I've been a longtime lurker here. I've been looking at picking up a new ride for the last year, I currently have a 99 S10 xtreme but have had it for the last 5 years and just want to get into something different. I plan on keeping the truck for winters and moving my motocross bikes around. I've been looking at getting a toy for a daily driver. I looked at the evo's and sti's which are very nice cars but just kind of seem cheap and the insurance is ridiculous on them for anyone my age (21).

I test drove a used rx-8 a couple weeks ago and became addicted to them. The sound, the feel, the above par quality. The insurance on the 8 is only going to be a couple hundered more than my s10. After searching the internet pretty much every day there are a lot of 8's around for sale. I'm kind of afraid of the reliability or the rotaries, although they seem to last pretty long when taken care of. Currently I have my eye on a 04 6 speed sport package in great shape with 17000 miles, the dealer wants $17000. I really did not want to spend over $15000. There is also a 05 touring model MT with 40k for $16000 in good shape, and numerous other cars for a lot more. What would you do, they both probably have about the same time or warranty left. How nervous should I be with a off warranty rotary. How expensive are they to rebuild if they ever die I would not mind rebuilding myself if I had to?

 

The 04 with 17,000 would worry me more than the 05 with 40K. Sitting around is not good for any car, let alone an 8. My 04 has 104,000 miles on it and I have not had any major issues since the warranty went. Sould you need to get a rebuit it can be done and installed for under $4,000 if you get someone other than a dealer to do it. If you can do the install yourself then you save even more.

 

^^e1 gives good advice. Obviously, the newer the car, the fewer instrinsic problems associated with the model. As with any used car, weigh the mileage against the age. No special circumstances with the RX-8.

 

or $6,000 ish for a brand new engine + install.

Good Advise Expo as always.

 

There are a lot of low mileage ones around here, I think most people just let them sit through the winters. I think I'm going to go for the 04 because its in great shape and see if I can get the dealer down, another month or two and there will be snow on the ground here.

 

I've seen 04's fail more than any other year. I think from a financial/value standpoint I'd go for a low mileage 05 or 06 or see what kind of new deals on leftover 07.

I'm selling my low mileage 05 MT if you're interested.

 

There are more 04's on the road than 05-07's combined. While your statement is true it doesn't take into account the much greater numbers of 04's on the road.

 

I bought an '04 with 17K miles a year ago. Just passed 30,500 miles. I had the starter/battery/plugs and rear taillight TSB's performed. Other than that, oil changes and running like a top.

 

im running an 04 with 42,000 miles on it never had a problem yet. as long as you take good care of it, as with any car, it will take care of you.

 

yea i bought my a/t 04 last year with 17k miles for like 19k and its been more reliable than my friends s2k. suprised the hell out of me. at 46k miles now. bye bye warrenty