I'm at almost 88K and my 04 8 runs VERY good. I've had to replace the cat and pretty much that's it other than normal maintainace (oil change, brakes, etc.). To be honest, I think it runs better. I am going to address the coils and ignition issues as soon as I can, but still I'm pretty satisfied with the car. When my engine is getting ready to call it or I just what a new driving experience, which ever comes first, I'm going to have the engine rebuilt (overly re-enforced) and SC it to a solid 300hp. Even after all that I'll still come out cheaper than buying a new car that's in the same class as the 8 stock.

 

Actually, replacing a cat on a rotary is kind of normal.

 

Consider the alternative to a rotary with the constant up and down scraping of the rings against the cylinder walls in an engine, the rings and bore surface need routine service or replacement every 100,000 miles or so.

Remember theres a lot more, and without going into too much detail here are the additions....

Valve guides and valves may need attention.
Increased bearing clearances and oil pump.
The engine may be making noise, running poorly, misfiring or suffering other wear.
Pulling piston heads, gaskets, bearings, oil pump and other engine parts.
Cylinder bores, replacing anything else that's worn or damaged, also if the cylinders are worn, the block will have to be bored to oversize, which requires new oversized pistons and oversized rings.
As with our vehicles, old hoses and belts need to be replaced, along with spark plugs and plug wires.
Then theres the timing belt if the engine has a belt-driven overhead cam. The recommended replacement interval for timing belts is usually around 60,000 miles.

The list goes on.....

 

Ok, sounds all good. Doesn't sound like 8s require more maintenance than other cars as they get older. I was under the impression that 8s were pain in the neck to maintain as the miles rack up, but if not, I am more than happy to keep it as long as it will last. Happy New Year, everybody!

 

i can tell you for sure that buying a new car will cost way more than fixing an old one.

i've got an old volvo with 130k on it. i recently had it "appraised" at the local dealer and they only want to give me $3000 in trade. i might be able to get 4-5k if I private party sell it. but the thing still runs awesome and aside from the typical squeeks or rattles you get from an old car - it's in really good condition.

if i kept THAT car, another year or two, maybe i'd have 1-2k in repairs here and there, but nothing major aside from general things like tires, oil changes..that you would have with any car - new or used.

you pay a premium for new cars. they are $$ and depreciate like nuts. although part of what you are paying for is the "newness". a new car is more reliable, nicer inside, etc. i have one new car and this older volvo. if i go on a roadtrip with the kids, i'm taking my new car. it costs me a lot every month, but it will most likely NOT break down, it has all the latest gizmos in it, it has the latest safety things in it, etc. so while it won't get me from point A to point B any better than my old car will - it does it with more class, style, luxury, reliablity, etc.

the old cars suck when you are heading out to work at 7:30am and your starter motor goes out. or some other random part takes a dump and you are stranded...then you curse it and wish you had a new car.

run the numbers on new vs used. factor in what you would pay per month for that new car you want. then figure what you'll pay for repairs on your existing car.

see what costs more, then see how MUCH more it costs, and decide what it is worth to YOU to have a newer/nicer/ car. no debate that new cars are nice. take your RX8 that has some miles on it, then go test drive a brand new 08. i'm sure the 08 will feel nicer, tighter, etc.... it's new. but how much is it worth it to pay for that.

 

Agreed. The trick is to buy a used demo or wait around for someone selling privately who has low kms and has been advertising for a while.

There are cars out there you can haggle down near enough to wholesale or better.....

 

You know, even a brand-new Renesis in a factory crate is what, about $6K? I'd spend that in a heartbeat over buying a new car, if the rest of the 8 was in good shape. The $2,000 rebuild is an even better deal. I love this car; it sure seems possible to me to keep it on the road for the long-term, very ecconomically.

 

Just out of curiosity, about how much would a cat replacement cost? I'm kinda in the same boat as the oroginal poster. I've got about 7,000 miles left on the powertrain waranty. I've already had the engine replaced. I'm thinking about selling the 8 and getting something else used just to hold me over until the 16x comes out.

 

My tranny is starting to act up too. Just when the car is cold, I have to hold the shifter in 2nd gear for a couple of seconds for it to stay in gear. If I shift and let go right away, it pops into neutral. It never pops out when I am driving, just when I shift into the gear.

 

there's a 100k warranty on the CAT. EPA rules force Manufacturers to have the CAT last 100k miles.

 

Don't ask Expo he races his car on the track and drives it on the street too.

Now with 110k miles I don't know if he would be a good referance for the RX 8

ha ha................ I dare you ask him.

 

I recently purchased an extended warranty for my 2004 6-speed. I currently have about 67K miles on the vehicle.
I did not get the FULL coverage, but rather the main components: engine & transmission.

Cost me about $1350...

I do all of the basic maintenance myself (including replacing my coils, recently).

I still have about 18 months of payments left and I average about 50 miles a day for work.
I just hate to have car repairs AND still making car payments. Peace of mind for me.