jasonrxeight

google your state sales tax.
some states go by the price on BOS so you can have a lower price than actual, and some go by KBB value.
I just googled figured you probably wont do it since you asking this kinda question.
its 5%.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Wow. Really?

It 's the sale's tax for your state. Whatever you get charged when buying anything else.

meaning cleaning it up, detailing it, minor repairs if needed, etc... How much always depends on what condition they buy it in.

jasonrxeight

cleaning, detailing, maintenance, fixing.

jasonrxeight

I'm amazed one could come up a comparison between WRX and RX8 but donno any of these things.

ArXate

I'm assuming he's young. He wrote in his opening post that he's coming off a 1990 Celica.

dodgingwrenches

I'll let you know when I know more! It's my second day of ownership. RPM range, driving is smooth. My brother drove the snot out of it test driving it for me and all was well. As for gas mileage, I'll be tracking in fuelly so will let you know after my first tank. Almost down a quarter after 50km city driving, but that could be the gauge. I'll know more in a week or so

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, the gauge is only "accurate" if you do your own interpretation from your own experience

Like I have figured out how many gallons down are at the different points on the gauge, but it sure isn't linear

If everything else is smooth, then give it time, it could be a recent ECU reset from just before you bought it.

Though you only mentioned wires and plugs, not coils, so it is something to think about. If the wires and plugs were changed when they were at ~30k, but not the coils, then the coils are likely ~45k now? Which is well into failure range.

ken-x8

He's also in a pretty heavy "Feed me" mode. I'm not one to scream "Search, noob!", but when he asks stuff like why is KBB private sale price different from dealer price, he's come in without doing any homework.

Ken

dodgingwrenches

I'll have a closer look at that invoice tonight and see if it mentions coils anywhere...

hollistar_4

if you havent bought one yet, im in WI and looking to sell mine! you can txt me if your interested, just PM me ill give you my #

jasonrxeight

smooth

hollistar_4

no no, i have been trying to sell since january, and all i have been getting lately is trades for bikes

funkyfresh

how long does an 8 last before problems start. I am looking to get a 2004 or 2005 and want to know what kind of mileage on the car I should be looking for. By that I mean like how american cars start going bad after a 100miles. So when do the 8s start?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It lasts 30,000 miles + the attention span of the owner...

Seriously. Pay attention to it, and you can easily get 100k+ without a problem.

Ignore it, and when the ignition starts failing around 30,000 miles from last replacement, the coils, wires, and plugs will fail in sequence, the cat will get toasted fast, which will cause problems with the O2 sensors and/or the engine seals themselves, etc...

Problems multiply rapidly if ignored on this car, and almost all problems are sourced from not maintaining your ignition in a healthy state.

The clutch pedal assembly is another one, that if it starts to break can be fixed for cheap at a welding shop, more expensive with an entire new one, but if it breaks, you can get anything from clutch stuck engaged, clutch stuck disengaged, clutch stuck partially engaged, transmission damage, master cylinder failure (and trickles to brake failure).

There are other minor things, like tail light moisture in 2004s and 2005, some visors break easily, the e-shaft sensor can get out of sync occasionally, the power steering and fan connectors are right under the coolant overflow hose, so it is prone to getting contaminated and causing problems with power steering and/or fans (simple fix).

As a whole, it's no worse than any piston car out there, but it doesn't suffer neglect easily or cheaply.

Pay attention to it, get it what it needs, and you will spend far less and be surprised at what the fuss is about. Ignore it and you will have a nice looking paperweight happily munching on your cash.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is maxing out their available income with payments on the car, and have nothing left over for maintenance. If this even remotely describes you, back your budget down a bit and allow for maintenance.

If you aren't prepared for that, or if that scares you, then look elsewhere. If that is acceptable to you and you are going in with eyes wide open (as my choice was), then you will be well rewarded by the daily pleasure that can be had from this incredible car.

funkyfresh

Thanks for all the details. I really wanted the car but after your post, I need to re-evaluate my decision. I was thinking of basically maxing out my money to get this car but since I need money for maintenance, I need to either find a cheap 2004 or stick to not getting a sports car.

