I have loved the RX8 for quite some time and am now in the market for one. I recently drove one for the first time and it was great. The only issue I had with the car was the shifting. I don't know if this is specific to the car I drove or something with all 8's. I was "testing it out" and while at high RPMs the shifting did not feel very smooth from 1st to 2nd. I currently drive a 97 Ford Probe with an STS and can be as aggresive as I want with the shifting with no problems. Can anyone offer any advise/wisdom on this?

I was also wondering if there is any specific issues or tell tale signs I should look for when searching for a used 8. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

Welcome to the forum, Dan.
You didn't say how old the one you drove was.
My transmission shifts cleanly at high RPM but smoothness is somewhat subjective. If the transmission was a bit notchy at high RPM going to second I would call that normal. If it was hard to shift I would say there was an issue... Maybe the clutch pedal bracket issue or maybe a bad syncro.

 

Just a note, I'm not looking for basic used car buying tips. I know to have a qualified mechanic check it out, do a VIN check etc, etc. I was curious if there was anything RX8 specific I should look for to quickly eliminate any before doing the above. If there even is anything like that.

Here is a link to the 8 I test drove. 04 GT 6MT fully loaded w/navi, 47000 miles. They are asking 17,900. The only thing I have found wrong with it is the missing rear seat center part that passes into the trunk area and I'm not sure if I care for the wheels much, but the dealer said they would work with me on that.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=1&cardist=14

 

Thanks. Sorry about the lack of info on the one I test drove. I was posting the info as you replied. Also, I'm not ruling out the fact that I am just so used to my car that it just felt strange. My car is notchy at times but this felt almost like the car wanted me to double clutch or something. I'm going to go drive it again soon.

 

The price is at least a 1000 high and the rims are ugly as sin.

 

Have a look through the issues and problems section. Read the stickies. That should tell you everything you need to know.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/
Make sure that the car had all the recalls addressed.
Read through the TSBs at https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/technical-service-bulletins-tsbs-recalls-rx-8-a-14453/

 

Thanks for the info. I did search quite a bit before posting but missed those. As far as the price goes, I checked KBB and NADA and they both had higer prices listed for that car with the options it has. I did however say the "asking" price. That is just nothing more than a starting point. As for the wheels, the dealer said they have another 8 with stock wheels on it they would change out for me, or even aftermarket wheels from another vehicle as long as they are interchangeable. The ones on the car now are 20s and I do not like the way the tire is streched to fit. I would prefer something with a lip anyway.

Thanks again for the quick responses.

Dan

 

Check out cars.com and the car sales forum on here for more price points. KBB is way too high for the actual selling prices for the 8.

That would be good to get new rims.....

 

I have an 04 MT, and the notchy shifting is normal. Even my buddy with an 05 MT says he has the same issue, especially from 1st to 2nd. I definitely agree the rims on that 8 have to go.

 

I'm sure that car was abused, I would look at another one. Price is too high also! Like someone said cars.com is probably the best place to look for private sellers.

 

Unless you need a car now, I would also recommend waiting. Anyone who puts those rims on, probably drove the car hard. My shifter has no problems.

 

Concensus is the wheels have to go!

But, driving it hard? How can you tell? From the gawd-awful taste in wheels? Gheesh peeps!!!

Also, even if the previous driver drove it hard, but not necessarily abused it, that could be a good thing. The other concensus around here is that a babied RX-8 = trouble. Carbon build-up namely.

So. If you have concerns about how "abused" the car may be, have a friend test drive the same one and give his opinion on the matter. Also, if you know a mechanic, have him chime in after a drive.

Enjoy whatever RX-8 you buy, and welcome to the club,

Ed

 

My transmissions shifts very smooth.

The 05 I had was a little notchy in the 1-2 shift, but my 04 is smooooooth.

 

Probe - nothing like a car named after a gynecological instrument. Why didn't they just call the car the Ford Speculum?

 

Thanks for all the responses everyone. As far as the rims go, and according to the dealer, the RX8 came in with different rims. Apparently they sold the car that they were on and that buyer didn't like them either. So they did for him what they said they would do for me and switched them out. It looks like this dealership is going to be passing these rims ariond for quite a while.

I think I will hold out for a Titanium Gray or maybe even a Shinka. My current car is red and I'm ready for a change.

 

HAHAHA nice. You got that one right. The name is probably one of the major factors in the demise of the car. Other than the name though I have loved mine. It's a 97 GTS I bought in mid 99 and it's been a great car. Can't wait for my 8 though.

 

I would say look around some more. I recently picked up an 04 for 18k with 10,500 miles.

 

The gearbox on an RX-8 is a pretty precise unit - even after 40,000 miles, and a switch to Royal Purple synthetic gear oil, shifts on mine can't be rushed - it's a bit "notchy" - most likely what's happening, is in the rush to accelerate really fast, you're yanking the shifter from first to second - rather than the "snick-snick" that it likes - if it still "grunches" or feels reluctant when you don't rush the shift, then there might be a bit wrong, but I suspect instead it's just chalked to unfamilar car.

Sounds like a nice one there, although to me, missing interior parts is always a sign of a careless owner ...

Good luck.

 

I think that is probably what happened. I am so used to my car and it's shifting I tried to drive the 8 the same way. After I installed my short throw shifter in the Probe it got pretty notchy. Smoothly yanking (if that makes any sence) the shifter from 1st to second is the norm for it.

"the "snick-snick"that it likes" what a perfect description, they should put that in the owner's manual.

 

So often guys on this forum are saying "WTF, my trans is going, it grinds at high rpm when I'm trying to do a wide-open run 1/4 mile" or whatever. I'd bet that 99.5% of the time, it's just a hurried shift.

Now if it crunches on ALL shifts, or on a slow high-rpm shift (snick ..............snick) then you might have an issue.

Personally, I don't think that those wheels are a sign of abuse. Questionable taste maybe but not abuse.

Look the car over well and see if you can see abuse signs - worn pedals, excessively worn seats where you get in and out of the car, signs of body work (tool marks on body panel bolts, overspray in hidden areas, a "wavy" or dull or orange peel appearance on some panels and a good shine on others, etc.

Easy to see ...