Thinking about buying.
03-31-2018, 03:42 AM
#1
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Thinking about buying.
I am new to rotary engines and Mazda’s period really. There is a 2004 rx8 for sale with 130k miles on it. The current owners are mechanics themselves and say it runs perfectly fine and that the apex seals, spark plugs, leads, and coils are all good and that the compression is good and that I could take it somewhere myself to have it checked out if i wanted to for verification. other than the fact that the gas mileage isn’t great on them and that they need higher octane gas, if all looks good and sounds good and the test drive goes well would this be worth it for $4,000? they posted the bluebook that says it’s value is around $6,000. I like it and just want it to be reliable for me as long as I maintain it and take care of it.
03-31-2018, 07:21 AM
#3
TBH I think 4k for a 2004 with 130 MILES (not km as I'm from Canada) is little bit over priced.
(that's a lot of mileage on a rotary)
I call BS on the compression being ok and would get it checked for yourself.
Other than that ... it's a fun car but it is a demanding princess.
Hope it works out for you.
What color RX8?
edit --- Loki beat by a minute. What he said
(that's a lot of mileage on a rotary)
I call BS on the compression being ok and would get it checked for yourself.
Other than that ... it's a fun car but it is a demanding princess.
Hope it works out for you.
What color RX8?
edit --- Loki beat by a minute. What he said
Last edited by wcs; 04-01-2018 at 08:42 AM.
04-02-2018, 08:17 PM
#7
40th anniversary Edition
Read this completely first,
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/
and then get that rotary-specific compression test BEFORE buying or be ready to spend more than the car's asking price to rebuild or replace the engine. It may ultimately test with good compression, but we here can't even count the number of new buyers who felt their "bargain" RX8 was ok and ran fine and bought them, only to later realize their "bargain" was now going to soak them for thousands for an engine. Rotaries can still seem to run fine with a failing engine. If you are new to driving and owning them, you really don't know how the engine should feel and perform.
And be prepared and ask to see all service records (if they have them) and see what items below may need attention: All service work done at a Mazda dealership is computer searchable with the car's vin number at any Mazda dealer's service counter
RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.
__________________
Also there are recalls for RX8s. Plug in the car's vin here and see what recall work has been done, and what may still need to be done. All recall work is free at Mazda dealerships in North America.
https://www.mazdarecallinfo.com/Hile...0aAvyFEALw_wcB
This 2004 car would only be worth $4000 if the engine , all needed maintenance and other major components were in good shape. Don't just take their word for it, they want to sell the car. Stop, catch your breath and think first with your head here, not with your emotions. Cheers
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/
and then get that rotary-specific compression test BEFORE buying or be ready to spend more than the car's asking price to rebuild or replace the engine. It may ultimately test with good compression, but we here can't even count the number of new buyers who felt their "bargain" RX8 was ok and ran fine and bought them, only to later realize their "bargain" was now going to soak them for thousands for an engine. Rotaries can still seem to run fine with a failing engine. If you are new to driving and owning them, you really don't know how the engine should feel and perform.
And be prepared and ask to see all service records (if they have them) and see what items below may need attention: All service work done at a Mazda dealership is computer searchable with the car's vin number at any Mazda dealer's service counter
RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.
__________________
Also there are recalls for RX8s. Plug in the car's vin here and see what recall work has been done, and what may still need to be done. All recall work is free at Mazda dealerships in North America.
https://www.mazdarecallinfo.com/Hile...0aAvyFEALw_wcB
This 2004 car would only be worth $4000 if the engine , all needed maintenance and other major components were in good shape. Don't just take their word for it, they want to sell the car. Stop, catch your breath and think first with your head here, not with your emotions. Cheers
Last edited by gwilliams6; 04-02-2018 at 08:38 PM.
04-05-2018, 08:23 AM
#9
Registered
FWIW, it may be a little overpriced, based on my recent purchase. I got a '08 RX 8 40th AE with 68,000 miles on it for $5,500.00, but, I may have overpaid as well. The owner wanted $7,000 (after negotiating down from $7,800.00), and, in January 2018- based on all of the info I could find- it was a good deal at his expected sale price. My offer was literally every dollar saved (leaving nothing to register, inspect, plate & drive home!), yet, well below what he wanted. But, ego's aside, we were able to figure it out, and, address his needs, while allowing me to buy it from afar. I think he got market value, and, I did NOT vastly over pay, but- it probably reflects the current true value for a newer, lower mileage, well owned vehicle that's been garaged, never driven in snow, all services performed, all recall work done, bladdy, bladdy, bladdy. Heck, even the paint is fresh.
I'd rather buy a higher mileage car that was well owned, even if it had the motor replaced, and, enjoy it @ $4k, than buy a low mileage cream puff with diaper wax removal, undercarriage flosses and more StaBil than Super unleaded in the tank. But, I also have (4- teen to low 20's) kids, who will drive it (any time they want), dent it, ding it, over rev it, miss shifts, etc.... So, I CAN'T buy a cream puff for collector possibility. The disappointment of damage would bother me too much!
Yes, it's a demanding vehicle for service- whether it's 'pristine' or not. But, where else can you have so much fun for so few dollars? $4,000.00 is pretty modest when you have so much...I figure that engine replacement will be needed in a few years, so, low upfront cost was important to me. Deep, metallic flake grey, red leather interior, sunroof, spoiler, fancy aftermarket wheels-- it looks great! SOHN, Type 'C' coil packs, plugs n wires, Seafoam, a good detailing- it'll look about 1/2 as good as it drives- until, something happens... It's a 10 year car, and, a needy one at that. I expect to have issues, just, hopefully- not right away.
I'd rather buy a higher mileage car that was well owned, even if it had the motor replaced, and, enjoy it @ $4k, than buy a low mileage cream puff with diaper wax removal, undercarriage flosses and more StaBil than Super unleaded in the tank. But, I also have (4- teen to low 20's) kids, who will drive it (any time they want), dent it, ding it, over rev it, miss shifts, etc.... So, I CAN'T buy a cream puff for collector possibility. The disappointment of damage would bother me too much!
Yes, it's a demanding vehicle for service- whether it's 'pristine' or not. But, where else can you have so much fun for so few dollars? $4,000.00 is pretty modest when you have so much...I figure that engine replacement will be needed in a few years, so, low upfront cost was important to me. Deep, metallic flake grey, red leather interior, sunroof, spoiler, fancy aftermarket wheels-- it looks great! SOHN, Type 'C' coil packs, plugs n wires, Seafoam, a good detailing- it'll look about 1/2 as good as it drives- until, something happens... It's a 10 year car, and, a needy one at that. I expect to have issues, just, hopefully- not right away.
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