EmeraldTuning

Just wanted to stop by and say hello. I'm currently looking for an S1 with a decent pedigree to become my next project/3rd car.

I never appreciated just how difficult it would be to find the right car with the right history, records, and care. I'm located in AZ, so hopefully I can find an old person who garaged theirs its entire life and took quality care and records of it.

Came from an RSX Type S, Mazdaspeed3 before that, a Mazdaspeed6 before that, and so on.

- Red

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

They are tough to find in nice shape. A lot of people buy them and drive them hard, do not maintain them, and when things start to fail they sell them cheap with an ailing engine or rusty quarter panels, weak ignition etc. Finding one with lower miles and having been well cared for will be your best bet. Expect to pay a little more for the car but in the end it will be well worth it.

TheWyvern

This is so true.

OP, you said you were looking for a project car, however? Well, you can find an 8 with a blown motor with absolutely zero rust for between 1-2 grand. I just picked one up originally from Texas last week, and I've been absolutely astonished with its impeccable condition. If you have a little know-how, yanking this motor isn't too terrible. Rotary Resurrection has an amazing write up on it and then you could easily buy a swap or have someone like RR do a rebuild.

Good luck, man. These cars are truly worth it at the end of the day, imo.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

9k could shed some light on it.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Look at auctions if you can, the people that tend to leave their cars alone don't visit forums and such. The older more responsible crowd that takes care of their cars will typically just trade them in when they are done with them. You would be surprised at how many older people with disposable income who have their cars serviced on time drive RX-8's.

EmeraldTuning

I appreciate the fantastic advice from all of you.

I'm very comfortable around cars in general so finding a clean car with a blown motor isn't a bad idea at all actually. Besides Craigslist, do you all have any other suggestions? eBay?

I didn't think private individuals could visit auctions. Am I wrong?

NotAPreppie

It depends on the auction. Some are open to the public, others not so much.

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

My car actually came from a dealer who had bought it at auction, crazily enough. Engine is super healthy. lacking in work everywhere else but they kept oil changes on time.

rsquaredh

My car was recently diagnosed with the dreaded low compression and I am debating how to get rid of it. It is a 2004 6 speed GT with 140,000 miles on it. I am the original owner and it has been maintained and garaged it's entire life, with several quality aftermarket components installed.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

you can part it out, sell as is (wont get much) or do the shitty thing and try to trade it in. btw in your sig i think the color you mean is nordic green

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

My clean '04 LY GT with 61k on original engine can be had for $15k.

EmeraldTuning

$15k?

Are you stoned?

rsquaredh

Good catch on the signature. I'll be posting the car in the near future to gauge interest in selling whole or parting out. It sounded like a perfect fit for what Emerald Tuning was looking for.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

most likely, hes a filthy hippie


np. you need mod approval for part outs and pics always help sales. np on the color

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hey mannnn.


It's a running joke.
People always ask how much their 8 is worth, I always say mine is worth $15k.
Tbh, I don't think I could sell it for that if someone did take me up on it.
I really love it, and know I would miss it.

NotAPreppie

$15k is about what it would take to get me out of my '8.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Did you get the BHR header?

Edhouchin

$7000. 142K miles. considering all mechanical, cosmetic, the only defect is a piece of torn vinyl on the side of the drivers seat. no drop in compression, smooth 6 speed manual transmission, powerful clutch (replaced the clutch pedal assembly), local dealer has the airbag parts for passenger side and will be replaced this week, (drivers side already replaced). velocity red paint in great shape, garage kept, all Grand Touring options with exterior air dams, etc. no smoking car...much loved. lost my job and gotta sell my dream car. what's the catch?...why only $7000? I ran into a bike rack and cracked the right headlight ($1000), at 3 mph (no airbag deployment) the energy dissipated around the cockpit and wrinkled the hood, fender, and grill. I chose all new hood, fender & grill rather than repair with bonds and deal with peeling paint later. Justifably, that totaled the car but retained the quality. Thus, a "salvage" title on an undamaged dream car and pulls the price down by 25%. I can help arrange transport to AZ

TheWyvern

Not the place for selling your car. There is a specific subforum for that.

EmeraldTuning

Alright,

So I am currently talking to the owner of this beauty, https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5893507895.html, and he is flexible on price, which gets me down to under $6k.

I requested he get a compression test to confirm that the engine is healthy, and I'm waiting on VIN to run CarFax.

I've been in contact with many other owners all over the country, but this one checks most of my boxes.

Fingers crossed.

EmeraldTuning

$7k is still too expensive.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Does it mean anything that he said it was FWD?

0_o

EmeraldTuning

Yeah, hence me waiting for a lot more data before offering. I've seen people list manuals as automatics as well, so I'm not too concerned.

Being that it's a single owner RX-8, I'm hoping its an old person with little experience with Craigs.

Based on the decent grammar, spacing, and overall structure of the ad, I think this person seems to be on the up and up.

I looked at one ad that called it a 4-cylinder engine. Yeah.....4 cylinder...

our2008rx840thedition

I have and S2, 40th anniversary 2008 with 9,920 miles (less than 10,000 miles) I am original owner. This car is PRISTINE. No signs of wear, dings, clean carfax, garaged in heated/AC garage. Call me if you are interested......706/782-7044 My name is Michael Koskie and I live in Northeast Georgia.