ShelteredToe

ive been creepin and lurkin and prowlin on rx-8s for years... i cant wait til i can get one. finally got a good job again so it might be soon lol

Domenico

iTrader: (6)

Congrats man looks good

Slickaxer

I got a question. I am a pretty new 8 owner, (about 2 months). And I am about to go out of country for 6 weeks, should I have someone start up my 8 every week or so? or would it be ok to let it sit that long without starting? It is a 2004 6 speed, with 40k miles on it. Fairly new ignition system (maybe 5-8k miles on it). Thanks for all responses.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

6 weeks is nothing to worry about. The battery may be drained a bit when you get back, but probably will still start fine, but if it's a new battery, probably not even that. I'd recommend having the jumper cables hooked up to another running car when you crank it over IF if you have a concern about it starting again.

KKMpunkrock2011

Just started looking at rx8s again for daily's now. I ended up getting another FD after my first one was totaled. Its currently waiting on the turbo and manifold to get back to me, shooting for 500whp.

jlsoto08

Whats up guys... im new here and this is my first post!!! lol I am looking to buy an rx8 for the fact that its rwd and the rotary..ive heard horror stories about this car but i still want one... my previous car was an srt4 (fast but not reliable at all) so im still kinda scared... im familiar with how these cars are sort of "delicate" and how they work.. i would buy one right of the showroom but my driving record is bad and my insurance would go up tremendously so im stuck to buying it cash... i found one for 6600 owner claims it looks and runs like new, havent test drived yet. 140000 miles and clean title its an 04 6 speed.. with the leather interior and all options.. what do you guys think?? risky for the amount of miles it has? btw the engine has never been replaced...

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Uh wow ....
140,000 miles?!?! miles?
First the engine .... I hate the word delicate but yes a rotary engine from an 04 model should be suspect right out of the gate and really suspect with a 140,000 miles on it. The good news is if it's made this far likely the owner did all the right steps to keep it running.
IMPORTANT ---- DO A COMPRESSION TEST ------

This one thing will tell you how healthy the engine really is.

Second: The RX8 is not like an SRT4, you will be very disappointed in the torque however the handling and the feel you get from being part of the car may overcome that.

Last: Not speaking engine specific here but a 04 will likely need some expensive maintenance soon, if it's not already been done. Like coils, wires, plugs, fuel pump.

Good luck ... keep us posted

jlsoto08

just spoke with the guy, he said he had no info cuz he bought it and he decided he wanted more powerful... I think im gonna pass on this one... Im still looking though!! if anyone knows of one... let me know im ready to buy... thanks for the advice

wcs

iTrader: (2)

I think you are making the right call .... however
If he dropped his price to say 4,000$

That to me would be worth the gamble AB-SOL-F'n-Lutely

\m/

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

I know someone in Bakersfield who's selling his 2005 RX-8 for $11,500 with 65,000 miles with new 6 speed transmission, SR Motorsports 9.25 aluminum flywheel and performance clutch, AEM cold air intake, Racing Beat Street performance ECM flash, new coils and plugs, and Magnacore plug wires.

jlsoto08

Guys i was curious about the car i had talked about.... i ran a carfax... it has an open recall (clutch pedal) but the rest is good... it didnt pass emissions test on 4/2/11 but then passed on 4/5/11 it is a one owner... but no service records were found... what do u guys think... should i take the gamble for 6gs??? it has leather seats and all that good stuff... i might offer 6 depending on what you guys think...

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

$6k is a steal, but not for that car with those miles.

140k is pretty much game over, and just be glad he got that many.....

wcs

iTrader: (2)

I might do it if I had some cash and wanted a project car and didn't want to use it as a daily driver.
I don't get this vibe from you ... so no ... stay away from it

jlsoto08

lol ur right wcs i do want it as a daily driver.... but i hate slow daily drivers... i sold my srt4 and bought a 97 celica juss to have reliability and gas mileage... but i got tired of all those 109 horsepower lol so im going back to the 200+ league..... and throw in rwd :-)

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I'd say that the only way I'd buy that car is if I bumped the loan to 10,000 somehow (or split 4k personal 6k auto), and use the extra money to immediately put in a new engine.

Though it's still overpaying a bit.

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

lol I bought my 04 105k with new engine for $9k. My budget is to spend another $2k to restore it to 'excellent' condition. I guess I overpaid...

jlsoto08

back again guys and sorry to bother... i found an 04 rx8 salvaged title for 6000 52000 original miles... guy claims everything is in perfect condition but check engine light is on... its really cheap... body is in perfect condiition as well as the inside... its the base model though,, no sunroof and regular interior.. 6speed... should i go for it.. and the compression test you guys were talking about.... is that completely necessary even though the car runs really good.... (no test drive yet, but assuming everything is running strong and smooth) appologize for my ignorance but im a virgin on rotarys lol.. ohhh i ran a car fax and there was no frame damage... also.. it was serviced regularly by mazda dealers back untill 09 it also passed emission tests back in april 2010 (2 owners).. but that was the last date recorded on carfax.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like a car I'd stay away from unless i had $3-5k in the bank just in case.

Salvaged title cars are no longer covered under the 8 year 100k engine core warrantee, so you'll be paying everything out of pocket. You should definitely get a compression test and have the CEL found and fixed before you buy. Just because you might think it's running well, doesn't mean that it is. Especially if you're new to the car and rotaries in general. If the test fails, walk or you're gonna be replacing your engine out of pocket.

It seems like you're trying to get into an rx8 on a dime. It can happen, being in on a dime isn't gonna last.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Compression test or bust.
Honestly, I wouldn't buy a new RX8 without a compression test. Really.

What he said.

jlsoto08

Hey fuz. first of all thanks for your post and advice. I think u got the wrong idea here...I'm not trying to.cheap out on this. I juss saw this opportunity and if everything is in good condition ... why not?? U kno what I .mean. maybe its one of those sales that no one believes. lol. but I appreciate everyone's prompt response... also.. what if the compression Is off. What's next and is it expensive... sry I'm .new to this

MariesRX8

You'd need a new engine at some point. Thousands of dollars when out of warranty.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

It could be a good opportunity yes, but could run you more than getting newer one with less miles and less potential issues.

If compression is low, you'll need a rebuild or another engine. You may be able to pick up a used running engine for ~1000 to 1500, but you'll have no guarantee how long it will last or if it has good compression itself. Best bet is to get a rebuild or a reman engine (Mazmart) but you're looking at $3-5k depending on what you get and where you get it from. If you don't have the tools to tear it out, you'll be looking at labor cost as well to have someone else do it.

In the end, you could end up with 10k in a older 8 with a salvage title or high miles. That some 10k could get you a newer, cleaner car. Add a couple grand more, and you can get an even better one.

jharpst

quick question, am i going to get 17-18 mpg city even if i drive it really hard like i'm supposed to?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

No.

Driving hard, in the city, you are going to get 14-15mpg if you have everything in good shape, far less if you don't.

HOWEVER, if you never drive it hard, your mileage will start dropping anyway due to getting carboned up.

You have to change it up, balance one vs the other. Give it some blasts of throttle as needed, but settle down and be smooth on the throttle to get the higher mileages. Don't just stick with one or the other.

jharpst

i'm going to get winter tires. since my current ones are low profile, will i have to buy smaller rims for my winter tires? and where are some good places to find low priced rims? (online or public stores)