Here's the deal. Local Mazda has an 04' with only 5,400 miles. It's a fully loaded GT package, looks to be in perfect condition inside and out. Dealer has told me that the car was indeed bought back from Mazda within the first 1,000 miles. Then second owner traded it in. Should I walk away?

 

Unless they give you an incredible deal I would walk. If you do a carfax it should show up as having a salvage title and that makes a car really tough to get rid of and kills its value. I'd also be a little skeptical about it having so few miles.

 

should be no diff than buying any used 8. There was no real issue associated with the buy backs, just a preception issue.

 

Anyway to tell if engine was replaced?

 

have any mazda dealer give you a printout of the warraty history. That will show you ALL work performed under warranty on the car and the dates/miles at the time of the service.

Also get a car fax to see if anything happened to the car. Last I would check for paint work/signs of repair.

 

also, make sure its a good deal, cause the resale value (at least in my market) has dropped about 2k since I bought mine. Resale for a 05 RX8 with 25k miles (touring kit) was 24,500 (30,500 sticker) and now it shows the same car is 22,500.

 

It's strange that the 2nd owner traded it in after 4400 miles--how long did he have it?

Maybe it's one of those abnormally low MPG cars?

 

I bought a buyback. 2005 Ti Gray touring with 9700 miles. It had a "complete engine assembly replacement" and all other warranty issues handled. Added 12 mo/12k miles to the warranty. Carfax basically said it was clean, but if you read thru the dates and who owned, can tell it was bought back. Official reason stated by dealer and paperwork was that it was bought back under the lemon law for "in excess of 30 days in shop for stalls upon accel"

I know it's somewhat of a risk, but 17,500$ for a 2005 Touring w/ under 10k miles and full warranty sounded like a risk I could take.
Only have put about 500 miles on it, but no complaints related to the engine. One rainy morn, she coughed on startup, and had to restart it - but nothing other than that.

I won't give you a strong yes or no on what you should do. I guess everyone that takes the chance will find out in the long run. Like another poster said - just make sure you get a good deal and find a dealer you trust.

I would like comments posted back to me as well... Am I a sucker?

 

dbright007, if you put on 20K miles on it with no complaints, I think you can claim complete and utter triumph!

 

he hasnt put anywhere close to that many...



I would make sure you find out exactly when nad why the 2nd owner traded it back in.

REMEMBER THERE ARE ROUGHLY 1 MILLION USED CARS OUT THERE THAT WENT THROUGH HURRICANE KATRINA.

 

Since this thread was brought back to life -

1500 miles on it an no engine issues. We have a very cool Mazda dealer who checks on our website. He pulled my whole vin history - engine replacement and cat converter replacement - nothing else.
Appears car has always been in Tenn or GA.

Same silly rattles seems every one else has.

 

They wanted 22K, so I walked away.

 

Yea, that's too much IMO. A lot too much. You can get a new 06 for about $25 k. Maybe less.

No way an 04 is worth over 20k.