Anymore comments would be appreciated

Freddie

2005 6-speed, 46,000 miles, has never flooded. Many long, comfortable and above all FUN road trips. Only in the shop for oil and filter changes, plugs, coil packs (replaced free under warranty), condensation in tail light lenses (replaced free under warranty), battery (replaced pro-rated under warranty), and tires (didn't like the OEM Dunlops anyway). 14 MPG fast driving up steep twisty mountain roads. 23 MPG on long highway trips at 80 MPH w/ cruise control. Around 17 MPG average as daily driver. Best car I have ever owned and plan to keep her forever.

chrismkay3

let me add this to the discussion, in the last three months, my 2004 rx8 has a water pump and clutch pedal failure. it has had 3 shop visits in 3 months, more than any other car i've owned. the starter is likely on it's way out, and the interior is not holding up well despite my constant care using good quality products. add to that my resale value continues to plummet.

if i could do it all again, i would not purchase an rx8. yes it is an amazing handling car, and plenty fast for the street, but it is falling apart very quickly for a car with less than 100,000km. i expect alot more from my vehicles.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I am not discounting your problems at all, but I do just want to provide a counter point. The forums have a high percentage of people that have problems than people that don't, simply because people take action with a problem and go to find answers. People without problems usually don't post that.


My RX-8 has been far more reliable and less costly than my 2001 Corolla was. The engine has even lasted longer

That being said though, I would take the problems I am aware of vs a soft and cozy feeling of knowing I have the world's most reliable car and get a $7,000 bombshell dropped on me out of no where...

Been in both sets of shoes...

dodgingwrenches

Honest opinion? If you have to max yourself out financially to get it, then it's not the best idea, no. If you have extra money for a toy, then go for it. I only bought mine the other day because I can afford it as a toy (and have two other vehicles to rely on - three if I count borrowing my parents' car in an emergency). I also have family and friends I can rely on for help with it or advice. Basically, I have the financial and knowledge support network available for me to enjoy this "toy."

You also want to have the money to be able to keep it nice. When I was still shopping, I looked at one belonging to a guy that could barely afford it, and it showed. It was in (relatively) horrible shape. And the guy knew he couldn't afford it anymore and that was why he was selling it. Then I looked at one that was owned by a guy that had the money, and boy did that ever show! That's the one I bought. Just to illustrate, the tires: Dude 1 had worn, cheap tires he bought used off of someone that were on the car he was selling. Dude 2 had brand new high-end expensive tires on his. You don't want your rx-8 to end up like the one belonging to Dude 1...

Hope this helps.

chrismkay3

^^^ i think i've been unlucky, that's all. its sufficiently soured my ownership.

i come from audi's and vw's, who are the masters at nickel-diming you to death and all but my first one had much less down-time due to breakage. i am attempting to offload the rx8 and pick up another b5 s4

Gambit

As a rule of thumb, you should never spend all of your money on your car. You still need some for gas and enjoying life and stuff

As long as the car is in good shape and you replace stuff when it's due, you won't be spending too much money on repairs. I had a 2004 6spd for 6 years and 90k miles, and had minimal repair costs.

funkyfresh

sorry to keep asking, but on average how much would I need for a 2004 with say 60k or so. Just a ballpark of the costs for maintenance?

dodgingwrenches

I don't think anyone can really answer that question. It really depends on the history of the car. The 60,000 miles service costs around $300-$400 in my area.

Need to factor in more frequent tune-ups (sparks, plugs, and wires) and more frequent oil changes than other cars. Also read that they eat through brakes.

Freddie

^^^ 46,000 miles, original brakes. 30% remaining on front pads, 50% on rear pads, per dealer. ^^^

No doubt the automatics go through brakes a lot faster.

Strata

Thanks, I appreciate the help