Buy new RX8 or used RX8 with turbo?
03-26-2008, 12:13 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Buy new RX8 or used RX8 with turbo?
Hey everyone,
Well, I'm not a Mazda owner yet but I deffinately am going to be soon. I just need everyones opinion on a personal matter at hand.
So I walk into the local Mazda dealership today naturally looking at the new 08 RX8s in the showroom. A salesman comes up to speak with me. He asks me what is the number one reason why I wanted to get an RX8? I said for the performance of course....
He pulls me aside and shows me an 04 RX8 for a significantly less amount of money than the 08. He tells me that this is the car I should get. I ask him why...he says because it has a turbo and puts nearly 350HP to the rear weels. Immediately I am drawn toward this car that looks in almost as good as shape as the 2008s in the showroom. I look under the hood and the turbo job looks very clean and the engine looks brand new. I also find out that a very respected performance shop in my city performed the operation on this beast.
Now my question to everyone is which car should I go for? My number one draw back was that the RX8 has lower horsepower than its competitors ie. 350Z, G35. Owning a turbo RX8 that can practically keep up with a Vette would be awesome!!!!!!!
My number one concern however is reliability. I questioned the salesmen about this matter and he assured me that the Renesis engines were very durable and reliable and could handle the turbo. However I have buddies that have told me that engine rebuilds are required after 50k miles, using a turbo of course.
Performance is important to me however I understand that putting a turbo on an RX8 is upwards of 20 thousand dollars so it is not something I want to do out of my own pocket. So overall I want the performance but I don't want to sacrafice reliability and potential problems down the road, esspecially expensive repairs. Anyway, any thoughts about the pros and cons of both options would be greatly appretiated amongst all Mazda enthusists. Can't wait to get my RX8!
Well, I'm not a Mazda owner yet but I deffinately am going to be soon. I just need everyones opinion on a personal matter at hand.
So I walk into the local Mazda dealership today naturally looking at the new 08 RX8s in the showroom. A salesman comes up to speak with me. He asks me what is the number one reason why I wanted to get an RX8? I said for the performance of course....
He pulls me aside and shows me an 04 RX8 for a significantly less amount of money than the 08. He tells me that this is the car I should get. I ask him why...he says because it has a turbo and puts nearly 350HP to the rear weels. Immediately I am drawn toward this car that looks in almost as good as shape as the 2008s in the showroom. I look under the hood and the turbo job looks very clean and the engine looks brand new. I also find out that a very respected performance shop in my city performed the operation on this beast.
Now my question to everyone is which car should I go for? My number one draw back was that the RX8 has lower horsepower than its competitors ie. 350Z, G35. Owning a turbo RX8 that can practically keep up with a Vette would be awesome!!!!!!!
My number one concern however is reliability. I questioned the salesmen about this matter and he assured me that the Renesis engines were very durable and reliable and could handle the turbo. However I have buddies that have told me that engine rebuilds are required after 50k miles, using a turbo of course.
Performance is important to me however I understand that putting a turbo on an RX8 is upwards of 20 thousand dollars so it is not something I want to do out of my own pocket. So overall I want the performance but I don't want to sacrafice reliability and potential problems down the road, esspecially expensive repairs. Anyway, any thoughts about the pros and cons of both options would be greatly appretiated amongst all Mazda enthusists. Can't wait to get my RX8!
03-26-2008, 02:04 AM
#4
03-26-2008, 02:04 AM
#5
the most expensive turbo out there (mazsport) will cost you $10k+1k install+1k tuning+1k supporting mods. thats still $13,000. not to mention, all that performance can be had for under $8k (mazdamaniac.)
no, the engine does not need to be rebuilt every 50k miles.
whats the mileage and price of the turbo rx8? 6 months after i bought my car, i found a turbo rx8 (similar mileage) with a full mazdaspeed kit for only a grand more than what i paid. i could have kicked myself. get the turbo, especially if its only a smidge more than what you would pay for that car in general.
no, the engine does not need to be rebuilt every 50k miles.
whats the mileage and price of the turbo rx8? 6 months after i bought my car, i found a turbo rx8 (similar mileage) with a full mazdaspeed kit for only a grand more than what i paid. i could have kicked myself. get the turbo, especially if its only a smidge more than what you would pay for that car in general.
03-26-2008, 03:25 AM
#6
You have to be really suspicious of any used turbo car, very much a turbo RX-8. Actually of all used RX-8s, because you have to do a through check of its condition. It not properly installed (turbo kit) or maintained, the engine can be all f*cked up.
I would do an engine compression test check and get somebody that knows about that turbo kit to look it over.
Your other option is to get an used RX-8 that is under warranty for the engine. Have the Mazda dealer do every test possible to make sure it is in good condition. Then go buy a turbo kit.
If you want to go turbo (there is also the supercharger option), than buy the MazdaManic Greddy upgrade + Greddy kit.
I would do an engine compression test check and get somebody that knows about that turbo kit to look it over.
Your other option is to get an used RX-8 that is under warranty for the engine. Have the Mazda dealer do every test possible to make sure it is in good condition. Then go buy a turbo kit.
If you want to go turbo (there is also the supercharger option), than buy the MazdaManic Greddy upgrade + Greddy kit.
Last edited by sosonic; 03-26-2008 at 03:27 AM.
03-26-2008, 08:30 AM
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well its reasuring to know from what I've learned so far that a turbo shouldn't cause too many problems with the overall longevity of the engine. So long as it is installed properly and taken care of well. I am fairly confident in knowing that the previous driver had a real passion for the car and a lot of disposable income so he invested the right amount of money to do it right. My next step is to contact the company that did the work to the car and possibly get a vehicle inspection directly from them before purchasing the car. What do you guys think?
