Skris

Hi,
I bought my boyfriend a 2004 rx8, it has a 2nd engine in it with 20k miles. It was running great in the Fall then last month the clutch went out. It stayed outside the service garage for 2 weeks in single digit weather, after clutch was installed, it would not start and when it did it stuttered and ran sporadically. and had to be towed...this time to Mazda dealer. They thought it was the plugs, and coils, $2000 later they are saying a new engine is needed .
Purchased it for $7000, clutch $1300, plugs $2000.......a new engine & install- they are quoting $6k. I am pretty sure you are all going to tell me to scrap it (not sure how to even do that) .


I have owned many cars, mostly high end foreign, never had problems and this feels like a money pit.


Any advise, we live in Indiana.....
Be gentle

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Plugs for 2K....wow they sure saw you coming. Typical dealership behavior

If you are going to keep the car you will need to find someone that can work on it that doesn't charge you silyl prices

A reman engine shouldn't be more that $4500-5K at the most installed.....

I would ask around your area to find someone that is good with Rotaries

gwilliams6

I find it truly hard to believe that you willingly paid 10 times the actual price for plugs ! Tell us you are kidding please ! Even the best lifetime system on the market for coils, the BHR coils and wires with plugs would only have set you back one quarter of what you say you paid for plugs only, which can be had for $100-$150.

I suggest you get away from this car, sell it or part it out, you have already spent enough after the initial $7000 to have bought a whole 2004 RX8 with a bad engine. (yes a 2004 with a failed engine is only worth $1500-$2500.) I love the car but don't throw away any more money on this one. For what you have spent already and what additional money they want from you, you could have bought a used low mileage series 2 (2009-2012) RX8 with a good engine.

I have owned seven RXs so i know their draw, but to be gentle, you would be better off not trying to fix this one, sell it , take your loss and move on to another type of car. Just the following is some of what you would need to have maintenance checked on any 2004, even after getting a good compression engine in it.

I am buying it! What should I address first? (Updated October 25th 2013)
Generally, the more history on these items you can get from the prior owner, the better. These are all RX-8 specific. They are in addition to typical items like brakes and tires. Every item on this list is on it because it either fails regularly OR a failure of the point will result in significant cascading damage and costly repairs.

This is also the long term recommended maintenance list from us here on RX8Club.com.

Car mileage over 30,000:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended, read this thread for why: Issue Many Are Ignoring: Most Coolants Contain 2-EHA (which 'eats' silicone))
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


Car mileage over 60,000:
...all above, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

Car mileage over 90,000:
...all above plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

Obviously if you get information about any of these items already addressed, it will help to reduce the list / cost. Get as much certainty as you can though! All cooling related items can cost you your engine! Even as soon as the same day you take the 8 home with you. It has happened more than once. The rest can be just as critical in how much it can cost you.

Note: This isn't a dealer's maintenance list that is filled with questionable fluff. Every single one of these items is something that typically fails in that mileage range, and for each item, if it fails it will either A) strand you, or B) cause significant and costly additional damage.

Skris

Thank you both for your thoughtful responses. The 2k involved more then plugs, but not much more!

We are torn between cutting our losses or search for a mechanic non dealer connected!

Can you recommend a reputable place to buy an engine, in the mid-west?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I would suggest you try another dealership for a second opinion on your engine.
A reputable dealer shouldn't charge $2k for a tuneup, then say "Oops, need a new engine!"
I think you've been taken advantage of.
Get online to read reviews of the dealers nearest you.

macyrotten

The dealership that replaced the engine in my '07 charged just about $7,400 for new engine, new cat, new wires, plugs, as well as a few other things.

But I've just dumped $720 for a new SSV and $260 for a door handle. But I am appreciative of the service car and warranty.

Razz1

The dealership that replaced the plugs for 2k need to be sued.

Contact the manufacturer of the dealership. They will loose their license.

If it was a Mazda dealer, contact Mazda HQ.
If it was a Nissan dealer, contact Nissan HQ.
etc...

If it was a used car dealership you got screwed and have to go to court.

Chances are, there is nothing wrong with the car.

If your ignorant enough to pay 2 grand for plugs, your ignorant enough to pay for a new engine when it's not needed.