Hello, I am planning to purchase a used RX-8, found one at a local dealer(Tucson, Az) for $11k, 77k miles. So, I just had some basic questions.

One thing I noticed right off the bat is that the engine shakes quite a bit. It rattles the steering wheel, felt like a broken engine mount to me. Also, on the dash there's what looks like a light that symbolizes a car losing traction....I'm assuming this is traction control.

Furthermore, there's a flashy light that says NC OFF or something to that effect. I found a corresponding button to push that says the same thing, however pushing it did not change anything.

The dealer claims they will fix everything except the traction control, saying that does not affect the "drivability of the car". Ok. Whatever.

There's also a dead battery in the car, they had to jump it to get it to start...alright.

However, once I took it for a test drive, after spending 15 minutes trying to figure out how to get the damn thing in reverse, I put it to the floor and let it rip.

Holy crap, this thing moves. Especially with an engine that looks like a sewing machine but sounds like a bunch of dragons are having an orgy in front of me. Woo hoo go rotary!

So now, actually to the part where I ask questions:

What should I look for to be going wrong on this car to bring up to the dealer before buying it? Are the problems mentioned common?

Will 91 octane work in this engine? All I got up here at this elevation, unless I go to a specific gas station to get racing gas. F that.

Do you really need to redline it every time you take it for a drive? Man, I'm gonna love explaining that to the wife. "But baby, it's to clear out carbon build-up, I swear!"

Does this thing really put out 230 hp with a manual tranny?

And I think that's all for now... thx guys, I hope to be joining the club soon.

Edit: Oh yea, and I'm not sure what model of RX-8 this is, it's a 2004, has a sunroof, leather interior, power/leather seats and a 6 speed...but I didn't see anything saying whether it was a touring or grand touring or whatever....but then again I wasn't looking too hard, was kinda in a hurry.

 

11k for an 8 with that many miles seems high, although it is a GT, so maybe not. Just get those issues looked at. :/
Traction control is a simple press of a button to the left of the steering wheel (right above the trunk release).
As far as the rattling, a lot of 8's idle a bit rough, but nothing bad, at least nothing capable of making my wheel rattle (vibrate maybe, but only silently).
Reverse requires you push down and go over instead of just going over.
It's good for the car to be redlined once a day, yes. If you have to explain it to the wife, it's not like it requires you to redline every gear or do 80-90 mph. Just redline to the top of 2nd or something that will keep you safely at speed limit.
Yeah, 6 speed's make at 230-240 hp (depending on who you ask. Generally its agreed to be closer to 230).

 

This vehicle seems to have major problems. Don't buy yet.. unless price goes WAY down or y ou get issues checked. Prob the engine is about to crap out (seals). Read threads on the extended warranty situation for 04-08 series 1. It's ok to walk away and keep looking there are 04-05's with fresh reman engines on the market.

 

One of the virtues of an 8 is that it is silky smooth to drive. If the engine is shaking the wheel that badly, something is very wrong. Test drive other 8's to see what I mean.

 

Hmm, so you guys think it's an internal engine problem rather than just a broken mount?

I mean, the engine was literally shaking, like it didn't have proper support...no knocking sound, but hell what is there to knock in a rotary...

Any idea what this NC OFF crap is?

 

probably TCS OFF? or VSC OFF?
something related to stability control/traction control.

 

If the battery is dead, that would explain why the traction control and the DSC lights are on. if you go back, start the car and turn the wheel all the way to the left, all the way to the right, all the way back to the left, then center it again. Turn the car off and back on and the lights should go out. It will need a new battery first though. They should know this if it's a mazda dealership. I would have them do a compression test as well if you are really interested in it. Don't sign any paperwork until they have everything fixed. It may benefit you to find a local 8 owner to check it out with you. I would personally walk around and shop for another one though.

 

They tell me they will have the car in perfect running condition before I buy it (except for traction control, apparently).

The vibration is only at idle btw, if that helps, other than that there's nothing.

Also, does this 100k 8yr warranty on the engine come even if you don't buy it from a mazda dealer? That sounds friggin awesome.

 

all i gotta say is beware of the new motor club i just joined it about 3 weeks ago and once it was done my car runs like a champ even tho im babying it for the first 2,500 miles or so and well this is just me but ive known a few people who bought a used 8 and got bad tires and well when i got mine they were bad too so i requested new ones and crazily enough i got them so just depends on the dealership but good luck with it all also i would get the extended warranty i did and it has paid for itself about 4 times already.. out of pocked i have paid about 1,000 for maintenence not including oil changes n misc stuff about 800 of it was a raciing clutch and flywheel got a great deal. but good luck keep us posted

 

wait....what? New motor club? I get a new motor when I buy the car too?

 

Rotaries are notorious for blowing up. The fact is they dont blow up as often as people would have you believe (as long as you take proper care of them), but for most people, its inevitable that a new engine or engine rebuild is going to happen at some point.

 

Go with your gut. If it has this many 'little' issues, doesn't that make you the least bit nervous to think that you'd plunk down $11000 if your hard earned dollars?

Also, why would a dealership say 'oh, we'll fix those'? Why wouldn't they have fixed them BEFOREHAND?

Anyway, $11k for 77k miles is a little high. I bought an 05 a year ago with 51k and several extras for a measly $12k. Keep looking. Trust me.. there are better deals out there.

 

i agree with big mike some dealers will take advantage of people who dont know about the 8 or mazda for that matter also a little tip i was always told never show the salesman you are excited and eager to get the car it just sets off a bomb in the dealers head to get the most money out of you and he wont do ne thing price wise but all dealerships can take at least 10% off the sticker price if its a good dealership

 

This man says what I was thinking.

They shouldn't have been trying to sell you the car with those problems unless they were hoping that you'd just take it without a second thought. That right there would show that they are sneaky bastards that aren't to be trusted.

As for the vibration, I wouldn't jump on the "DEAD ENGINE" wagon yet. I'd say the mount is way more likely. But that's moot, because I'm also telling you to look for another car :P

 

if its as bad engine mount i do remember there being a recall on engine mounts in the 04-05 if im correct not sure but i do remember getting a paper in the mail about it.

 

Well, I have mixed feelings about it, but does this engine not come with a 100k, 8 year warranty? Or is that only if I buy it from a certain place? If it does, I don't care if it blows up in a month, woo hoo free engine.

And considering these "little issues" seem to all be from the dead battery, with the exception of the vibration, it kinda seems like picking knits. I'm an engine mechanic by profession (turbine engines), and I actually really enjoy a car that requires extra attention/maintenance.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want a lemon but RX-8's that are this body style (which I much prefer over the new ones) are hard to come by here.

If I can get 33k miles out of the thing before it blows, preferably it craps out before that if the warranty is indeed active, I'd still be happy, I've always wanted one of these.

 

engine warranty is all the same for north america 8yr/100kmi

 

well idk dude seems like you should take a lil trip to any border state ur close too and get another dealers opinion because obviously your local one is wasting your time...