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First about me: I'm an older dude (51 in a few weeks). I've been a gearhead since 14 when I was smitten by the cover of the December 1983 "Car and Driver" and got a copy http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/ca...iver/275-1.jpg
First car was a 1970 Bug followed by a 1985 LeBaron convertible (being a drop top was its ONLY redeeming feature). Other interesting vehicles I've had over the years include a 1996 Integra GSR, 1990 Bronco, 2001 Mustang GT, 2001 SVT Cobra, 1987 Alfa Spider, 1985 Jeep CJ-7 and a 2003 Audi A4. That's not the exact order of acquisition and disposition and most I still wish I had but they all had to go for various reasons.
I have turned most of my own wrenches since I was 17. My most recent big project was building and replacing the 4.7 V8 in my Dodge Ram.
I've been having the itch for a Miata since last year (turning 50 I guess) but my wife's Honda Pilot was getting long in the tooth and I decided I didn't want to be off into some toy and wind up with issues in her daily driver so wound up getting her a new 2018 Mazda 6 instead. I still have the roadster itch though.
Enter my friend at work. I've known about his 2009 RX-8 since we met years ago and always knew he rarely drove it. But he's started making more and more noises about selling it since his wife's RA along with his own aches and pains makes it hard for them to get into and out of it and enjoy taking it on weekend trips. We joked about me buying it but I've always dismissed it because of the temperamental reputation and not being a roadster.
The possibility of actually taking the plunge has drifted a little more onto my radar lately. He's bought another house with no stairs because of his wife's RA but still has his current house. He'll have them both for awhile as he has renovation plans for both houses but eventually (6-10 months at least) he'll be without an indoor place to park it at the new house.
So like I said it's a 2009 6 speed. He's unsure of trim level but I'm assuming GT because of the moon roof. I know he's taken it on a couple of track days and has always been sure to get it to operating temp and practice the "redline a day keeps the mechanic away" method any time he's gotten it out. But now it hasn't been driven for at least 18 months. I found out the mileage is amazingly low. In the neighborhood of 7,000.
I've told him I'll help get it started again. The battery is most likely flat and he's read online that we should pull the plugs and crank it over to build oil pressure before actually starting it. I'm thinking maybe WD-40 in the plug ports before we crank it too. Anything else to consider on one sitting like that?
I want to drive it to see if I like it enough to let it push the Miata off the wishlist for a long while. It's going to be a long process of deciding if I can and want to fit it into my life.
Wow only 7000 miles on it that's super rare it's basically brand new. Only issue is its sat for so long. You will want to use some lubricant in the chambers where the spark plugs go. Use something petroleum based would be my recommendation. Also, try to drain the gas tank and run fresh gas in it with some FD rated 2 stroke premix. You'll also want to inspect the engine bay and the coolant and oil levels. I'll bet that she just fires right up though with a good battery. These cars use a lot of power to start so you want a battery that has 600+ CCA.
First thing you will need to do once you get it running is obviously clean it up. After that, do a compression test. If it checks out do an oil change, coolant flush, rear diff oil and check for any leaks or problems. If it doesnt start for any reason, just come back here and let us know what happened.
Last edited by CaymanRotary; Oct 1, 2019 at 09:47 AM.
It was the car's history that got me interested. With so many RX8s they've fallen into the hands of non-enthusiast and/or abusive owners whereas this one would come from the original owner who is enough of an enthusiast to have properly cared for it.It's a rather unique opportunity.
I need to drive it to see if I actually like it well enough to deal with the quirks of ownership. I figure I will based upon reviews I've seen and read over the years. It's just a matter of finding the time to get over there and do it. He's busy with two houses and moving between them and I have all my hobbies too many (just discovered this past Friday I get to rebuild 6 carbs on a Johnson 175 2 stroke, yea). So, y'all bear with me as I muse about it from time to time over the next few months.
It was the car's history that got me interested. With so many RX8s they've fallen into the hands of non-enthusiast and/or abusive owners whereas this one would come from the original owner who is enough of an enthusiast to have properly cared for it.
This one could definitely be a good fresh start. Just have to hope there is no damage from it sitting for so long. Mice and other rodents can nest in the airbox or something while it sits and chew up the wiring. Be very cautious with this one.
if you do the proper coming out of storage it should be fine. many here including myself sould store their 8s for the winter. mine used to go 7-8months sitting in the garage
if you do the proper coming out of storage it should be fine. many here including myself sould store their 8s for the winter. mine used to go 7-8months sitting in the garage
For winter storage it's not a big deal. This one has been sitting a year and a half. It should just start and run I agree but need to really go through it and make sure there are no issues before cranking it over.
I was talking with the owner a bit about it today. We started kicking around November as a time to work on getting it started. He should have most of the new house stuff taken care of by then. It's still probably at least 6 months before he's serious about wanting to sell. If I want it sooner he'd go but financially it makes sense for me to wait.
We realized we haven't seriously discussed price. His brother suggested $16-18K a couple years back but he was under the impression it's a R3. Since it's not we're not sure what would be a fair price range. Certainly open to suggestions from here.
I was talking with the owner a bit about it today. We started kicking around November as a time to work on getting it started. He should have most of the new house stuff taken care of by then. It's still probably at least 6 months before he's serious about wanting to sell. If I want it sooner he'd go but financially it makes sense for me to wait.
We realized we haven't seriously discussed price. His brother suggested $16-18K a couple years back but he was under the impression it's a R3. Since it's not we're not sure what would be a fair price range. Certainly open to suggestions from here.
Well, depends how well it runs once you get it going. Considering the milage hes gonna want a decent amount for it. Still get a compression test done and go through everything and make sure it all still works. Depending on condition I think $10-15k is about right.
Definitely planning to get a compression test. The price range you suggest is what I had in mind. Thanks.
Originally Posted by CaymanRotary
Well, depends how well it runs once you get it going. Considering the milage hes gonna want a decent amount for it. Still get a compression test done and go through everything and make sure it all still works. Depending on condition I think $10-15k is about right.
Doing more research I believe it to definitely be a Grand Touring. Clearly not a R3 by evidence of the moon roof but he's talked about the key being like a credit card and this chart indicates that only the GT and R3 were available with advanced key.
