I'm thinking of buying a 2004 Manual GT with 90K Miles from a private owner (3rd owner). Based on what I've read on the forum, I plan to take it to a dealer and get a compression check before I buy, and I'll ask the dealer if he can pull service records. Recently, I've seen a few posts by people who bought high-mileage RX8s, and ended up needing engine replacements. I want to do everything I can to avoid this, so I have a few questions:

1. If the compression test is good, are there other (likely) reasons the engine might fail?
2. Are there any other things that I should ask the dealer to specifically check?
3. Somewhere on the forum, I read someone's opinion that typically the RX8 2004-2008 engines will fail by 70K if they're going to fail. Do you feel that makes buying a vehicle with less miles (say 40K) in any way riskier?
4. I think I read that it's good to replace the plugs and coil after purchasing a vehicle of this age. Any more initial maintenance items I should have done after I buy?
5. Is there anything else I can do to ensure that I don't end up needing to do some costly repair?
6. I read a post that suggests that Mazda may be starting to require proof of regular oil changes before they'll replace an engine. If I don't have service records, and the oil changes were not done at a Mazda dealer, would Mazda refuse to replace the engine?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

as much as i like this car and rotary engine. I would say This engine is a hit or miss. Mostly imo due to the fact that mazda has been using really loose side seals, whack omp, and 5w20 recommeded oil.

1. Yes. Do compression test. Get exact result. Not just a pass
/failed.

2. Not much. Check the engine mounts maybe

3. See my first comment

4. Plugs, wires, coils, all fluids.

5. Make sure the tranny is good.

6. They could deny you. Its not just mazda, its the same for any other company. Think of it there are people out there really dont do any maintenance. And when the car breaks down they just blame the company for their "crappy product"

First u should call mnao to see if it still has engine warranty. And its there any prior warranty issue with the car

 

extended warrenty might help too

 

NYGPS: Thanks for the reminder on the engine mounts - I'd forgotten about that. And I will call Mazda on Monday to see what I can find out. I hope they can provide more detailed info than I see on Carfax.

Charles: Thanks for the info. I almost hope Mazda will tell me the engine has already been replaced.

Jason: Good idea. I'll have to look around on the forum and see what I can find about getting an Extended Warranty, especially for a vehicle this many years old with this many miles.

 

lol ^ +1

 

WellThen, it is because of concerns of people like you that Mazda extended the warranty to 8 yrs/100,000 miles. The present replacement engine is coming from a Mazda rebuild facility in Virginia and they are producing a very good product. This wasn't always the case.
I am the original owner of an 04 and have had the engine replaced 3 times. The original and 1st replacement engine were from Japan. The second engine was rebuilt by a 3rd party/contracted rebuilder. The present one (rebuilt by Mazda) I've had for 2 yrs now is running strong.
Because of the engine warranty and the quality of the present replacement engine, I wouldn't worry about buying a used RX8.
Extended warranties are a waste of money.

 

he clearly said the car had 90k on the clock

 

Even with low compression like mine, there are ways to make it still run fine for a daily driver. I have a Sept '03 build with +85K on the original engine.

The RX8 chassis is the best part of this car - buy it if the price is right.

 

alneilsen: Thanks for the advice.

Charles and Kaiser: Here's hoping I can spur on some arguments soon!

 

You have been lurking since June last year... Pull the trigger man!

 

Yeah, the decession (did I coin a term?) got in my way. But I think I'll be joining the club sometime in March.

 

If you were close by, I'd let you drive my setup. Everybody at work drops their jaw on the Olympic back roads - mine is like steering a bobsled - bring it on I say to the highway department... LOL

 

Wish I could. I'm way over in southeastern Michigan. Now I need to try to find a bargain on some winter tires!

 

^+1 i like this guy haahaa

 

Oh, man, I would have loved that, Charles.

 

Hey Nemesis8, thanks for the push...
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8s-sale-wanted-43/wtb-6spd-manual-rx-8-gt-midwest-192251/