So I need some help I just bought an rx8 a couple days ago and i was dumb and didn’t know anything about it. The previous owner said it was mechanically stable and I really needed a car so I bought it. I changed the oil and did all the normal stuff that I read up on about it but now the check engine light is on and I don’t know what could possibly be wrong with it am I looking at an expensive fix if so should I just try and flip the car and move on or should I try and keep it and fix it.

 

Welcome.
You need to take it to a parts store like Advance Auto or AutoZone and get the OBD scanned for codes.
It could be something minor.

They are high maintenance and can be problematic.
I love mine and now after 6 years and 82k the engine will need to be replaced, but it's worth it to me.

What year, manual or auto, how many miles?
Also, check this site with your VIN to be sure all of the recalls have been addressed.

https://www.mazdausa.com/owners/recalls

 

Also, what all did you do when you say "all the normal stuff"?

 

If you haven't yet, read this thread for new owners;

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

The good news is many of the common problems on our 8s are easy fixes, and they're pretty easy to work on.
There are many knowledgeable owners here willing to help with advice, and if any are near you, may even offer to look at it for you.

The bad news is many times new owners buy them without compression tests, unknowingly buying a car that runs good, but may need a new engine.
Again, some of us have our own compression testers and may be able to check it out for you cheaper than the dealerships.

 

Aside from the check engine light you haven't noticed any actual symptoms? Let's not give in to panic and just get the code read to see what the problem is. It could be trivial.

But definitely read the thread linked above. You're now the proud owner of a quirky sports car, so whether you flip it or not depends a lot on your actual needs from a car.

 

This isn't a car you can just buy without doing your research, but alright.

Do a rotary-specific compression test first at a dealer, a rotary shop or ask a member here, just so you know where you are at.

You could also buy a Bluetooth OBD2 reader for like $20 and it's a useful tool to have in your toolbox.

 

I don't know man, but "mechanically stable" doesn't sound good to me, it sounds like what you'd say about someone in the hospital

In any case, like others have said, just get the code read. If it's running fine, it may just be a bad sensor or something.

You really, really need to learn about this car and how to take care of it. If you treat it like a Camry, it will die. Not the right car to buy on impulse, but it may be fine, good luck.

 

These are the type of inconsiderate people that make veteran members not want to help new members.
Come on here asking for help, multiple members offer help, then it's either ignored, or never acknowledged.
We all literally wasted our time trying to help someone who obviously didn't appreciate our efforts.

 

Looks like she hasn't been back online since the original post, hasn't even seen the responses.

 

Oh well, could've been a $10 gas cap.
We'll never know.
She probably bought a POS '04 4 speed.

 

We call these "hit and run" threads.

Oh well, what can you do?

And yeah, I am guessing she's got a 4-4-4 as well.