Hello, I'm new here. Currently considering getting a used rx8. Been looking around and saw this 2004 rx8 with 50k miles going for 15k. Never owned a mazda, but really like how it looks and the inside is great too. Wondering if this is a good price for an rx8 with that many miles on it. Any comment? Thanks

I just read some of the posts here, what is this flood issue?

hmmm... I read some more posts around here, I don't think I'm gonna get one now lol...

 

i got my used rx-8 with 28,000 miles....it is also an 04'. I got it for 16.

 

the price sometimes depends where you are at. Doesnt seem expensive to me. When I went to buy mine, they had 20k mile rx8 going for 20k. Im in San Diego to give you a reference point.

 

Sounds like too much car for you to handle. Better get a Scion or something...

 

A scion may be too much car for them too.

I suggest a 10 year old civic or corolla




read the siggy!!!!

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Was gonna get a used one for dad and replace his old mercury sable so he can have some fun, but after reading stuff like the flood issue and how people argue about the life of this engine, I'm second guessing my decision. This car seems great in everything except gas milage and mechanical problems. For a grand or 2 more I could get an used s2k with similar milage which I know would yield better milage and no mechanial problem such as the flood issue. I own one for DD briefly before but now downgraded to a DD with a better gas milage.

The only concern I have is the flood issue because I'm up here in Wisconsin and cold start is pretty much everyday except couple months in the summer time. And I bet the engine life theory that it hover around100k is probably not totally true, but it's got me worried. I don't know why is this car too much for me to handel, it's only got 230 hp when I own 300+ stuff for weekend.

 

The flood issue was taken care of LONG ago.

My mileage is over 25mpg . . . that aint bad


And the older S2000's would 'pop' an engine before it reached 20,000.


But it is your decision

 

BTW - to answer your first question ;



$15k should get you a very nice 04 or 05 with VERY decent miles. (under 50k)

 

you only have to worry about engine flooding if you start the car up in the cold and then shut it down without going anywhere. if you let the engine warm up properly, its nothing to worry about.

and you can by my 8. i have a 2004 for sale with 46XXX miles on it trying to sell it for 14000.

 

Exactly. I have an '05 with 37k miles and have never flooded. I also have never had any mechanical problems. Your on the right track by researching but please read more than just the negative threads (or read the entire thread), yuning83. S2000's are good, but what other cars besides the 8 are you considering?

 

I'm thinking about a used rx8, s2k, mr2, or a P. boxster. All of them used are in between 14k-18k. Except the mr2 if it's a plain mr2 since it has way less hp compares to the rest. Was also looking at a 180k miles 98bmw 540i, but the 180k is too much for a used car. Another M3 I looked at was less than $10k, but I bet someone beat the crap out of it with 82k miles to sell it at that price.

I'm worried about my dad not remembering the cold start and flood the thing which will yield more problems than good by getting this for him. But it's such a nice car at that price. I'm unfamiliar with the rotary engine, and have no idea about the proper maintenance of it. But I do know the s2k I had was used with 40k miles, and after I sold it to my buddy, who still has it. It's now at almost 100k tracked many times and the few things he had to do were all normal wear and tear and brake stuff. So the 20k engine pop theory is probably as true as saying rx8 engine dies at 100k.

I really want to get this for him, it's the most sharp looking out of all my choices, but really worried about it not being reliable and would crap out on me and him in a few months.

 

Rx8's are great as long as it is a manual tranny. Insurance will be the lowest of all of them . . by FAR

S2K's are great as long as you fit in one - good car, but a little pricey for what you get

Porsche boxters are not as good as the others - lower performance and higher maint.

<--- Mr2's are one of my favorites!!! I have an 03 spyder that, once you get past the fact that you look gay in it, is SUPER fun to drive. And it has a 1ZZ-FE corolla motor in it.

 

Sounds like you already convinced yourself this isnt the right car. Besides it only has 230hp like you mentioned earlier . My recommendation is get him a used 350Z, more power and better reliability according to ratings, which seems more important to you than the RX8s biggest attributes such as 4 seats, handling, high revs, and uniqueness. IF you like the RX8 solely for looks, youre making a mistake by buying it. Or look into a used Crossfire.

 

that's terrible...

 

I do take into consideration of it's performance, it's pretty much on par with s2k in that department except more practical for as DD and a little heavier perhaps. I guess I just wanted to hear that all the issues people are having with this car are not as common as it seems.

 

All the issues some people are having with this car are not as common as it may seem


again . . . read my signature quote. It is from a new owner here

 

well thanks for all the comments, probably gonna go test drive one very soon

 

If you would constantly be worrying about it (such as gas mileage) than I wouldn't mess with it. The mileage could be called poor but is not far off of other comparable sports cars. If your not getting a new or newer one still under warranty have the used one completely checked out as you would any other used car. A rotary engine car can last a really long time if taken care of (I had a '89 RX-7 with 250k miles) but you shouldn't stress over it for nothing. Maintenance is really no different from any other car that I've owned for the most part on an 8.

Usually a test drive of an RX-8 will make someone's mind up pretty quick and most times it's I gotta have this car. Just some more knowledge on the car would probably eliminate a lot of your concerns.

Many 8 owners on here with zero problems in all years - you're just not going to see much on that unless you search through some previous threads here.

 

u'll have a false sense of bad milage due to having go gas up every 13gallons, aka 240 mile. its definately a bit worst, but only about 1 or 2 mpg less than a G35. the rx8 is unique, it will require a bit more work to keep it running. but in the end, you are driving a rotary, and u get to tell ppl u have 0 cylinder when they ask XD


its not cold start, it's cold shut off that is the problem.

 

I have an '04 and no problems at all. Except I had to replace the battery the other day after it sat for 2 months, but that was my fault.

 

I'd get an RX8 or Miata (mazdaspeed if you can find a nice one, they're in your price range). Far as value goes, RX8's drop like a rock... from 30k to 20k in 2seconds flat!... lol. I wouldn't pay over $12k for an 04 with 50k on it. From what I've researched an 05+ with 20-30k for $16k is the way to go. Was thinking 05+ tended to have a lot less problems, they implemented some fixes that are retrofits on 03/04's... correct me if I'm wrong guys as I don't own one yet but am getting closer to affording one.

 

its a wonderful car but maybe its not for everyone. 350z, g35, (gulp) scion... these are cars that you can get in everyday and the funs gonna go away eventually. the 8 doesnt seem to lose its luster

 

Test drove the 40th edition today at the dealer, feels pretty good. The saleman was saying something about that I need to rev it up to 3.5-4k when shutting off to ensure no flooding, is that true?

I searched more, but the cheapest used 8 in the area (100miles) is an base model being sold for 13,350 with like 60k miles. Where do you guys find those good deals at?

 

Google has an amazing used car search engine...call around, these dealers usually have more than they list on the website.

 

i think your paying too much i bought mine with 27k for 15,000