mlfarrell

What turned into a simple CEL diagnosis resulted in $4k+ of estimates for my 8 from the dealership. I'm not sure I can put in almost 3x the car value back in to keep it on the road.
My spend limit to get it back on the road is closer to $2k. She said she's going to try to find cheaper parts but it's not looking good at this point. They are doing a compression test ahead of anything else to see if even doing the repairs are worth it.

I love my car. Honestly didn't think it'd hit me this hard. I honestly don't even know what else I'd want to drive if I sold this and moved on to another car type. To top it all off, the car failed a smog test cert before taking it in, so I'm not even sure what state the cat is in after I have all this done.. Just venting at this point.

For those curious, the service estimate is below


```
~$1k
[Other]: PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS FOR CODE P2259 AIR SOLENOID VALVE AND CODE P0443 PURGE SOLENOID CIRCUIT, PINPOINT TEST TO AIR SOLENOID VALVE INTERMITTENT INTERNAL FAILURE - RECOMMEND REPLACING 3 VACUUM SOLENOIDS BEHIND PLENUM. FOR CODE P0443 PINPOINT TO PURGE SOLENOID INTERNAL FAILURE; PARTS NEEDED - PURGE SOLENOID VALVE, 3 VACUUM SOLENOIDS BEHIND PLENUM. UPPER PLENUM GASKETS, THROTTLE BODY GASKET. (SPECIAL ORDER PART 1 DAY)
```

```
$165
Diagnostic - Check Engine Light: CODE P0706 CIRCUIT RANGE PERFORMANCE WAS RETRIEVED AFTER STARTING VEHICLE - RECOMMEND PERFORMING DIAGNOSIS TO ADDRESS
```

```
~$400
Sway Bar Links - Front: FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BOOTS ARE TORN - RECOMMEND REPLACING AS A PAIR; PARTS NEEDED - FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND NUTS
(same deal with rear)
```

```
~$2000
Struts - Front: FRONT STRUTS REPLACEMENT RECOMMENDED FOR TIRE CUPPING AND MILEAGE IF HAVE NOT DONE; PARTS NEEDED - FRONT STRUTS AND UPPER LOCKING NUTS (SPECIAL ORDER PART 1 DAY)
(same deal with rear)
```

Add on the diagnostic tests & compression test costs
& add another grand for new tires on top of that..

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Don't you know anyone who can work on it besides a dealership?
There should be plenty of rotary enthusiasts in SoCal that can assist you without dealership price gouging.

mlfarrell

I don't unfortunately. Not anyone I have a rapport with at least.

distr0

that's like.... a couple hundred bucks at rock auto for parts and bribing a couple friends for help with beer!

CaymanRotary

what were your compression results? That should factor in to if it is worth fixing or not.

You could just buy the shocks from KYB for $400 and install yourself so that saves some cash. May as well do the sway bars while you are there. The 3 solenoids and purge valve shouldnt be too hard. Should have all these issues fixed under 2k if you take it away from the stealership.

mlfarrell

compression test failed. so that's all she wrote. I guess the car is fucked. Got less than 40k miles on the reman engine. wow..
they've already billed me $600 just to tell me that it's a total loss. so I'm out that, and my car. Really hate the world right now.

honestly, what other cars even look as nice as rx8s, handle as well and come close to the price? I feel like there's nothing else I'd even want to drive..

Loki

iTrader: (1)

That sucks
Can you part it out to recoup the cost and finance the next car?

What's your budget for the replacement?

mlfarrell

The issue is that I work 100% remote, and can walk to just about everything, at least I could before covid. ..so I barely need a car.. My budget would be 15-20k, but thats a big spend for something I don't need. The very thought of researching a bunch of cars right now makes me mentally exhausted. I just want my damn blue rx8 back the way it was last month.

Aka what I want is another nice sports car. What I probably should get is a boring *** car that i'll hate to drive but will be reliable, or no car at all.

CaymanRotary

I'm really sorry for your loss my friend. If you are parting it out I'll buy your radio deck for $250.

Federighi

iTrader: (7)

Bummer, very sorry to hear. Agreed you should be able to find local help for some issues. If you are going to consider another vehicle, I'd suggest a MSM (Mazdaspeed Miata) for replacement that should be within / under your price range. Still Mazda sports, better mpg's and more reliable. GL

fish1

Replace it with a blue "mint" condition RX8, or any Excellent condition RX8 with very good/excellent compression.
You'll be way below the top end of your budget for a replacement.
Part out your existing rx8 once you have the replacement Rx8 and you're in even better shape.

mlfarrell

If they hadn't been discontinued in 2012, I would have done it. but 8 year old car is just too far back, especially for an 8. I'm not about to go through this again in 2 years.

I've been looking at 370z's which I read don't handle well (instant deal breaker for me). I also really rebel against the idea of getting an mx-5. Like I reaaaaaally never liked that car. But maybe a test drive would change my mind. I also want a blue or a dark-blue car which narrows down alot of pre-owned options. fml the timing on all this is just impeccably terrible.

CaymanRotary

Losing your car never comes at a good time. Maybe just buy a 2000's Honda or Toyota for cheap until you can run another RX8. Those things are always reliable and work.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

What was the issue that brought you to the dealership?
​​​Fwiw, I drove my 'failing' 8 for 2 years before I parked it.

Just buy another WB, they're dirt cheap.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Wait so if you have 15-20k to spend on a car, buying a new engine that's properly rebuilt for 6k should give you many years of happy ownership?

The short distance trips probably don't help by the way. This is not the car for 5 minute trips.

Also just FYI, the RX8 is basically a stretch NC MX-5 in many ways.

If I was looking for a replacement it would be an M2 or 1M. That's the closest thing I can think of that's not an MX-5

mlfarrell

Okay guys. so I've done some thinking. Here's where I'm at..
I was initially leaning towards a new car (been warming up to the mx-5 the more I look at it).. BUT .. it feels like a waste of money to buy a whole brand new car during this time

.. so then I was thinking to just buy a pre-owned cheap mazda 6 or mazda 3 as a hold me over until I need/want a fully new car. That would cost me around $5k.

.. NOW where I'm at is thinking of buying a pre-owned rx8 to serve the same purpose (hold me over car until I want to go brand new). This will allow me to finally make the leap to MT that I've always wanted, AND to keep the addiction alive for a handful of years.

just thinking out loud..

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I didn't realize it was AT.
Not worth sinking more money into.
6 speed is way more fun, more power, higher RPM redline.
I have a nice LY GT with a bad engine and bought a WB '04 GT to drive until I can get a new engine.
I overpaid for it at $4k with 75k miles, but it was a guy I worked with, I needed it, and I payed for convenience by not wasting time car shopping.

Stick is easy to learn, you'll get it in no time.

sethn

Most these things are like a tenth of the cost of you do it yourself. For example the sway bar struts I did on my Rx8 cost me 30 dollars and an hour of work