I've always liked RX-8's. I test drove one about 12 years ago and it always stuck with me how unique the car drove. Well I was browsing FB marketplace and came across a black 6 speed RX-8 for $1,500. It had three poor photos of it. One of mostly the hood, one of the driver seat, and one of one wheel. The car was being sold by a towing company. They had impounded the car for being parked for to long somewhere. The company went through all the legal routes to get the cars owner to come pick up the car. The owner never responded to any attempt the towing company made, and per state law, the towing company assumed ownership of the vehicle. They tried to start it but we're unsuccessful. So it was listed for sale as non running. I bought it assuming the motor was blown and I planned on having it be a project car for me and the kids to work on when we had time. Once I got the car home, I snooped around on here and learned about the weak starters and how these cars can be flooded/ poor ignition. I deflooded the car, and got it to fire up to my surprise. I've put a new starter, spark plugs, and oil change. New coils and plugs should be here later this week. After poking around the car, it had a few upgrades that I didn't expect. It has Power Trix coilovers on all 4 corners, 18" wheels, Racing Beat cat-back and intake, and short throw shifter. A few surprise's/head scratchers as well. It has a box under the dash which I believe is for a remote start system, a red button and black button under the dash that I have no idea what they do. I'm pretty sure the cat is gutted. I believe it has an oil catch can. It has water temp, oil temp, and oil pressure gauges on the dash that don't work (unplugged hopefully?). There is a green plug in a wiring look near the fuse box under the hood that isn't connect to anything. Lots of questions, and I'm excited to go on a journey with this car. Lots and lots to learn.

 

Awesome buy. Get it compression tested since it's now running before putting too much money into it.

 

nice. the gauges look like pro sport and the green connector on the drv wheel well looks like it could have been from the vfad or connected to the oem airbox iirc

 

I spy an additional oil container behind the airbox. Perhaps it has a Sohn adapter? Figure out what that is and if it is the Sohn you'll want to keep that bottle full of 2 stroke oil.

 

I was able to get ahold of the original owner who did the aftermarket work to it. So it does have a full Beat Racing exhaust, a Beat Racing flash tune, ACT clutch and flywheel. The engine was rebuilt to factory spec at 75k. And the transmission was rebuilt around the same time. The gauges are ProSport gauges. They don't work right now but hoping to be able to get them working.

 

Lol so you were able to get a hold of the owner but not the towing company who had his car?

 

I've done that before. Easy to find when you have the title or find something with their information on the car. It's smart.

 

basically its sad how easily a tow company can swipe what appears to be a car someone cared about at some point and profit from it..

definitely the green connector is old vfad plug from original intake system that is no longer there its fine disconnected.

definitely the box is an alarm system or remote start... the red and black buttons are the most curious :P

there is a coolant bypass on the throttle body and insulation wrapped AC lines . Id also guess the container is for sohn adapter

 

I'm curious to know why the PO didn't bother to pick up the car.
Check for human remains or white powdery stuff!