amhorach

I'm a rotor-head in my 40s who lives in Raleigh, NC. I picked up my RX-8 in January. It is a worn 6-speed 2004 Touring in Sunlight Silver with 161k miles on what seems to be the original engine. I went with "buy cheap and expect to spend at least another $2500" vs "buy a well maintained lower mile car" because the price difference was *steep* and it seems like there tend to be just beaters for sale in the Raleigh, NC area while I was looking. It also gives me a chance to replace the worn components with sensible aftermarket ones if I so choose without having the feeling that I'm throwing money away that I get when I take perfectly functional components off and replace them.

I've been lurking on the forums since I bought the car. I've found lots of good information so far. The new buyer's guide in particular is very good. While I'm not new to the rotary world (I owned a 1987 TII for 11 years and rotated another 8 cars through the stable since 1996) the RX-8 is a different enough beast that I'm taking it slow.

So far all that I've done a full tune up (coils, etc), replaced the starter with an updated 2Kw model and put new tires on the car. That's it. I'm constantly on the lookout for a wrecked or inoperable RX-8 so I can tear into the engine and see first hand how different it is.

Known issues:
Worn out suspension
161k mile, very weary engine
missing fender liner (need to get that sorted out, pronto, I don't want to fling rocks at my oil cooler)
Possible un-reported body damage (I went to put the tow eye in the front and it seems as if the hole is pointing upwards at about a 30 degree angle)
Dead CD changer (and the junkyard wants $2000 for one)
Wobbly steering column
code 2259 being thrown
Coolant light on pretty much all of the time.
need a new splash tray. Whoops.

The goal is to get it reliable and then to start working on the suspension. I'll probably keep it in STX at most. I am looking for a fun to drive car that is easy on my worn out body. I don't want to lower the car much at all- in fact, I wish I could source some stiffer springs that keep the stock ride height. I might have to look at the circle track sites to see if I can find anything.

I ran it in a local autocross and finished mid pack, mainly because I classed myself wrong. Running C-Stock with all-season tires was a mistake.

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

Welcome to the club, Sunlight Silver carry the long list of sustained damages and a reputation for accidents than any other color trim of an RX-8 in this forum. Nevertheless, to answer a few of your concerns:

-161k mile, very weary engine: Mine lost compression at 167,000 miles, do your homework if you want to rebuild or replace it.

-Missing fender liner (I don't want to fling rocks at my oil cooler): Search our For Sale thread of any car-part outs.

-Possible un-reported body damage: If it's only the crash bar, same as above about the For Sale thread.

-Dead CD changer (and the junkyard wants $2000 for one): Same as above, search our For Sale thread.

-Wobbly steering column: Check these DIYs, Lower Steering Shaft U-Joint Replacement, regreasing.

-Code 2259 being thrown: Check this DIY, P2259 - Locating the Air Solenoid.

-Coolant light on pretty much all of the time: Constantly monitor your level, it might just be the reservior sensor.

-Need a new splash tray: Same as above, search our For Sale thread.

Again, it is always good to lurk and search before asking redundant questions about our car. I did that after I bought the RX-8 knowing nothing about it, before becoming a member after a year of owning the car.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Ah yes, "The Curse of the Silver". There isn't much talk of that anymore.

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

It just crossed my path again two weeks ago!

monchie

Welcome!

amhorach

Thank you for the replies.

I'm going to ask a guy I know who works at a junkyard if they have an RX-8s laying around and see what the rates are for the parts I need.

