When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Original Owner 2005 needs advice-keep or sell/trade?
My 2005 automatic has 154,000 miles. About 74,000 on the second engine after compression failure on the first at about 80,000 miles. Transmission is very stiff, slow to engage reverse on morning start up and some jolting shifts when cold. Got a quote from dealer today for rebuild of about $2000 including labor of $800. The one they found has 90,000 miles. You get a 1 yr warranty. I would probably do that but I have had an intermittent experience of the car cranking for awhile before starting usually after a short drive. It's been happening over the last 6 months. Scares me the car won't start but it always does and then the next time starts just fine. Asked the mechanic about this and he says the" engine is getting tired...they only last about 80,000 miles." I thought it might be the battery. But, The Interstate battery was replaced last July. So, it can't be that although I killed the last Interstate after 18 mos and all of the AAA before after just a year. When my first engine failed at about 80k it started with rough idle and then dying. Happened pretty quick. I would probably get the rebuilt tranny but if the engine is on the way out not so sure I should. I love this car though! Can I learn something with a compression test??? Any input appreciated!
My 2005 automatic has 154,000 miles. About 74,000 on the second engine after compression failure on the first at about 80,000 miles. Transmission is very stiff, slow to engage reverse on morning start up and some jolting shifts when cold. Got a quote from dealer today for rebuild of about $2000 including labor of $800. The one they found has 90,000 miles. You get a 1 yr warranty. I would probably do that but I have had an intermittent experience of the car cranking for awhile before starting usually after a short drive. It's been happening over the last 6 months. Scares me the car won't start but it always does and then the next time starts just fine. Asked the mechanic about this and he says the" engine is getting tired...they only last about 80,000 miles." I thought it might be the battery. But, The Interstate battery was replaced last July. So, it can't be that although I killed the last Interstate after 18 mos and all of the AAA before after just a year. When my first engine failed at about 80k it started with rough idle and then dying. Happened pretty quick. I would probably get the rebuilt tranny but if the engine is on the way out not so sure I should. I love this car though! Can I learn something with a compression test??? Any input appreciated!
You can probably buy another later model nice one with a good engine and tranny with half of the miles on it for what you'll pay to rebuild yours.
Just a thought.
*edit* if your engine is dying also.
You can probably buy another later model nice one with a good engine and tranny with half of the mile's on it for what you'll pay to rebuild yours.
Just a thought.
yeah unless you're pretty in love with your car you can usually buy one for what it would cost for engine and trans rebuild but thats only if your engine has lost compression if it hasnt then I doubt youd be able to get one for the price of a trans rebuild
yeah unless you're pretty in love with your car you can usually buy one for what it would cost for engine and trans rebuild but thats only if your engine has lost compression if it hasnt then I doubt youd be able to get one for the price of a trans rebuild
Is the compression test expensive? If I though I could get another couple of years or 20,000 miles or so out of the engine, I would probably stick with my car. I hear there may be a next version in 2017:-). I had my 1988 RX-7 for 147,000 miles... I do like the RX series.
Is the compression test expensive? If I though I could get another couple of years or 20,000 miles or so out of the engine, I would probably stick with my car. I hear there may be a next version in 2017:-). I had my 1988 RX-7 for 147,000 miles... I do like the RX series.
They're around $200-$250.
I wouldn't count on that Vision coming out in '17.
Wow! The Vision looks great. You are probably right that it is not wise to count on it in 2017. There's really nothing out their that rocks my world and pocketbook right now. In looking at some other posts on compression tests, I am wondering if you can get a guesstimate of how many miles you have left depending on the numbers.
Wow! The Vision looks great. You are probably right that it is not wise to count on it in 2017. There's really nothing out their that rocks my world and pocketbook right now. In looking at some other posts on compression tests, I am wondering if you can get a guesstimate of how many miles you have left depending on the numbers.
I couldn't say.
Some people drive for months with failing compression, some fail quickly.
