Probably, hopefully, about to get my first '8!
01-06-2012, 10:03 AM
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Probably, hopefully, about to get my first '8!
Hi,
I've checked out this place for a while now, read through a bunch of stuff and absorbed as much information as I can on the RX-8 before I started searching for the right car. I decided to make an account this morning because I have just found my possible first RX-8 :D
I'm going to go check out the car next week sometime with either my mom or dad [my dad has owned a rotary before and knows some stuff as well]. It's a 2004 Sunlight Silver 6-Speed [automatic just wouldn't suffice] with 69k on it. Only one owner, no salvage title or damage, and has Carfax available.
My only concern is that I have seen a comment or two saying to get a newer model of the '8, like a 2006. The dealership said I was allowed to take it to a shop to get it checked out but the did have it taken to Mazda for one when they first received the car as well.
The one thing he told me was wrong with it was that it wouldn't shift into 6th. He said that after they had taken it to Mazda, they had said that it wouldn't shift because of safety concerns with the tires gripping the ground. Does this sound legit to you? I've not heard much about this and I would like to know your opinions beforehand.
As for the age of the car; I plan to drive it and take care of it until it dies and after that I will move on to a newer model. This car is in my price range right now and it would be nice to save for a newer one in the future
Thanks for any advice and opinions. Please just be polite about it.
-Flawless
I've checked out this place for a while now, read through a bunch of stuff and absorbed as much information as I can on the RX-8 before I started searching for the right car. I decided to make an account this morning because I have just found my possible first RX-8 :D
I'm going to go check out the car next week sometime with either my mom or dad [my dad has owned a rotary before and knows some stuff as well]. It's a 2004 Sunlight Silver 6-Speed [automatic just wouldn't suffice] with 69k on it. Only one owner, no salvage title or damage, and has Carfax available.
My only concern is that I have seen a comment or two saying to get a newer model of the '8, like a 2006. The dealership said I was allowed to take it to a shop to get it checked out but the did have it taken to Mazda for one when they first received the car as well.
The one thing he told me was wrong with it was that it wouldn't shift into 6th. He said that after they had taken it to Mazda, they had said that it wouldn't shift because of safety concerns with the tires gripping the ground. Does this sound legit to you? I've not heard much about this and I would like to know your opinions beforehand.
As for the age of the car; I plan to drive it and take care of it until it dies and after that I will move on to a newer model. This car is in my price range right now and it would be nice to save for a newer one in the future
Thanks for any advice and opinions. Please just be polite about it.
-Flawless
01-06-2012, 10:08 AM
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Welcome,
It sounds like a car that you should walk away from unless you want to put a tranny in it.
The main reason people suggest newer is because the 8 year/100k mile engine core warranty is starting to expire for a lot of 04's. Some people believe that 04's and 05's have more engine failures due to an older flash of the ECU as well.
If this is your first car, or one of your first cars, be wary of what you're buying. Just because you can afford the monthly payment, doesn't mean you can afford the car. Maintenance and upkeep aren't cheap. Don't buy anything that already needs something fixed.
Take anything you're serious about to a mazda dealer and do a compression test. You'll want to know if the engine is bad or not before buying.
It sounds like a car that you should walk away from unless you want to put a tranny in it.
The main reason people suggest newer is because the 8 year/100k mile engine core warranty is starting to expire for a lot of 04's. Some people believe that 04's and 05's have more engine failures due to an older flash of the ECU as well.
If this is your first car, or one of your first cars, be wary of what you're buying. Just because you can afford the monthly payment, doesn't mean you can afford the car. Maintenance and upkeep aren't cheap. Don't buy anything that already needs something fixed.
Take anything you're serious about to a mazda dealer and do a compression test. You'll want to know if the engine is bad or not before buying.
01-06-2012, 10:22 AM
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Okay, I will admit I haven't read too far into the ECU information, but I have heard that 2004s and 2005s do have that problem, but I've also heard that some owners come out with no problems. Some of it should have to do with how the previous owner maintained the car, correct?
Is there any way I can upgrade or replace that to avoid a problem? I don't know exactly what to look for.
Is there any way I can upgrade or replace that to avoid a problem? I don't know exactly what to look for.
01-06-2012, 10:27 AM
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Okay, I will admit I haven't read too far into the ECU information, but I have heard that 2004s and 2005s do have that problem, but I've also heard that some owners come out with no problems. Some of it should have to do with how the previous owner maintained the car, correct?
