I'm looking at a rx8 05 mt black on black don't have much history on it the gentleman that owe it bought it in Maryland drove it home to pa no problems started it the next day run for 10 mins can't start it again clean looking car and I've played with motors all my life but never on of these I like new things but guy has a problem with me taking the car to the dealer and getting it check but I wouldn't really let someone load up my car either any ideals of what I should look for in his driveway only asking 1800 bit if I have to rebuild the motor might as well go buy a running one any input Nd advice is welcome

 

hot start issues are usually a sign of low compression. it could also be ignition related. read the new members threads

 

All RX8's will eventually need a rebuild. It's not a matter of If, it's a matter of When. Read the New Members thread. I bought an 8 from MD and lucked out, my compression numbers are solid but again, got lucky.

 

Found a yellow rx8 about 4 miles form my house white smoke form exhaust said the compression was low check engine light flashing at idle so miss firing but does run but the price tag is 1000 bucks and its only got 93k on it so even with a motor found one 1300 zero miles on a rebuild still only in it for 2300 and have a new engine will get my own compression test done and replace all the plug and wires along with the coils before hand

 

^ not a single period... lol.

 

Sorry good with my hands not with essay.

 

You'll get a lot more help from people if you make it easier to read your posts.

 

All automobile engines will eventually need a rebuild. It's not a matter of If, it's a matter of When.

Fixed.

 

Rotaries sooner than most.

 

Alright, semantics aside yes. All automobile engines need to be rebuilt at some point in time within what could be considered a working lifespan of years or miles. Some need to be rebuilt far less often.

 

On the topic of engine lifespan...

Yes, it's true that some good piston engines will outlast other parts of the cars they work in, but there is also some maintenance that's required on them, but not on an RX-8.

I will just use my Honda Accord V6(J35Z2 engine) as an example since I learned a bit about them. There are 2 maintenance I can think off my head that will NOT be required on the RX-8: valve adjustment and timing belt replacement, especially the latter one. If your timing belt shatters when you are driving at any speed but idling, you will likely smash up your valves and pistons, and that's a VERY expensive fix, sometimes even requiring a new engine. Not all piston engines use timing belts, some use chains, but if you have a belt, you will want to do it at some point, and it's a costly job at the dealership. Even the parts can cost up to CAN$500~600.

Also, while Hondas are pretty reliable in general, some J35Z2s had an oil burning issue because of a flawed design for the fuel saving system. Some of those had to be constantly rebuilt. Honda even had to settle a lawsuit because of that.

Sorry if I talk about my old car too much. I just happen to learn a lot about it, and some of the knowledge helped me do some work on the RX-8.

Anyways, I would say maintain any engine well, and they will last a good while. If you are that idiot who runs an engine to 20k miles with no oil change, you are better off with a Tesla.

 

Good points, all. Also, it should be noted that the engine damage caused by a shattered timing belt results in engine failure. Uh, real engine failure. Catastrophic engine failure. As in, engine gone, kaput, won't run, finis, done, goodbye. As in, if the front of your car isn't pointing downward, it ain't movin', buddy.

Unlike a Renesis "engine failure" which, in most cases, is a working Renesis that's developed low compression to the point where it fails a compression test and no longer runs well. But… run it probably does. You can still drive your 8 home. You can still drive it from point A to point B. Across town. Or state. You can still drive it all day. Or days. Or weeks, months, perhaps years. In fact, there's a fair chance you won't even realize your RX-8 has suffered… insert three dramatic notes of doom here… "ENGINE FAILURE"!!!

Huh, fancy that.