Help on buying a used RX-8
10-11-2010, 02:09 PM
#1
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Help on buying a used RX-8
There's a 2004 RX-8 I found for sale. The owner says that it will not run, he thinks that the coolant seal has failed and needs to be rebuilt or swapped out. It has 55,300 miles on it. He is asking $4000 for it, good deal?
As for doing the job myself, I know nothing about rotary engines, but I have enough experience with regular combustion engines to be able to rebuild one of those. (Just to get an idea of my mechanical ability)
Are there any visible signs of a coolant seal failure? I want to check it out myself when I go see the car.
I've been reading of possible reason for why the car won't run and I'm hoping the engine is just flooded and this guy must just not know about it. Any ways to check that out?
Also, about how much would it cost to have the engine rebuilt in labor or would it just be better to buy a used engine and swap it out?
I found a basic rebuild kit on the internet for $700 but I'm not entirely confident on taking it on myself.
As for doing the job myself, I know nothing about rotary engines, but I have enough experience with regular combustion engines to be able to rebuild one of those. (Just to get an idea of my mechanical ability)
Are there any visible signs of a coolant seal failure? I want to check it out myself when I go see the car.
I've been reading of possible reason for why the car won't run and I'm hoping the engine is just flooded and this guy must just not know about it. Any ways to check that out?
Also, about how much would it cost to have the engine rebuilt in labor or would it just be better to buy a used engine and swap it out?
I found a basic rebuild kit on the internet for $700 but I'm not entirely confident on taking it on myself.
10-11-2010, 03:34 PM
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It's 8 years or 100K miles. It starts from when it was first purchased. You have to get the VIN# and call Mazda to see if they have turned down the warranty if not then yes it is transferable for a engine.
10-11-2010, 03:52 PM
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either way $4k is a good deal, as long as the title is clean
if the powertrain warranty is gone, and you don't have experience building rotaries, i'd pay someone else for a rebuild, like mazmart
if the powertrain warranty is gone, and you don't have experience building rotaries, i'd pay someone else for a rebuild, like mazmart
10-11-2010, 03:53 PM
#9
Good point. Make sure he somehow didnt void the warranty. If you have a primary means of transportation while working on this one, I would say go for it. At least take it off someones hands that doesnt appreciate it. Get it towed and at least get the ignition system checked out along with a compression test.
10-11-2010, 04:02 PM
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Good point. Make sure he somehow didnt void the warranty. If you have a primary means of transportation while working on this one, I would say go for it. At least take it off someones hands that doesnt appreciate it. Get it towed and at least get the ignition system checked out along with a compression test.
10-13-2010, 10:41 PM
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Sorry for the long wait. I went to go see it and all it needs is a working engine. I'm just gonna get it rebuilt that way i know that the engine isn't worn out like a used one. I'll be getting it this weekend for $3500. I called a place called A-Spec Tuning in Schaumburg, IL to have it rebuilt. Is it difficult putting the engine back in the car?
Is the one in Rockford cheap?
Is the one in Rockford cheap?
10-14-2010, 05:19 PM
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I accidentally put IL because that's where my home is (habit) but I'm staying with my brother because of work. Are there any shops around here?
10-14-2010, 05:59 PM
#19
I wouldn't suggest A-Spec either. If you decide not to use Shook, you can try Banzai Racing in Pierceton (near Warsaw), IN. http://www.banzai-racing.com/
10-14-2010, 07:57 PM
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I wouldn't suggest A-Spec either. If you decide not to use Shook, you can try Banzai Racing in Pierceton (near Warsaw), IN. http://www.banzai-racing.com/
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