It's a crapshoot.
BigCajun is right - a good/borderline engine could fail fast or a mediocre engine could operate fine for years. If you love that fantastic handling, looks, road manners of the 8, sink the small investment in a new engine.
BigCajun is right - a good/borderline engine could fail fast or a mediocre engine could operate fine for years. If you love that fantastic handling, looks, road manners of the 8, sink the small investment in a new engine.
An automatic with 150+k miles needing an engine and tranny rebuild is a risky investment, imo.
Hmmmm...so it's sounding like the only thing the compression test could tell me is if the symptom of occasional hard start is due to failing compression but not anything about the life expectancy of this second engine. Is my dealer mechanic correct that generally these engines are wearing out in 80,000 miles? I was so hoping my second one would do better but in 2010 when I got it I did think I would feel fortunate if it extended my car's life to a total of 160,000 miles...I just can't believe I am already there...Thanks for the input!
Is it? I mean, what else could catastrophically fail (assuming there isn't a heinous amount of rust everywhere)?
I meant risky from a financial standpoint.
The normal component failures from the wear & tear of almost any vehicle with over 150k.
Alternators, fuel pumps, A.C. components, suspension, electrical components, etc....
(Unless $7k is easily disposable income, then it's moot)
In my case, I don't know if I would, even though I have an unhealthy attachment to mine.
I'm at 55k, bad cat, 3 batteries, fuel pump, condensation taillight, already fixed, bad visor, climate control board going bad, bad speaker relay waiting to be fixed.
I can't imagine how much more if it lasts another 100k.
That being said, I consider mine worth a substantial financial investment, as I believe a fully loaded LYGT with semi-low mileage is already rare, and becoming increasingly so as time goes by.
I like having a car model that I almost never see anyone else driving.
Maybe twice in 4 years.
One engine, yes, 2?
That's a hard call.
Compression test first. The rotaries will run in a horrible state. Brandy (green one) was turning good lap times, maybe lost a few mph on the straight, and was my daily driver going back and forth to work getting 20 mpg. Finally tested, failed on all faces except one, with 2 at 55 psi. Still started and ran well. When it was finally torn down, was an absolute mess (stuck seals, tips off seals, burned crap). But, still started and ran fine. New engine was amazing (also $7K). Then woman blew a toll booth entry and totaled the car.
Jess (blue one), is also amazing. But, has new engine from same builder. I bought the entire car for what I paid for the last engine. But, it is a pretty blue.
Rotary Resuraction says drive it until it has a hot start issue, then rebuild or replace. It sounds like you are on the edge of a hot start problem. So, new motor or new car. The advice to grab a newer one may be good. I chose new motor.
For the transmission, toss in a can of seafoam trans magic stuff. I just did that with my daughters car. Cleaned things up nicely.
And, if you are in the UCF area, did we talk in Publix?
Thank you to everyone for very helpful input. And to Green04, I am in Clearwater area so wouldn't have been me you spoke to. One thing I have always enjoyed about the RX8 is the mutual appreciation of other owners! I have posted on this site over the years starting with my first engine failure. This is great site to go to for the real deal. I improved my maintenance habits greatly with what I read. I am sadly concluding that for me it is probably best to find a new car given the miles I have driven(enjoying them all with even the rougher ones worth the price!). I feel a little traitorous but think I will take a test drive of the 2016 Subaru BRZ...looks good but....sigh...Again thanks!
But, before you do that, I strongly suggest the seafoam magic transmission stuff. And, if you are adventurous, try a few cans of seafoam fuel treatment (with about 12 hounces of 2 cycel oil) in the tank. She may smoke a bit, but it may help. The full decarbon procedure would be next. Those both are under $50, which is a lot cheaper than a new car.
Also, check out Tampa Bay Mazda Club. They have a lot of experience and may be able to help.
05-18-2016, 06:26 PM
Original Owner 2005 needs advice-keep or sell/trade?
