Hey guys,
I've following your forums for the past week or so. It seems that I might be getting a 2007 RX8 Grand Touring with 38k miles on it by next week. The asking price right now is around $19,700. You guys would know better than I would on if that would be a fair price, I would certainly rather see it around $18,000 though. Is that obsurd for me to think?
A few questions though, as I haven't been able to find much precise information on a 2007 Grand Touring. What kind of monthly maintenance fees can I expect? I know the oil needs to be regularly checked and topped off, but anything other than that? Also what are some of the pitfalls if any of that year model? Thanks for the help guys...and gals

 

Well I wouldn't pay more than invoice which is 16000. If you were going to sell it thats the most you could hope for as a trade in. I would say work the price down to 17,500 so that tax title and licensing don't kill you.

Maintenance fees are hit and miss. Some people are hard on clutches and transmissions and seem to break them all the time. Do you plan to use this as a daily driver? Do you know that your gas mileage is going to suck? Clutch is $500+. Transmission is $3500+. Engine is under warranty but spark plugs will run you $200. Ignition kit will run you $450. I would recommend you add the race roots gauge pack which is $450. This will allow you warm the car up properly before you drive off in it. You will also have to pay attention to ground clearance if you want to keep your under cover or front air dam. Those alone will be hundred to replace and are essential. You are going to want oil cooler screens to protect them. Never let anyone drive a rotary that doesn't understand them. It really is a car that has to be babied and can be a real pain in the @$$. You will have to repolish the head lights every couple months. Tires at least the ones I run cost over $220 each. TPMS sensors are only rated to last about 4 years, so next year look at spending 60 dollars for each tires TPMS. The radiator coolant sensor has a tendency to fail and you have to replace the entire reservoir.

Long story short there are a hundred things that can go wrong, the car is extremely temperamental, and if your not ready to spend a lot of money then think twice. The car is amazing to drive, and if you mod it correctly can be a ton of fun as well. You'll never drive anything quite like it. They are beautiful to look at, and comfortable to be in for long drives. I wont be trading mine for anything other than a newer RX8.

 

its not an easy car to take care of such as adding oil, poor gas millage, flooding. you do have to adapt to the car a bit but then again all those drawbacks make the car come alive.

 

I don't know that it's that temperamental. I recently bought a 2007 GT with 30,000 miles on it. I've only put about 1,000 miles on it, but at 22.4 mpg it's no worse than the V6 TT I had. I've added a little oil and that's about it. I do let it reach operating temperature before winding it up, but I would do that with any engine.

Maybe I'll change my opinion after a year or two, but I don't see anything especially spooky about owning one. I had an '86 RX-7 and it was not a problem.

 

You seem pretty lucky to be getting 22.4 mpg, I usually get about 17.5 at the best usually the number is in the 16's though.

As far was what the op was asking to me at least the price does seem a little high. But if you can work it down a little bit and dont mind all the maintenance on the car then i would say go for it. I have loved every sexond i have been in the car, and if youre like me working on it is fun also.

 

I chalk up the current mileage figures to a lot of highway driving and at high altitude (5000-7000 ft).

 

Gas mileage is not great, about 17 mpg for me, and it's premium. Tires can be expensive because of the size and, franky, why put crummy rubber on a car like this? Spark plugs are about $80 (not $200) and need to be changed at 35k miles instead of the 70k for most other cars.

Aside from that, maintenance is pretty much like any other car. My '06 has been no trouble. Yeah, there's the "Don't turn it off cold" thing, but that entitles me to an extra drive if I just need to move it out of the garage.

Ken

 

you'll do REALLY well to get the mileage i have got in mine... at US highway speeds, i can do 26/27mpg on a trip. daily driving to work etc i see 17-20mpg and I hammer it, hitting redline many many times a day and speeds of up to 170kph(just over 100mph) for shorts stints on the hwy

 

I dont know how you got 26/27mpg, I got that when I was on a road trip back but I was also in my buddys draft...

 

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate the input. I'm really hoping I am able to buy this car, but as of now the price is what is the tipping point. I'm not sure if I can get him as low as 17,000 but i'll be trying. I'll keep you guys updated and hopefully have some pics to share with the community soon! Wish me luck.

Edit--As per the spark plugs etc... I'm trying to work him into replacing key parts like that before I buy so I can start fresh on those and keep up with the mileage on them on my time.

 

done it a few times staying 70-75mph. only relevant mods: gutted OEM cat, AP w/MM calibration, BHR coils

 

ahh makes more sense then, im excited to see what I can get next road trip behind someone then... ****, when I get my Cobb AP w/ MM tune, BHR midpipe & Ignition System... whew...

 

I'm sad to say that I won't be getting the RX8 ......The people backing the money don't want me buying a car that isn't easily fixed. I'm really bummed out about this since I've been wanting one for about five years now....But what can you do when you can't buy it yourself...I'll still be around learning everything I can about the car and cars in general. Asking crazy question like what's an oil catch heh.

Keep me in your thoughts as I go through this tough loss.

 

I mostly a lurk, but I just can't resist to this poster's audacity! Too much.


There is no "invoice" for used car. Btw, how did you arrive at 16k 'INVOICE' for a used 07 GT?



So, there's the Clutch and the Transmission?


So without this race roots gauge pack at $450, you can't properly warm the car?

 

lunalilo1, Oh I guess you didn't hear this guy has a Doctorate in Rotary Power. Hence his name DocBeech. He is also the self appointed Mayor of the RX8 forum. This dude has made some pretty lame comments on some of my posts as well. Cracks me up, join date of July 2010 and 106 posts yet he is the foremost authority on the RX8. Douche!

 

^ I'm glad I not the only one that thinks this. A lot of mis-information is getting spread. I just didn't want to be a dick. My post count isn't the highest, but that's just because i'm more of a lurker than a poster unless i have something that is factual and relevant to post. I guess this isn't really one of those times. Something had to be said though.

 

^ No problem. I like being a dick. Just kiddding. But this guy has diareah of the mouth and has been giving people bad information throughout the forum. After crapping on my threads I felt as though something had to be said.