This 2004 rx8, is it a good buy?
 

What's up guys? I'm looking into getting an rx8. I've been researching a lot for the past week or so, and I think its the car for me. So, I've been on the search for deals.

Then this one in particular looks to be the best so far...

*Tires 80% tread
*new engine ( I have several oil filters and bottles of mobile 1 oil. The filters are geniune adkins rotary filters )
*tinted windows at overdrive audio in orangepark FL ( have lifetime warranty )
*upgraded ceramic brakes and drilled/slotted rotors
*painted calipers red
*4 channel amp with rockford fosgate speakers front and back
*upgraded all interior lights to led and added puddle light to mirrors.
*Greddy stainless catback exhaust with titanium dip tips
*new cats and o2 sensors ( under warranty )
*weapon R, secret weapon ram intake
*bluetooth obd interface for custom outlook via torq app on android phone ( will throw in if you have an android phone )
*full size spare tire and rim ( this car doesnt come stock with a spare or have a compartment for one, I bought this one from a friend to have a spare )
*optima yellow top 1475 cranking amp dry cell rv battery.
*59XXX miles on the car, 12000 on the new engine.
*2004 Mazda rx-8, Cobalt blue


This is basically what he sent me, and told me over the phone. I'm meeting him on Saturday mourning for a test drive and a look at the car. He wants 10,000 for it. What do you fellas say? BTW, I've looked everywhere for the past 4 weeks and this one is the best deal so far, or so it looks like. I'll get a history report on it as well.

You should ask him what his screen name is on the forum, and check his post history to see what all has happened to his car.

I can't really see a non-forum member car having all those mods you listed.

BC.

auto or manual?
Atkins makes good rebuild kits, but "genuine atkins filters means pretty much nothing"
ceramic brakes aren't necessarily and upgrade
Weapon R intake is usually considered a downgrade.
full size spare? not really a key thing. it will take up the whole trunk.
Cobalt Blue is not a factory color. Looks like Winning Blue.
Does he have repair/maintenance history?
Does it have the latest ecu flash?
Does it have the updated starter?

10k is a premium price for an 04 imho. it better be well documented, maintained, and clean as a whistle for that price. :dunno:

It sounds like the owner is acting like he knows what he's talking about, but really doesn't know much at all.

Weapon R intake is either a hate/love thing, and he knows a decent amount just not a whole lot. 10k is actually really good price for the miles it has on it. I've got to ask him about the ecu flash and the updated starter. Don't you get those from a mazda dealership?

Yes, you get those from a dealer.

I haven't seen much love for any intake outside of the Racing Beat, Mazdaspeed/AEM and the stock one. :dunno:

Where are you located? I'm sure you can find a better deal than that. Look through the FS section here.

Jacksonville, Florida. I've looked everywhere, including the FS section but to no avail. The closest thing I've seen is an 04 with 80000 miles on it for $9000. I'd rather get the newer one.

I'd say if he has paper work of all the major stuff, like the new engine, it isn't a bad deal. There are 04s selling at dealers and such for 14-15k and people are buying them...

10k seems like a pretty good deal if he can back up all the claims.

Hard to tell from the pics but maybe it is the other blue (forget the name) and he just didn't know what it was. It looks like the darker blue to me, not the winning blue.

This is what I was thinking as well. I've been looking for awhile now and this is the first one that I've actually considered because of the price and low miles.

You're correct however, he needs to back up all the claims with some type of proof.

Thanks for the input!

Keep in mind that the engine may be new, but the warranty on a new engine is only for 12,000 miles...In other words...The warranty on the new engine is done son!

However, don't let that bother you just yet...Have a compression test done...If all is good, just start saving up for a new engine...Not that you'll need one soon, but it's always best to have enough money to buy a new engine in case.

Btw...It's "winning blue"...Also...the windows don't look tinted.

Those pictures are older according to him.

I'm checking out the car tomorrow afternoon to see if everything is as it should be.

What is the compression test?

The compression test will tell you if the engine is healthy and generating proper compression.Each engine rotor combustion chamber (rotor housing) is tested. In other words, if either rotor housing (you have two) tests below the nominal numbers, then the engine is on its way out. Don't buy it. Never ever buy any used car without a engine compression test, especially a used rotary.

The price seems firm to me. Like what others already said, get a compression test first before you sign the dotted line. Good luck.

Well if it has a clean carfax and the engine still has good compression and if that is a Grand Touring model, I would say that's an okay price.

Keep in mind,
there are other things that go wrong on 04's not just the engine.
Transmissions, clutch, steering rack, etc.

When I got my 2004 a few years ago,
I thought I got a good deal on it because when I had an engine compression test done and it was near perfect, but I had to replace several things such as the clutch, wheel bearings, springs, shocks, 3 rims had an excessive amount of curb rash so I had to replace them, brakes + ignition parts (basic maintenance) sunroof motor, etc.

LifeafterRX8 makes a good point. You are buying the oldest RX8 model year and there have been many updates and improvements made since to the RX8. Many RX8 club members have done fine with their 2004s and many others have had to fix and replace many things, just from age of the car.



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