Keep or move on? Your thoughts....
 

Hello all! I have a 2004 with original engine. The car is in very good condition. Love the car but have just determined it is time for a new catalytic converter and rear o2 sensor. Car has 139,000 miles mostly highway miles. I have replaced the starter, coils, plugs, pads, and LOTS of tires. I am having a hard time deciding whether to repair or move on. I still love the car and am not too thrilled about sinking a chunk of money into it right now but I am more worried about what might be looming on down the road, so-to-speak, in the way of more repairs and money.

Any thoughts about what I might expect as far as future repairs needed? Any opinions about keep or sell. No car payments are attractive but repairs costs and down time are not.

I would suggest either getting a midpipe with no cat or a midpipe with a high flow cat, either one of those will be a fraction of what an OEM cat is going to cost you. You could also buy a used one for around $400 but no telling how long it will last you.

Hard to tell you what repairs you might encounter, different for everyone. Other than plugs, coils, and wires you might be looking at replacing all the hoses in the engine bay at some point. They should all still be good right now but they do wear out and its better to replace them than be stuck on the side of the road because of some hose that blew.

Really it just depends on everything you have replaced at this point, anything other than what you listed? If not that sounds like the car has done pretty well over the years.

Compression Test to see how healthy the motor is? If it's borderline, well... that'd be something to think about.

Thanks for the reply! Good point on the hoses. I replaced a few a couples years back but that is just about it.

I was thinking the same thing on the compression test. Thanks for mentioning.

With the high mileage you have, the smart way is to just replace whats needed. The most important thing is to take care of the engine first, check oil level once a week or so, check all fluids and such. For the engine to last more longer, scheduled and preventive maintenance is a must. Good luck.

I'm in the same boat. I actually took a 2010 R3 for a test drive today. Maybe I'm strange but, it wasn't as good as I was expecting. Perhaps the dealership needs a racetrack next door so you can properly try out these performance cars.

Back on topic, if my compression is borderline, I really don't know if I would get a new RX8. The winters around here are awful snowy and something with AWD makes soooo much more sense.

If you decide to move on, maybe you could move on to a newer rx8

I have nothing educated to advise you of, BUT... If you really are attached to your particular RX-8, then I would keep it. Though sometimes a change in decision can be a good thing, and if you prefer to step in a direction away from the car, then that could be respectable as well.

Make the decision you feel most comfortable with. :)

For what it's worth, I was tempted recently too, as it was time to spend on a bunch of fixes and wearables.

But now I've been without my 8 for SIX DAYS (waiting for new engine after failed compression test), and I'm going out of my mind, lol. Every time I walk outside and see that empty parking space... sniffle... it's so sad :(

Like they say, sometimes you don't realize how much you'll miss something 'till it's not there. I can't wait to get her back!

Agreed that if the local laws allow, a catted midpipe/resonator, or cheap aftermarket replacement is the way to go over the OEM. Assuming compression is reasonably good, another option would be to keep it as a summer/weekend car and get a new AWD daily driver. It's amazing how much less irratating car troubles are when you have another one to get to work in and give you time to do the fix in the best/cheapest way without time pressure.

I understand what you are saying. I went looking at new cars today and didn't find anything I liked better. Have decided to definitely have a compression test. It has been a while since last one.

To ask a stupid question - are there aftermarket options for the cat that still meet emissions testing? North Carolina is pretty tight on the inspections. Guess I need to move to Florida lol.

AWD sounds good though. What would be your choice there?

Have not ruled that out! Looked at some cars today. None did I like as much as the RX8.

Most of the time, ex-members here are upgrading to a BMW. I like BMW too, but if i have to buy another car, it would be a Mitsubishi Evo or a Nissan GT-R (if i could afford it). Anyway, it's really hard to let go of the rx8, and frankly, if you really have to, then you really have to and just get another vehicle that will satisfy your needs. Good luck.

Get an after market Cat. Start saving 300 bucks plus per month and when you need a new engine replace it.

By far cheaper than a new car with payments and insurance