My girlfriend really wants to get manual RX8 because she likes the way it looks, but I have read that there is a lot of engine failure occurring with rx8. Car will not have any warranty since it will be salvage – rebuild title.

Would you recommend to stay away from the car?

My only question is reliability, after reading stories of engine failure.
Is it due to improper upkeep / operation or to poor design?
Should engine last if i tell her to redline it once in the while and i do regular maintenance of seafomign and spark pug check / change, running 5w-30 oil...

Do people on this forum who "operate" it properly still have issues?

 

I would not recommend any car with a salvage title, that's insane.

Engine failure is rare, despite what you've heard - nowhere near 10%.

S

 

why is it insane? (i drive one) - it is cheaper this way (i would buy it and fix it my self)

 

Presonally, I would avoid the salvage title too, but I'm not into doing repairs, etc. myself (no time). But if you're cool with getting your hands dirty, then go for it. I don't think the RX-8 is that bad on the engines, though mine's only a 2007, so I haven't had any issues with it (other than having to buy another vehicle to drive in the snow...).

-Erik

 

Then whey did you ask us if you should buy it ?

 

If you want a warranty on the engine then don't buy salvage, so you'll have an 8-year/100k warranty on the engine core.

If you plan to do your own work on the car and don't care about the warranty, then go ahead with the salvage title.

Do you care about the warranty or not? We can't answer that for you.

As for reliability, a lot of it depends on whether or not your girlfriend knows or is willing to learn how to care for a rotary. If she treats it like a piston engine and doesn't check the oil, plan on doing a rebuild soon. If she takes care of it it will probably be fine for a long time.

 

salvage title could mean a lot of things.

it could be from a car that has been stolen but recover later by cops.

Or it could be a car that has been thru an accident, it has damage thats more than the car's worth.

u're lucky if the car just got stolen but recover with minor or no damage.

but if it has been in any accident ...

avoid them.

 

On a lot of cars you can take a small magnet and run it around the body where the frame is. If the magnet doesn't stick to a certain spot, the car has been in a pretty good accident and the frame was damaged and replaced. If thats the case, walk away. No amount of repair will return the car to what it once was. I have a 2005 RX8 and haven't had any problems other than stuff I've messed up on (eg vacume leak after installing a CAI).

 

how could you possibly think the engine failure rate is around 50%! Man what is with people and rotary rumors.

There is nothing wrong with salvage title if you are willing to do all that is necessary (could end up costing more in the end). Know a guy who bought two new benz's that were crashed and rebuilt it using the good parts from both car, and now has a brand new looking car. Drives great and looks great for a fraction of the cost. (he also has years experience)

If you do buy this, do not come back here and complain about reliability or other problems with the car, know that it is your fault for buying the salvage car.

 

jesus 50%...where do you get your "facts" from? CNN?

 

Then the point of this thread would be??

 

i had rebuilt number of salvage cars and once rebuild they are as good as clean title visually, mechanically, and structurally.
The only reason buying salvage is to save money:
Ex. i end up spending $6.5k on my car (car plus cost to rebuild) while price for it was $15k

My only question is reliability, after reading stories of engine failure.
Is it due to improper upkeep / operation or to poor design?
Should engine last if i tell her to redline it once in the while and i do regular maintenance of seafomign and spark pug check / change, running 5w-30 oil...

Do people on this forum who "operate" it properly still have issues?

 

poor design? lol...
"A redline a day, keeps the carbon away"

 

Hummm, I heard that from somewhere.

 

I worked in body shops for for too long to EVER consider a salvage title car.
Even the theft recoveries had problems. (electrical problems normally)

They are more expensive to insure, if you can insure it at all.
And if it was an accident car, it will never be the same again. I would NEVER risk my life (or my families life) to save a buck on a car.

 

Get your girlfriend a new one .......................... Stop being cheap.: nono:

 

My girl is the one who is paying for the car...
I am suppose to pick out a good deal car for her that is not more then $9k final cost ( it is between rx8 and tiburon depending on the deal) and she suppose to pick out the ring that she likes, which i will have to buy for her.

 

As long as it's not salvaged because of an accident, you'll be fine.

Crumple zones don't work twice.

 

Good grief, don't buy an 8 on a 9k budget! If that's all she has to spend then she can't afford an 8, end of story. Getting a salvaged car is a bad way to get a car you can't afford, she's much better off getting something else.

Why not look at some used MX-5s? They are fun and women seem to love 'em, and you can find some decent older ones for around 9k.

 

I got my 8 for $10k, clean title, runs great, no major dmg(small door ding here and there, but thats it).

 

Obviously trolling around for the answer you want. Honda Civic.

 

Sad to see the 8 compared to a tiburon

 

True, but now that cars worth about 200 dollars to a dealership as a trade and will be incredibly hard to sell

Never understood the whole buying salvage then rebuilding thing. Saving a quick buck isnt worth that headache.

 

There was a thread a short time ago about someone with a post-accident car asking about the resistance values for the seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Apparently, to replace the seatbelts would be upwards of $500.

Instead, a $0.50 resistor turns off the light.

This is perhaps a safety-critical system, no?

So, if you bought a car....

Which would you prefer if a semi turned left in front of you?




Disclaimer - I am not accusing anybody of doing anything bad. Perhaps they were looking for the resistor value to install racing belts, or something.

 

I bought a car that at the time was selling for $15k, after 5 years of owning (car would be 7 years old high millage and will cost around $7k) - loss of $8k .... i payed $6.5k, after 5 years of owning will be able to sell it for $4.5 - $5k (loss of $2k) - kids buy salvage no problem once they can afford it..
... it is not a problem to sell rebuilt rx8 - they go for 10-11k on ebay

some salvage have very minimal damage...this is the one i am looking at:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...eg/rx8copy.jpg



Why is every one talking about salvage ... it is personal choice...