ArcticGuard

Hey there everyone.

I have been in search lately at getting into an RX8 and have a couple of questions.
I read the guide for new and potential owners (great guide, with a whole lot of info)
Being on a budget, I am looking into the 2004-2005 era, as they will fit into my purchasing budget of paying cash for it. I came across a 2004 with 153,000 miles on it. 2004 MAZDA RX8 RX 8 FULLY LOADED LEATHER SUNROOF HEATED SEATS 6 SPEED
It looks to be in great condition for the mileage, besides that missing stud on the front R/S Tire. And the guy said it runs, drives great and everything works on it. Except he is getting the check coolant light occasionally ( a common problem and easy fix from what I have found on here)
This guy has only owned it for 1-2 months, he bought it at an auto auction, from talking with him, it sounds like it is what he or his brother does for a living and he does not know any of the maintenance history on it.
I would love to get a compression test done on it. Would I have to take that to a Mazda Dealership to get that done and how much should I expect to pay for the test? If I cannot get that test done,, should I just avoid this car or not?
Normally I would not hesitate to buy high mileage as I will only put 8-10,000 miles on it per year if even that. My motorcycle is a different story in that I will put 8-16,000 miles a year on it and is what I ride the majority of the year.

Thanks in advance

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The end of this post in the new owner's thread answers the first question about needing to take it to a dealer: New and Potential Owners Start Here: So I need a compression test, right?

The average price range for the test is $120 to $180, with $150 being common. $90 is the lowest I've seen (that wasn't free), and $250 the highest.



Other than that...



^ That is a huge safety issue IMO. That needs to be fixed.

ken-x8

You need to go to a Mazda dealer or a rotary specialist who has the right compression tester. Have the dealer check over things in general as well - that's prudent when spending a real amount of money on any used car.

A Mazda dealer can also look up whatever service has been done by Mazda. In particular, you want to find out if the ECU flash was updated and whether the engine has ever been replaced.

You really should not buy an RX-8 without getting a compression test.

Good luck!

Ken

gwilliams6

Don't let the looks and feel of a used RX8 overwhelm your good senses. Get that compression test. In a number of cases a 2004-2005 RX8 with original high mileage may have compression issues and/or have had a replaced engine in its lifetime. Your bargain RX8 can turn into a money pit if you have to replace an engine at $3000-6000 depending on where you get it from. And as Ken-x8 said, have that dealer check over other essentials like the ignition, cooling system, exhaust, body, suspension, brakes etc. You don't want to have to spend a fortune if you have bought someone else's poorly maintained or damaged car. There are used RX8s out there for sale, you don't have to jump at this car until you really know what you are getting. Ownership and maintenance of a rotary engine car in some ways is crucially different than for a regular piston car or motorcycle. Rotary ownership can be exhilarating as well as high maintenance at times. Best to you in your search. Hang with the folks in this club and we will help you all we can.

Mysterion

To repeat what has already been said, make certain you get the dealer to do the compression test. While they are at it, ask them to pull the records on the car from Mazda for both recalls and warranty claims. You would be surprised how much info that VIN can get you. Another good idea that worked for me is to look carefully in the owner's manual folder. Often owners will stuff bills and claim forms there in case they need them at a later date. When I got mine, I could almost write a book on the car based on those sources.

BTW, if you talk really nice to the service person, maybe they will give you the original owner's name and, from there, you might be able to trace the history of the car.

some_postman

I guess I was really lucky then. I took my car to a local mechanic who specialises in rotarys and he charged me half an hour labour time - $40.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

good luck.

If compression works out. You did not say how much. that would be good to share.

And, yeah, the wheel stud needs to get fixed. There is a DIY on how to do it someplace here.

ArcticGuard

LOL Thanks for the replies guys, I know and agree that I need to get that compression test taken care of prior to buying an RX8, but the main problem is that I am in Alaska right now and the car is in Dallas Tx. I have found some independant used car inspectors, but none that will do the compression test. I guess I will have to wait until I land in Dallas on the 11th and if this one is still available I will do as Ken-x8 and Gwilliam have suggested in taking it to the dealer for the compression check and ask those other pertinent questions.

After reading my first post again, I was not clear in asking if I should stay clear of a high mileage RX8, regardless of a compression test or not.

Ohh and someone had asked about the price of the car in question, He is asking $5,900 as stated on his craigslist post, which IMHO is too high. KBB Value is only $4,350 and I have to take into account, the missing wheel stud, the need for a new coolant resevoir and sensor, the cost of the compression check and inspection and with that high mileage it drops the KBB Value down to $4,350.

Anyways,, once again thanks for the replies everyone.

ArcticGuard

Ok, I just went to Mazda North America and ran the VIN for any recalls and it came back with 4 recalls that have been completed. I know that the ECU and PCM are the same things, just a different term used by ppl.

My question now, is that I have seen references to MSP-16 and the need to have the ECU flashed. Yet the recall that references to a flash of the ECU/PCM is
Mazda Recall #: 4206F
Dealers will reprogram the PCM to include the latest calibration, free of charge. Also they will inspect the spark plugs, engine and and catalytic converter.

Is the MSP-16 and this recall the one and same?

Unfortunately I could not find on the Mazda North America site, if this particular car has had its engine replaced or not, just that the 4 recalls for this VIN had been completed.

Thanks again for any input or advice.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

No, that isn't MSP-16. MSP-16 wasn't a recall, but a "service program". Very different things to Mazda, lawyers, the EPA, the NHTSA, etc... It's just hard to tell them apart for actual owners.

You will have better luck with information calling MNAO directly with the VIN.

