So tomorrow I'm buying a used 2005 RX-8 with 35k miles. What all should I have done to the car in the way of maintenance very soon, since I don't know how well it was previously maintained.

I didn't have much experience rotary engines until I spent the last week reading everything I could get my hands on about the ins, outs and workings of it.

The previous owner did put SR Motorsports pulleys and exhaust on it.

I guess my overall question is should I just take it to a Mazda dealership and say, "Hey, give me the works." or what exactly? I'm not afraid of getting my own hands dirty, but sometimes it's just better if it's done by professionals, you know? Thanks in advance!

Been searching the forums, found mostly people with problems that were blamed on poor maintenance.

 

I assume you're buying from a private seller? At least try to get a VIN check on it, if the previous owner didn't provide you one (carfax, etc). That should tell you a bit.

 

carfax it for sure^ also take it to a mechanic or if you know one have him come with you. Or (i just got my 8 a few days ago) i'm gonna take it to mazda for and oil change and they already said they'd go through it for me.

 

Make sure the previous owner have done all known TSB's and recalls for it.

As for as regular maintenance, I'd change out the spark plugs, plug wires, coil packs, engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and coolant.

 

Wow, I am a real car buying noob. I already had the carfax from the dealership.

It looks like 2 owners.

Owner 1 looked like they got it serviced and checked every 1000 miles.
Miles: 0-14k

Owner 2 on the other hand had no service records at all.
Miles: 15k-31k

Doesn't look good. Thoughts?

 

Second owner might have done what most of us do, which is oil changes by ourselves. Unfortunately, there's no way to really know that =\

Would be a good time to start anew with a fresh batch of oil and a new oil filter just to be safe. I believe you can have Mazda check if your car has had the latest TSBs just by giving them your VIN.

 

Mazda dealer can check the VIN for any and all warranty work on the car. Also the TSB history will show for them too. Just ask them to check. And be sure to say, please.

 

35,000 miles, time for tune up.

New plugs, clean MAF and AF, change oil and filter.

 

Oh wow, that's a rough one. I've been searching all night for the right oil for it. Standard, Synthetic, Premix. Everyone says good things about all of them. My friends seem to suggest Royal Purple, then again, they don't know rotary engines.

Is there a normal maintenance package that the dealer would have for the mileage that would include:

or would one suggest that I do those things myself?

 

with cream and sugar on top?

 

I think you can do all those things yourself, just a bit of elbow grease.

To get an opinion on the engine oil, you need a little bit of bias. The only thing that the majority of this forum will agree on is that 5W20 is ****. A heavier weight oil will go a long way in protecting the engine. With regards to Synthetic or Conventional, it really doesn't matter...

Royal Purple is a well used brand of engine oil on this forum.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

careful when using synthetics...i dont want to start the war thats been started on all the other threads but the word is synthetic can clogs your cats and o2 sensors.

 

Oil change with 5w30 oil...MAF cleaning, Prob plugs and coils(unless you can find out if they've done recently) check air filter(replace if bad) oh and like said above call mazda with the VIN and check all the TSB's etc etc...

good luck

 

do some of these things yourself as you dont wanna get used to going to a dealership everytime a minor problem arises...IMO this car can become a money pit if you go to a dealer everytime a minor issue comes up...not to mention how dishonest dealerships are. Learn your car!

 

+1 with what renesis said...do it and it'll feel almost brand new.

 

Don't forget to go to your local club meet. You will learn alot.

 

^ ditto, read around here too

 

Oh absolutely. I've been waiting to hit up those guys tonight. I'm sure that I could do a lot myself, save some money. It's gonna have to wait till the first though. :D

Thanks for the awesome replies.