoomin' again soon!

Ok, definitely going to check that out. So what kind of maintenance receipts are we talking? I bought the car used in 2007 and it didn't have any paperwork besides the owner's manual. I don't even know if I have all the maintenance receipts while I had the car since I got divorced and my paperwork got all sorts of messed up in the move.

contact MazdaUSA and see if they have any records of your car's history.
If not, check with your dealer. Sometimes, people get away without receipts ;)

Spoke with the local dealer. He said might be able to get away without them - only would need if Mazda requests them. Going to tow it there Monday and give it a shot. I'm at 99.9K, so 100 more miles and I would've been out of warranty

haha take a picture of that!!

Good news though :bigok:

Good news if they do it. Oh, I'm going to - just in case someone decides to pull a fast one and drive it a bit more and put it over. Service advisor told me that as long as it is definitely the motor that is the issue and not an outside component (i.e. radiator, etc), then it should be covered.

got mine replaced at 87000 due to low compression no service papers needed...

good luck

got mine replaced and didnt show them anything. Go to Town North Mazda in Richardson... great group over there

I got mine replaced at 89K lost compression in rear rotor, towed mine to Town North Mazda in Richardson. Showed no maintenance records, rolled up there with many mods and they fixed me up in just a few days.

whew - cutting it close!

Yeah, I know - I lucked out if it does get fixed under warranty. Well, it all sounds encouraging. It's getting towed Monday from my mechanic to Classic Mazda in Denton (that's the closest one from me), they seem pretty cool about it, so hopefully it works out.

go to town north mazda on richardson hey will help you!!!!

Well, I had to tow it to Classic Mazda in Denton because it was closer (and the car was stuck closer to it and towing sucks). I'm not getting a lot of confidence from them. First, he tried to tell me I had a "lot" of stuff done to the cooling system. I told him that is BS, the only thing on there is a Racing Beat part for the sending unit for the gauge (which I asked whether it was an issue or not BEFORE I bought it in). Then he backtracked and said, "oh well, I'm not the one under the hood, the mechanic was just going off what he saw." Then he tried to tell me that Mazda extended the warranty for their engines due to compression issues, not overheating issues and that they are having trouble doing a compression test because there is coolant everywhere (including in the cat). He said they have to "kick it around" some more to check it out, but it's really sounding like they are trying to get out of fixing it under warranty...so I might be selling a parts car here soon...

if it gives u any confidence, my stock rx8 that i treat properly was leaking coolant into engine and replaced under warranty @ 75k miles.

Thanks. I have confidence it's the engine, but my confidence is starting to lack in the dealership. The fact he can't recognize the "modifications" to the cooling system was nothing more than a sending unit for a gauge that I already told him about leads me to believe he might not really be looking that hard...

Meh, that's BS, they have to prove the mod caused the problem. If you are not leaking coolant at the mod well then they cannot prove it. Don't help them deny your coverage, don't offer any info not asked for. If there is coolant in the oil there is no need for a compression test.

I'm guessing you talked to Aaron then? If so, he tends to be a real douche bag and no one likes him that's used him locally. Should have gotten towed to town north and had them look at it. Best advice is to find a friend with a truck, go to uhaul, get a car dolly and bring the car to town north yourself than let Classic do anything more with.

Yup, that would be him. I most likely will have it towed there if Aaron continues. Who's the best contact at Town North? Nice to see he has a reputation here - maybe Classic needs to have someone find out about his rep in the RX-8 community.

I didn't offer any info other than tell him about the sending unit because he asked.

Yeah, I don't get why he even cares about the compression test. Obviously, there's an issue with the engine if there is coolant everywhere including the exhaust system. Why he is so set on a compression test is beyond me.

Whats funny about it is that Classic had a stellar reputation before hand, but that was because they had a rep by the name of Ramsay, he was awesome, and when he moved the dealership went to shit real fast. The issue, like most issues, is one of management. Lead and they will follow.

For Town North, I think the go to lady is Penny? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.