it may have issues?

2004 RX8 6 speed.

Takes a minute to start. I am told that is normal.

At idle it has an intermittent but regular surge. Kind of like a light tap of the gas pedal every few seconds.

Engage the clutch and it's fine. Actually it's down right quick. Stop for a light and the surge at idle returns.

No lights on. The owner said his mechanic told him until it throws a code it's fine. However they have been trying to sell the car for 6 months... price is reasonable.

Only other strange thing is the radio will not pick up a station.

Any ideas or advice?

 

Really?

 

Walk away.
Anybody trying to tell you that 'it takes a minute to start' is normal is feeding BS to you.

 

1+ and before buying ANY rx8, take the car for a compression test at the dealer

 

Buyer beware! Find another one with no issues.

 

A minute was probably a poor choice of words. Fuel injected cars - you take a few seconds with the ignition to prime the pump and then turn the key. It takes several revolutions to start but as I said it has been sitting there for several months.

It is what it does at idle that is the concern but apparently I don't know anyone who knows much technically about RXs. I know very little and that one had a carb! Yes. I am aged.

 

What is the price of the car?

 

Looks like a poor serviced\maintained\kept car with low compression\old starter\old something else.
Buy something else.

 

Asking 6900. It has around 140K on it.

I don't mind wrenching. I don't mind replacing plugs, wires, coil, and even the starter if that is headed the right direction. I don't want to buy one with something I (old V8 gear head with some turbo experience) can't fix or will cost a grand or more to get fixed.

I think now what worries me more is no one has really said "sounds like the coils have not been changed and are probably weak" or "it sounds like..." new problems are intimidating!

 

It would be stupid to buy a 140k old car for 7000$ and having to replace everything.
Engine,engine mounts , suspensions , wishbones (or bushings at least), cleaning the injectors, coils, wires, random maintenance stuff etc.
Buy one for 12000$ that has less than half the miles!

 

Did it ever occur to your dumb *** that I don't have 12 laying around to buy another car? Seriously - that's a pretty stupid statement to make, then to include things like engine and suspension which are not part of the discussion concrete your complete lack of comprehension of the question I have asked. It also really gives me the impression that you're not out in the world supporting yourself and a family yet.

Since you have yet to provide anything other than a vague reference to multiple potential part issues and reference another car please do not reply again.

 

You sir are too rude to deserve any help.

 

I'd buy that car in a second. It probably just needs a new air filter and the MAF cleaned, and it will fix the surging idle, no problem. At $6900, it's a steal for an '04 6 speed RX8.

What part of the country are you in? Heck, I'd buy it if you don't.

 

I'd get a compression test. Other that that it sounds good. Radio prob has faulty antenna connection, the antenna is in the rear window (there is one there with the defroster).

 

Yeah, run.

 

I don't know, man... I don't think the compression test is needed in this case.

JAADEP, post some pics when you get it.

 

Bse was just trying to help. A car with that many miles is likely to have problems especially the 04s. I would see if it is still the original engine. Also get a compression test like everyone else is saying. If compression passes then I would consider it a good deal. But expect to have a lot of little maintenance at the least. And along with what Bse said to me I feel you would be better off spending two grand more. I spent 9 on mine and it had 60000 miles one owner all maintenance records etc. So all I've had to every do is regular maintenance and its ran really well. But it depends if thats what you want or not just be prepared for stuff to go wrong with it and don't spend all your money on the car in case something does

 

I love the lulz in this thread

 

This forum is really not for you. Everything he mentioned was a very likely potential cost on that car. Go buy a 350Z and have a nice day.

 

Seems like the OP already made up his mind before asking the question.
How you ask us if you should buy the car then when people say no you bark at them and defend the car....why are you asking then?

As for me i say get it. Sparks and coils will solve the hard starting, new air filter will stop the rough idle. You will need to do a lot of little things though -- brakes, fluids, oil change.....give them 6 grand they will take it.

 

I would get a compression test done, even if you have to pay for it. Just to know the health of the engine. If it passes, throw 5k at them and see what happens.

-Shawn

 

Mileage too high and the price is not worth it. You will be maintaining the car obviously mostly all of the time. Start wrenching and get your hands dirty for that. Good luck.

 

+1 ^

 

Look at your message. It list specific issues along with potential cures and gives insight into the reasons behind the issues. It is an intelligent on topic post.

However the person I am accused of "barking at" or "being rude to" lists three items with no logic behind them. Then calls my potential purchase of the car stupid. (but that's not rude) Then they create a laundry list of items that have not been brought up for discussion with no rhyme or reason behind it and I am the bad guy because I point out that some of us have to buy and repair because the entanglements of life prevent us from throwing 12 grand at a car.

Absolutely amazing. It's like being surrounded by liberals. Ain't got any facts to back up what you're saying but as long as you said it the loudest you're an expert. If someone disagrees we'll just call you names.

For those that have tried to help me with the specific concerns of this car - thank you. The car is available at Bluff City Auto in Memphis, TN. Jimbo is the salesman (and he is rather frustrated with the vehicle not selling so he is motivated). 901-634-6016

 

You just barked at me, you could have asked the reasoning behind my post. Masking your low IQ by stating that i don't have a family to care about is stupid, too. If i had a family to care about and a low budget i wouldn't buy a sportscar in the first place... let alone one that is known for having high maintenance and running costs and requires some throrough maintenance to stay healthy.

Here's the reasoning, if you can understand it:
Suspenion and bushings - 140k miles. Worn. No need to discuss that.
Engine mounts - worn or partially worn. No need to discuss that either.

Engine. If it's the original engine then there's a 90% chance that it is running on low compression (at least static compression). If it wasn't premixed, it has low compression for sure.
Remanufactured engines are built like crap, an experienced owner would tell you if the engine was a good one (Mazmart, RotaryResurrection or any other non-mazda shop).

Injectors, fuel pump and all the related parts are either clogged or worn i have never seen an oring last that long. Moot point discussing on that. Fuel pumps start failing at 60k.

Plugs should be replaced sooner than every 20.000miles, coils start losing power at 30k or so, wires go with coils. If you were a smart guy you would have searched for that instead of bashing.

If you're still too stubborn to understand get it, if you want to reply please bite, don't bark.