Is there any way I can upgrade or replace that to avoid a problem? I don't know exactly what to look for.
Is there any way I can upgrade or replace that to avoid a problem? I don't know exactly what to look for.
01-06-2012, 10:31 AM
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Okay, thank you so much! You were really helpful. I'll definitely look into it next week and if all doesn't work out, I can wait a little longer for the right car
01-06-2012, 10:33 AM
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No problem and good luck in your search. There are plenty of cars out there, so take your time and find the right one.
Read this thread if you haven't already. https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
It should help you out a little. Even if you have read it, it will keep the info fresh in your head.
Read this thread if you haven't already. https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
It should help you out a little. Even if you have read it, it will keep the info fresh in your head.
6th gear is more or less a cruising gear to lower your rpms for better gas mileage, etc. You can hit top speed in 5th gear.
01-06-2012, 01:54 PM
#10
Yes, it's repairable but it will cost you. Personally I would look for a different '8. Don't rush into a purchase with this car. Take your time to research and find the perfect one, even if it's a few hours away from you.
01-06-2012, 01:58 PM
#11
Yes it is repairable, rebuilt transmissions do not last very long so you'd have to dish out money for a new transmission or get lucky with a salvage yard transmission. If the guy lied about the transmission, what makes you think he wouldn't lie about other things about the car... possibly the compression of the engine?
01-07-2012, 12:25 PM
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When I go check it out I'm gonna take it to Mazda for a compression test and I'll mention the bad synchro and see if they say anything. Hopefully they will know what they're talking about, because I've seen some threads on here complaining about even Mazda dealerships screwing up.
He could just have no idea what he is talking about also; most people have no clue about anything about these cars. I'm still learning, but I bet I know more than him haha.
He could just have no idea what he is talking about also; most people have no clue about anything about these cars. I'm still learning, but I bet I know more than him haha.
01-07-2012, 01:15 PM
#13
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Your best bet is to look for a car, with service records, and that has only been owned by one or two people. If the engine has already been swapped in the past year or two, that's okay, and is typically better than an original motor.
You want to find a car that doesn't need anything done.
It needs to shift well, without grinding noises, and smoothly between gears.
The brake pedal must feel firm, and bring the car to a stop quickly and without pulling left or right.
There should not be any check engine lights on.
Don't accept any excuses from them that its just the gas cap warning if you see a check engine light on.
And the car should start quickly when cold or when fully warmed up.
Make sure to test both, too.
Finally, when you do buy your new-to-you RX-8, I might recommend that you start off with buying new plugs, coils, and wires right off the bat, since the first problem people run into when they buy a used RX-8 is usually related to these three ignition parts. And these three parts can damage both the engine and the catalytic convertor if they are bad for a long enough period of time, and both of those are really expensive to replace out of your own pocket.
You never know how long the current parts had been in the car, and its better off just to replace them so you know how fresh they are, and can possibly eliminate them as a source of problems in the future.
BC.
You want to find a car that doesn't need anything done.
It needs to shift well, without grinding noises, and smoothly between gears.
The brake pedal must feel firm, and bring the car to a stop quickly and without pulling left or right.
There should not be any check engine lights on.
Don't accept any excuses from them that its just the gas cap warning if you see a check engine light on.
And the car should start quickly when cold or when fully warmed up.
Make sure to test both, too.
Finally, when you do buy your new-to-you RX-8, I might recommend that you start off with buying new plugs, coils, and wires right off the bat, since the first problem people run into when they buy a used RX-8 is usually related to these three ignition parts. And these three parts can damage both the engine and the catalytic convertor if they are bad for a long enough period of time, and both of those are really expensive to replace out of your own pocket.
You never know how long the current parts had been in the car, and its better off just to replace them so you know how fresh they are, and can possibly eliminate them as a source of problems in the future.
BC.
01-07-2012, 02:36 PM
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You never know how long the current parts had been in the car, and its better off just to replace them so you know how fresh they are, and can possibly eliminate them as a source of problems in the future.
01-07-2012, 03:53 PM
#15
I HATE SPEEDBUMPS!
Hopefully, you would find the right rx8 for you. Keep in mind that the rx8 is semi-maintenance and should be pampered to avoid issues. Anyway, good luck with your rx8 search.
