Rob.Ellis

Hey guys, recently I have gotten word of an opportunity to trade my current car (1999 Audi A4) for a 2004 RX8 with 98k. The car looks perfect and everything is functioning fine but it has a blown motor. My Audi is worth $5000 and he is offering $1500 on top for a trade. Would it be worth it for me to make the deal and fix the car?

My local Mazda dealership quoted me $4100 all in, could I take it to somewhere else that works on Mazdas and get a better price?

Thanks Guys,
Robert Ellis
Sacramento, CA

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

To be completely honest, if you aren't REALLY familiar with what you are getting into OR aren't really hand with tools, it's not going to be worth it. Yes, you can get a better price than that, but you are almost sure to have a list of other stuff to deal with as well.

~$3,500 for a blown motor RX-8, manual transmission in otherwise perfect condition is about the max I'd consider as viable. But literally everything else has to be perfect: ignition, cat, transmission, brakes, tires, clutch, paint, etc...

You are easily looking at spending another $3,000ish minimum for the engine + labor as a minimum unless you can do the labor yourself. Assuming you do the work yourself you would be looking at around $1,500 for overhauling the ignition and cooling system and all the other small stuff that is typically worn out at that mileage. You would have to hope the $1,300 cat has some life left in it (likely not unless it was replaced near the end of it's warranty)

$4,500 ish for repairs on top of a $3,500 car is ~$8,000. Not a bad price, but not a great price either. Again, make sure you are ready to tackle everything.

WMBRACING

Make sure you have got backup cash to work with should all else fail to get the motor fixed. I would not make that trade personally. I own an 8, and would "like" to own a b5 A4.

It would be a trade in your favor (Sort of) if you knew a few rotary heads in your area to do work, not so much a shop.

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't suggest anyone to buy an used 8, unless you are familiar with rotary....period.

Turbo.

Agreed. I recently bought an '05 RX8 with 80k miles. I knew it'd need 4 new tires. But I wasn't expecting to have to buy a new cat, master cylinder, slave cylinder, plugs, wires, etc. I paid $7800 for the car and I put a quickkkk $1000 into it so far. And I know nothing about rotary. So I've been reading these forums like crazy and preparing myself. I wouldn't do it if I were you.

DMaverickRX8

iTrader: (1)

Have to agree with the above. Before I got my 8 I had a duramax diesel 1 ton for work. Granted it was in rough shape from working but I traded it for my 8. The 8 is high maintenance IMO for a car. I've had mine a year, And put 26k miles on it. In that short time I have spent about $1400 in miscellaneous repairs, not including oil changes, routine maintenance or fuel/insurance. The 8 is a badass car don't get me wrong but I wish I would have researched more before I got it. Now that the value of these is dropping like flies I'm pretty much stuck with it so I'm making the best of it.

monchie

It's a bit different than any other car out there. Do your homework before you get one...period.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

It seems a lot of these cars are problematic.
People tend to post negative experiences far more than when things are going well. I'm reasonably sure not all 8s are bad cars.
After all, there are 95k members here alone and it would appear from the satisfaction poll and many other threads that most love there 8s.
I've had mine for a year and I love it. I had 18.5k when I bought it and had a bad cat and misfires shortly thereafter. I replaced the ignition parts and got a midpipe and it runs great now. I don't know how long it will last, but I do know it's been a great experience for the most part and I don't regret buying it.
It would be a shame to rule out 8s because of their temperamental reputation.
Do your homework and try to make an educated decision.
I wanted to offer a positive counterpoint to the naysayers.
There is a reason many of us consider ourselves enthusiasts. I'm very happy I have an interesting and exciting car, and not a boring, mundane, lookalike DD.
Good luck!