hyperlexis

Hi there -- I am seriously looking for a RX-8 as a daily driver. For what I can afford right now, most seem to be 04 and 05 vintage. Some have wildly different mileages. One base version I am looking at only has 34,000 miles, while an upper level model with nav, has over 120k for around the same cost.

I have read the comments about inspection before buying and had a side question:

1.) If the motor passes the compression test, does that usually mean the motor has not been seriously damaged by overheating, or carbon deposits, etc? So if one bought the car and started to care for the motor, religiously, from that point on, will it likely continue running without a catastrophic failure/seal probs for a good long time?

2.) Do RX-8 engines, assuming maintained perfectly and the software upgrade TSB was done, last as long as piston engines? i.e. do the seals, etc., hold up as well as piston rings, all things being equal? Or do the rotaries simply wear faster than standard engines by design? Some of the cars I am seeing are at 100k+ and I simply couldn't afford a new engine after a few thousand miles.

Are there any other weak spots to be wary of? The auto-4 trans or the manual? Is one faring better than the other? Do the trans bearings and syncrhos hold up well or better than average on RX-8s? One guy was selling an 04 manual trans version and told me the synchros in the trans were starting to fail.

How about the RX-8 suspension? Do the shocks/bushings, ball joints, etc. hold up well? Not a single carfax I have read mentioned shock replacement, and I shudder to think what the cost for the OEM shocks would come in at. 100k miles? Do they go for 50k before needing replacement?

One dealer offered a 6 mo warranty and I am wondering if that may be the best way to go on this vehicle, for a bit more peace of mind.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

wcs

iTrader: (2)

First ... Thanks for reading the stickies!!!!
I can tell you did and for this we love you

1) Yes but there is no way to guarantee nothing with go wrong. That can happen with any mechanical device. However typically you should be good to go.

2) Mmmm this is likely more a matter of opinion and mine is they do NOT last as long as a gasoline piston engine and no where near the length of a diesel

3) Auto vs. Manual ... never buy an Auto from the years 03-05 they have the **** 4 port engine in them with barely enough torque to mix a bowl of melted butter.

4) Transmission ... I've had syncro issues with my 05 almost since the day I bought it. I'm not going to go in to all the BS I went thru with the dealer to try and fix it but lets leave it at a single finger solute to Orangeville Mazda.
My personal opinion is the Series one transmissions are weak in the Syncro's and the shift fork. However that being said I've (knock on wood) not had to rebuild my tranny yet.
I've have found that regular transmission fluid changes with Redline oil prevents the syncro grind at high rpm's.
(Note to other members I'm not going to get in a Oil debate .. Redline is what I like and use period oh and it's easily available to me)

kevinande

I agree that regular transmission oil changes will help prevent the problem of synchro grinding, brand of oil not withstanding. I use OEM oil and I have zero problems with the transmission. I am a pretty aggressive driver.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

What they said.

I have an 04, engine was replaced around 30,000 miles. It has 120,000 on it now. Runs strong, great gas mileage for one of these (20 ish mostly highway). I use it to pull a trailer 300 miles to the track and run the snot out of it several weekends a year. It has seen double duty at the track this past year with my daughter driving it. I did apparently overheat the transmission this past weekend, but it seems to have healed.

If you get an older one, go through the $100 thread in my signature. It will really help.

hyperlexis

Thanks for the info -- so re the engine is there a good number you could quantify? So all things being equal, and the engine well maintained, properly driven, etc., one could hope to get X-miles out of an 03-05 engine before needing an overhaul? An average? Because some of these I am seeing are +99k miles and if I can get 200k out of the engine before needing a rebuild that would be ok. But if I can only eeek out another 20k, then that's a problem.

My Hyundai Sonata needed a new block at 80k so I know freak problems arise in engines -- but my old Audi 5000 had an engine that was as sound as a dollar after 200k. So an honest opinion on the RX-8 1st gen motor would be much appreciated.

This is really the first car I have ever looked at where I was actually looking for a car that had had its original motor replaced! LOL

wcs

iTrader: (2)

100k miles ... again in my opinion....

You're already on borrowed time.

I don't believe there are any 200k mile engines

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Change the oil, use the right oil, keep it cool. it will last. Problem is the dolt that had it first. Nothing you can do about that.

If track miles are counted at 3x regular miles, then I am way over 100,000. But, I do have a small front oil seal leak that appeared (might be related to daughter hitting 3rd gear at just over 100 mph on track, then letting out clutch).

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It depends on the compression test. If you score in the low 7s, 20-30k might be an optimistic estimate. If you score in the 8s, 80k+ is entirely likely (as long as you don't neglect something else that blows it early)

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Well hog tie me and pelt me with cattle terdz.

Look at this guy ... 190k miles!!

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...ations-249473/

Ok he's tired of it breaking down but dammmm ... I wonder if it's 190k on the same motor?

edit:
Ahh crap, I need to pay more attention. Looks like it's on a second engine.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

wcs, you know of Elf's car, right?

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...e-club-210536/

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Holy crap!
Thanks RIWWP.

I guess there is hope for a few of us.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Not really in my opinion. It's no coincidence that the "elf" has the "unicorn" car of the community

I think 200k on a Renesis is entirely possible, but you have to identify and mitigate every single life-shortening factor, and there are enough of them that simply can't be addressed by the vast majority of owners that it becomes a roll of the dice whether or not something unknown is going to finally bite you.

I often wonder how long a Renesis would last if the internals were to remain completely carbon free, such as with a water or water/meth injection kit (assuming no failure due to external damage or from something like cooling failure). When the next rotary appears, I fully intend to start that test right off the dealer lot. Call me in a decade or two?

New Yorker

You'll get many opinions on this, but two points to consider: I never buy first year of production for any car; too many bugs not worked out. Second, I believe that, with proper maintenance and attention, the Renesis should last well into six figures. But the catch is the word 'proper'; most Americans tend to neglect their cars. While that will probably shorten the life of a piston engine, it could well mean early death to a rotary.

I'd only buy one if I was absolutely certain the original owner was **** retentive about his 8.

hyperlexis

Alas it's all turning out to be quite the roll of the dice, even with a carfax.

Sadly, two of the dealers selling RX-8s I had my eyes on both called me -- both, yes both, called to tell me they found they had blown engines and the ads were being retracted You'd think they would have known this when posting the ads..... Ughhhh. So many of these used RX8s, in otherwise great shape, have ruined engines. A minefield for a buyer. Amazing the resale values have held as well as they have. I have visions of beautiful RX8s piled to the sky in a junkyard, all for lack of a working engine.....

And the dealer in Colorado I called to discuss their 'Shinka' described as having black/chapparrel leather seats was actually a base with cloth seats and was over +1,000 over BBV.... (Although with nav and sunroof, I still want it.... lol)

This adventure is going to be a little more exciting than I thought!

Khurram

Sorry its a little late. But my daily commuter rx8 is currently at 245ish k kms.. Its been babied since day one, the first owner was well aware of how to take care of of rotaries. I've had it for last 75k kms and no problems.. I think my compression may be low, since I dont get anything close to 17mpg on highway. But yes if you look after them redline a day or so and keep the oil toped up it should last you 150k miles easily..

Hope this helps..