Doneman

Long time RX-8 owner. I brought my 2009 RX-8 in 2010 practically new. I've keep it in great shape all these years. Had the free engine rebuild before the warranty ended, have about 180,000 miles on it. Regular oil changes with topping it up in between. Had the suspension redone about 90,000 miles, AC tuned about 100,000 miles, etc. Recently the Radiator pump went out, and so had the pump and radiator replaced. AFTER the work was done, the dealership is saying maybe a misfire in the engine now..... According to them it runs, but will need a rebuilt or replaced due to compression of coolant leakage from it over heating (according to the forms, this really happens. These are the only people to ever work on my baby, so trust them).

So my current issue, do I have the engine rebuilt for $10,000 or do I finally say goodbye and move on? Most everything in the car is like new (even had it repainted dirt cheap to new condition about 3 years ago), but the engine is nearing that 200,000 mark. The wiring is from 2009. What do yall think?

Trade in value for them is low since they say the engine should be fixed. Others would buy it for more just because its a Rotary. Thoughts, suggestions?

jcbrx8

Sounds like you've loved it and maintained it well. 180k miles and this is the first engine you're replacing on your dime? That's actually pretty good.

If the car is in as good a shape as you say, then the question is how much will you have to spend to replace it with something that puts an equal smile on your face?. And $10k is too much to spend on an engine replacement. Search around for *rotary shops* you s/b able to have the job done for ~$ 6-7k.

​​​Edit: There's an outfit called Rotary Performance in Garland, TX.

All the best.

Meat Head

Before you say goodbye to your 8 take what you consider a replacement for a test drive and compare that cost 🆚 bringing your RX back into form. Is the new car that much better and with which option can you convince your significant other you made a wise decision. I’m failing at this last point, my wife gives me the eyebrow after every fuel up.

Sounds like your RX8 is in otherwise good condition - keep it. Then again should you listen to someone spending $500 in gas because it’s fun?

MincVinyl

Typically on the series 1 rx8's most engines die at around the 100-120k mark. Dying at 200k is practically getting your money's worth. I would be curious to see what the compression numbers actually are.

Does the car have white smoke plume out of the exhaust? It kind of sounds like a coolant seal failed, but most people bring up the smoke issue first.

At that mileage I would think many of the components would be toast. Rebuilding using **** parts can quickly become more expensive than buying a new engine for $5500. Not sure what shops are charging for labor on top of that, but it takes me 3 hours to go from a running car to having the engine on the table. Granted every bolt has been anti-seized by now.

Red line envy

Not sure what it's like there but around here the dealer lots are pretty much empty except some used cars. So they say just about anything to get people to sell or trade in. Have you seen a print out of the compression. If there is a misfire then fix it before it does damage. Don't sell the car. I see no reason to if it's still enjoyed. 😁 And next engine should be from a good builder and not from the stealership.

Fickert

iTrader: (6)

The trade in value will likely be garbage at that mileage, and throwing 10k at a chassis with 180k on its IMO pretty big waste of money. Idk keep the car until it dies and start shopping for something new now. Then partout anything that is in good shape on the car.

Federighi

iTrader: (7)

I think you and spectre6000 should get in touch. I know he's specifically trying to pick up another Rx8. Might be an easier sale than you think.

Otherwise, I'd consider what's it's personally worth for you to 'fix and keep' vs replacing with a new or used vehicle. It definitely is a hard time to be looking for any desirable vehicle right now, new or used. If you're in a place where you can wait until the current economic situation become more settled, I most certainly would do that.

GL

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...decide-273909/

Doneman

Ah, I need to get a copy of what the machine reads, but it is definitely a misfire, and smoke from exhaust was present. It didn't have a "sweet" smell so it wasn't from the radiator I just had fixed....

Cost breakdown I was given was this.

Parts: engine $6,836.97 (searching forms, and internet I've found under 30K engines around $5K, but not seen anything new)
Spark plugs $132.99 (yeah time i got these anyways)
$78 for nuts, bolts, etc.
$7,144.88 total parts

They also charge Labor: $2,175 in labor ($144 an hour for about 15 hours)

The car will run, but won't be reliable. I found another RX-8 2009 model selling for $10,000 but it has 97,000 miles and no way of knowing if it's engine is covered under the Rotary Warranty, if its been maintained to the level I have with this one, etc. They could say it was rebuilt but wasn't. or fudge it so it hits 100,000 miles before I can get it's warranty work done.

I've been looking hard at the MX-5 RF Maita as a hardtop convertible, but its not an RX-8 level of all a rounder. Great advice so far, Calling that Garland Rotary shop and looking for reliable rebuilding mechanics. We have a family trusted mechanic my family has used for decades (like their son is my age and teaches new mechanics while also still working the shop) BUT he is not trained in rotary and would take even longer and possibly more to fix even at honest pay.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

There's a lot of info in this thread, including a link to Rotary Performance in Garland.
I suggest you read it.
It may help you with your decision, a lot of other threads about rebuilding linked in it also.
If they only do rebuilds, another option is to buy a warranted rebuild from a source like Pineapple ($4600) and have it shipped to your preferred rotary shop for the install.
You can likely get it done for the price of just the engine you were talking about.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...ispreloading=1

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Did they perform a compression test and share the results with you? I'd want to see hard proof before shelling out 10k (which is too much, as mentioned). Mazda can replace your engine and they have a book value for that, which shouldn't be 10k.

No RX8 has been in warranty for at least 3 years. It's 100k or 8 years, whichever comes first.

What actual symptoms are you experiencing? Does it stall out? Loss of power?

When were ignition coils last replaced?

180k is nothing to sneeze at, nice job.

jcbrx8

Don't jump out a jeep here: recommend you stay with, or sell, the 8 you have "cared for and know", than potentially purchase a host of unknown problems. Take a breath..having the engine replaced is not that big a deal. You've had it done before. The only difference is it's not under warranty this time.

If you needed heart surgery would you go to an Eye, Ear, & Throat doctor...b/c your family was familiar with him or her??? Similarly, rotaries are different...unique. Smart money utilizes a rotary specific shop for work such as this.

Doneman

UPDATE: This form is one of the reason I love my baby, Redit doesn't even offer this level of support and knowledge in other areas. Can't force my self into Miata for anything other then a fun second car. Mini coopers are tiny (or over priced for the "big ones" AND you can't test drive the Electric ones since they are not USA made (takes 6 to 8 months for the next one to ship to the city even if purchased).

My Rx-8 is expceting a brand new engine, Mazda is still on back order (many of you getting new ones too?) so it'll be a month

Good news, same dude who did engine before is doing it again. The Garland shop agrees he's a good mechanic and confirmed all my finds and prices. I get to guzzle gas in CX-5 while waiting (but don't pay for the rental).

Bad news, got to wait a month to get my baby back, stuck in an SUV, still no signs of the RX-9

Thanks all