Okay, so my deal with the Green Bay dealership fell through. I'm pretty sure they did the dealer trade and denied me solely on the fact that I worked them down too much, and they would get more for the trade.

ANYWAYS.

There is a beautiful blue RX-8 (2005) at Walser Mazda in Burnsville, MN, with only 8,000 miles on it, and they ant 24,6xx for it. I don't think that's too bad?

However, I am a bit concerned about buying this car used. I need this car to be reliable, I can't have things breaking or causing problems because it wasn't broken in right, which I don't know how they'd have any way of knowing.

If I decide to go with this (I like this car more than the Civic Si or Acura RSX Type S) what should I be doing? I did a free scan for Carfax and it said there were a few problems that came up. Unless I'm planning on buying it, I'm hesitant to spend the money on a carfax.

What do I need to know about buying an RX-8 used? Is it even worth it to buy used?

EDIT: Also, why is it that so many 2005 RX-8's are traded in with such low milage? Most of Walsers used RX-8's from 05 have less than 10k miles on them, and, considering my mom is co-signing, she is hesitant (not only about that, bt about this car in general). I also am a bit uneasy: Why so many traded in so soon?

 

if anything goes wrong with the car you still have years of warranty left. my dealership is pretty good. they give me a loaner car everytime my car comes in. i would guess that people buy the rx8 not knowing the special care it needs. just remember you can't shut it off cold and check the oil often. also i'm sure people traded their cars in because of gas milage, i have yet to see 1 rx8 meet the 18/24 epa mileage that mazda claims. i get pretty close and consider myself lucky. i get 17-18 city and 20-21highway.

 

But are the things that could go wrong with the engine due to a poor break in covered under warrenty? What's included and what isn't? And for how long?

Also, is there anything else I should know about buying used?

(Is there XM/Sirius options on the 05 RX8?)

 

Walser (IMHO) has an excellent service department.. (My car is there this morning, I saw the blue one you are talking about on the way out of the lot..)

The only thing to watch out for at Walser is their finance department.. BEFORE you go in there, have your own financing arranged and pay attention to the price of the loan AFTER it's done. Their finance guy was about to bend me over when I walked out and went to my credit union. Nice low interest rate, shorter term, and a lower payment.

Sales and service though are excellent. (You may also want to go ask the parts manager? if the used blue one is his. He purchased a Blue RX-8 last year, but recently traded it in for an F150.. so I suspect the car might have been his. If so you can at least ask how well it was taken care of.)

Anyway, if you can deal with the finance person, I recommend them.

 

Wow, fray, thank you so much for your advice!

I'm a college student, and I'm also in the University of Minnesota Marching Band, but I am planning on having a fulltime job this summer, and a part time one during next year to help pay for whatever new car I get.

I really want an 8. I was in one, and it was heaven.

There was also a red one with similar options with 4k less milage, with red/black leather in it for around the same price.

If that blue one was the parts manager's, I'm sure he took decent care of it. But I question how honest he'd be in saying it was well-cared for .

This will definately make my mom a bit more at ease. You made me feel more comfortable with the thought of it.

Also, Walser's discounted gas and free oil changes for life is a nice little incentive!

I'll keep everyone informed! Feel free to post more information if you'd like.

 

A lot of the cars that Walser get are from 1 year lease returns. (Thats where my car came from, I got it with about 16k miles on it.) Others are from folks who just bought the "wrong car" for their needs... Things to look out for, check car fax.. find a good dealer (Walser IMHO is a good one).. and since there is still factory warranty you should be covered by anything you might have problems with.

But ya, fuel mileage is less then "pleasent" with the existing gas prices.. I second what Cool-Blue-Dad mentioned.. The RX-8 isn't for everyone.. but man is it a fun car. It's my second vehicle with my Jeep Wrangler being my primary.

 

I bought a 'new' 2005 from Walser last month. I drove that Blue 'used' car you are talking about. It's a very nice car. They told me it was a Mazda lease car that Mazda execs drive around for a year and that it had been taken care of service wise. I ended up paying the extra $2500 for a new car with 33 miles on it ( I had to have white with the red interior), but I don't think you'd go wrong with that blue car.

Their service is pretty good for a Mazda dealer, and I know you'd love the 8, even with a few miles on it. At least you don't have to break it in.... and you will get the balance of the 50,000 mile warranty, so I wouldn't worry.