Making serious headway on my 2006 AT RX-8. Yea, its an auto but I picked her up for $1,400. Compression is very good at high 7's, low 8's. I finally got this car running like a champ. Here was the state of it when I first got it missing passenger door handle and all:


Had rust holes at the side view mirrors in both spots but otherwise seemed like a good restoration project. I've been working on it for almost 7 months now and I got it running great. So I decided to fix the main issue of its looks. Just got it in 2 weeks ago to fit the new front bumper and she's looking good:







Ill update once fully painted but I think she will look just fine.

 

Not bad on compression!
Can't help but notice you primered over the badges and middle brake light there :/

 

Its all taped off.

 

Nice project, can't argue with that purchase price! Definitely curious to see it after paint. You must be painting inside, right?

 

I kept the stock grey color so it won't need the interior door jambs and all that painted luckily. I do have work still left to do to fix up the interior. Leather seats in the front ripped and the classic cracked dashboard. Other than those niggles its in good shape inside and out.

 

Every time I read about the cracked dash issue I'm so happy mine doesn't have it. No idea why, 2004 with 70,000-ish miles now, the dash looks perfect so far. I don't know it's life prior to around 3 years ago, maybe someone stored it inside or covered it to avoid the UV.

 

I'm quite sure the heat is a factor. Every single one on the island has the same cracked dash. Lucky yours still looks good haha.

 

it’s still an automatic and sucks dry ***** no matter what

 

Yea, its not ideal, I prefer the manual far more as well. At least this is an 06 AT and has the 6 speed trans and 6 port engine. It's still pretty good.

 

sounds like a good future swap candidate then if you have good compression on that 6port now save it while you can! i am currently doing my 2007AT(CWP) swap to MT. I do have some spare black leather seats and some tan leather seats if you need

 

Paint done on the car. Just need to worry about the rims. Should have completed pictures done by the weekend. Paint was pretty fresh when these pics were taken. I do see some orange peeling...

 

Like I asked before, you are painting outside? Amazing results if so.

 

Yea, outdoor paint job. It is covered while painting plus the weather has been gorgeous so it worked out. This is a budget restoration after all.

 

If I tried to do that, even with something providing cover, it would have 73 black flies, 3 spiders, and 4 or 5 ticks neatly painted in.

 

Luckily we have few bugs that will be a problem here. Only gets bad at dusk with the mosquitos. But yes, you have to be more careful painting outside. But I can tell you the cost savings worth it to me. This is just an auto, I'm not dropping too much money into it.

 

I’m actually looking at an auto for my wife to drive.
First thing will be to get versa tune and raise the rev limit. Won’t be as bad that way.

 

The 4 speed auto is kinda boring so definitely try to score a 6 speed from 06-08. Has the same engine they use in the manuals.

 

Well, paint is finished and looks really good. Here are some pics.






Overall pretty happy even though it was a budget job. All other mechanical issues sorted, all that's left to do is to enjoy the car.

 

Looks much better than before, that's for sure! What paint code did you go with?

 

Nice work!

 

Wow, I'm speechless. That is impressive work, budget job or not. Car looks great.

 

ive had some great spray can jobs turn out like this people dont believe with enough patience and prep its the same paint :P minimal bugs is main thing that kept yours lookin great but there is still definitely a dullness to it overall compared to factory. I would be very proud of it

 

It’s definitely gonna need some detail work but gonna let the paint fully cure first before I mess with it. There are definitely flaws, small scratches and uneven paint in places. My plan is to fully even out the paint and do what I can with it then do a ceramic coat next month sometime. That Armorshield 9 is the bomb. I’ll post an update here once I complete it.

 

Has the stock color, 32S Galaxy Grey Metallic.

 

it should progress to a VDI valve and 6-spd manual transmission conversion, just do it …