Does anybody have any tips on buying an rx8? And also tips on maintaining and the need to knows about these cars.

 

Yes, read the sticky threads in this section. Open your eyes.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.
__________________

 

Yeh. Find one that suits your fancy. Negotiate with the owner for a fair price and a rotary specific compression test. If it has good compression ... buy it. Then be prepared to spend an additional thousand or so to bring it up to snuff.

Once you've done all that ... take it out and drive the **** outta it! It'll love you for that. Drive it like a wimp and it'll jump up and smack you.

 

Before I bought mine, my plan was upgrade the cooling system. Now it's upgrade the cooling and ignition system as well as relocate the battery to the trunk. Buy a good car, then prepare to spend money to make it better. That's my advice.