Got my 2004 rx8 two weeks ago for 7000. didn't do research like I should have but ive been in love with the rx8 since they came out. After finding this site and reading everything im almost afraid to drive mine any at all. its an automatic that has 85000 on it and the engine hasn't been replaced seems like engines rarely go past 100000. Someone give me some reassurance that I haven't made a mistake by purchasing this car. im freaking cuz I love the look and drive of the car

Thanks and thanks to anyone who put info on this site by far one of the most informative sites ive ever been on

 

Get a compression test.

It is your ONLY way of getting that good feeling (and it's the only real way of confirming the bad feeling). If the test shows good compression, then you don't have much to worry about. If it shows bad compression, then your fears are well founded.


Yes, my new owner's thread is a whole lot of doom and gloom. It's because people NEED to be aware of the potential problems. If they accept those problems, then it's a stellar car. If they can't accept the problems, then they shouldn't get the car. It's very simple

This is why we push very hard to get that compression test before purchase, so you can get a good one, or at least know what to expect if you accept a poor one.

 

yea gonna have compression test done on Friday are there any telltale signs that the engine is going or do I just wait and rely on compression test

 

Generally, just wait for the test results.

There are numerous signs of low compression, however all but one of those are also symptoms of other problems, including ignition failure, vacuum leaks, sensor failure, etc...

The general 'fall back' symptom is harder hot starts than cold starts. They can both be poor, and it won't mean anything. It has to be cold is easier/faster than hot. The more severe, the lower the compression. There are exceptions, and there are caveats, so it's not 100% fool proof, but it's generally what people look for.

 

I would be more concerned that I paid 7000 for an 04 auto.
Sorry but Yech on that deal.

Keep the maintenance up and you should be OK.
Maybe

 

really they were asking 10000 so I thought I got a really good deal sounds like this whole thing was a mistake

 

I'm sorry that really seems like I'm piling on.

If you're happy than what's it matter.

However honestly if we are talking USD 7000 is the very top end for a MT in my opinion.
JM2C

Have fun take RIWWPs advice.
Then slap on SC or TC

 

Welcome to the club. Don't sweat too much and post some pics of your ride.

 

On the up side, the $3K you didn't pay of that asking price will cover a good rebuild

You have to be a bit of a "baller" to drive this car. "The engine? Yeah, that's a maintenance item."

 

Bare in mind that seeing a lot of threads on the internet about engine failures is not a good statistical sample of the population of RX8's out there. If I remember correctly, sales for 2004 were 120,000 or so for the US alone (by far the best sales year for the RX8 that's for sure).

If it will help you rest easier at night - get a compression test done at your mazda dealer like RIWWP suggested. I had one done for my car; it cost me $120 (however most people usually pay a bit less it seems) and it let me know the engine was in good shape. $120 vs countless sleepless nights filled with worry - it was worth it to me.

 

When i first bought the rx8, i never knew it was a rotary engine. Seriously, i never heard of a rotary engine before. I know an rx7 before and never knew it was a similar engine as an rx8. Never had a compression test done, but the car runs fine since when i bought it in 2007.

Anyway, don't get freak out about it. Get that compression test and hopefully the results will be fine...good luck!

 

Well Monchie, you have come a LONG LONG way since you joined. Most of that is in the last year or so

 

also just an fyi to the op and wcs, the black book says he paid about the right price for his 8. if he has leather and a moon roof then he paid about 1k under expected final retail.

Trade-in Values

(this would be an average across CUS)

 

Not as bad as 19K for an 07 M/T touring with 60K that was in a thread I came across last week.

Now that's drastically over paying.

 

Black book ... wow how are they gathering those stats?

If that makes the OP feel better than great.

Doesn't change the fact that an a RX8 with 85000 miles is closer to the Rough column than average.
Like RIWWP has said get the compression test performed.
If the OP is lucky and the maintenance has been kept up he'll be lucky that the car only has one foot in the grave.

 

i believe they are based on dealer sales (actual sale price so excluding all the taxes and bs. so if the op quoted price is out the door thats even better for him) also dealer prices are usually higher than private so...

mileage is not an indicator of condition of the car; if you give the guys from jackass a new car for the weekend you get back a car with low mileage and is beyond the rough column, on the other hand if you had a car that was well maintained and taken care for 100K it could be above average. but in general i agree with you, the average American car buying public isn't going to give a car the care it needs to keep it above average for 10yrs so the typical car is average but closer to rough than excellent (hence it being called average).

in the case of this 8 exterior and interior could be flawless, or the opposite we dont know, based on the asking price i would assume average. but the key to any used rotary is the compression test and that will determine whether its ave or rough (any thing but good comp numbers makes it rough, so again you may be right with it being rough)

that was my very long winded way of saying "insufficient info to make reasonable conclusion"