I test drove my first rx8 two weeks ago and have since driven 5 different cars in the Cleveland area. I am hooked and ready to buy. One of the AT 2004s that I liked has 33k miles but had the engine replaced under warranty at 27k. It is at a small lot and the guy knows nothing about the car. I was able to talk to the dealer in Columbus that did the work and got a pretty good feel for the car's overall maintenance history. My question is this - is it better to have had the engine replaced with a remanufactured one or to find one that has not had past problems. I assume that the odds of needing the replacement goes down as the miles add up. If it makes it to 30-40k and hasn't had a probelm it probably won't but a remanufactured one may crap out out of warranty. Should I be willing to pay more or not for a remanufactured? Or should I really skinny down the options and try to get a 2005? Thanks in advance.

 

either way is good warranty is 50,000 miles or 4 years from the factory i would take it to the dealer ship to get a full check up before i bought it make sure they check it was done right and the reason why it was replaced in the first place... those are things i would want to know

 

i personally think it doesn't matter!
i hoped for a new engine for my car before...but too bad!

 

It really depends on if you get a good reman or not... There are guys here on their 3rd engines already. In other words a reman engine should not increase the value of a car by any means, unless it's an older car it would help a little. Are you sure you want an AT? Have you driven an MT yet? With the prices you can find used and even new RX-8s I'd find one that has more warranty left and is a year or two newer.

 

+1 on finding one with plenty of warranty left. I would rather have an '04 with a reman than one without. At least you know it was brought in and checked. If you buy one with the original in it make sure you have plenty of warranty left so you can replace the engine if needed. It's not a big deal as long as you have a warranty. I just had my engine replaced at 56K miles on my '04. Miles have nothing to do with whether or not the engine will need to be replaced.

 

This is a tough one. An un-remanned engine might be on the threshold of failing, but on the other hand my replacement reman is back in the shop after ONE DAY, so it's risky either way. With the relatively large numbers of owner on their third engines, I think Mazda is having problems with remans, and I suspect the '04s with original engines are going to need them as the seals wear down.

Since you can't escape risk either way, just take the car you like and rely on the warrantee.

 

Any used car is a gamble.

Like the others said........... I agree.

 

Thanks for the insights to the remans. I have driven 2 manuals and really did like the extra torque. But between the heavy traffic I drive in most of the time, my wife who won't drive a stick and my bad knees it might not be the best choice for us. I drove 40 minutes each way tonight to see one and when I got there they told me it had been sent to the Mazda dealer. After a few questions and the guilt I gave them for setting up an appointment without the car, the sales lady told me it would be several days as it had a "problem with a recall" so I assume it is getting a new engine too.

 

No not necessarily....

They could be doing the flash or re insulating themuffler or checking the lower control arm to find the one missing car that left the factory.

 

if you're getting an AT and set on an AT, at least get a 6-port vs. the 4-port you will get with the '04. keep looking and check these boards as there is always someone selling and you should be able to get a better deal than a dealership.

 

+1