Hi there.

Right now my 2005 RX8 needs a new engine which was quoted to at 3500$ for the engine and labour by Mazda. Or i was offered 2400$ cash for the car as it is. The car has 95k on the body, no rust or anything.

I am not sure which option would be better. Any ideas?

 

What kind of car can you get for $3500? Blue book value to sell to private party is roughly $4K, trade in $3K. $3500 for rebuilt engine and labor seems low especially for the dealer Do you mind telling which dealer this was?

If you think the car is in good condition, its not horrible to rebuild. You are paying the blue book value of the car but you know you've got a good engine. But I still wonder about the quote that you got.

 

Well the quote was originally 6k but they lowered it for me. It's just a small block replacement not the entire thing. It was just a regular Mazda dealership.

Thanks for the reply too

 

You say the the value of my car with the bad engine is worth roughly 4k? I was offered 2400 but i have been wondering if that is a good deal or to low of a price.

 

No, that value was with a good motor selling to a private party. You can can calculate the value from Kelley Blue Book - New and Used Car Price Values, Expert Car Reviews. If the dealer offered you $2400, that's a pretty good offer. I'm still not understanding the low price they quoted you...Originally $6K but brought it down to $3500??? Not a complete replacement??? Do you mean they plan to rebuild your engine? Still seems low especially for a dealer. I wonder what other members think?

 

Oh okay. The 2400 was a private offer, but Mazda had quoted me around 6k or so for the full engine replacement including labor but after discussing the issues we really only had to replace the small block not everything under hood and that is why it is now around 3500. Thats why i am debating either selling for 2400 or putting the new motor in for 3500. I originally only paid 6700 for it not including tax.

 

There's a pretty clear engine replacement procedure. It's not something that you can negotiate. It has a prescribed shop time and part list. If they were quoting you 6000 before, they either don't know how this works or were trying to make a buck.

Did they tell you why it failed? Does the catalytic converter need replacement also?

You don't need the dealer to do this, buy you should put fresh coils/spark plugs/wires in the fresh engine. Much cheaper to do this yourself and buy the parts from NAPA. You don't want your new engine to die the same way the old one did.

A healthy rust free body is worth a lot, I'd say have the engine replaced and you'll either be able to enjoy it for another 95k or sell it at a good price.

 

The engine was having hot start issues. I replaced all the wires, coils and plugs but it didn't help. Took it to Mazda and they did compression tests and it failed. They said that i need a new engine.

 

Thanks for all the replies too.

 

I love my car so much, there would never be any question about what I would do.

$3500 is a great price for an engine replacement. That is the direction I would go. I assume this is a reman engine? If you opt for the replacement, make sure they clean and check everything else. There are a lot of little bits that should be replaced with the engine like the OMP lines, accessory belts, and such. Also have your cat inspected. Cat failures probably kill more engines than any other cause.

 

They didn't mention if it was a reman, is there another type? They will just be replacing the short block. I'm glad u mention that cat issue though I never thought of that.

 

re-manufactured engines should be the only ones you can get at that price point. new, not even sure anyone has a brand new engine these days for a rotary power plant.

i have low compression in my rear rotor housing, but im pulling the Doritos's out for 8 pistons to solve my problems.

 

Mazda quoted you $3500 for parts AND labor? I would double-check that as most Mazda reman engines are that much for just the engine.

If you want to go with a 3rd party rebuilder and fairly handy, you can easily cut that number down, maybe even as low as $2500. I drove my '8 to a friend's place and we pulled the engine together. I sent it out for rebuild and after shipping, a few replacement parts and all the fluids in the world, I was around $2500 (not including a Sohn adapter). Also, in doing so, I feel like I bonded with the car even more than ever before.

Can you replace the '8 for less than $1100? Also, would make you as happy as the '8? If so, then that is a viable option.
Otherwise, replace the engine.

 

I've read quite a few posts of former owners who regretted letting their 8s go.
I wouldn't part with mine unless it became a real hardship case.

 

I absolutely regretted selling mine which is why I bought it back from my friend 3 years later.

 

That's cool.
Did he not like it?
RIWWP drove cross country to get his back.

 

No, he really liked it. He just had 4 cars and a boat already with a second kid on the way.
He really regretted having to sell it back to me but he was out of space and didn't really have time to do much with it anyway.

I like to rub it in once in a while by letting him co-drive it with me at the local autocross events.