03-26-2008, 08:36 AM
#8
a replacement engine with install will run you ~$4,000. So it's not too big a deal.
I would like to know what turbo is in the car though. I would doubt the 350 whp claim unless they have been able to fix the stock ignition system that creates a 330 whp barrier.
I would like to know what turbo is in the car though. I would doubt the 350 whp claim unless they have been able to fix the stock ignition system that creates a 330 whp barrier.
03-26-2008, 09:27 AM
#11
DaveCm
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Central North Carolina
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a car salesman. The reason he showed you the used is because he stands to make A LOT more money on it. They (more than likely) held back on the car because of the turbo and so if the salesman has the right buyer on it (you maybe) he can make more in one hour than most people make in a week. Having the Turbo on there does not increase the trade in value. Most used managers allow less because the car is more of a risk and is more likely to have problems with it. But it is possible to have an excited buyer that will pay as much as $5,000 over PAC. Do the math with a commission of 20% to 30% depending on the dealer pay plan.
If you want the used one (very tempting) double check what the salesman told you and check with the shop that did the work. Let me know and I will tell you how to negotiate on the car. Are you paying cash or financing? By the way, cash or financing has no effect on price (at least in my state). I will have to give you pointers on how to negotiate the financing.
If you want the used one (very tempting) double check what the salesman told you and check with the shop that did the work. Let me know and I will tell you how to negotiate on the car. Are you paying cash or financing? By the way, cash or financing has no effect on price (at least in my state). I will have to give you pointers on how to negotiate the financing.
03-26-2008, 10:44 AM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You may consider getting a used RX-8 (there isn't a significant difference between model years yet) and getting the turbo installed after purchase. If you still want this particular turbo'd 8, ask the dealer if he can verify his 350hp claim (by Dyno) as well as the suggestions everyone else has made.
03-26-2008, 10:56 AM
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to everyone who has replied to my post. I am one step closer to making my decision. I look forward to hearing your reply on how to negotiate with the dealer Dave. Of note, there is no difference in paying cash or getting a loan where I'm from.
To answer a few other questions; there is no warranty on the turbo. There is also no manufacturer warranty on the vehicle itself since it is an 04.
With that being said I don't foresee it as a factor that will affect my purchase too much. The car is priced only slightly higher than other 04 models that I have looked up on the local classifieds. If it is true that replacing an engine is only 4000 dollars and that being "worst case scenario" I still won't be in that bad of a position since the rest of the car is immaculate.
The turbo itself is "supposed" to be a good one. The dealer claims upward of 400HP. He also claimed that the previous owner was a car fanatic and he invested 20 thousand dollars in the appropriate parts to do the job right, i.e. Ceramic plated rotor, and all the fancy gauges and accessories neatly installed in the cockpit.
As of now I don't have the details on the parts used in the installation. As soon as I find out I will let everyone know.
To answer a few other questions; there is no warranty on the turbo. There is also no manufacturer warranty on the vehicle itself since it is an 04.
With that being said I don't foresee it as a factor that will affect my purchase too much. The car is priced only slightly higher than other 04 models that I have looked up on the local classifieds. If it is true that replacing an engine is only 4000 dollars and that being "worst case scenario" I still won't be in that bad of a position since the rest of the car is immaculate.
The turbo itself is "supposed" to be a good one. The dealer claims upward of 400HP. He also claimed that the previous owner was a car fanatic and he invested 20 thousand dollars in the appropriate parts to do the job right, i.e. Ceramic plated rotor, and all the fancy gauges and accessories neatly installed in the cockpit.
As of now I don't have the details on the parts used in the installation. As soon as I find out I will let everyone know.
03-26-2008, 11:12 AM
#17
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Central MD
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since we're talking turbos again, does anyone have a rough guess on what impact they have on mpg? I get low enough numbers already, though a little more low-end grunt would be nice.
03-26-2008, 11:16 AM
#18
turbo mpg is going to be similar to NA for the simple reason that you will not be in boost most of the time. So the impact is going to be 1-2 mpg lower than stock, while getting 100+ more whp.
03-26-2008, 02:07 PM
#21
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Going with the turbo!
Alright, my decision just became a whole lot easier! I just talked to the guy at the performance shop that did all the work on the car. He confirmed with me that the project to overhaul this car into the turbo wonder that it is now was a 2-year affair. Completely rebuilt motor and it is a Gredy turbocharger.
The guy who sold it was some rich guy who just decided to trade in his RX8 for a Mazda 3 for his girlfriend, hence why it is at the dealership. Then he went out and got a BMW M3 to console his loss of his RX8 I guess....
Anyway, all I need now is a good approach for bargaining with the salesman.
The guy who sold it was some rich guy who just decided to trade in his RX8 for a Mazda 3 for his girlfriend, hence why it is at the dealership. Then he went out and got a BMW M3 to console his loss of his RX8 I guess....
Anyway, all I need now is a good approach for bargaining with the salesman.
03-26-2008, 02:42 PM
#22
the previous owner is a moron.
you cannot spend 20,000 on the greddy kit, even if you asked for the turbo to be made from diamonds. he might be counting what it cost to rebuild the engine. if I had to guess, he popped the engine, got it rebuilt and then offloaded the car because they couldn't get it running properly.
and that car is at most going to push 280-290 whp. It cannot make 350, nevermind 400.
you cannot spend 20,000 on the greddy kit, even if you asked for the turbo to be made from diamonds. he might be counting what it cost to rebuild the engine. if I had to guess, he popped the engine, got it rebuilt and then offloaded the car because they couldn't get it running properly.
and that car is at most going to push 280-290 whp. It cannot make 350, nevermind 400.
