I guys, I picked up this RX8 on Sunday (after wanting one since I was 18 when they first came out) and I managed to get convinced by the sales guy that the slightly longer tick-over was down to the original underpowered starter.

We went on two test drives and both times it seemed to start OKish (whilst the sales guy was talking at me) whilst hot after we finished.

Then driving from Liverpool - Leeds last night it stalled at the lights whilst idling and then I couldn't get it started again. A push around the corner and a 20 minute wait and it then started fine.

I've just been for a 15 minute drive and tried to hot start it and this is the result -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54iI...ature=youtu.be

I'm going to take it to Rotary Revs at the end of the week regardless for a compression test but I thought I'd ask your opinions so I'm not too disheartened if it comes back being a bad buy.

Other info -

- 53k on the clock
- Great condition so seems reasonable well looked after
- Hadn't been driven hard for a week before purchase (lots of little test drives)
- Still has original starter
- New coils/plugs (apparently) fitted just before purchase
- HP 6 speed

 

There are 4 starter models, each better than the last, so "the upgraded one" isn't really very accurate. What really matters though is the starter speed, not the starter model. The newest model could be cranking slower than the original if it's failing or if there is an electrical problem (for example).

Dying at idle (or any other shut off other than while at speed) followed by a wait period before you can restart usually means low compression.

 

That's what I suspected . Thanks for the reply.

 

Yep doesn't sound good, had all of those issues on my 2004 I sold some months ago and it had a bad engine. Also the fact that they just put in new coils and such too is a red flag, sounds like they were seeking an answer too and ultimately got it running just well enough to dump it.

 

Keeping the Engine at an Idle
• Ignition Coils
• Spark Plugs
• Spark Plug Wires
• Engine Compression
• E-Shaft Sensor (ESS)
• Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
• Front O2 sensor
• Catalytic Converter (Cat)
• Intake Vaccum