So I'm going to meet up with a girl tomorrow who will potentially be selling me her 04 rx8 if everything's in order. When looking at the engine what should I keep my eye out for that would warn me as to the condition of the engine? I don't think she's going to let me pop out the air box and take look at the coils and whatnot so what all should I look for that would indicate the engine status? By the way I'm not purchasing it tomorrow, simply looking at it and Saturday I'm probably going to take it for a compression test before purchase but I don't want to waste the money on a test if I can see something obviously wrong with it just by looking at it.

Thanks

 

There isn't much visually to check on. The only quick test that you can do is measuring how long to start hot and how long to start cold, then compare them. If she is driving the car to you, then you won't be able to get that comparison

Even looking at coils visually means nothing, you would need a timing light or spark tester.

 

Checking the oil dipstick is a good first step. Anything mucky or out of the ordinary would be cause for concern. remember that a white milky residue though can be normal in cold temps.

 

Also, fluid levels will unfold a little bit of maintenance history. If you get to test drive, try

redlining in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear atleast..if it hesitates then there could be a problem and as

RIWWP stated, cold start vs hot start is your best bet..

All the best