2004 RX-8 w/150k miles. Project car, or New Car?
 

I'm debating on spending a bundle of money to fix this car to get it working again, or to just buy another car, which will cost me roughly 35k..


What should I do?!? My RX-8 is well taken care of but the engine isn't so hot lately.. Can't handle hot weather. Summer's coming and I'm going to avoid driving it in hot weather.



Is it a matter of just getting the engine rebuilt? It will cost about $5k I was quoted from MazdaTrix.

Does that include all new parts and install? At that price it better be.

U can ask mazmart for a quote.

Depends...

What's the other car?

If it's a Cayman/Boxster, go for it.
If its a fully loaded Camry, you need psychological help.

BC.

It's really on your budget. If its $5k and you could afford to fix it up, then go for it. If not, then you could just get a finance for a new car. Anyway, what kind of car your planning to get?

haha..

Actually I was thinking about buying the new Kia Optima Turbo SX for my daily beater.. I just want something reliable, with plenty of comfort features and adequate passing power.. but it's a $30k car.

Or does it make more sense to spend a fraction of that money I would have spent fixing up the Mazda towards a new car, which would have a warranty. It's possible it may cost me more in the long run, since the engine isn't the only thing with 150k miles worth of wear on it.


By the way, I'm not insane, because I've upgraded from the RX-8 two years ago to a Lotus Evora. My butt dyno has recalibrated to a higher standard, so the RX-8 is really an old dog by comparison. However, I really do need a second car for times for grocery getting duties and driving friends around without having to teach them the Lotus position each time!

If I had a lotus I think I would cut my losses on the 8. Buy what you need.

1+

bc.

Rofllllll loooooolllll hahahahahaha



I would just fix it up and drive it till other part breaks. I mean once u change the engine, u will not have to worry about it for a couple of years, as for other stuff, the only thing u might need replacing would be the wheel bearings. Other than that nothing much.

Buying a new car is never a good way to save money, fix the old one and drive it till it breaks.

And if your idea of buying a new car is to save gas, either u get a car with less than 150 hp and keep it for the next 10 to 15 years, or you need psychological help(thx bc)

Even with a new motor, an 04 with 150K miles isnt going to be worth much more then the money you spend to fix it $5K. You might be better off just selling it for $1.5-3K and call it a day.

If its a manual transmission, clean title, straight body and clean interior with no other mechanical problems, and here is the key. You would enjoy the car with a new motor, then have it fixed. Otherwise sell it.

Yeah, it's fully loaded 04 GT w/ a very well maintained exterior and interior, custom rims (275/40R19's Rear 255/40R18 Front) with a near perfect paint job, Lighting Yellow :)

Arrgh this is tough..
As well as I have kept the car, something tells me even if I were to fix the motor, other things will start to break, and the fuel mileage will remain piss poor, especially since I drive the car the way it's supposed to. If I cut my losses and buy a new car, I'll have a car under warranty, have much better fuel mileage and have no worries. I think that's what I'm going to do.

Thanks for your help everyone. Now it's a matter of getting the right replacement..

Now I'm deciding on what car I should get...

I would say get the engine rebuilt by a reputable company and keep the car. Especially seeing as how everything else on the car is in good condition. Yeah fuel mileage won't be great but with a new engine, you will feel like you have a new car. You will enjoy your Rx8 more than the KIA and it's a better choice economically.

I've passed on the KIA... I think I'm going to get an MX-5 or another RX-8... Test drove an MX-5 today and it was pretty quick. I do like the idea of owning both the very first year and last year model of the RX-8 though :)

Here's my current one:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...72187632_n.jpg

The car still looks great after 8 years,just put the new motor in and be done.
There is still maintance on a new car, factor that in. A dealer or stealer always gets your money new or used.

If you decide to sell it, post it up here on the forum first. I have a mechanic friend looking for a project rx8. You said you spoke with Mazdatrix so I'm guessing your in socal.

As far as a vehicle replacement, and a second car to go with the evora, think bigger. Small crew cab truck or a crossover or suv. The extra passenger and cargo room comes in very handy and if you buy 2 years old, there are always great deals.