Gorgeous 04' RX-8 GT, Some concerns (Lots of info inside!)
 

I've been in love with RX-8's ever since i sat in the drivers seat of one in the dealership a few years ago, unfortunately i haven't had the funds or the opportunity to get one until now. I''m looking at an 04' with 82k miles and a beautiful exterior and interior. It starts on the first turn, drives like a charm and goes like hell. It even smells new; basically, i am in love. I'm not a mechanical genius or a performance driver but i really love cars and the RX-8 has been my dream for a while. This one is (unfortunately) an auto, but i'm not too terribly concerned with that as i usually get my speed kicks from my GSXR. Plus, i've managed to negotiate it down to $5200 which is about as cheap as i've ever seen an RX-8 in this condition go for (The used dealership really has no idea about this car). After reading the huge first timers thread about a million times I've become extremely timid about sealing the deal on this sucker due to fears of buying a lemon. I'm not opposed to making fixes myself (quite the contrary, i actually would love to learn and have many friends who could help teach me) but i don't want to get in over my head with repairs right off the starting line. I took the car to a mazda dealer with a list of questions that i gleaned from the first timers thread but i really don't know how to interpret what they said. They seemed mostly positive about the car, but what do I (Or they, haha) really know? So i humbly request that you guys take a quick glance over the papers that i got and see if anything jumps out at you as alarming. The results of the BARO Voltage test i don't think are below, but it scored a 3.98 with the engine off and a 2.10 with the engine on. I'm really anxious to see this beaut' in my driveway before someone else takes her home! If there's anything else i can provide that would be useful please ask! Thanks so much!

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First thing get a compression test done on the engine at a Mazda dealer. If the compression is low walk away.

Check out the pictures, they detail the results of the compression test i had done earlier today. I just don't know how to interpret it. The dealer said that it passed, but not spectacularly but i'm not sure if i trust that assessment.

My bad, I sorta just skimmed through. It depends on what RPM they did the check at. Check out this graph: https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...6&d=1266716801

You know i don't actually have a clue what RPM they did the test at. I'm surprised that it doesn't say in the sheet. I assume they did it at whatever the standard is? The techs seemed pretty shocked when i asked them to run the test.

They fear a free engine replacment lol. If repairs might be an issue especially the cost of them I'd stay away from the 04 and look for a newer year.

I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and ask what RPM the test was run at, that will be very revealing.

Yea they should be able to tell you, if not then go to a different dealer if your really serious about this car. Keep in mind you take a risk in a used car that doens't have a warrenty. There are lots of things that could go wrong but that doesn't mean they will. It looks like your car is on its second engine. I also don't see an updated starter on the warrenty. Does it start right up if the engine is warm. Or does it take a few seconds to turn over?

If you end of deciding you still want the car and are willing to do a lot of the work yourself then I suggest you get your OEM parts from onlinemazdaparts.com The local dealers will rip you off. The oil pan if not damaged probably just needs some new RTV. The coolant tank is easy to replace and a lot cheeper than what they quoted you.

I did ask if the starter had been replaced and it hasn't. The engine starts on the first turn warm or cold so i wasn't too concerned with that. If i've learned one thing from reading threads around here; never buy parts from a local dealer :P

You're off to a good start so far. Not many people these days actually research before buying something. Good luck.

The test was done at 224 and 219 RPM. I think i'm going to go down there and pick it up later today!!

I would suggest to go and test drive a manual as well and experience the difference.

It's a 6 speed...it's faster. :)