There's an RX8 R3 that I'm eyeing with less than 45,000 km on it, but it's in a different city. I was talking with the seller trying to see if we can meet in a location between us for a compression test and prepurchase inspection at a dealership. We were talking for a bit, but the main obstacles for both of us are driving out, arranging a ride back/car transport back, and the time spent doing so if I don't decide to buy the same day.

I told him I'm more than willing to buy on the spot as long as it passes the tests and nothing majorly wrong is discovered with the vehicle, but I think he might be worried something might arise and the deal is called off. I would be travelling quite a distance as well as spending money to test the car out so I also have something on the line. I'm still kind of thinking about how we could get this done but also maybe considering just test driving it and buying without the dealer involved, but that could be risky.

There may be one more year of engine warranty remaining, but it will depend on how well he kept his records. I don't know. Is it too risky to buy without having a dealer inspection?

 

Always compression test an RX-8 before purchase. Ask the owner to do it at a dealership/rotary shop and tell him to have the mechanics take photos of the compression tester, so you know it's legit.

You are buying a car, one that needs quite a bit of knowledge and care, no less. Don't just "get it over with." We are talking about $10k+ here.

 

Yeah thanks, that's what I figured. It sounds like the seller isn't keen on driving out a few hours and arranging someone to drive him back home if I don't commit to buy the car, but it's hard to say whether I want to buy it unless it passes the compression test and pre-purchase inspection.

I can understand where he's coming from as it's a long drive to the dealership and to arrange for a ride back. I guess I could offer him a ride back, but I don't know if I want to drive a stranger two hours somewhere. Maybe it's just not meant to be. Oh well maybe I can work something out somehow. I think he might be thinking he can sell it locally with less hassle. I'm just worried that even if it passes the compression test that something might come up during the PPI. I wonder if he would be willing to drop the price as compensation if something is discovered.

 

When I did mine, i offered to pay the owner at $50/hour for his time, I got them to book it in first thing , it was done in 1 hour, also got them to do a service oil and plugs while there, he ended up not accepting the good will payment.

 

IMO, the value of an '8 without a compression test is the same as an '8 without an engine.

 

At the minimum test drive it, start cold, start hot and just be prepared if something does go wrong.

A compression test will at least put you at ease...

 

So is there no Mazda dealership around the seller?

It's very hard to get anywhere with selling an RX-8 without compression test numbers to anyone that has at least some idea of what they are buying.

Another thing that might help is asking some rotary-specific questions to the owner to see if they have any idea of what they are doing. A good trick question is "How hard do you drive it?" These cars are meant to be revved up(once fully warmed up, of course) and spend some good time at high RPM.

 

Comp test is good to have if possible. But for S2 models, I am not too worried. As long as you had a thorough drive with it. Maintenance records is important. How the seller treats the 8 will reveal much.

 

The guy said he revs it up to 9000 rpm once per drive, but he does his own oil changes or goes to Jiffy Lube. I was a little alarmed with the Jiffy Lube comment, but I think Mazda can't dishonor engine warranty just because someone took their car to a lube shop, can they? I read that the R3 uses special oil filters so I don't know what was used. The closest Mazda dealer is about 2-3 hours away from either of us. The Mazda dealer said there was one more year of engine warranty on the car, but it would be dependent on how well records of maintenance were kept and how well the car was serviced.

The seller says the car is mint and showed me some photos of minor defects (chips and one tiny dent) so I think he's on the up and up, but I've had people tell me cars are mint before which end up looking pretty crappy so I think each person's idea of "mint" is pretty variable! Photos can only show much. I did find a mobile compression testing service guy so I'll see if he does full car inspections too maybe. Thanks for the help. I think I've been reading reading reading so much here I wish I had one.

 

Yes, any S2 RX-8 should only use the OEM filters, nothing else. The OEM one has a much higher bypass rate than all the aftermarket options.

Remember, you need a rotary specific compression tester. Not sure if any person/shop with a tester provide mobile service.

 

Decisions decisions... there's also a nice looking series I with a rebuilt engine I'm considering. New clutch, high flow cat, and is about half the price of an R3. Is there a huge performance difference between the generations? I like a sporty car, but my butt tells me those Recaros are not going to be comfortable over longer drives. With the R3 tri-coat paint too I hear it's expensive to repair. Which car would you lean towards? The cheaper one to save some money for future repair or the newer one with possible less repairs needed? I really love the series II look of the front end and ground effects.

 

What kind of cat? Rotaries dump out tons of heat and can melt a lot of the cheaper cats. One of the few high flow cats that can survive the rotary heat is the HJS Tuning cat rated for 350HP.

