Hi,
I'm shopping for an 8 and I took an '07 CWP GT with Mazdaspeed package out for a test drive today. It drove nicely but the oil light was on. Owner wasn't aware of the requirement to top up. 98k on the odo but he's only put about 40k (km) on the car. I've asked for a compression test. Think it's worth it, or should I just run the other way?
Thanks.

 

I would run the other way if he was not adding oil regularly. Mazdaspeed package? Are you in Canada?

 

Yep.

 

Oh, I figured. I was never a fan of that package and the skinnier wheels, etc.

 

Did you check if the oil level was normal? There is a known issue with the oil sensor, where it can falsely trigger the oil light.

Was it constantly on or coming and going?

 

Oh crap I assumed they were 18x8.. are they 18x7.5??

Constantly on, and from his free admission that he doesn't top it up between changes (and that the light usually came on before the recommended oil change interval) I assumed it was legitimately low. I should have checked though out of curiosity.

 

I think I found my answer..

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-whe...-width-136903/

 

Oh boy, ok. The average car owner, ladies and gentlemen.

 

If he's stupid enough to not check the oil when the light comes on....and takes someone on a test drive with the light on...I would pass on the car. Likely the rest of the maintenance wasn't done either

Either that...or devalue it to include a rebuild

 

Does the owner have maintenance records? His oil change interval could tell you a lot about how safe his habits have been. If he religiously changed the oil by 5K miles or less, then he probably didn't run much more than a quart low, which should be [not ideal but] OK.

If you are feeling optimistic, the results of a compression test and an oil analysis will tell you what you need to know. However, considering how many problematic 8s there are on the used market, you might just want to walk away and look for a better one.