Mysterion

For warranty history, even a dealer can pull up that info if that is easier/cheaper for you. My local dealer gave me loads of info including the original owner's name and phone # once I told them I wanted to create a service history.

After re-reading your initial posts, I did a bit of thinking and, IMO, you could probably do somewhat better on the price. This seller, like many dealers, has a really high opinion of his car and that's how it should be looked at as a purchase....just a car. There will be lots of time later to fall in love with it if you buy it. Before anyone jumps down my back for that statement , here's why I say that. Firstly, he is asking $5900. for a relatively high-mileage car. By comparison, the place I got mine from currently has a blue GT, identically equipped and fully safety-checked with 160,000 KM on it (just over 99,000 miles) for the same price and he is negotiable for a cash deal. Second, the car you are looking at has a snapped wheel stud which begs the question: what else might be broken that isn't mentioned/shown? I am not familiar with licensing in Texas but here, that would be considered a safety-related item that would HAVE to be replaced at the seller's cost in order to transfer ownership and obtain plates for the car (unless sold as-is and not legal to drive on the roads). Third, he obviously isn't willing to do the compression test for you as you mentioned checking with local car inspectors. If I were selling a car out-of-state, I would certainly have the test done, if asked, and the cost added to the price if it meant selling the car. So that raises another possibility: is the car acting in any way that makes him afraid to get the test done for fear of finding engine wear/damage?

All in all, IMO, you might be better to pass on this particular car and, upon arrival in Texas, start a new search for the love of your life. When looking for mine, I found that there are actually quite a few 8's out there for sale. Yours might well be one of them just waiting for you to find it.

gwilliams6

I agree with Mysterion, there are issues with this car that to me say possible accident damage and bad engine. If I was even considering this car, I would require a thorough mechanical examination of this car in addition to a mandatory compression test. And yes this price is high for a car with this mileage and in this condition and a car that was picked up at auction (which raises more questions about its history). You can find other Rx8s in better condition with lower mileage for the same price if you look around. It is usually better to go for a rotary engine with lower mileage, but you could find a higher mileage RX8 with a better maintenance history. With all other specs being equal, go for the latest year, lowest mileage RX8 that your budget can afford, and even then get that compression test first.

Everyone here wants you to be able to get the RX8 of your dreams, we just don't want that car to turn into a nightmare for you.

ArcticGuard

Mysterion and GWilliams, I agree with your thoughts on that broken wheel stud being an indicator of an accident that was not reported to the authorities which is why it is not showing up on carfax or autocheck. As for the asking price, yep no way I was going to pay that much for this high mileage car especially without a maintenance history and compression check, broken stud and needing a new coolant resivoir. Sooo
I put this one on the back burner for now.

Meanwhile, I located an 04 MT Grand TouringW/Nav $5,400
121,000 miles on it. Owner has owned it for 3 years and is unsure if the engine had been replaced previously or not. (easy to find found out though) Clean auto check and carfax, all recalls completed, new clutch last year and new radiator and lines the other month with paperwork on those repairs and receipts for regular oil changes and lube.

After talking to the seller and asking about the compression test, he got on the phone and made an appointment Wed to get the compression check done. My brother in the Dallas area is going to meet up with him just for an inital first impression of the vehicle and if it looks as good in person as in the pics I have seen and depending on the compression #'s, I will make a down payment, for him to hold for me, until I can get there on the 12th and get a complete inspection and test drive done of my own.

Thanks for all the help and advice you guys.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I disagree about a broken wheel stud being an indicator of an accident. Especially if that is the only indicator. More likely someone just over-torqued a lug nut and snapped it, then hasn't replaced it. A hit to the wheel that would break a wheel stud would usually break quite a bit else in the suspension in wheel well as well.

Obviously if you find more damage, then yes, it would swing back to an accident, but a broken wheel stud by itself was just probably someone gorilla wrestling it past it's breaking point.

ArcticGuard

While that is possible, if you look at the listing again and pics of both front tires, you will notice that the plastic wheel well shrouds on both R/S and L/S are not aligned correctly or at least not flush like I would believe that they are meant to be. It could be just the camera angle that makes them look that way, except the L/S definitely has a piece that is hanging down or loose. Either way,, this car is on the back burner for now until I get the compression #'s back from the other one that I had found for sale with lower mileage.

gwilliams6

You are being very wise about how you are approaching that other 04. getting that compression test and having your bro check it out is the smart way to go before you get there. Good job !

ArcticGuard

Okay there just an update on the RX8 that I have my eye on.
Wed morning the owner took it in for the compression test, They found a spark plug that was bad on the front chamber and all gunked up. So rather than continuing the test he replaced all the plugs and told the owner to drive it like it was meant to be for the rest of the dayand to bring it back in Today for a retest. Here are the #'s from todays test

Rotor 1 7.39 7.18 7.28

Rotor 2 7.39 7.50 7.50

@ 250 rpm

What do you all think??

If I am reading the chart and explanation from the other thread correctly, then this engine should still have some life in it, and if I buy this one,, the coils are getting replaced immediately and driven like it is meant to be and hopefully that would burn out even more of the gunk and carbon from that failed plug.

Thanks for taking a look and for any advice!!

ArcticGuard

I had forgotten to add in my earlier post that I had called Mazda NA and they checked, nope the engine has not been replaced under warranty, and also that I had messed up reading the recall status on it and the recall concerning the PCM had not been completed. Sooo he is taking it in this weekend to get that taken care of as well. He is asking $5,500 for it, here are two pics that I have on this computer. Cosmetically it looks great for a 10 year old car.