DevinsRx8

2004 mazda rx8


Could I have someones opinion about this RX8? Im currently deciding whether or not to buy it. Its an 04 RX8 with 50,000 miles. It supposedly has 18k upgrades but nothing major to the engine like a turbo. Its worth $12,000 but kbb states it is $7-8k, the interior back seats were stripped, supposedly for "Show". Just wondering if I should buy this car for about $10,000? And if I should trust the owner that he took care of it. Thank you. The link I provided has pictures and more details on upgrades.

kevinande

This is not the correct place for the post, but a mod can come in and move it if they want to. As far as the question goes, I personally would never pay more than book value for any car, this car especially. Ask yourself what is more important looks or being able to actually use the car when you want/need to. This purchase is no different than any other, compression test is a must, do not "trust" the seller. Get a pre-purchase inspection as well. What may sound like alot of money now is nothing, when you return in a few weeks and we tell you that your engine is toast. If it passes mechanical muster then you have to decide if all that crap he's got on the car is worth double than the cars value. If you think it is then buy it. If not there are lots of other cars out there. Sorry I can't get past that rancid wing!

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

Ramart

Neither "trust" nor "supposedly" should factor into a $10k decision; there should be a paper trail documenting the upgrades and more recent maintenance. You say the car's worth $12k; that figure is merely the seller's asking price. From his description it'd seem a good number of the 50k miles were on the track or otherwise clocked during high-mechanical-stress driving. Does that concern you? How much to restore the back seat (if that's something you'd want)? At least get a Mazda compression test on your own before making an offer.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

No amount of "trust" will enable you or the owner to know what the compression scores are of the engine without a compression test. If the owner doesn't know what he is selling, how can you trust him?

I'm not saying that he is lying to you, but until you have the compression test done, neither of you knows the key factor of the car in question, and anything you do is based on an assumption that could EASILY be wrong.

DevinsRx8

Thank you for your input guys. I agree I will definitely get some tests done at the dealership before I buy the car. I don't know much about the RX8's so I was wondering what would be a reasonable price for a specific one like this but after reading the comments I think I will offer him only book value considering the fact that he should of known that he wouldn't be getting his money back by installing all of those add-ons. By the way I would definitely be taking the wing off if I bought this car! haha he paid almost $1,000 for it too.. bad taste. As for the back seats being stripped, he says he still has all of the original parts and is able to reinstall them back if I wanted them to be. This will be my first RX8 so if you guys have any other opinions about me even buying one let me know.
Thanks for your time guys.

monchie

Who owns that? Anyone here? Just curious...

DevinsRx8

No I don't believe anyone owns this RX8 here. Im new to the forums.

DevinsRx8

Does anyone else have any opinions on this car?

Razz1

Give us a link or more information on the car.

What are the modifications?

DevinsRx8

Hey Razz if you scroll up to my original post and click the link that says 2004 mazda rx8 it should take you to the car and have a list of the modifications.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Why would it have a TB spacer unless your Nitrous'd or using Meth?

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

It wont pass inspection, IMO I don't buy built car's. You never know what kind of problems your investing into and I have yet to find anyone as meticulous as myself.

DevinsRx8

So you think it was built and misused? He tells me it was strictly a show car but I don't know, are there ways to figure out if it wasn't? thank you for the input.

DevinsRx8

Could you go into more detail about the TB spacer, I don't have much knowledge on using nitrous or meth. Thank you.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

1% of built cars fall into show car quality, .1% of 8's fall into that category. Most of the ones out there are built by people who have to much money, yet can't do a good job. Just because he invested all that money into it doesn't mean he did it right, in the end its up to you to decide and investigate. As a rule of thumb I always buy stock cars, and build myself. That way I know what is done and how it was done.

All in all compression numbers are a must, also this car Will NOT pass a state inspection. The rest is up to you, if you think it was done right and/or are happy with how the owner built it and to what quality standard you will hold it to

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

tb spacers on se cars(not 8s) can gain some hp(again not on an 8). they are mainly sued on our cars to add a n02 or water/meth nozzle. i use athe bhr spacer for n02

DevinsRx8

Thanks for the clarification!

Hmm, yeah I will definitely ask a mechanic to look over it and get compression numbers. Thats even if I like the car and inspect it myself and with a friend who knows more about cars. But yeah buying a stock car and building it up yourself would be fun but also it'd cost much more money. As for the state inspection why do you think it will not pass?
Thanks again for the reply.

The owner said they are there to improve the response of tb..

DevinsRx8

Bump

Felix_Wankel_fan88

i just picked up a stock 04 w/ 74k miles on it for like 7000.

not sure about the cost of living in IL, but with 5 grand you could build it up the way you want it (the 5,000 would be the money you saved buying a stock RX versus one all modded out)

mrl84

If you live in Chicago or one of the collar counties it wont pass the emissions test as it has a "agency power full exhaust" ie it has no catalytic converter, this is why it wont pass. also i wouldnt feel safe using those seat belts, they look like they are mounted to the seat backs....one more thing the front bumper at least isnt authentic Mazdaspeed. its missing the crash bar cover and the bottom lip isnt gun metal color...same for the side skirts, hard to tell on the rear but if the others arent it isnt likely to be either. (approximate numbers but $500 body kit verses the authentic $2800 kit)

mrl84

heres a stock one similar miles for 8500 asking
2005 Mazda RX8 - OBO

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I know a lot of the rotary enthusiasts in the Chicago area. I don't know this car. I may be able to meet with you sometime to go over it with you. Schiller Park isn't that far for me. Have you seen the car yet or just talked to the owner on the phone?
Reply here and PM me.

jayrerickson

I think your better off buying a stock one and mod it yourself.

IMO, 18k in upgrades is BS. If I had 18k in mods, my car would look better and be a hell of a lot faster.

You have red flags all over telling you this guy is out for money and will leave you with problems.

With the mods on cars, you get around 10% back from your upgrades. 10% of so called 18k = 1800 on top of the price of the car.

I would pay maybe 8-10k with all paper work and comp test results with a full tank of gas .

In the end I still wouldn't buy it. I hate buying hand me down projects.