Hey guys,

I'm looking at popping my RX8 cherry and I wanna know what to look for and what to avoid while I'm on the search for my first one! From what I understand, '04 models with the original are high risk for the engines blowing up, and the reman engines post 2006 are significantly more reliable. I this true? Also, apparently the '05 models are much better designed than the '04 models. I appreciate the advice!!

 

It's never a bad idea to ask what kind of oil and oil filters they've been using.

And yes, every year was improved more and more.

 

Get a compression test before purchase. The engine with the lowest compression scores is at the greatest risk of blowing up. This might be a 2011, it might be a 2004. You could be looking at a 2004 with a brand new engine and no one realizes it, or you could be looking at an immaculate 2008 with an overheated and trashed engine.

Compression test. Always.

Literally every other possible concern between the years becomes irrelevant if the engine is already dead, or if you confirm that it has a fantastic engine. There isn't enough variant to matter.

 

aside from verifying the compression of the engine, make sure that you get under the car, open all the doors, trunk, hood to check for any accidents damage to chassis and any major rust problems as well.