looking to buy a RX8 04 as a daily driver.

first of all... is this the right section to ask these questions? if there is a better forum I will move this post...

What are the things I need to look out for when buying a RX8?
recalls, sounds to look for, any known issues?

how many miles should I expect a cared for RX8 to go for? I see people selling them from 24k to 80k miles... whats the max miles you seen on a RX8..? (I plan the car lasting me quite a few years.)

I have about 10k saved up to put down on a car and willing to get 2 to 5k loan for the remainder... I think that will get me a reliable well maintained car.

I am expecting 25 mpg highway mileage. (this right?)

I am not getting it to save money obviously

but you think a rx8 is right for what I am looking for?


my story:

I am 27, I own a lifted/moded jeep (1999-XJ) and take it wheeling. (off Roading). I break it, fix it, wheel it. repeat. but Its getting hard to keep it fixed up enough to drive to work on Monday. I need another car to drive while I fix up the jeep for the next trip to the off road park. I am looking for a reliable sporty car to get to work and go places when the weather is nice.

so my solution is to own two, a jeep and a Rx8 (kinda fallen in love with the looks of the car. )
I would use the RX8 for DD while I fix the jeep up. use the jeep in bad weather... like we get any snow here.... lol

I don't need a show car or a race car...
I don't have a budget for speeding tickets or a empty garage at my current house. (too many tools...)

after I figure out how much insurance is going to cost for owning two cars (one being a sports car....) I will post in the WTB post classifieds.

I am planing on buying something in the next 5 to 6 weeks

been looking at a few cars posted on the "For sale" forums and a few on auto trader. I feel that you guys take care of your cars better then any other people though...


here's a few I have been looking at.


2004 Mazda RX-8 $9,995


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...r_id=256688572
I really like the Black red combo... but the high millage and the fact it does not look taken care of scares me... engine photo scares me... (should I be?)

2004 Mazda RX-8 Sport $13,000

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...r_id=255488391

close by lower millage. more expensive. no leather seats... etc.


most of the 8's on the classifieds here are farther away. but its really worth a look.


Thanks
Steve.

 

reply notes are above in bold

 

thank you for your responses. they are very helpful.

and not getting flamed is cool...

mpg is not really that big of an issue. my jeeps getting around 13mpg atm...

I really like the look of the RX8.

I have been searching the vast threads about maintenance and recalls, I was just being lazy and asking also.

thx again for the response.

 

this is probably your best place to start. https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

and i just realized you are in DE, not NJ. yikes, never want to say someone is from jersey if they aren't (and often even when they are ).

 

just one little bridge... such a difference...

Homework started.

 

have you ever noticed that the tolls on the bridges are only charged when you leave NJ? my wife calls them the hostage tolls. it's free to go in (and people laugh at you for doing it) but you have to pay to get out. a fee, i might add, that is definitely worth every penny.

now i'm going to hide before the jersey guys read this.

 

ya... I really don't wanna offend any one my first day of posting....

but yes they are trying to give you reasons to stay...

I better not say too much... one of the RX8's I am looking at is coming from there...

 

I love my 8 as a daily driver. 15-16 mpg w/high rev driving and my commute is all highway. But, to be fair, it is ~12 miles and I have to use 6 highways (3 interstates and 3 local) . . . so it's not quite the typical "highway miles", especially since it's during traffic time, too.

My initial reaction to your post is two-fold:

1. I strongly recommend you get a car with some warranty left - under 40k would be nice. This means you should stay away from 04 models - which are more prone to some of the "first run" issues of any new design.

2. A performance car is going to suck up money. Do you really want to have another vehicle that could easily compete for the money you plan to use on the jeep?

I would never say 'don't get an 8' because the car is just way too much fun. But you absolutely should get something with enough warranty to cover any serious issues (transmission, engine, etc.) to C.Y.A. At least long enough to prevent your 10k from needing 4k in engine work on your dime shortly after buying.

Try to find an 8 being sold by a Mazda dealership and ask for compression testing as a stipulation for purchase.

 

I am checking local dealerships tomorrow. seeing if they are hurting to sell cars as much as I think they are.




thanks for your input... much much thanks.

 

now where did i put my ban stick again?......i just had it last night in the multimedia section..........

