debit_debit

Hey guys, now that I'm finally about to buy an rx-8, I thought I'd introduce myself and see if I could maybe get some last minute advice.

First of all, I did read the thread for new owners (but admittedly a lot of that stuff might have gone over my head). I do have emergency $ saved up, but really hope not to spend more than $1k/year on unexpected repairs. Scheduled maintenance is a different story of-course.


Here's the car that I plan to buy:

2006 Shinka, 6MT, 100k chassis / 1k reman. engine
$8300 negotiated private seller price

It drove well and felt great to me on the road. But cosmetics are not as great (just decent). Minor paint chips, some curb rash on rims, headlights / taillights look aged, carpet and seats are pretty dirty, tint has one small bubble in the corner. The front tires also need replacement soon, and the switches for the power seat fell off but still work with the nubs that once held the switches.

Overall, it's lost its new car feel probably some time ago. My reason for buying it would be the re-manufactured engine at < 1k and just how well the car felt on the road.


My questions are:

1) Am I paying too much? The price will not go lower.
2) Should I still get a compression test if I can verify the reman. engine is truly < 1k miles?
3) I didn't get a chance to test a cold start since the owner met me at a mutual location. Is that something really important?


Thanks in advance for the help! Hope to see y'all around if everything works out.

Stephen T

I will leave the answers to the more technically knowledgeable ones but kudos for having the brains to ask them. I prefer a car that's been loved but I'm sure you can improve it. I hope it all works out for you. Cheers.

Junkman 6394226

1) IF it works fine, other the what was posted above, then maybe, but that price is kinda high for that condition. Ask if the fuel pump has been replaced. That WILL be pooping out soon.
2) YES! Compression test anyways. Mazda reman engines are hit or miss - either you got a solid one, or it's gonna poop out on you early.
3) Cold starts are nowhere near as important as hot starts. I never had any issue cold starting, even with a bad starter and bad ignition. If it starts fine hot, then you're good.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

On the compression test, if you have some sort of documentation that the engine was just replaced, I'd skip the compression test. A reman with less than 1,000 miles on it is still wearing in, and will show a lower compression than you will expect to have in another few thousand miles.

Cold and hot start comparison is a quick method for "checking the compression", as they should start roughly the same. Same points apply as the above, but at least this one is easy to check.

debit_debit

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll look into the fuel pump.

I called the dealership today and confirmed the reman. engine. Also bought a carfax report to make sure there's no bad history with the car.

Yeah, the price doesn't sound like the best deal out there, but I think the piece of mind with the engine is worth a slight premium (maybe). As long as I'm not getting ripped off compared to the market.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if it makes it more valuable being a Shinka. Sounds like a lot to me, but I don't know.
If you like the car, and can afford it, then go for it.
It's worth whatever you're willing to pay for it.
I paid way more for my 04 GT, but it was in great shape with low miles, and I fell in love with it after I drove it.

debit_debit

So I wanted to close the deal today at our agreed upon price, but now the owner says no thanks. He's looking to get at least $9300 now. lol

Yesterday the price was good

So I guess the Shinka is worth a bit more to some people

Hector Castillo

iTrader: (6)

what!! with bad tires dirty interior faded tailights etc etc.... man get my advice you will find a wayyy better 8 for the same price or less prob with way less miles.... dont do it and if you do... dont paid more than 7500..
YOU HAVE THE MONEY... YOU MAKE THE RULES...

debit_debit

Yea, I know there are better deals out there. Buying a used car is pretty much 1/3 waiting, 1/3 scavenger hunt and 1/3 luck if you want a really good deal. (And my luck is pretty bad)

I am a little disappointed, because I've wanted an rx-8 for a few years now. And if I don't find one soon, I may need to move on another car instead. It'll be a fun car, but it might not have the personality of an 8

Anyway, I'm not paying $0.01 more than $8300 for that car, simply on principle that people should honor their deals. If he gets $9300, more power to him. I actually think he might have seen my post on here and decided he could get more lol

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hold your ground. Guy is probably just a d-bag that thought if you were willing to pay that much, he could squeeze you for a bit more.
I didn't think it was a good deal.
If you really wanted an 8, you should be able to find one. Don't settle for something you don't really want.
Here in KC, there were a couple at a dealer, so it shouldn't be too hard.
Good luck.

1STPLTRX-8

I feel i got ripped off buying mine bc i got a 2005 red rx8 shinka edition with 75k (give or take) for about $10,600 in january this year which i have a loan with usaa and they said it was about that much bc they use kelly blue books.....and it was my first car so i didnt know exactly how everything was suppose to work

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Did you get a compression test?
If your engine is ok, and the car is in good shape and been maintained properly, I don't think it's a bad deal.
You take care of it the way you should to protect your investment, then no worries.
Plus 8s are already pretty scarce, and yours is a limited edition, so look at it as a pride of ownership thing. Mustangs and other mass produced cars are everywhere.
Who else do you know has a Shinka?
Be proud!
You are in an exclusive group.
If it matters, I paid way more for my 04 LY GT, but it had 18k miles on it, in great shape.

battlehawk77

iTrader: (1)

cars.com and Autotrader both have 8s listed all of the time. There should be at least a few in your area, so, it doesn't hurt to shop around. That searching should also give you an idea of what they are going for in your area.
$8300 for that car sounds fair, but $9300 is too much, and I have a feeling the guy knows it. Sounds like he's trying to milk you for more money. Tell him he can take the $8300 you have handy right now or he can hope to find someone else to pay his inflated price. You'd be amazed how loudly cash talks.

I personally overpaid a bit for mine, but that feeling is very much outweighed by the feeling I get from driving it every day. It's an amazing car and it will give you a s***-eating grin every time you get in the driver's seat.

1STPLTRX-8

i didnt get anything done to it when i bought bc i was unaware of that i basically got it in whatever condition they sold it to me and fixed whaatever problems there were which quite a bit like the ac filter, differential fuel, transmission, oil, and now i gotta get new brakes but everything is good so far which made me fall in love with my car even more after i statred bringing her true potential out and idk who else has a shinka edition buh ill race anyone win or lose lol

debit_debit

The values on these cars seem to have a pretty wide range, depending on condition, so you probably got a fair deal on your Shinka. And like Cajun pointed out, these cars are getting limited, so prices are also going to swing regionally, depending on Supply / Demand. Hope you're enjoying that thing man!



Update:

So this week, I test drove a 2011 R3. Simply amazing! The suspension was so composed, and the turn-ins made it feel like I was taking slaloms on my sports bike (only without having to lean). 10 minutes in that car made it feel like it was already mine. lol Then it was time to get back to reality. The dealer was asking $21k with 28k miles. Not a bad asking price, but the car didn't feel like a 2 year old car to me. It had paint chips, worn seats, and scratches on some of the interior trim. The dealer also tried to high-ball me, asking $24k when they put it on the internet weeks ago for $21k.

In the end, they wouldn't budge on their asking price, even after telling me they had already scheduled to sell it at auction due to lack of interest. Maybe I was a fool, but $21k wasn't something I was ready to commit to. Shame to see the R3 go to auction..