S2 have more oil injectors, higher oil pressure, and some other reliability improvements, with a slightly different gearing that has shorter lower gears(improves off-the-line performance) and taller higher gears(improves highway fuel economy).

Tri-coat paint is pretty expensive to repair if you mess up. Don't ask me how I know this.

Personally, I'd pick the S2.

 

I'd get the S2 as well. I wouldn't do a compression test if the mileage is really low. But at 45,000kms, it's good if you could. If you can't, like someone said before, drive it hard, then stop and start it back up. See how fast it starts. Then, stop it again and start it back up after 30 mins. See if it's slower. That should eliminate your compression woes. I got an S2 and I didn't do a compression test. I couldn't, actually. Luckily, it turned out to be ok.

 

Not sure about the cat. Here's a link to it if you're curious.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ationFlag=true

Seller took the engine out himself and had RX7 Specialties rebuild it with seals and rotor housing. He put it back in a year later due to being busy so the one year engine warranty is up. He must know what he's doing if he can R&R an engine I think? I haven't checked it out yet. What happened with your tri-coat repair? Was it insanely pricey to fix?

How much does it cost exactly to have a motor rebuilt? I'm leaning more to a series II, but I'm not certain how I'd like the Recaros long term. I usually carry my wallet in my back pocket, and after test driving a 2004 RX8 that the dealer installed Rexaros in my wallet got in the way. I'm not a big guy by any means either. Just average. Maybe the series II GT with the leather seats might be better. What do you guys think of this one:

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ationFlag=true

It's had some front end damage repaired. I'm guessing fender replacement from a fender bender? It seems like people crash these at low kilometres. The other R3 had some non-collision damage too. I think though they should have repaired it wiell since they were new cars so I doubt they did a hack job on them? The air intake is a little weird though...

 

This is absolutely terrible advice. Always get a compression test. It is the only way to truly know the health of the engine.

 

Yeah, always get a compression test. But if he can't get a compression test, that is the next best thing.

 

RX7 Specialities, despite their name, seems to be a pretty good business that works on lots of rotaries. I haven't really dealt with them other than buying a case of Idemitsu Premix from them(seeing that no shops in BC have it).

As for the tri-coat paint, I basically scraped my rear bumper very badly as I messed up backing up once. It turned into a very expensive job due to the paint.

The one you showed doesn't look too bad. Personally, I prefer something a bit evem more vanilla(modded ignition and cat/mid-pipe is fine, though), but the one you showed is still fairly clean.

My RX-8 had no damage on the CarProof report but did have some shoddy repair work revealed once I took my RX-8 in to get my rear bumper fixed. My guess is that the previous owner backed into a wall. It wasn't anything serious, either. Just keep that in mind, sometimes you just never know.

 

I also have blue r3 and i am trying to sell it.
Planning to do compression test before i sell it but Its difficult to find a right person to do compression test since i live in st louis.

That being said any legitimate seller would do compression test before they decide to sell his or her car. Do it first for peace of mind!!

 

It looks like there are two Mazda dealers in St. Louis. They don't have a tester? Too bad you're not in Western Canada! Do you have any photos of it? I've only seen black or white R3's up here. How's the Recaros like over longer drives? I saw a video where they basically said the backs were a thinly padded steel plate. I'm definitely going to get a compression test before buying anything. It's just too risky as I hear some drive fine even on borderline compression so it's hard to tell.

UnknownJinX have you considered installing a back up camera? The second one I posted had one installed and integrated with the Kenwood head unit with the camera mounted just above the license plate I think. Looked like a handy set up. That one sold pretty quickly. I really liked the chrome wheels on it. It also came with a huge sub in the trunk.

 

I bought my 8 with no compression numbers. IMO a test sheet isn't the only way to buy a rotary. Besides, a week later it could blow anyway

 

Yes haha my car is listed for sale on this website u can check it out! Haha

 

Nice... I saw your ad. That blue is an awesome colour. I'd get that colour in a heartbeat. All they sell here are black or white ones. I already have a black car, and it shows dings and scratches like there is no tomorrow. The white is alright and hides most dings, but it's a little bland.

 

One other question - how accurate are compression tests? I'm just wondering if premixing with a 1:128 mixture might artificially boost a failing engine?

 

Yes - if it is still under warranty.
Yes - if the price is right.
The S2s have proven to be much more reliable. see here:

Mazda RX-8 Reliability - Dashboard Light

 

No but putting oil right into the housing prior to testing will