 

seriously.. you guys charge me $8 just to leave jersey...

 

But you dont go to jersey everyday like I do Al.

 

true.. thats why 2-3 times a week is enough :<

 

Ha ha I knew that was going to cause trouble...

 

****, dude. If money isn't a big consideration then the 8 is a great DD. Get one.

 

Going to the movies .. like 15 a day ... driving my 8 everyday priceless

 

I would suggest you make it out to a local meet in your town,state -the guys can give you a ride in the 8.hear the stories, also great way to fix usual problems.
nothing beats a forum meet.

 

the main thing to buy before thinking of buying a rotary is a book on rotaries. either that, or spend lotsa time online reading on pros/cons, modifications, failures. im talking from experience....i bought a 7 FD years ago, without any kind of knowledge and it was a bad experience. too bad i ordered a book when it was too late and the car needed repair rather than maintenance. so please do a lot of research in order to avoid a lot of financial woes.

Anyways, on to the good stuff:

get an 8 because it's a fun car to drive: handling, looks, and an awesome engine, mine is pretty much stock but turns a few heads, so imagine once i fix it up a bit. my 8 is a black 04 GT daily driver, and i drive around 40 hwy miles to and from work, combined. I fill up my tank (use nothing but premium, of course) every 4 days or so. I'm not a very high revver but the 8 loves to be revved

if u have the means to fill up your tank (approximately 23 bucks for premium where i live) then go for it.

if u do decide, but its not from a mazda dealership (warranty), make sure you get proof that the engine has been taking care of, ie: oil changes (big one... and no i won't tell you what oil to use), cooling system, seals (you dont want anything leaking) etc. don't be fooled by a shiny engine cover, cause it doesn't necessarily mean that the engine has been properly maintained. get proof, receipts. wel thats all i gotta say, for now

 

My '8 is my [three season] daily driver. The cost for me of its relatively poor fuel economy is outweighed by the spice it brings to an otherwise fairly dull commute. As everyone else here, I live for the tight turns and high rev's.

 

Don't get the wrong impression though - the car really is very reliable and won't necessarily cost you more money than other cars out there (unless you modify it of course).

Mine's a 2004, and I kept up on all the recalls... and after five years and 50,000 miles it's been basically flawless engine-wise. I mean OK, the tailight seals broke and flooded, the parking brake boot tears every winter (from being stiff in the cold), the center console door tab breaks off about once a year, and I flooded it once (my fault entirely).

But no major issues, no mechanical problems, no huge or unexpected costs. Just make sure all the recalls have been done.

 

how hard is it to find a rotary mechanic in Delaware? that's not a stealership?

 

70% sure I am going to buy this... https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8s-sale-wanted-43/fs-2004-rx-8-grand-touring-custom-stereo-more-161375/


good price, good location, just gotta go check it out.

steve.

 

Looks like a solid deal, and I always like to see dealerships NOT involved if possible. lol

Make sure the title is clean and the warranty is intact. Powertrain warranty extended tranny & engine to 60k, and another extension covers the engine only (core) for 100k.

Not sure if you noticed it, but the seller has a black 8 in his avi and the link in his sig is to a black 8. Current ride listed as an Audi. Not sure why, but it made me a little curious since the 8 for sale is red. Probably worth asking. Obviously I'm not saying there's anything wrong, just that I noticed. If it's all on the up-and-up it looks to me like you're probably dealing with someone who used the 8 as a second car w/the Audi as a daily. Always a nice bonus!

And like Maries8 said - don't be too concerned with reliability and maintenance on the rotary. As long as you've seen the potential issues you've done more homework than many newcomers here. Top off the oil every other fill-up until you get comfortable with exactly how much oil you're burning and you're well on your way to keeping a healthy rotary. Choose the right oil, consider pre-mix, and seafoam that shiznit occasionally and you're doing great. Just make sure there is a paper trail with the car you buy for all maintenance.

 

I own it now. just waiting for the title in the mail from his bank.

 

Congrats! This is an amazing car to drive. Very Fun. You will be spending A LOT of time in this site now. While you are waiting for the title, you should read up on things like Winter/Cold starts, Engine Flooding/DeFlooding and so on. It's information that you will be glad you read if something ever happened. This is a great community and it has a large and detaild DIY section. Good Luck with the car.