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.

penny is good but i prefer the other two guys better.... Tall white guy and the mexican guy. Cant remember their names haha but they are all good.

Victor is the mexican guy, he always hooks me up. I think the tall guy is Mike?

Yeah...it's Victor. He's who I always use. Backdated my mileage when I was having transmission issues so it would be covered under warranty. Of course it went away as soon as they tore the whole thing apart, but it didn't cost me anything.

Good luck!

FYI as far as the paragraph u have regarding the sale...have u sold a car before? The buyer would actually go to the bank WITH you and pay them and get the title immediately. Then you get paid difference if have to pay out difference, but there'd be no "waiting" for the title.

Yes, I've sold several and that's a nice thought - assuming the bank was local. My bank is in Florida, so unless they are going to front some airfare, then it's going to be a bit difficult to pull that off.

And yes, I've sold a car before where the person needed to "wait" for the title as well...

...reason not to use non-national banks...

I'm going with the guys who are going to give me the best finance rate - not whether or not it will be easy for me to bring someone in and be able to get a title to them easily.

Calm down buddy. I was trying to help. There a lot of ppl who have never sold a car, so I was gving u information abt the process.

So glad u saved a percentage point on your loan that you can't even sell it bc u moved...maybe u SHOULD have thought ahead abt when u might try to sell it bc I guarantee no one is going to hand over cash for u to go pay it off. Lol

Pretty condescending for someone trying to help. I can sell it just fine. I actually used to work at a dealership, so I'm well versed in the legal end of selling, don't worry about assisting me with that. I already have one buyer lined up, so thanks for the "help" but I'll be fine on that part.

And for those who were actually helping - the word is at the moment from Aaron that Mazda wanted photos of everything and would be getting back with them. I have one buyer lined up for the car to buy it as-is if it isn't fixed (going to do pay off plus extra), so I might be leaving the RX world if Mazda decides not to do the repair. Guess we will see.

Well a bit of good news. Looks like Mazda is going to fix the engine under warranty. The down side is, Aaron said the cat was messed up from being filled with coolant and therefore had to be replaced - so I still got hit with $1500, but $1500 for a new cat and motor - I'll take that over having to buy another car. For those who were interested - here's a pic of the odometer - just 18 miles away from the end of the warranty (and the car getting towed off to the shop).

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Borrow a cat from a local so you can get your car back. Then buy a midpipe.

Nah, just gonna get the stupid thing replaced (besides I want to keep this street legal - not trying to race it or anything) so I can have a running vehicle again. This car is my daily driver and the last thing I want is to jump through more hoops anytime an inspection comes up.

Honestly, I still think they are reeming you. If they haven't done the cat yet, call up Freeman Mazda (parts) in Irving for a quote on a cat converter + install. Mention that you are part of the RX8 Club, they give us great discounts on parts.

They are, but I had a friend that works at a local dealership price one out and really they aren't much cheaper anywhere else (dealership pricing). I won't ever use these guys again, but for the effort it's going to take to get it towed elsewhere, go through the same process again (and you KNOW that Classic is going to charge me for what "work" they did removing the cat and everything if I don't do the repair there) - it ends up me saving maybe $100 or $200 but having to jump through a ton of hoops. It sucks getting reamed, but just going to chalk it up as a learning experience and be happy that motor didn't decide to crap out 19 miles later...

Not sure why you would need to get the car towed. You can drive without a cat, or even with a broken cat with no issue. Remember, the cat is only there for emissions purposes to scrub the exhaust. It doesn't actually do anything for the car. The engine is getting replaced under warranty and they can't tell you that you have to get the cat fixed by them in order for them to honor the warranty on the engine.

