Witj 72k in my 08, I know the clock is ticking. I'm considering buying a used and having it rebuilt and then just holding onto it till I need it. Would also consider rebuilding myself, or re-assembling after any machine work. Or just buying a rebuilt. I want the car totally stock, I have no need or desire for it to be faster or more maintenance. My question is this. Is there a rebuilt engine dealer/retailer I should avoid?

Thanks.

 

Save the money and have it ready for when it does go. In the mean time, as long as compression is good continue giving it regular scheduled maintience and check the compression every 6 months or so to make sure it's still healthy. Then, when it does go you go to a reputable rebuilder.

 

Sounds reasonable. No idea what to expect cost wise. But I'm willing to bet it's less expensive that buying another fully loaded with leather and Bose RWD sports car. It's a now just a weekend car. Bought it at 36k. Drove it a lot. Now just weekends and date night. While there are plenty of faster cars with less predictable problems, the RX8 stands out in a crowd, and everyone that drives one will attest to it road hugging fun to driveness. I chose this over a MX5 and S2000 because I can't be comfortable in either. Head hits the roof of the MX5 and the Honda is simply way to small to be comfortable for more than 5m. Plus, I'm a guitarist and can haul around my amp and pedalboard in the trunk, several guitars in the back seat and the wife unit next to me.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. Love all the information on the forum, though it's a bit over whelming to be honest.

 

$6k ish, give or take. If you love the car it's worth it. Personally, I love mine. It's almost to the point in CO where I can break it out as DD or summer DD.

 

I was just in CO a couple weeks ago. Think I only saw 1 RX. Went to Colorado Springs then Dillion for a week.

 

Was it a loud as **** titanium grey in the Springs? If so, that was mine. It's being driven by my buddy/mechanic until he gets his DD back up and running.

 

Hmmm. Don't remember the color. Sorry. But wouldn't be surprised. CO Springs is nice. Stayed there one night then went to Dillion to work on daughters house she just bought. Also a nice area.

 

I've not been to Dillion. I don't know what car your in, but if you've got the 8 there's lots and lots of awesome canyon roads in CO, so take your time and bail through them. 36 is fun if a little crowded. 106 through Blackhawk to Estes is a lot of fun.

 

AVOID? dealer.
recommended? Kevin Landers @ rotary ressurection

 

Do you have compression test numbers? Get those before making any decisions.

 

If the car is in CO I can point you to my buddy who has my compression tester.

 

Not in CO. In Harrisburg PA. Never done a compression check. Car runs like new. Adult owned and driven "responsibly". Never abused, keep after the oil and all that. I suspect it'll be a few years before I have to worry about an engine. But, who knows. Could go at anytime. Thought I might have a back up engine ready to drop in when the day comes. But it might very well not be worth the expense and trouble to acquire
and store. There is a local perfomance shop I've had do a lot of work on my Dodge Cummings when I had it. They always had higher end sporty and muscle cars in there. I'm thinking they have a great reputation for quality work, might just go to them when the time comes. But I'm also not opposed to buying a rebuilt and putting it in myself

 

Not all engines are rebuilt equally. Wherever you get the work done, make sure they have rotary experience. You don't want them to make first-timer mistakes on your account.

I'd say it's not a bad idea to keep a spare engine, they shouldn't lose market value, so either you use it or you end up selling it near what you paid. Just make sure you can long-term store it adequately: dry, oil fogged and away from pests.

 

Are rebuilt engines ever ran and tested before shipped? How would they start is withought all the stuff connected to it?

 

For the most part no, not unless you are getting a full race build from someone like Darryl Drummond, then it will have been run in and tested on a dyno.

As for used engines, there is no way to verify compression properly without the engine installed and running.