I found the Factory Workshop Manual online, but it seems to be lacking any information about doing a rebuild. I'm afraid to ask the dealer how much they want for one. I'll ask them when I have it down there getting another key programmed for the car (it only came with one).

oh, and I got carried away with the zeros in my original post: that was $200 for a radio, not $2k. That would be insane. I am hoping my friend can get me a better deal.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I believe the dealer wants $2500 for a rebuilt engine. Their quality seems to vary from one to another.Your best bet would be to contact a member here Rotary Resurrection. He is also from NC. He seems to work on rotary cars and rebuilds engines, however he is not a vendor. So, he has to be careful about what he posts. Also, we do have a vendor in Atlanta, Mazsport, that would make an excellent choice to get a rebuilt. They have been working on rotaries for 40 yrs.

amhorach

I'm familiar with Kevin's work from my RX-7 days, though I've never had him do any work for me. He is close enough for me to deliver my engine in person. I've already contacted him about a possible rebuild.

I prefer to do my own work though. I've rebuilt 13bs in the past.

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

If you have the right tools, knowledge, and time to do a rebuild; don't forget to post... People here love to read and see build threads, and of course, you will come across a few "Debbie-Downers".

amhorach

Mother Mercy, this thing is like my '87 TII all over again. Fun and infuriating at the same time.



I picked up a set of 4 free OEM 2009 wheels- one was bent, bad. $250 for a replacement online. Once it arrives, I'm going to use them as the "daily" wheels and try to pick up a set of 17" wheels for autocross/summer tire use.

I drove an R3 the other day. Apparently, I'm too wide in the back to be comfortable in the Recaros, but man, that thing drove like a different car. It made it clear that I need to refresh my suspension quickly.

Knowing it was bad (but not how bad) I had picked up a set of lightly used stock suspension components from the same person. I've not done anything. It is my understanding that the springs are the same, but the rear chocks concern me. I've asked a question in the "dumb question" thread because I couldn't find the answer, though I am sure it is out there. I might pick up some Racing Beat springs, since they are stiffer and don't lower the car too much. Hey, I'm getting old and I've got a really bad knee. That kind of thing matters- I like being able to get into and out of the car without wincing or making the "hnnnngh" noise some old men make when sitting down.

Coming soon (well, the first sunny weekend, anyhow) is a Racing Beat midpipe. Given the state of the engine, I want to inspect the cat, but I also want the car available for driving.

amhorach

Alright. The lack of compression became too much to bear. Not being able to hot start at all was just too much.

So, I picked up a donor car. Apparently it belonged to Nicholas Morgan. Nick, if you read this, sorry about your car. How fast were you going anyhow? You broke three links on the rear suspension.

The interior, engine, transmission and Greddy cat-back will be going into my car shortly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8646231503/http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8646231503/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/8117874@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8641123838/http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8641123838/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/8117874@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8647327048/http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8647327048/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/8117874@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8646231059/http://www.flickr.com/photos/8117874@N07/8646231059/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/8117874@N07/, on Flickr

Jims5543

iTrader: (1)

Nice find!! How many miles on that car?




I have a set of 17" Mustang Rims that will fit your car perfectly and I will be willing to sell them to you really cheap +shipping just to free up some room.

My screen name @ gmail.com if you are interested.

BTW - I came from 14 years of owning a TII as well, It was a beast but after getting my 8 I found myself driving and enjoying the 8 more. I must be getting old.

amhorach

100k on the car, not sure how many on the engine.


It was a tough call between the RX-8 and an E39 BMW M5. I wanted a fun car that everybody could fit into. In the end the RX-8 came out on top because I like the rotary engine and I don't feel like working on or buying part$ for BMWs any more.

Jims5543

iTrader: (1)

Member of Bimmerforums?

Got rid of a E46 330i for the R3 and do not miss the E46 at all. My RX8 was supposed to be a M5 purchase too!! LOL! I was eyeing E28's though.

amhorach

Yes, I was in Bimmerforums. I've owned a few E30s.

An E39 would've been a great car, but finding a good one is getting harder.

amhorach

It's been a while, and I made some progress on the car. Life keeps getting in the way. I am hoping that the weather tomorrow lets me get a bit more done.

The left engine mount was toast in the car, I am hoping that the one in the donor car is OK, otherwise I'm going to be putting the Mazdaspeed membership to use faster than I thought.

amhorach

A bit more progress made this past weekend.