So I've always been fascinated with these rx8 cars, always wanted one and now that I got rid of my 1992 slc vr6 corrado I can dip my feet into this new world.
There are a couple rx8 in Phoenix, Arizona and I've been texting back and fourth with a seller.
He says that the car runs "amazing" and that the car has "12xxxx miles" and 34k on the new engine.

Any advice guys?
Thanks!

 

1st, read this like ten times then read it again https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

2nd, there is no such thing as a "brand new" engine any more, the dealer will give you a remanufactured or rebuild engine (which are a 50/50 hit or miss)

3rd, we always, ALWAYS recommend getting a compression check before buying an rx8( you should have a total of 8 numbers (2) rpm speeds and (6) combustion chamber psi )

4th, welcome to the addiction

 

Thanks!
I've read that section 4 time already.
What should I look for (obviously is obvious)?
I'm going to look at the car today.
I do not want to end up hating this car so I would like to come prepared.
The owner said, we can go to the dealer to get the paperwork to prove that the engine was replaced.
Thanks.

 

Compression numbers.
Maintenance history.
Any accidents.

Test drive a few to get an idea of their handling. If one feels different than the others, find out why.

 

That's it?

 

Without retyping the New and Potential owners thread, the main things you want to be healthy are the motor, ignition coils and catalytic converter. If one of those fails, the other 2 often follow shortly. Sometimes an engine gets replaced, but the root cause -- the coils -- do not, which kills the new engine as well. So just make sure those 3 things have an acceptable history.

34k on the 'new' engine is a good sign though, if it lived to 34k, it got through common engine replacement mistakes.

Other than that.... sure there are odds and ends that can fail, like any used car, but they're usually simple fixes. Make sure only OEM or GL-4 transmission fluids were used. GL-5 eats synchros.

And don't buy an automatic

 

Do your research. That's it.

 

This is what I needed!
I feel way more confident meeting up with the current owner.

I'll report back asap, either way if the deal goes through and the car is what the seller is saying.

 

Don't buy that damn car without getting a ROTARY compression test!

 

When you go to the dealer for paperwork, might as well get the compression test done.

Test drive the car, check if it goes all the way up to red line
Then drive a few minutes on local roads in stop and go traffic, pull over, turn it off after a few
seconds start it again to rule out hot start issues..
There shouldn't be any as the engine has low mileage.

Get the maintenance history like advised above; find out how old are Coils, plugs, wires and CAT

Drive a few Rx8's to get familiarized with how they feel :-) I was lucky I was sold on my first test drive and bought the car. Owner was really honest and he kept the car in good order so it lasted me a long time :-)

All the best :-)