I'm looking at purchasing a new car and i stumbled across this ad, its for a 06 rx8.

"Mazda recently replaced the engine along with the ignition coil, the shutter valve, the shutter sensor, the gaskets and the plugs & wires! The job cost more than $7,000 and comes with a full factory warranty from Mazda!
The engine has about 250 miles on it and the body has 77,000"

If I do look at it, what problems should i be looking for since it had the new motor put in? Or what questions should i be asking in regards to the new motor?

 

Even though it's a reman engine, ask for a compression test anyway. When the numbers are good enough, then you can purchase it if you want to, good luck with it.

 

That job cost has me suspicious, but assuming it's all accurate, find out if the fuel hose was replaced or re-used. Have them tell you what was done with it, don't volunteer information ahead of time

With 250 miles on the engine it will need to finish it's break in, but otherwise not a worry. A compression test won't even give you an accurate number yet since it's not broken in.

 

Thats what i was thinking too, I was like how the hell does it cost 7K for all of that to be done? Granted I don't know all that much about mechanic work so i don't know pricing but it seemed way to high for me.

Thanks for the info, i'll make sure to write it down

EDIT: Also I called for a little info about the engine and he said it was a brand new engine that was put in there, so i'm guessing it would be one from the newest model?

 

At a fairly raw level of assuming dealer prices, charging $5k for the engine replacement and $2k for the intake manifold valve replacement is entirely possible. Although with the engine out, MOST of that $2k in labor for the intake valving is already solved (since part of it is the same as removing the engine). Coils, plugs and wires were probably listed for nearly $500 in parts and $500 in labor, even though it's $182 in parts and 20 minutes of labor.

I'm more suspicious that they saw that price at all. Any warranty work I've had done showed up as $0. I only see a price if I get charged for it. And I sure as hell hope he didn't pay $7k....

 

The Mazda dealer I had my engine replaced under warranty did include the "prices" on my invoice. They just ended up being "$0" when it was all totaled up. My reman motor and install cost $2800 of which I paid nothing, so I think 7K seems like alot.

 

Make sure you ask for some receipts! If not it's probably BS.

 

I would assume he didn't pay for it since the car only has 77K miles on it and would have still been under warranty. And yes, receipts its another thing I need to ask about, totally slipped my mind. :P