Thinking of buying an RX-8..advice?
 

I currently drive an 08 Tiburon GS. It's a 4-banger 5-speed that gets decent gas mileage, and looks sexy-as-hell, but it doesn't have much power, and isn't a terribly big blast to drive.

I've always loved the RX-8, and a dealer from around here has one for sale that I'm thinking about.

It's a 2006 with 77k on the chassis. It JUST had its engine replaced, so the engine is fully warrantied (how long is that warranty btw?)

I would be getting it for $8k, and they're giving me more than I owe for my tiburon.. so I would end up with a $7,500 loan instead of the $9,500 remaining loan that I have right now. Also, I think it would be more fun to drive, and I also AutoX, and I think the RX-8 would be a better platform than a Tiburon GS..

Here's the bad:

The engine was just replaced, and I hear this car is not stellar for reliability. I know most of the quirks of rotary (stomp it down before shutting it off, let it heat up even if you're just moving it across the street, check the oil every other fillup, etc).. is that something I should be concerned about?

The car has been in THREE accidents (!!!) and that scares the hell out of me. The dealer says there is no frame damage, and that it's just cosmetic stuff (which I don't mind if I'm getting the car for like $3,000 under book), and I would def give it a drive to feel for shakes and etc...

I live in WI and this would be my DD. How terrible will it be? I should get snow tires I assume?

Am I crazy for thinking the RX-8 would be a decent autox car? I know it's no Miata or Lotus.. but it's got to be better than a Tiburon, yes?

I don't really want to let my baby go.. I'm a bit attached. :-|

Thoughts?

http://chattypics.com/files/Small_8qj0nbxt1k.jpg

I will be the first to say start here:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/

And here:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...rx-8-a-233937/

Read as much of that as you can handle then if your still interested go from there.

Personally if your going to own an RX8, a little mechanical enginunity and tools goes a long way.

Good luck with your decision and definatly research the accidents before you move forward with that particular car. Also the 8 isn't extremely fast in a straight line either so make sure to get a good test drive in to too.

The 8 is a pretty strong car for the ol' AutoX. The revving up and warming up things are usually only needed for an 8 with a weakened ignition system that needs regular maintenance anyway. Also, I believe the warranted engines are good for 12k miles. Yes to some Blizzaks or something similar.

^^^Read all of it! Read as many stickies as you can. The more you know, the better.

You could find a nice well maintained 8 with a CLEAN title for around the same money elsewhere. I personally wouldn't buy a car that's been in a single accident let alone three (of course there are some exceptions - parts, winter beater etc). Look in the classifieds section on this forum. There are always a bunch of nice 8's for sale. But based on your questions, i would hold off on purchasing an 8 until you've done some more research. It's easy to buy sometime, just make sure you know what it takes to maintain that something. It's better to spend a week or five reading/researching online than to throw that much borrowed money out the window in a few minutes at some dealership.:dunno:

I kind of agree, I was quick on my decision for my new 04 RX-8 (even though you defiantly got the better deal on this one?) Not to sure, either way, read the stickies on this forum, they help a LOT. Especially I would do the compression test at a Mazda dealership before you buy it (expect to dish out $200 for it) and see if it IS a new engine - and see why it it IS marked down "$3k"

There are reasons for this, find them out. Maintenance can get expensive, so that is the only bad thing - but oil is the only really common thing since you can relax every 30k miles before you do new plugs, coils and wires.

Probably because every time someone asks this forum about whether a particular 8 is a good deal, the answer is "The price is too high" or "This car is not for everyone" or "Be prepared to devote your entire waking life to maintaining it."

No wonder the price of used ones has gotten so low. ;)

Ken

Ken I would guess on this particular one its the fact that 3 accidents are listed for it. I wouldn't buy a car like that.

Not only three accidents, but a low price on a dealer lot. That goes against this one. Plus the OP's final statement kind of goes against the deal. But the market-killing spin isn't much out of the familiar range.

Ken

Mlev if you really want this car then take it to a reputable body shop and have them examine it. You will probably pay maybe an hour of labor but they should be able to tell you if there was any extensive repairs done.

I would second going to a bodyshop, but add in make sure the alignment is right and have all the mechanical checked out. If the alignment is off it could be either there was no more travel due to the accidents to get it in spec or sloppy work by whoever fixed the car. Either way it is bad, but honestly, for three accidents I would want an even lower price.

Whooo baby. The dealer sent me some more photos. It's absolutely beat to ****.

Taillights broken, bumper falling off, fenders dented, doors dented, diffuser busted...

No thanks. :(

I actually JUST changed from an '03 Tib to an '05 RX-8 GT.

My advice, DO IT. Once you find one thats not in horrible shape of course.

I just wanna say those stripes on the Hyundai makes the car looks really good.

Are those stripes original equipment with that car? Anyway, I think Hyundai designs now are attractive, not like before.

You hadn't seen it in person yet? Sounds like the cosmetic stuff alone would eat into your deal.

Iv test driven an r3 wasn't really impressed with the power or wow factor. It was cool revving the engine to 9k that's about it

Then since you don't have an RX-8, and aren't interested in purchasing one, how about just leaving the forum?

I've got my eye on you, and more trolling and you are getting a ban.

To clarify, you are currently a non member without an RX-8 and have mentioned that you aren't interested in one, so I have no inclination to treat you as I would a member or a future owner. Stir up trouble as an outsider and you are just going to get the boot.

If you are here and legitimately interested, your actions should reflect that.