ohai
ohai
I've actually had an account since 2006, but I apparently never posted enough to be able to post anywhere else so I'm posting here so I post somewhere else!
I have a 2004 I've had for 10 years that was recently diagnosed with low compression after a bad flooding, so now I get to try to figure out what to do with it. Besides dying, I've loved the car, and it's otherwise in great shape, so it seems a shame to dump it or scrap it.
After reading up on compression issues around the site, I suspect it's had low compression for at least 6 years, but now I don't trust it, so it sits in the garage making me sad
The tech at the local Mazda dealer said he didn't think rebuilding it would be a great idea, and he quoted me something like $6,000 to put in a new engine. Given that KBB says it's only worth $3-4k or so, it's hard wanting to put that kind of money into it.
Compression test: (2,860ft elevation)
https://i.imgur.com/fvCUzbp.jpg
I have a 2004 I've had for 10 years that was recently diagnosed with low compression after a bad flooding, so now I get to try to figure out what to do with it. Besides dying, I've loved the car, and it's otherwise in great shape, so it seems a shame to dump it or scrap it.
After reading up on compression issues around the site, I suspect it's had low compression for at least 6 years, but now I don't trust it, so it sits in the garage making me sad

The tech at the local Mazda dealer said he didn't think rebuilding it would be a great idea, and he quoted me something like $6,000 to put in a new engine. Given that KBB says it's only worth $3-4k or so, it's hard wanting to put that kind of money into it.
Compression test: (2,860ft elevation)
https://i.imgur.com/fvCUzbp.jpg
Last edited by fooey; Jan 9, 2017 at 10:48 PM.
Where are you located?
Because of the fact you have a deep connection with the car, I would recommend that you do all you can to get her back up.
This means having it rebuilt by a reputable builder, such as pineapple racing, Kevin at rotary resurrection, Charles at BHR, etc. Prices are in the $2-5k, depending on reusable parts, and how much of you're own work you're willing to put in.
Because of the fact you have a deep connection with the car, I would recommend that you do all you can to get her back up.
This means having it rebuilt by a reputable builder, such as pineapple racing, Kevin at rotary resurrection, Charles at BHR, etc. Prices are in the $2-5k, depending on reusable parts, and how much of you're own work you're willing to put in.
You're not supposed to rebuild your engine, usually you give your engine over to the rebuilder and buy a rebuilt engine made from good and reconditioned parts of other engines. There are no new engines anywhere, a new one hasn't been made since 2008. Is it an automatic? 2004-2005 automatic engines cost more because they're rare and different.
6000 is really excessive, don't buy from Mazda. Depending on your location, contact some of the following: Pettit Racing, Pineapple Racing, RotaryResurrection (a member on this site).. there are other rotary specialists who can help you for a more reasonable price. There is also a small market for good condition RX8s with dying engines, as project cars, but don't expect a lot of money for it.
6000 is really excessive, don't buy from Mazda. Depending on your location, contact some of the following: Pettit Racing, Pineapple Racing, RotaryResurrection (a member on this site).. there are other rotary specialists who can help you for a more reasonable price. There is also a small market for good condition RX8s with dying engines, as project cars, but don't expect a lot of money for it.
The car's a manual
I'm in Southern Utah, so about 2 hours from Vegas, or 4 hours from Salt Lake going the other direction.
I'm pretty useless mechanically, and don't have much for tools, so if I was going to try to save it, It'd have to be something where I just dropped it off and had them do all the work. The quote I got looks like it was $6,300 including labor, something like 5800 for parts coming from Texas?
The car has about 85,000 miles, the current engine was put in before I got it, around 20,000 miles I think.
Since I've only put about 60k miles on it since I got it, if I could figure out a way to get another 50 or 60 out of it for just a few thousand dollars that'd definitely something I'd look into.
Something with at least a bit of warranty like this from MazMart at $3500 sounds like something I might give a shot
http://www.recyclers.net/detailview....=1&searchnum=7
I'm in Southern Utah, so about 2 hours from Vegas, or 4 hours from Salt Lake going the other direction.
I'm pretty useless mechanically, and don't have much for tools, so if I was going to try to save it, It'd have to be something where I just dropped it off and had them do all the work. The quote I got looks like it was $6,300 including labor, something like 5800 for parts coming from Texas?
The car has about 85,000 miles, the current engine was put in before I got it, around 20,000 miles I think.
Since I've only put about 60k miles on it since I got it, if I could figure out a way to get another 50 or 60 out of it for just a few thousand dollars that'd definitely something I'd look into.
Something with at least a bit of warranty like this from MazMart at $3500 sounds like something I might give a shot
http://www.recyclers.net/detailview....=1&searchnum=7
Last edited by fooey; Jan 10, 2017 at 12:15 AM.


