Hello all. I've been here before but a few years back. I've been back on a car hunt since finances allow and find myself coming back to the 8 very often. I've read the sticky on owning an rx8 multiple times and understand the finances involved in running one as a daily. The only thing that frightens me is purchasing an 8 with 80k on the clock and that the apex seals are ready to go. I know it's something to expect, but what is the general consensus when buying one on a mileage that way? I mean... Are they kinda like timing belts where if you catch it early you can just change the apex seals and hope that you're good for another few years? Or does it usually always end in a catastrophic failure? All help is greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post!

 

The best indicator for engine health is a compression test. If you bring it to Mazda or a local shop with a rotary compression tester, you'll get results for 2 rotors. Both rotors will have 3 different numbers and a cranking RPM. You compare this to a chart and it will tell you how good the apex seals are compressing air.

It has to be a rotary compression tester though. Our engines work different from pistons, so you need the 3 readings for each rotor and the RPM.

 

Apex seals are not "ready to go". If the car was well maintained by a knowledgeable owner, your chances that it has good compression are better than if the previous owner didn't pay attention to it. Compression loss is a thing that happens, around apex seals or not, so as the man said, the best thing you can do is get a compression test. If the numbers are strong, you have between plenty and infinity years left depending on your own maintenance approach. If the comp test is no good, then you can walk away or try to bargain them down the price of a new engine, then get it replaced and be on your way for another plenty to infinity years.

 

I did forget compression testing... That's probably the number 1 thing there. Haha. Well, my only downfall is that the car will more than likely come from a dealer, just due to better luck in financing. However, I'm not sure that dealerships agree to do these kinds of tests. This makes me sad. Haha.

 

They'll agree to it if they want to sell the car.

 

And if they won't do a compression test walk away and keep looking until you find a car and dealer that will.

 

Yes, be SURE to get a compression test. Or walk. You will spend much more money/time trying to fix/diagnose the problem otherwise.

 

Yes, this can't be emphasized enough. No rotary compression test (which is different than a regular compression test) = NO DEAL. Seriously.

 

^^what they all say.

Only exception would be if you purchase a car still under the 8yr 100k engine warranty. This is what I did, an 09 with low miles, purchased from a Mercedes dealership which had taken it in trade, no compression test. It had low compression despite starting and driving perfectly. My local Mazda dealer installed new engine with little hassle and no expense to me.

09-11's are really nice cars; prices are reasonable.

 

Thank you all for the replies. Haha. Hopefully I'll be able to join the club officially soon. I just wish manuals were easier to come by in Houston. 😑

 

I got realllllly damn lucky on my car as far as compression goes, at 76000 and some change I'm looking at 7.6 on front and rear rotors at 260 RPM. A little low, but nothing that can't be helped along with constant oil changes and premix to help keep it lubed. Get a test, make sure it tests healthy, or don't buy it.