Hi folks.

My '04 8 has been a great car *knocks wood*. It's got 123,000 on the original engine. Dealer service department says there's no evidence of any problems. I redline it daily, never had any major issues, get the oil changed every 5000 miles.

But I'm getting nervous. The dealer tells me I'm lucky. I have the highest mileage RX-8 they service. What I'd like to know is, should I be thinking about getting rid of the car while it's still running? With a car like this, how does one know when to say goodbye?

The last thing I want to do at this stage is replace an engine. I'd much rather go ahead and put that money into a new car, if it came to that. But I need the RX-8 to trade or sell to be able to reasonably afford a new car. So, I need it running when I get a new car.

I really love my 8, which is what makes this difficult. I'd appreciate any input from you guys, especially any rotary experts out there.

Thanks in advance!

 

get a compression check done.

 

I only have 22k miles and I worry that my engine will give me problems early like some of the other owners. how much is it to fix if it broke anyways? Maybe rebuilding a rotary isnt THAT BAD of an investment.

 

I asked about a compression check last time I had the car in. They said they don't do them unless they suspect a problem. He said they checked the balancing of the rotors (I think that's what he said) and that they were equal, and that indicated to them that there wasn't any problem.

Does that make any sense? I'm a female, not mechanically inclined, so please bear that in mind. Thanks!

The other thing I wonder is if I do a compression check and it isn't so good, that dealer is likely to not give me as much on a trade if I want to buy a car there. Do the compression check numbers go into a database that all dealers can see or just the dealer where you get the car serviced?

 

A rebuilt engine can cost $4k or so, maybe more. At least with the vendors on this forum, dunno bout your average shop.

I'm pretty sure a carfax will pull up any service info you do.

 

If it were me and I said “I don't want to replace the engine... I need to sell it or trade in order to get a new car...”
I would trade it or sell it now.
Not because of fear of the engine letting go but simple because you have a high mileage '04.
As more miles are added and as more time passes what you could get on a trade or better still a sell is going to get lower and lower.


Time to say goodbye.

 

Whoa, really? I never saw a Carfax report before. Interesting.


Thanks for being honest and logical. That is probably the right approach.

I also love not having a car payment. I think I'll start looking around. It's nice to not HAVE to do something - gives you a little more leverage when shopping.

Any other opinions?

 

If you truly need the money the trade in will get you for a new car, then definitely trade it in now. Even if the trade in value doesn't drop further in the future (which I doubt it won't), a lot of car dealers are more willing to do business now anyways.

And yes, I took a carfax out on my 8 after (stupidly yeah) I bought it, and noticed that there were 2 services done on it. One was the one done when it arrived in the U.S., and the second was the yearly done to ensure sale.

 

i'm kinda in the same boat as you, i have ~92k miles on mine and also starting to think about parting with my 8 for something a bit larger and more 'practical' (ie 4 real doors). but i'm also in the good position of not HAVING to do something right away. for all intents and purposes i can see myself drive the 8 easily for another couple years if the deals just aren't there, or i can't find a car that possess about 80-90% of the fun factor while getting 4 real doors, lol

but yeah, i totally know where you're coming from.

 

well, it won't be worth much with that many miles. just keep it.

after 80k, dealers don't like ANY car. good luck getting more than 4 or 5 grand for it on trade, and that's being generous.

 

$8,500 for a brand new engine and labor. Not cheap but worth it.

 

A carfax report will not show this info. I had mine checked before I got the car and there was nothing on it. come to find out it had the engine replace 4000 miles before I got it.

 

Honestly I'm never one to tell someone what they should and shouldn't part with in their life. I can only influence them with my actions and choices...and my choice if it were me....

I'd drive it til the wheels fell off. . . then pull over and and push it til it grew new ones.

basically...I wouldn't let it go because of other people's speculation. If the car runs well and it passes compression tests I don't see a reason why you should let it go -

 

+1 on that, Its an 04 with a lot of miles, you wont get much for it at all.. if your engine is still going strong I say you keep it and just start saving up for the worst.

 

hmmm... seeing more and more of topics like this starting to make me worry a bit on my new 2008 rx8. I bought it expecting possible problem later. engine might fail (but has extended warranty on Rotary Core?)....

 

Simple rule I go by. If the monthly maint costs are more than buying a car i like, trade in. Otherwise keep it until it falls apart.

I drive people crazy with the fact I didn't trade my 200K mile escort in when I bought my 8. However, she's paid off, burns less oil than my 8, still gets 30+ mpg and costs me only oil changes. I'm money ahead keeping her as a daily driver over getting rid of her.

 

Interesting perspectives. Thank you all.

You know, $5000 might not seem like much but it's something - a nice down payment on a new car. I would be glad to get that in a trade. I put about 22000 miles on a car each year. If I wait another year, it will be worth even less and I won't have had a chance to save all that much. Plus I'm due to buy new winter tires this year.

The more I think about it, the more I realize, as ZoomZoomH says, I'm in a good position. Whenever I decide to let go of the 8, it will likely be a Miata. I had a first gen and loved it. Car dealers are perhaps in a more generous mood at the moment, and I can keep my eyes peeled for a good deal. If nothing comes up, I'll be happy in my 8.

