would this car work for me?
 

Hey, fellas
I have been planning on buying my friends 04 rx8.
But the thing is that...
the car itself has been sitting outside for about... 6months or so.
I don't think anyone drove it.
yes battery is dead probably.

I would love to go see the car but he is in other country right now.
I will check the car out as soon as he gets back to the state.

but... not driven for over 6 months.
battery is dead, tire pressure is low... I am guessing.
Anything else could be?

but he told me he will sell it after he gets it running/moving.
He is going to take to the dealer and make sure its running,
and sell it to me.
then I am going to get inspected in my state, (he lives in diff state)



My problem is.. does this car have potential problem in future,after he gets it running? (replacing battery.. and etc) I am not good with Rotary engine... like engine won't go crazy? lol

I mean, would it be reliable for my daily driver? after its fixed?

what do you guys think?
Thanks fellas.

Of course there is nothing wrong with it.

But you will have to buy a new battery.

All they will do is charge the old battery. It will work for a short while but then fail.

I am trying by asking questions... now...
yea, I suck with rotary...
I know how it works and all that, but I am not sure how reliable rx8 is...
since I don't have the car yet....

He said, he will replace it with the new battery.
I am talking like after changing the battery....

there is still going to be nothing wrong? after battery is replaced with a new battery?

any other opinions? rotary experts!!

Just because it has been sitting doesn't mean there is necessarily anything wrong with it at this time other than a dead battery, unless he isn't telling you something. All cars can have problems develop, but I don't think this car is any worse for developing real problems than the average car. If he is taking it in to the dealer, have the dealer check it out and make sure everything is in working order. If so, then it should be fine if you do all the necessary upkeep that goes into maintaining it, such as regularly checking and topping off the oil.

Taking it to the dealer to get checked out sounds pretty good. When you and him bring it in, tell them it's been sitting for six months and ask that they check it out accordingly.

Consider having the dealer (or a good mechanic) start it the first time. With any car that sat that long, I'd squirt some oil into the spark plug holes and turn it over at least a few times before firing it up the first time. Probably good to spin it enough to get the oil flow going first, too.

Engine oil should obviously be changed - that's due even if it had been driven. They should look at the brakes to make sure there are no ill effects on the master & wheel cylinders from sitting idle, and that there isn't a rust problem with the rotors. You might need to change various fluids, windshield wipers, etc.

But it seems like you've got the most important thing covered - having a dealer check it out.

Ken

^^^^^

what he said.

tough love.

beers :beer:

Research is always good......but I have to agree with Abbid on this one. If you have to ask....it is usually your gut feeling telling you it might not be a good idea...listen to it...this is common sense talking, nothing more. I'm not an expert on 8's, but I do know the basics by reading my manual, and talking to other owners, here and elsewhere. I can tell you this though. A piston engine after sitting up under those circumstances that long will have problems,from gas going bad, to fouled spark plugs, to rotten belts, to mention just a few. I wouldn't see why the 8 would be any different. Buying the first one you see or the first one you think you fall in love with, is usually an impulse, and not a good idea. If you really want an 8,IMO keep looking.

This is a business deal, and its your responsibility to make sure both parties are equal on the deal, and if you buy a POS no one but you ends up with the headache.

How much is he selling it for?

Funny thing is many people collect cars or have winter cars or have many cars.

They sit for long periods like 6mnths.

My 65 Ford Econoline has sit for that long and longer. She still runs, no problems.

Umm... 65 2007 42 years old

Ha! older than you!

You really don't want to let them sit for over six months, preferably 2 or 3.

OH well.......if its been sitting for 6 months...thats 6 months without any new miles...hence low mile 04...go for it ;)

I don't imagine you'll have any problems. As others have said, definitely have the oil and oil filter changed. New battery for sure, as you've said. Since it's an '04 this would also be a good time to replace brake fluid and coolant. Take it to a Mazda dealer and make sure it has all the latest ECU updates, including the new emissions recall.

If the price is fair and you replace all those things, I think you'll be good.

Hey, I worked on an older friends 1959 Jaguar that had been sitting for 20 years in his garage and had not been started for that time. I had to clean out the fuel lines due to varnish and unstick the floats from the varnish in the bottom of the carbs and put in a new battery, clean out the mouse bedding in the air cleaner, but it runs. So, yeah, you can get some rust in an engine in 6 mo but I just don't think it would be a problem since the engine is basically protected from the outside elements. If it is a good price, I would buy it if the dealer checkout gives it a thumbs up. BYW, if you know of anyone that wants to buy a 59 Jag MKIX Saloon, let me know.

The battery can probably be recharged, but the gas is probably bad. I doubt it is bad enough to screw anything up. I'm guessing that is has been warm most of the time it has been sitting, but I know in cold areas, tires sitting all winter on concrete can get flat spots.

Have it checked out by a dealer, and make sure it is a good deal. Get the warranty work up to date too.

Here's a different thing to be concerned about:

Many years ago, I broke my right arm, which was in a sling for a long time, during which I couldn't drive. So my little Toyota of the time sat undriven for, oh, maybe three months. Afterwards, I found that the air conditioner no longer worked. I'm not at all mechanical and don't really understand the connection, but it's just something you should check.

Yes, do you have a price for it? That would help a good bit...

you probably will have flat spots on the tires from sitting in the same spot for 6 months.

Have you called the dealer and asked their opinion? I really doubt anyone responding here has an 8 that has sat for six months (did you say it was outside?).
So you can't expect anyone here to have an educated opinion on potential damage to the vehicle when no one has experienced it.