True, the UK has to be one of the cheapest places in Europe to buy a second hand car. An RX8 of the same spec and age of mine would have cost 2k more here in Spain, thats why i'm happy to put up with a RHD car in a LHD country!

Strange as new cars are usually much more than in Europe and certainly alot more than in the USA but I guess we have higher running costs with much higher fuel and insurance prices so the second hand market really reflects this. Also, the UK road tax system has been based on CO emmisions since 2006, that ment that you ended up paying the same road tax as V8 Range Rover! This also knocked the used values of the RX8 down even more.

I paid £2500 for my car, it had one owner, FULL Mazda service history, a full years MOT and there is nothing wrong with it, a bargain!

 

Wouldn't be my first choice but it looks like you're making good progress. Props for the turbo!

 

Thanks Azzuro..
will maybe opting for your mitsubishi type td04.. my new turbo, manifold etc (in pic) does'nt fit in..
got to make rwd sump, steering mounts, ordered a rad etc, just waiting for parts to come before anymore progress, throttle pedal to mod, clutch line, etc

 

Damn, I'm jealous man.

I wish I even had the skills to be able to just take my engine out LOL.

 

Not sad, that's cheaper than a new engine...you do the math.

Grtz Dennis.

 

Sad for the poor bastards who paid full retail for these cars just 6 - 8 years ago, not sad for those of use in the 2nd hand market!

I sold my 10 year old Audi (invoice $36,000 back in 2002) for $8,500 in 2012.
I've turned down offers of $9,000 - 10,000 on my 2005 Subaru Legacy GT that retailed for $31,900 in 2005.

For an RX8 that retailed in 2005 for $30,000+ to be worth less than 10% of that number just 7 - 8 years later with a full dealer service history is sad. Not for those of us in the second hand market, but for the original owners.

These things depreciate worse than Range Rovers.

 

It has a lot to do with local regulations(read: politicians who doesnt know science)

 

@McKennaR

No problem with a Saab, my 1989 Saab 900c did cost new Euro 8900,-; has nearly 100.000 mls; can sell it now for Euro 4.500,-......

 

Before I start: I love me some Saab. My first engine r&r was on a 1986 900 turbo and I've spent a good chunk of my life driving, wrenching and racing them. They're so damn thoughtfully designed and laid out. Thanks to them, the turbo engine we know and love has become mainstream.

I'm glad your 20+ year old Saab has a high resale in the Netherlands. The same model in the UK market (which is what I was referencing) sells for little more than scrap value in all but the most pristine of conditions. Same here in the US.

Different vehicles depreciate at different rates in different countries.

Anyways, OP, how goes the progress on getting this up & running? What did you use for an oil pan? or is the B204 not like the other Saab engines where the top of the FWD gearbox is the engine oil sump? What kind of EMS are you planning on using?

 

McKennaR

I need to make the sump rwd obviously, its seperate from the box..
I'm waiting on the radiator coming.. then redo crossmember, etc make mounts for rad, coolers, clutch line, water pipes, intake pipes, throttle pedal for cable, exhaust from turbo, will be using saab ecu, rest of loom will be original, abs etc to.. unless i come across any issues that pop up to make it not work.. usually i make up complete new looms for race cars etc..
so will post more info when i get the parts to progress..
so far so good..

 

T4XJS, check this out:
Retro Rides - Chevette redtop/turbo conversion

I'd contact that user to see if he can help out. Good luck.

 

Yeah thats Dave, he's aready on the case, i was gonna buy that set up from him but has'nt been tested yet so keeping it wet sump..

 

Ain't that the truth...

Look what the Blair Government did in UK..
Changed their road tax configuration, lowered CO2 thresholds, result + 400 b.pounds annually to RX-8's above 2006 (I think) and rendered them worthless.

I heard MMUK virtually gave away their remaining 80 R3 stocks, which killed RX-8 resale even more.

 

The rad turned up today, looks like it will do the job nicely...

 

Excellent radiator........!

 

Sump is made now, will hopefully get cracking on with it this week..

 

Rather heavy sump? Will cost 10th of acceleration seconds?
Good luck with progress of your project !

 

yeah, not to fussed on extra weight mate, strong... its only for a road car really, not sprint, race etc....

 

Well. If there was ever a thread to pull the really terrible members of this forum out of the wood word, this is it. Some of you should have been banned already for the nearly endless, completely uncalled for **** talking that is ONLY serving to bolster you post count and discourage the obviously extremely talented OP. Take on a project like this yourself first or STFU.

 

 

For the sake of completeness...

Awesome 1000 horsepower Chevy powered Ferrari 360 is awesome

 

This thread totally delivers over the stupid Isuzu one.

 

Sump in place, plenty clearance for crossmember, brackets to come off that to mount steering rack next..

 

Excellent!

 

Should get on with mounting steering etc this weekend now the parts have arrived..