It's just that reading these forums and hearing the dealer tell me how lucky I am to have so many miles has made me a bit paranoid. I'm proud of the car and hope it'll continue to roll along happily.

 

If the engine is the only thing you're worried about and the rest of the car is fine and you love it, you may as well drive it into the ground. It really isn't worth much for a trade-in anyway, and if the worst happened you could get a new engine for less than you would spend to get another car.

I guess the big question is, how badly do you want another car? If you're tired of the 8 and think you'd be happier with a Miata, then go for it. But if you still love driving the 8 every day and haven't found another car that you want more, stick with the 8. There's really nothing else like the 8 around, and you'll never drive another car like it.

So forget about reliability, what's important is to ask yourself if you're really still in love, or if it's time to "have that talk" with your car.

 

eh.. allow me if you will to voice my opinion.

1) you enjoy your unique car Yes No ( circle one)

2) You have no car payment Yes No

3) You really think that a car like the RX8 which suffers from low resale value already, has the death number of miles for ANY used car ( over 100k) will get you anything near 5K on a trade in that you won't pay for that in the "deal" they give you on your new car? Yes No

4) What do you think your depreciation is going to be on the RX8 if you keep it A) lots
B) some C) not that much more, after all how much lower can you go? ( see #3 above)
(circle one please)

5) compare how much you would lose on depreciation on that new car that you have the hots for once you drive it off the lot ( the way things are going 35 -40% wouldn't be that far off)


6) Mmmmmmm car payments are like a nice HUGE juicy steak.. they look so easy to finish and the car is soooo tasty.... By the time you finish the first year or so, you're sick of them AND you have to eat your vegetables as well!

7) Gee I really DO know what I am doing and I shouldn't be bad mouthing myself because I am girl since I got MY car to go longer than most of the MEN on this board have ( This is a freebie, pat yourself on the back, have a beer! )

8) If it aint broke why fix it? Take your time and see whats out there for a replacement engine. Prepare now and SAVE the $$$ in the bank.. If your RX8 continues to go, then you have money in the bank AND you still have a sweet car! if you lose your job, that new car is still going to be demanding it get fed. Moral? You OWN your car.. keep the cash in the bank for ultimate liquidity and keep adding to it! THEN when its time to replace the engine, you can get a great deal and still have the security of $$ in the bank.

9) and finally as far as these forums go, believe nothing in what you hear and only half of what you see... the proof is in the pudding...

10) Go redline today... and think to yourself.. Damn that sounds sweet, No Miata will come close ( and yes, I have had both)

 

Never quite understood why people trade in cars after they've been paid off and they're working great. If the car is nearing it's death because it's breaking down, engine feels wonky, etc etc, then ok, I can understand because I was in that position with my old car, it was ready to keel over and die.

However, if the car is running like a champ, hasn't had many problems (or none) and you don't have any payments on it, then why in the world do you want to trade it in for something that's going to cost you MORE money with monthly payments, higher insurance (you gotta cover that loan investment..) rather than keeping what you have? Especially in today's economy when you should be making every penny count.


I have a rule when it comes to buying, if I don't need it, I don't buy it. Except occasionally, once every 3 months or so, I indulge in a little purchase less than 400$ (generally about 50$) as a little gift to myself.


I would keep it till it explodes (not literally I hope ).

 

Marklar,

You're very perceptive. New car fever can be contagious and spreads all over the body. That's why I came here - to get the other side of the argument. Thanks for putting it in perspective.

cogsNsprockets,

Thank you. That was well put and my heart is right there with you. I just honestly can't see myself investing that much money on a new engine. I think at that point, I would be ready to let go of the car. The bloom would be off the rose. That's a lot of money and I would then worry about the new engine not lasting. That's just how I am.

But you make great points about how it makes sense financially to keep the car. That makes me feel better.

And thanks for the beer! :D

 

Thanks DarkLord. I appreciate your opinion. It seems like the overwhelming majority feel it makes more sense to keep the car. I'm not surprised, since we're on an RX-8 forum! But it helps to read all your rationale.

Love your avatar, by the way. Aliens is one of my favorite movies!

 

There are several users who have gone through multiple engines, and the RX8 is not the only car that can go through a few engines, it always sucks when it happens, but it'll happen eventually no matter the car, metal wears out over time, some cars go longer than others, some don't, getting a new engine doesn't make it any less reliable (unless it's a cheap engine.. then yea.. who knows ).

I think you'd find the same opinion on most other car forums, it's more of a financial decision than the actual car, doesn't really matter if you had a Civic, an Evo, a Mustang, etc.

Example, my dad's Kia Sorento is at 170k miles, pretty damn high and he's often been suggested to trade it in and get a new car, but what's the point when it's already paid off and all, he'd rather not have the extra monthly payment.


Of course, if you still decide to trade the 8, then hey, it's your choice, just make sure it's a good decision financially and it makes you happy





And yes, the Alien franchise rocks! hehe

 

 

I'll give you $5000 right now for your car.