used rx8 questions
 

A used rx-8 (black/black GT, 7K miles) became available at a local independant used car dealer and I had a couple of questions. First I was wondering if anyone the forum had purchased a used 8 and then brought it to a Mazda dealer for service (TSB's, recall's, etc.)? How helpful was the dealer with a car that wasn't purchased through them. Also I'd probably want to change the plugs and was wondering how easy/hard the plugs were to change? Are they easily accessable? And last, the price on the Rosenthal website for a set of plugs is $109, which is about 10 time what I would expect to pay for 4 sparkplugs. Has anyone purchased them from an auto parts store for less?

Thanks

Mark

Service and sales are two seperate areas in a dealership. Any dealerships will service your car because the warranty work is paid for by Mazda. I think dealerships actually make more money from service then sales. And with Mazda you get a loaner car no matter where you have the work done. My BMW dealer would only give me a loaner if I had the service done at their place.

You shoud read the Tech forum for info on Plugs. And why would you want to change them at 7k miles?

There is only 1 MFG of plugs right now.

Not knowing the history of the vehicle and reading posts about fouled plugs and the improvements realized from replacing them, it seems like a good thing to do.

I would do the same. Tell the dealers to make it part of the deal- they'll eat the $100 in parts on a used car sale...

Most dealers aren't going to change plugs in order to sell you a car. The 8 is a hot item right now so people will buy it regardless.

Changing the plugs at 7000 miles?? That is extremely early and no amount of harsh driving would justify changing those plugs so early.

Harsh driving wouldn't be the problem- it would be people that never wound the car out and let crap build up on the plugs. And if the vehicle was ever flooded, the plugs are going to be slightly fouled. These are the types of people that would trade in an RX-8 after a few months of ownership because they just didn't get 'it'.

Just test drove the car at the used car dealer. He said he had brought the 8 to the local Mazda dealer to take care of the recalls etc. I'll probably call the service mgr to check it out. I still think they're asking too much. $28,995 w/GT, appearance, spoiler, 7K miles and 9 months old. That's only $700 under invoice.

Way too much, which I hate to say cuz I'd like to see residuals that high. Maybe if it had nav...

do you know the history of the car? where they got it from? I wonder if it was one of the mazda buybacks. YOu can probably call the local dealer with the vin number and they can verify what warranty wark was done. to see if the recall was done, also to see if it a branded title (car that is no longer under warranty for some reason) just info you might think about before buying froma used car lot.
as far as service and maintenance. The dealer doesnt care where you buy it as long as you take care of it and get it serviced regualrly they will work on any Mazda.

sounds expenxive, you can probably go to your local dealer they will probably sale you the same one but brand new for the same price. (possibly, it wouldnt hurt to ask, plus you can always walk away if they say no, whihc is another good advantage for you. )

The dealer I bought mine from (Hampton Chevy-Mazda in Hampton, VA) has a new base model (not sure what the option pkg is) for sale right now for $23,999! I got mine with a deal like this one. I paid $24,999 for mine.

Get 'em while there hot!

Forget that used car you can buy a new one for less then that plus you will get a new car and lower interest rates. A 9 month old car at a independent dealer smells like real trouble. I bet if you look up the VIN number on the net Which is well worht the $10.00) you will find a wrecked history.

The only used one close to that that I've seen is going for $29,598. So it's not a horrible price, but you can do better. See if you can talk them down another $500, at least.