I'm glad that you got it fixed. Man was that close!!!! The only thing that is going to suck is my new rx8 (formerly 2tone's) only has 68XXX and the warranty will be up in 2012. The engine was already replaced so I hope nothing serious happens after 2012 (fingers crossed)

As I said - its REALLY not going to be worth the effort of all of that to save a little bit (and that's even a MAYBE). The price quoted is just for parts alone - they aren't charging labor since they already pulled the old one off. If I take it anywhere else - now we get to tack on labor fees which end up putting the price pretty damn close to where it already is. It's just NOT worth the issue of doing all this stuff when the car is already at the shop and able to be worked on. Yes, it sucks that the shop is crap and hopefully anyone else reading this will learn from this, but I don't exactly have endless amounts of time on my hands to be taking my car back and forth to different shops and shopping around - time IS worth money to me due to my job(s). Word of advice for anyone reading this - DON'T take your RX to Classic Mazda in Denton.

That does bring up an interesting question - does the warranty "reset" for the new engine (i.e. another 100,000 mile warranty) ??

Hmmm... I wouldn't buy into that specific dealer. Your primary issue which you came in for was the engine failure, therefore that should be the only issue they should be taking care of for you. In my opinion, there shouldn't be any particular charge for doing whatever 'checking' they performed when they decided to pull the CAT off. Just tell them that you only want the engine replaced, especially since Mazda North America has already approved of it. Tell them that you'll be responsible for finding your own replacement CAT (or midpipe, if you decide). I would really hate to see you get burned for $1,500 of your hard earned money. Just be firm and to the point with them, and don't let them give you a hassle. Get Mazda North America involved if you have to (I've had a few situations occur during my ownership, and MNA has been extremely helpful to me).

I don't think so. Correct me if I've mistaken anybody, thanks.

+1.

Agreed. Don't let this dealer bullshit you around... Even though this is just how some of them are, unfortunately. Definitely go to Town North Mazda, as many have recommended already.

Good luck through this situation, and hope you can manage through it.

Well, I will go to Town North from now on, but I already authorized the repair yesterday. I just want this done and over with. I've had to deal with a LOT of outside drama arranging for transportation so I can work and needed my car back (or know that it wouldn't run so I could sell it) ASAP. I do a LOT of freelance work and can't afford to be down without transportation for several days and don't have the ability to take time to go and move the car from dealership to dealership.

As for the midpipe - as stated above - this is a daily driver - and I live in an apartment so I don't have the ability to easily swap midpipe to cat anytime an inspection comes up, so I prefer to keep it street legal the whole time.

Thanks for the advice and I'll definitely consider all of this in the future, but right now, I just need to get my car back ASAP.

^ I can understand. I really hope it all falls in place for you... Soon. :)

We are here to help and just don't want to see you get screwed by a crappy dealer, it's probably too late now but paying $1500 to replace the CAT is just a rip off. I completely understand that you need your car for work and don't want to buy a midpipe for emissions concerns but I don't think you did any research on how much a CAT actually costs. You talk of not wanting to tow the car to several places to save money however you will probably spend more by buying the dealers CAT and not shopping around. Rotary Performance in Garland charges only $395 for a High Performance CAT that WILL pass emissions, compared to the $1500 you are spending for the stock restrictive exhaust that alone is a huge savings. Even if you didn't want to drive it without the CAT on I think you could have towed it to RP and had them install theirs for less than what you are paying now. That's just my .02 cents.

I appreciate all that, but no one seems to be understanding what I'm talking about with the time factor here. I just DON'T have time to go back and forth and don't have access to transportation (for many reasons, I don't see the point as to why I need to justify this with all the personal drama I am going through in order to make sure I have a car to use right now). Also, my location on here is out of date - I'm in Lewisville now, not Garland and if I had it repaired in Garland, I now have to arrange a way to go get the car from there as well. So, as I said several times over - it's done - I've already authorized the repair. Will I get it anything ever done there again? No, but you guys are beating a dead horse at this point.

Haha, for being a member since 2007, I take it you don't spend much time reading the boards (as evidenced by you even saying you don't have alot of time lol)..... we are well versed in dead horse beating! :)