Possible new owner, what to look for before I buy?
 

Hey guys! Been a fan of this car for some time. In a position to possible get a red '09 GT. It has 25K on it and I'm in MN. I drove the car and it seems to drive great. It is at a dealer with a warranty, but is there anything I should look out for on these things? I am aware of the rather poor fuel economy and the oil issues. Any other warnings or things I need to look at before I buy?

Get compression test and service records
Read these:
FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx-8-faq-please-read-before-posting-959/
New and Potential Owner’s, Start Here https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
New Owner FAQ’s https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=FAQ

Also, make sure you read the “stickies” in each sub-forum

What is a good or ideal compression pressure?

click the google link in my signature to learn to search the forums. I'm not being a dick. It's just the topic has been discussed many times. Besides, it is also a useful tool for all future searches ;)

Thanks for the replies. From what I have read over the last little bit, the 09+ ones look like the safer bet with the engine upgrades in regards to oil delivery. Not seeing much on how the car operates in the winter on here though. I noticed the engine limits you in RPM until it heats up, is it a hard car to run in the winter? I keep seeing that idling is not great for the engine, so sitting and warming up in the driveway seems like a bad idea.

a gradual warmup when driving is the best approach. let the engine run for 30 seconds or so and when you drive away, shift a little early and let the drivetrain gradually warm up. i find that my 05 is excellent in the snow. the DSC (dynamic stability control) is an awesome feature and helps, if you are careful, not to lose control in the snow. i'm sure it is possible if you are being careless, but with careful driving habits, the RX-8 is very livable in the winter.

Well, I've driven an 87 944 and a 89 Camaro in the winter. Neither had any electronic aids, so this will most likely be a lot easier. Thanks for the info.

Where at in MN?

I would probably get some winter tires if i were you... I'm in roughly the same area and trust me it makes driving in the winter so much better. The s2's don't seem to have any major problems (yet anyway) so you should be fine just make sure to check for basic stuff that you would for any other car.

My car has yet to not start on me in the winter so you shouldn't have a problem there, just be careful not to shut down right after starting it up... let it warm up a bit first.

Minnetonka, it's just outside the twin cities.

ground clearance is the only issue in the winter. snow tires rock so as long as you can clear the snow thats on the road your good to go.

cool cool, what dealership did you find the 09 at? Morries, walser, or just used at some other dealer?

Luther in Coon Rapids. Wife was looking at a Fiesta, but we might be getting a pair of Mazda's on the lot instead. lol

i have an 85 944...i don't plan on driving it in the winter months, lol..i have driven many years of first generation RX-7's in the winter months and being a cop for a living really puts a damper on winter driving as we are still using the good ol' faithful Crown Vics..not good in the snow by any means. my 8 is light years ahead of any rear wheel drive car that i've driven in the winter.

Durring the test drive last week, got a call the Mrs's father passed away. So, did not buy the car. By some dumb luck the car is still there and has even been dropped in price by a grand. So, going back this Monday night to try again. So if I can get them to go a bit lower. I think the first thing I'm going to do is get new plugs and change the oil.