Hey guys,

So after a few months of researching rx8club's wonderful stickies, guides, and DIY's and refraining myself from buying sketchy sub $5k 04's, I've saved up some more cash and am seriously considering buying this 2006 Evolve:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5108439302.html

77k Miles, asking $9,600.

So far the car looks great, the owner said he has maintenance records, original engine, and timely oil changes. If the compression numbers are good and doesn't have weird cranking or hot start problems I'm very interested in buying.

Here are my questions:

1) I definitely need to negotiate the price, $9,600 seems unrealistic. Any suggestions on a fair price to offer? So far I'm just going off KBB values ($7-7.5k), but I'm not sure how close KBB is specifically for actual RX8 private party sales.

2) I'm confused about how to price the Evolution model, from my understanding its the UK version of the US Shinka edition with an appearance package minus the beige interior. Should it be marked up similarly to a Shinka? (~$8k spec'd on KBB). I'm checking the VIN to see if it was imported.

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you all!

 

Not sure where the seller got the Evolve label. Since that's a UK thing, the steering wheel should be on the wrong side. There was no such thing in the U.S.

It looks like a lower trim than GT, since it has cloth seats, or a GT that had its interior downgraded.

 

I would definitely say no to that price! Let us know what the VIN says, but I am willing to bet it's not what they say it is.

 

I've attached the VIN check. Looks like it was a lease vehicle and went through a lien, then bought by its current owner as Mazda Certified Pre-owned.

No evidence of it truly being Evolve or not, just says Touring on the report. Not sure why the seller is advertising it so, I think its just because of the Phantom Blue color.

I'm not a big fan of AutoCheck reports, I'll look into getting a Carfax soon and posting it if it brings up anything interesting.

 

Update:

Just got off the phone with the seller. First, it's definitely NOT an Evolve model, he just went by the Phantom Color and wasn't sure what to call it.

Second, he would consider my offer of $7,000 cash and agreed to have a rotary compression test performed. He said he's got an offer for $8k currently, but if that falls through I'm definitely going to check it out.

Think $7,000 is fair?

 

Get him to clean those headlights too >.>

 

There is no Evole in the US, that is 2006 Phantom Blue Touring.

 

Oh, and that price is crazy.

 

The compression test will tell the story. Insist on those results and decide from there. Somewhere around $6K is what I would be looking to pay for a 2006 with good compression.

 

^Ya, and I think $6k max

 

Prices vary widely by region. This is a California car. If it is in tip-top shape with a good engine it could well be worth 6500-6900.

 

Final update:

It was sold seller said he had an offer for $8k, so I'm assuming he got more than what I was willing to pay.

Thanks for the help everyone, and I'll keep in mind that a 2006 near 77k miles is reasonably worth $6-7k. The search continues!!