JeffZZZ

Hi guys!

I am new here. I found an cheap 8 in Montreal and have an inspection institute to check it for me.
I got many feedback that I would like to share and could someone check it for me and see if it worth the money?

Details here:

Vehicle Ad: 2007 Mazda RX-8 4dr Cpe Manual GS - Montréal $7,995 | autoTRADER.ca

Inspection report is attached.

Photos:
Video:
The salesman offer me $6600 Canadian Dollars tax incl. and $420 for 3-year warranty.

What do you guys think?

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loki

iTrader: (1)

You don't need an inspection to tell you the car is ok for the age. You need a rotary compression test to tell you if the engine is healthy. If it's not, you're looking at engine replacement. So. Get that done.

The report says it was hard to start which is a sign of possible engine failure.

How comfortable are you with the idea of owning a rotary?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Do not pay extra for a warranty unless it's a bumper to bumper or specifies rotary engines.
READ IT.
Many times they will have specific parts covered which rotaries don't have, timing chains/belts and head gaskets for instance.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Run away as fast as you can.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

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

JeffZZZ

Thank you Loki!

I do know the compression test is very important. However I could not find anyone who has the tester for rotary engine so maybe I have to make a bet?

I just want to buy a manual RWD car to learn drift. I have a really tight budget.

I did a lot of research and found that RX-8 has great handling and LSD as standard.

Even if I buy an 8, the cost of maintenance concerns me a lot.

Any suggestions about other cars?

Loki

iTrader: (1)

It may just need ignition coils. But that rough start is definitely cause for expensive concerns.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Yeah so if you take this gamble, and the engine has previous owner problems, you're not going to be drifting very far. It's a great car, just find one with a fresh engine.

Mazda dealer can perform the compression test. Isn't Gabriel Mazda like 2 streets from that shop?

Actual maintenance is not that expensive at all, it's cheaper than some piston cars, as long as you're starting with a good condition engine and know what you're doing.

JeffZZZ

Any reasons you said not to buy?

JeffZZZ

Oh really? I live in Ottawa so know nothing in Montreal. Will the dealership test it for me for free or they charge?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

They charge.
Maybe you can ask the seller to pay for a test and include the cost in the price if it passes, but with the understanding you won't buy it if it fails.

wannawankel

Write a bill of sale up with the stipulations: the testing paid for by buyer, after a test drive of > 40 km at idle (restart it after hot), and a successful compression test results (state min data that you expect corrected to the appropriate sea level correction).

Loki

iTrader: (1)

If they're motivated to sell they'll spend the $150 or so to get the comp test done. If they don't want to fo that, refer to previous owner problems statement above.

UnknownJinX

Looks good, but yeah, needs a rotary compression check.

Don't take bets on this car, or any car that you intend to use more than a beater.

If you are on a budget, remember that 8 is pretty thirsty. If you rev its heart out often and drive mostly in city, don't expect more than 15 MPG.

Remember:

MX-5
Is
Always
The
Answer

An NB shouldn't cost you too much.

JeffZZZ

Thank you guys for your patient suggestions.

The salesman offers me $6995 tax and warranty incl.

He said the warranty covers the engine but he do not really want to do the compression test. He also said it is hard to start because it has a kill switch.

Just want to ask is it possible to get 3-year warranty for such a old and fragile car? And what is a kill switch?

I am an international student so I do not know the credit of car shops here. The salesman wanted to a quick sale for sure which concerns me a little.

Also, I know this is an RX-8 forum but I found that some 200k kms infiniti G35 have same price as this RX-8, do you guys think that's a better chioce for tight budget?

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

yyz

Do not buy that car.

JeffZZZ

Everyone said that lol.

Is it really that bad?

JeffZZZ

Any other suggestions for a RWD car? hope it be more practical, 4 seats is a must.

yyz

G35 or G37.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Depending on what he means by Killswitch, it's either the factory antitheft immobilizer or some other thing he should explain. Obviously it doesn't make the car start poorly, it will prevent it from starting altogether.

The car might be fine, it might just need spark plugs and ignition coils. It could also have a failed engine. No way to know without a compression test, so if he wants to sell it, he should get one done. It's only like $150 and he has a Mazda dealer not too far. As for you, without this information you don't know if you're buying $500 problems or $5000 problems. So, if he doesn't want to work with you, walk away.

Get a BRZ/GT86, there should be some used ones in your budget now.

JeffZZZ

Yea man the salesman seems not very believable. He said the engine don"t break because they are very strong, which is completely wrong.

In addition about the warranty, is there any possibility that he lie to me about it? Any methods I can verify?

Thank you Loki.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Read exactly what is covered in the warranty document. They're very specific and will list things like cam, cam gears, valves, pistons, crankshaft, oil pump, timing belt, timing chain. Most of those don't exist in this car. If they don't specifically list rotary engines, I would assume it's not covered.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

If he won't work with you on the compression test, forget it.
He either knows it's bad, or he'd rather save the $150 and try to sell it to someone else who has no clue about rotary engines.
He's probably going to make money on the warranty also, maybe he even knows it's not worth anything regarding a rotary.
It's too risky, there are too many other options available for you.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I like to refer new members thinking about buying an RX8 to this thread.
He was a young man who did his research, took advice from members here, was patient, and had a happy ending.
If you have time, I think it's worth a read.


https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...ve-rx8-259334/

UnknownJinX

I was going to say BRZ/GT86/FR-S, but they are a bit pricier than RX-8 when I was doing car shopping, and their back seats are "just kinda there"; expect anyone that's not a young child to complain.

If OP must have a warranty, make sure any verbal agreement also gets reflected on paper, with both the salesman and buyer signing the agreement. That applies to a lot of stuff outside of car buying.

OP should really just shop around. RX-8s are not common, but there should still be a few around the area, especially S1s. I personally looked at a few S1s before deciding on the S2 I drive now.