About to pull the plug on an rx-8, just a few more questions
 

First off, i've read nearly every thread here twice or three times regarding purchasing and just had a few extra questions before buying a 2004.

1) I am pretty sure the engine was flooded previously, it is a little rough starting up, taking about 10-15 seconds of cranking to start. This is a common problem from what I gather, and since its at a dealership its likely to have happened there. Is there anything I can do to check if it had to starter replaced by the dealership? The carfax doesn't show anything.

2) the oil pressure light popped up while I was on my test drive, and from what I gather if that happens on a rotary its already gone too far. Am I correct in thinking that or is there anyway I can possibly save the engine or should I not really worry about it?

3) engine mounts seem a little shaky at idle.

4) transmission feels a little...off. Shifting is fine and dandy, down shifting is a breeze, but there is some catch going from 4th to 3rd. Also, at idle with my foot off the cluch and the transmission in neutral it makes a horrid grinding sound....it doesnt drop the revs at all its just a little worrysome.


I am really skeptical about purchasing it, it has had 3 previous owners and god knows how they drove. What else should I be checking out for? or should I skip it and keep searching? I love the way it drives, its feels so smooth accelerating its pretty amazing, I am dead set on getting one now...whether its this one or another one.

1) Flooding means the car cannot start at all, not a hesitated start. That's most likely due to a bad starter, lack of a tune-up, bad battery, or the engine has low compression.

2) I would most likely stay away from it unless it's still under warranty and the dealership agrees to replace the engine (with documented proof) before purchasing the car.

3) Shaky can be also caused due to bad coils, plugs, and wires or an engine with uneven compression.

4) If you're talking about when the car is idling and not in gear, that's just the release bearing making a noise. It's a common problem and happens to all 8's.

Don't buy the car though, sounds to me like you're going to have a headache in the long run.

Don't buy that one. Find another one.

(fyi, if you're about to buy it, you're about to "pull the trigger". "Pull the plug" suggests the car's barely running or having tons of problems and you're about to "give up" or "let it die" by scrapping, selling or abandoning it.)

/\ yeah - thought this was going to be an 8 bashing thread ...