((((2004 Mazda Rx8 Titanium Grey, Leather, Grand Touring, Excellent Condition, Garaged. Mature owner, I have had this car since I drove it brand new off the dealer lot.

Car has 87K total miles. New engine has just 36K miles on it and has a newer transmission with 72K miles. All replaced by dealer under warranty.

Features:
Grand touring package, black leather, 18" alloy wheels, sunroof, stereo w/CD, 6-speed manual, and rear wheel drive

Car is all stock as from the factory with the exception of the MazdaSpeed lightweight flywheel that I had the dealer install.

Recent Car Maintenance:
I change the oil religiously between every 3,000 to 4,000 miles with Castrol GTX 5W-20, last oil change was at 86,841
Transmission and Differential fluids w/Redline MT90 and 75W90, last changed at 83,830
New Ceramic Power Stop Z23 brake pads front and back 87,540
Just replaced spark plugs with NKG Iridium and Mazda OEM coils at 87,570))))

 

That's the original post.

Should I still have a compression test done?

 

It can't hurt to have a compression test done just to be sure. How does the car look and what is the seller's asking price? Seems like a well cared for 8!

 

CARFAX Additional History
Not all accidents / issues are reported to CARFAX
Total Loss
No total loss reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
Structural Damage
No structural damage reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
Airbag Deployment
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
Odometer Check
No indication of an odometer rollback. No Issues Indicated
Accident / Damage
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
Manufacturer Recall
Check with an authorized Mazda dealer for any open recalls. No Recalls Reported
CARFAX Detailed History
Owner 1
Purchased: 2004 Personal vehicle
Mileage: Source: Comments:
4/5/04
NICB Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer
5/28/04
Service Facility Emission system checked
5/28/04
9 mi.
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA Odometer reading reported
5/29/04
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA Title or registration issued
First owner reported
Titled or registered as
personal vehicle
6/14/04
994 mi.
Service Facility Maintenance inspection completed
Brakes checked
Oil and filter changed
Tire condition and pressure checked
6/15/04
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Title or registration issued
11/16/04
5,757 mi.
Service Facility Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed
Brakes checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
1/6/05
6,935 mi.
Service Facility Maintenance inspection completed
Brakes checked
Engine checked
Tire condition and pressure checked
4/6/06
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
4/30/07
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
4/28/08
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
4/29/09
Washington
Inspection Station
Seattle, WA Passed emissions inspection
5/20/09
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
5/5/10
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
6/11/11
Washington
Inspection Station
Seattle, WA Passed emissions inspection
6/15/11
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
5/1/12
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
4/13/13
Washington
Inspection Station
Seattle, WA Passed emissions inspection
4/18/13
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
4/22/14
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Gray
4/13/15
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Gray
7/11/15
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Gray
4/28/16
Washington
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Seattle, WA
Title #0414917516 Registration issued or renewed
Vehicle color noted as Gray

 

That's the carfax for the same vehicle... Asking $6999

 

Compression test for safety, it passes, you buy.

 

I don't think anyone here is going to recommend you NOT have a compression test. If the seller is so meticulous, he should be the first one in there offering data on the health of the engine.

 

Considering the vehicle's age and mileage, a compression test would be desirable.
On-board diagnostics at a certified dealer is recommended as well.

 

When I asked if there had been a compression test done recently, this is the response-

I have not had a compression test done since before the engine was replaced. A bad Rx8 engine will be hard to start, lack power across the rev range and typically throw CEL's. My old engine that was bad, had all those issues. My new one has been rock solid.

 

Thanks for the input. Checking it out for the first time tomorrow. ��

 

That's like me saying "I swear this steak is good. It doesn't smell and I made sure to get it in the fridge at some point in time when I got home after going to the grocery store. I ate a piece and I haven't gotten diarrhea yet."

A compression test is ALWAYS a good idea. Always.

 

I know.... I'm trying not to jump the gun....

I was in an accident last month. Some very intelligent person(not) rear ended my scion tc and totaled it. Since then I have been driving an F250 from the mid eighties... To say I'm anxious to get a different vehicle is an understatement.

 

Very understandable. If its a well sorted car, clean, no issues, then make the seller a reasonable offer. He's asking almost 7 for the car. If you feel comfortable, offer him somewhere around 6 and try to settle as close to 6k as possible. But you have to feel good about buying the car. It has to feel right and if it doesn't feel right, even in the slightest, then its not. Trust your instincts.

 

I was able to drive it last night, it was glorious. The car is in almost perfect condition. It really was this guys baby. It started perfectly cold and hot, it definitely did not feel like it was lacking power.

I don't want to lose the opportunity, the other 8's that I've seen(online) don't compare. There's a stack of maintenance records, and I called the dealership where he said the work had been done and they confirmed that it had.

All that remains is the compression test.. I'm going to put a down payment in tomorrow.. And get the test done early next week I think. At this point though I'm beginning to wonder if it's necessary...

 

I don't know how this can be said any more plainly:

ALWAYS GET A COMPRESSION TEST!!!

Well, I tried anyway.

 

Point taken**

 

Always, good maintenance does not overcome the engineering flaws of the engine. If you cannot afford an engine rebuild then don't buy the car.

 

What does an engine rebuild cost? Roughly

 

$2500-$8000 depending on who the builder is and what you want done. Removal and install of the engine is typically $1500-$2000 if you are not doing it yourself.

 

Well that would hurt.... But would be doable should the need arise.
Thanks

 

Man, toss me some of that scrilla...

 

.... Lol

 

It is rare to get away with a $2500 rebuild. $3500 is a more reasonable floor from what I have seen, and that number assumes you are doing the work and don't need to do anything in terms of ancillary items, such as new clutch, OMP lines, ignition components, hoses, other cooling system components, tools, etc. Many rebuilds are closer to the $5000 to $6500 range, all-in.