I need to get my rear bumper, lower trim, and passenger side quarter repainted. The red is starting to fade. She sits outside all the time. I figured since it’s in the shop I might as well have the whole car repainted since there are scratches here and there. Also I need to replace my damaged head lamps, along with one tail lamp. Estimated from shops has been $3-4K for a nice high gloss paint job. I want it to look show room. My question is would it better to just save the money and just buy a newer Eight with mine as a trade in. Mine is a 2004 Sport with 80k miles and the car is strong mechanically, with a perfect compression of the motor. I love the car so I’m willing to fix her up. I just don’t know what would be the best course and save me money in the long run.

 

In its current condition you won't get much for your car if you sold it; even less if you trade it in. Getting a newer 8 will probably cost more than fixing the current one up, and if you buy used, then you likely won't know the exact history and how it was maintained.
I'd say if the current one is mechanically sound and you like it a lot, then get it fixed up. At least that's what I'd probably do...

 

^+1

 

Yea repaint it.

 

That was what I was thinking. I have gone through the car replaced a ton of stuff. Best in keep the old girl on the road. I like the S1 style a little better anyways.

 

Are you sure that's a good paint shop?

I repainted my car. It was one of the best and the worst things I did. Before the repaint, I used to drive my car alot and get rock chips all the time. After the repaint, my heart skips a beat whenever I hear anything that sounds remotely like a rock hitting my paint. I still enjoyed my car but not as much as before. Now I'm in the middle of finishing a 2nd beater car that I can drive care free because I missed that feeling so much. If I were you, unless this is a show car, I'd skip the repaint and invest in performance parts.

 

I'm in your same shoes. Paint isn't faded but rather scratched and chipped.
I'm considering leaving the crappy and expensive velocity red color and move on to a way cheaper blaze red or vintage red. Mica paints are nice and all but are extremely hard to get done right.

 

I voted for re-paint and keep it.

 

I can just get the bumper and passenger quarter repainted. Then replace the head lamps myself. I was just worried they are able to match the paint since they have to blend into the passenger quarter and the roof.

Quote:

I'm in your same shoes. Paint isn't faded but rather scratched and chipped.
I'm considering leaving the crappy and expensive velocity red color and move on to a way cheaper blaze red or vintage red. Mica paints are nice and all but are extremely hard to get done right

I love the velocity red color to bad it sucks. My bumper and quarter is cracking and fading real bad. I'm also going to have the trim parts painted black and cleared over. I'm tired of that faded gray look.

 

^ +1 +1

 

I want my car to look better than that. Cacked and faded paint is not going to cut it. I'm not into adding performance right now because it's a daily driver and don’t need to me messing with the already fragile reliability. Not to mention making poor gas mileage worse.

I think I'm just going to get the damged parts repaited and reaplce the lamps. Then detail the rest of the car real well. No need to have the whole thing painted since it sits outside all the time. I got a quote for $1,800 for just the fixes. That's not to bad, if they can match the paint right.

 

I would not repaint the car if it's going to sleep outside. Not a wise use of your money. In your case I would just find the best shop around that can fix the minor things.

 

I know its probably too late but you have to wax the **** out of it to stop it fading. Especially a red car as they are the worst for fading followed buy black then dark colors.
Wax is sunblock for cars!

 

I tried using some Turtle wax that the other weekend and it seemed to make it look worse. I might want to do it again with a clay bar in the faded areas. The issue with the bumper is the paint is started to crack and flake off. I need to shop around a few more shops maybe I can get a better deal on the fixes. However, I do not want a Maaco paint job. I would like the car to look nice and the paint hold up a little better than that. If I do get it painted, I will defiantly get a good car cover for it.

When I bought my car there was a gray one with the same options and price. I kind of wish I went with that one now. However, nothing beats Velocity Red sparkling in the sunlight. Also the gray one did not have the spoiler on it.

Below is the day I bought it. How could I say no?

 

I think he means after you get those sections repainted make sure you wax it regularly to prevent the fading. The wax isn't going to make existing fade go away but if done before it starts fading it can prevent most of it.

 

I have been waxing the car since I got it maybe the South Carolina sun is just too much. I really wish I had bought a car cover now.

 

As others have said, you've well maintained your present '8 and well know its history. Just repaint.

 

Thanks for the input! It helped me make my discussion.

 

Yeah you really need to invest in a quality car cover that's made for outdoors. I have a 94 Miata that is red and when I bought it the paint was faded in spots. After a good detail and wax job it really brought the paint back to life. My Miata sits in the garage but it still has original paint and looks very good. Put some elbow grease into it and your RX8 will look brand new in no time.

 

Just repaint it.

I'm about to repaint mine too. But before that I need to get 2 new fenders and maybe a pair of new head lights housing (fuxking 700-800 bux each? seriously?)

 

No ****, those HIDS are expensive. Once my power stuff is finalized then it paint, headlights, and aero for me. It's going cost almost as much the new engine/turbo build did/is.

 

A good custom car cover is always worth the money

 

I'm in the same position with my Nordic Mica green RX8 that I recently purchased. Paint is faded, couple of dings & i trashed the extra low spoiler because of that damn Delerium beer lol. Somepone should add to the new RX8 members reminding them these cars are very low to the ground. I did get a couple of bids but no one told me that paint work was tied to the gold index. Yes I am going to paint my car for several reasons; other than paint its very clean, newly installed engine and everything works very well.

 

Maybe I missed a thread or something is there any issues with the paint on the RX-8 or is it just the nature of having a car almost 8 years old.

I'm glad I got the non-hid version of the headlamps now. They are half the cost.

 

If your headlamps are foggy/oxidation why don't you just try those cleaning kits?
Mothers has a great kit, I've used it personally and it completely restored my headlights.