Low mileage RX8 question
 

Hi there. I am new to the forums and a potential new 8 buyer. I have been looking around and would like to buy a low mileage 2007/2008 model RX8. I have noticed a few extremely low mileage 8's from time to time. And by low mileage I mean 2008 with 8500 or less actual miles, in what look like mint condition. My question is this, is there potential problems in buying a car with such low mileage? Specifically, problems due to sitting around without much use over the years. Furthermore, is this just theoretical or do some of the members here have actual problems/experience with this type of situation.

I have read up a lot about these cars and read the stickies here about being a new owner/potential buyer so I know about having the car checked out regardless and test driving it first. My question here is more for general knowledge. Also, some of these low mileage "gems" are half way across the country and few and far between. Knowing a bit more about the situation would help me decide if it was worth pursuing vs finding a 30k model closer to home. I'd like to know more about what I am getting into before flying across the country to look at a car. It would be a huge waste of money to get out there to find the car is a potential piece of junk from sitting up for so long.

Thanks in advance for any information/advice you guys can give.

Welcome,
I bought an 04 GT 6 speed in July with just over 18k
miles in near showroom condition.
I have never checked to see if it was the original engine, just assumed it was.
4 days after I bought it CEL came on, 420, cat below threshhold.
No ext. warranty, and not covered by fed. emission warranty.
Then a misfire code, then battery died.
8 yr old battery, probably sat up alot, understandable.
1 coil and corresponding plug were bad.
Front half of cat was broken up.

Put a midpipe on, coils, plugs, wires, normal tuneup stuff; oil change, (5w-20, but adding Mobil 1 0W-40 after advice from members and will use it at next change), air filter, cleaned MAF sensor & ESS, did 20 brake stomp, started premixing gas, (8 oz. JASO FD 2 stroke at 1/4 tank, personal decision), bout 6 fill-ups
ago, and now it runs GREAT.
Put about 6k on it since purchase and no problems since.
(Knock on wood!)

IMO I think low mileage, well maintained 8 is a good choice if it fits your budget, but premium gas and fun driving adds up pretty quick.
I absolutely LOVE my 8!

Thanks for the quick reply. My guess is that buying one locally is best regardless of mileage. That way I can get a full check up prior to buying. It just sucks not being able to find the car I want, when I want it. Of course being patient is the best way to be sure I get the best car for me. I don't want to rush into anything and make a mistake. I'll be better off in the long run.

More options are still wanted. Any info can be a big help. Keep me coming. Either way I am sure I want a low mileage car. It would seem the best way to assure less miscare and abuse/neglect.

Edit: Cajun, are you in LA? I am from MS.

We moved to Kansas City Mo. in '98.
I'm from Thibodaux, La.
We used to go to Biloxi a lot before they opened the casinos.
Miss the Gulf Coast bad.
It freakin snowed yesterday.
Good luck with your search, and remember, a compression check is a must.
I didn't think to get one cause I thought with low miles, it wouldn't matter, but I didn'tknow about the 04's rep. then.

i bought mine with 56k on te clocklast year in feb, lowest miles rx8 i had ever seen so i overpaid a bit closer to 10 grand but the car has had only the cat problem and the coolant resevoir sensor issue. before going to check out the car the only thing you can do is

get a carfax, very usefull
get the vin and call the dealers it was serviced at and see wha was done to it check for
recalls and see if its had all its reflashes get as much info as possible
if the car hasnt had much work done which i doubt at only 9k miles then xpect to do all the ususal issues and known flaws yourself as its well out of any manufactuer warranty.

Thanks for the replies. I am going to take my time and try to find the best 8 I can. I have another question you guy might be able to help me with. I definitely want a Gen 1, I just like the looks better, but does it matter what year I get? I have always assumed that a later model was better. 2007/08 have a better general reputation in the public eye but does it actually matter? Aside from the more up-to-date parts (ignition etc...) is there a lower failure rate for the 07/08's?

After reading a good bit here I may have been working on a bad assumption. Year may have very little to do with it. What are your thoughts?

P.S. I do like the fact that 08's with low mileage will still be covered under the 8-year/100,000mi warranty.

Starting in 2006 some of the bigger issues were fixed with a few updates. No matter how low the mileage a compression test would be advised before purchasing any RX8. Though, even if it is bad you should be able to easily receive a reman engine.

As far as sitting too much, checking the condition of fluids and any rubber bits like hoses, tires, and things like door seals may be in order. That stuff can begin to dry rot with too much complacency. If it was stored decently I don't think you should see any major issues other than a potentially bad set of original tires.

Good luck to you.

I bought mine with 56k on it as an 06.
Used, 1 owner, all records from every oil change and every time it went to the dealership. This was the second I looked at. Reason why I didn't go with the first one I test drove...it was a rental at first and had 2 other owners after it with no records.
Price I paid was reasonable esp with the comfort I had with having every record and knowing the previous owner took care of it.

Do your research, take your time, and get a compression test no matter what.

Thanks again for the replies guys. This is a great community you have going here. It's great to be able to come here and meet up with people willing to share their experience. More opinions thought are welcome.

I would be careful of a low milage RX-8.

If it's from a dealer you have no way of knowing what happened to the car.

If it's privates sale, chances are it is good mechanical shape, just driven a few miles.

With a dealer, you don't know if it was a problem car that the owner just took a loss and traded it i,.

It really don't matter if its from the dealership or a private seller...just get a compression test to know the engine's condition.

A blanket statements like that is not necessarily accurate.
Every situation is different.

Someone could trade a well maintained 8 because they want a new car that is more practical and gets better MPG. The owner may provide all maintenance records to increase trade-in value.
Most dealers will provide a free carfax report also.

Very true. Either way I plan to take my time and fine the right car for me. Rushing into buying an RX8 is a recipe for disaster.

Compression test, car fax, service history, test drive and overall visual inspection. Anything else that is a must when buying?

I'm also looking for an '05 RX8 with about 7K miles. It's been sitting for a while in an underground garage. It looks really good except for the dust but I haven't had a chance to drive it (well, first I have to convince the owner to sell it :)).

So reading this thread and others, there really isn't anything "special" one should be concerned about for a super low mileage but older RX8?

It really don't matter if it has low mileage or high mileage, get a compression test on the engine to know the condition of it, good luck.