Long time Mazda fan wants to make the jump from Mx3 to Rx8! Dream or nightmare???
08-28-2010, 02:47 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Long time Mazda fan wants to make the jump from Mx3 to Rx8! Dream or nightmare???
So, way back in '99, I came across a '93 Mx-3 GS Special Edition (V6, leather and all that good stuff) and immediately loved the looks of it. I was worried about buying it since it had 127,000 miles on it, but once I took it for a test drive I was hooked. The way that car handles around corners and curves is insane-- it's like a go cart, only with space for the ladies and subwoofers. And I can fit just about anything in that trunk.
Although the engine is still good (smokes a bit) I'm now at 230,000 miles and it may be time to get a new engine. I've also been planning on restoring the appearance-- new paint, new lights, new rims n tires, but I'm starting to wonder-- if I spend $10,000 on upgrades, am I better off just buying a used Rx8? I mean, no matter what I do, my Mx-3 isn't going to have air bags or modern gauges or the more comfortable ride of a newer car.
So, assuming that the Rx8 is the way to go, I came across a 2004 model, manual, leather and all that, but it's OVER 100,000 miles! The good news is that according to carfax, it's only had one owner, so he drove the crap out of it. But, is that good or bad? With my mx-3 it was a good thing, since that one owner maintained it for all 127k miles. But with these cars, am I better off finding one under 100,000 miles so that it would still be under Mazda's warranty? OR, since it's over 100,000, does wisdom suggest that "if the engine was crappy it would have went out by now. So, it should be good for another 100,000 at least."
I know that my best solution would be to buy a brand new one, but those car payments would only work if I were living in the car! Which reminds me, I've been looking at the price for parts on the Rx8. $80 for four spark plugs?? Seriously?!? I read that the car is easy to work on, but if I'm working on it every weekend, I might start wishing that I had kept my Mx3.
Advice, fellas?
(BTW, the guys at mx-3.com have made that one of the sites I visit the most. If I buy the Rx8, you can bet that I'll be here all the time too.)
Although the engine is still good (smokes a bit) I'm now at 230,000 miles and it may be time to get a new engine. I've also been planning on restoring the appearance-- new paint, new lights, new rims n tires, but I'm starting to wonder-- if I spend $10,000 on upgrades, am I better off just buying a used Rx8? I mean, no matter what I do, my Mx-3 isn't going to have air bags or modern gauges or the more comfortable ride of a newer car.
So, assuming that the Rx8 is the way to go, I came across a 2004 model, manual, leather and all that, but it's OVER 100,000 miles! The good news is that according to carfax, it's only had one owner, so he drove the crap out of it. But, is that good or bad? With my mx-3 it was a good thing, since that one owner maintained it for all 127k miles. But with these cars, am I better off finding one under 100,000 miles so that it would still be under Mazda's warranty? OR, since it's over 100,000, does wisdom suggest that "if the engine was crappy it would have went out by now. So, it should be good for another 100,000 at least."
I know that my best solution would be to buy a brand new one, but those car payments would only work if I were living in the car! Which reminds me, I've been looking at the price for parts on the Rx8. $80 for four spark plugs?? Seriously?!? I read that the car is easy to work on, but if I'm working on it every weekend, I might start wishing that I had kept my Mx3.
Advice, fellas?
(BTW, the guys at mx-3.com have made that one of the sites I visit the most. If I buy the Rx8, you can bet that I'll be here all the time too.)
08-28-2010, 03:50 AM
#2
Medic-8-'d
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MX3 or RX8?. Well that of course depends on your personal taste. I'd say if you love your car, then keep it.
If you're seriously considering the 8, you should take one for a test drive, and read up on it, a lot. It's not for everyone, and has it's various quirks. It's also pretty expensive to run, which makes low initial purchase prices kinda deceiving. There's an immense amount of info on this site, so do your homework.
Don't expect 230,000 miles out of an rx8 engine. The design of the renesis is pretty much a 'kiss of death'. There are a few owners that see 100,000+, but the odds aren't good, and if I had 100k on my odo, I'd be hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
RX8 ownership has both positives and negatives that don't come with many other cars.
If you want a sexy, quirky, unusual, fun drivers car, then the Rx8 may be perfect for you.
If you expect your car to be hassle free, low cost, or particularly powerful, then you should maybe think twice.
If you're seriously considering the 8, you should take one for a test drive, and read up on it, a lot. It's not for everyone, and has it's various quirks. It's also pretty expensive to run, which makes low initial purchase prices kinda deceiving. There's an immense amount of info on this site, so do your homework.
Don't expect 230,000 miles out of an rx8 engine. The design of the renesis is pretty much a 'kiss of death'. There are a few owners that see 100,000+, but the odds aren't good, and if I had 100k on my odo, I'd be hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
RX8 ownership has both positives and negatives that don't come with many other cars.
If you want a sexy, quirky, unusual, fun drivers car, then the Rx8 may be perfect for you.
If you expect your car to be hassle free, low cost, or particularly powerful, then you should maybe think twice.
08-28-2010, 05:33 AM
#4
I agree with the above. There aren't enough 8's out there with over 100k, even less on the original engine. Has the engine been replaced, and if so, when. I would get that info from the current owner before going any further. Get a compression check. It will be the best $100 you can spend before buying (i would do the with an used 8)
For the most part, you should look for something with less miles. If you can get that 100k+ one for a song and have money to spend for a rebuild get it and send it out for a rebuild. Why not start off fresh?
For the most part, you should look for something with less miles. If you can get that 100k+ one for a song and have money to spend for a rebuild get it and send it out for a rebuild. Why not start off fresh?
08-28-2010, 07:36 AM
#5
+1 with all the aforementioned
I would also add that if all you can afford is an 04 (don't care if it has 1 mile on it) than the RX8 is not for you. Due to your expense limits.
Can't believe how many threads on these forums there are complaining about the cost of everything from fuel mileage to spark plugs.
These people should be buying a car with minimal maintenance costs to operate.
Honestly dude, I know it sounds like I'm being a dick, but if you can't afford anything newer than a 04 RX8 ........ DON'T GET IT.
I swear by the love of god if I see you on these forums bitching about how much money your 04 RX8 is costing you ..... WOOOWWOOOOOO look out the Pain train will be coming!
LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94
TeamRX8 is our Forum Linebacker
WOOWOOO
I would also add that if all you can afford is an 04 (don't care if it has 1 mile on it) than the RX8 is not for you. Due to your expense limits.
Can't believe how many threads on these forums there are complaining about the cost of everything from fuel mileage to spark plugs.
These people should be buying a car with minimal maintenance costs to operate.
Honestly dude, I know it sounds like I'm being a dick, but if you can't afford anything newer than a 04 RX8 ........ DON'T GET IT.
I swear by the love of god if I see you on these forums bitching about how much money your 04 RX8 is costing you ..... WOOOWWOOOOOO look out the Pain train will be coming!
LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzToNo7A-94
TeamRX8 is our Forum Linebacker
WOOWOOO
Last edited by wcs; 08-28-2010 at 07:41 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post