I’m buying an 8 soon, having been patiently waiting for some time. I just have a few questions to address before I begin looking.

First, i'm not here debating whether or not I should buy an 8 or a Tiburon. I know the car well, I know what I want from it, and I know what it will do. I’m going to purchase a used car, 05 or better. I am familiar with the rotary’s delicate nature, and have some concerns about previous care, maintenance, and driving habits.

When buying a used 8, what can I look for, inspect, listen to, or feel for in particular?

Any known problems or wear after, 50k, 75k, miles etc.?

I’ve been reading through this forum for some time now and can’t wait to be a full fledged 8 owner. Sorry in advance if this is a redundant thread, i have done plenty of searching and reading over the past few months and just want to know some opinions of your cars after some miles have been put on them.

Thanks RX8club! Hope to be out for a drive soon!

 

an 8 vs. a tiburon? i'm not here to bash but i never understood that cult following. you do realize it's a hyundai right? ok, ok, i said i'm not here to bash. anyway, if you've checked out the forum and you know what to expect and are still okay with that then go test drive it. you'll fall in love immediately. listen to the beautiful sound of the rotory engine and try not to let the salesman see you drooling or smiling too big.

a hyundai?

 

I'd buy the Tiburon, FWD good for winter driving, cheaper insurance rates, won't get stopped by people wanting to know what kind of car it is, won't have to hear that annoying buzzing sound when you hit 8500 rpms, and most of all, you won't have to add that quart of oil every month. Definitely a no brainer to me...

But in all seriousness, you can get a new 2005 RX-8 for like 20k nowadays because all the bad publicity surrounding Mazda and the rotary. But does it really affect every RX-8? Not at all, you just need to keep up with the basic maintenance of the car, regular oil changes, checking the oil level, making sure you drive it hard every once and a while, and enjoying the car for what it is.

 

There was a load of sarcasm in that statment. The tiburon was a joke, refering to this https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=tiburon . I was just trying to say that im a serious buyer, and a serious enthusiast. Im an adult looking for an RX8 as a second vehicle. Not a kid looking for some hot wheels.

Need longevity information, thats it, sorry to mix you all up.

 

There really isn't much to 'look for' when buying an RX8 that's different than any other car....

Now...for my $.01, I'll PM my paypal address to you.

 

Lowest price ever reported that I've seen for a new 2005 stripper was 22k.

Now that the 2005s are gone, the 2006s are not being discounted as heavily.

 

The used market is very compeititive for used 8's. I bought an 05 because I didn't want to deal with all the 04 service bulletins and recalls.

Get an 2005 with low miles so you have a lot of warranty to fall back on in case of repairs.

I think the rotary will be a reliable engine as long as you:

1. Change the oil every 3000 miles or sooner if you wish.
2. Monitor and fill engine oil when needed.

Other things you may want to consider:
1. Changing transmission and differential to a synthetic like Royal Purple Gear Max. That seems to be the most popular. Reduces wear and friction.
2. Controlling/reducing/removing carbon buildup in the rotary by premixing or using Lube Control FP60 or Chevron Techron additive regularly. I will be using the long marketed and recommended LC FP60. Easier than premixing for me.
3. Choosing synthetic over dino oil. I use dino oil, but I think synth is fine as long as you use a pure synth and not Mobil1, which was not recommended by a Mazda Rotary engineer.

 

Just bought a 2005 Velocity Red Sport model, 8814 miles, $19880. Was the Sales Manager's G/F's car he bought. 20 days after Wedding, she had to have an Acura TL.

I have owned RX-7's since 87, never did I baby them and the oil mileage was very good.
Buy it, Flog it, love it!!!

 

I bought my new '05 leftover (sport pkg, appearance pkg, rear wing, and spare tire kit) for $21.5K. As for the original question, dont know about the higher mileage but Id say just dont treat it like a Camry and you'll be fine. The 8's are fussy and thats fine with me. It is one hell of a package for the low $20K range. A steal really.

 

The Tiburons are over priced.
Have a long warrenty.
The worst re-sale value.
This means you have to keep it, as it is worth nothing. You will always be upside down on your loan.
07's looking nice.
Slower than an 8.
A nice looking car but can only go as fast as a 4cylinder Camary.

Value for the money?
Car problems?

 

Read threads much?


FAIL!

 

It's funny. I was also undesided when I bought my 8. I was debating between 3 cars...

Mitsubishi EVO
WRX STI
Acura RSX-Type S
Mazdaspeed 6

As you can see, I wasn't even thinking about the 8. After some weeks of debating, I concluded that the STI and EVO were not for me. (I could not afford them).
The Acura RSX-TypeS was still in my list until I went to Mazda Dealership.....
I went to look at the Mazdaspeed6 and possible test drive it... When I saw the sticker price, I figured that after taxes and charges (eventhough I have A-Plan Ford Employee pricing), it was going to be probably above $30k.

It was then when my wife saw an RX8 on the showroom!!!... She loved that car from day 1. I wasn't really paying much attaention to the 8 until that day.
They had some 05s left, so I got a pretty good deal + my employee pricing. Not to say, that I fell in love with it when I went for a test drive...
The more I read about the 8 the more interesting it got. Then, the day came and I GOT ONE!!!!
It is until this day, that no matter what the negative statements are on the forums or media, I love this car because it is interesting. To me it's like a "toy for grown-ups". Sincerely I can say that this car is one of the best cars I've studied. It is just so balanced that whoever design and engineered it was really thinking on using it on a racing track....

I JUST LOVE MY 8....

 

*won't have to hear that annoying buzzing sound when you hit 8500 rpms*

last time i checked the tibby doens't get to 8500rpms lol

 

Well 22k out the door price. I paid 24k for mine, 20k for car + NY Tax and rest of bullshit. I think thats the reason i bough the car with 0 miles on it the next day that I test drove.
This is comming form a guy who had 03 EVO sold it and a 98 Camaro also sold.
This is my first not used car that i ever owned, and I love it.

 

The whole Tiburon mention was a joke.

 

Thanks guys, for all your input. I’m gathering that Renisis is plenty stout with miles, and the build quality holds up over time and miles. The last time I tinkered with a rotary engine it still injected oil into the carburetor. I hope to be out there soon driving an 8.

 

hehe :

 

Anybody else not get their penny?

 

check, money order, or paypal? I dont send pennys to Nigeria...