Babien

Hello, my name is Chris and I live in North Hollywood, CA. I have been interested in an RX-8 for a while now and have been doing my own research before discovering this website that has all the information in one place! As I am glad to finally find all the answers in one place, I am going to need some buying advice! I have read over and over about the engine failure problems, and see many people selling their RX-8's on craiglist for around 7500-11k then the dealers with their own prices. My question is, what price should I be looking to buy one for if the engine has not been replaced yet, as I hear they are 3300-5200 depending on where I buy them.

Khurram

What year RX8s are you looking at?
What Trim? Auto or MT, Any specific mileage range?

Wether you buy it from a dealer or private sale, ensure that you get a current compression test from Mazda to determine the engines health.

Also, read this thread thoroughly it's got everything you need to know about an RX8 before buying one.
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

All the best

ken-x8

Ditto - get a compression test before you buy.

It's not like every engine blows before its time. Just enough that you have to check the one you're going to buy.

Keep in mind that you're buying a used sports car, which in itself poses more risk than buying a used Accord or Camry.

Find a good one, and enjoy it.

Ken

Babien

Read everything there regarding what to expect and how to maintain, my first step is buying it. I'm interested in either a 2004 or 2005 model as I don't want to spend too much out of the pocket as there may be hidden things wrong with it. I doubt anyone selling the car on craigslist or a dealership is going to let me open the air filter area, check the plugs and the other necessary stuff to determine if the engine is going to need some cleaning. Oh and automatic or stick is my preference, I do not know how to drive a stick vehicle yet, but I hear its easy to learn within a day.

Babien

I have been to a few auctions and seen two different rx-8's that went for $3500. I looked at both, one of them started right up, but the power steering was not functioning correctly, the wheel turned, but had to use extreme strength to do so. Then white smoke started coming out of the exhaust continuously for more than 5 minutes. I read that is burning oil if its blue smoke somewhere, but it was white so it must be coolant. The CEL was also flashing so a misfire must have occurred. The dealer who bought this actually returned it due to the CEL and power steering problem I'm assuming. The other I recently saw for sell at a dealership for $5900. I did a carfax and contacted the last Mazda dealership who did the maintenance on it and they said the engine needs to be replaced because it has a low compression score. I contacted the dealer and he said he would offer me a ASC Warranty with the car if I purchased it from him after informing him about the problems that arise with the rx-8's. So where I'm at now is if it's wise to purchase an auto warranty with an rx-8 as none of them cover any pre-existing problems.

ken-x8

$5900 for one with a known bad engine? No wonder used car dealers get less respect than child molesters.

If you're spending more than you can afford to lose for a used car, you need to either take it to a dealer to get checked over or buy it from a reputable place that will give some kind of warranty. If a seller won't let you get it checked, walk away.

Ken

Babien

Thanks Ken-x8 for the advice. I have talked with this dealership and he is offering me a warranty with the car for the same price, a one year warranty that covers the engine. The warranty is thru a company called ASC Warranty. The car is running right now, but I know its only a matter of time before the car starts to have major problems. My only concern with this warranty company is that they are known to deny the warranty claims by stating "the cause is a pre-existing". If i know the engine is going to go bad due to low compression scores, that's the same thing as pre-existing problems right? Anyone have an extended warranty through ASC that can give me some advice?

Williard

iTrader: (18)

I would back away from that, your going to get yourself in a very bad position. If the motor is bad and they are willing to warranty it then with scores any lower than 7.4 on each rotor face at 250RPM i would tell them replace the motor or no deal.

Babien

Ok I will not be going with that $5900 one from the dealership, but what about this one that's at the auction house, do these problems look like just a new engine will fix it or something more may be needed? I know you cannot answer for certain 100% because you cannot see the car, but just knowing about the power steering problem and the white smoke continuously coming out, will a new engine solve the problem?

Williard

iTrader: (18)

The flashing CEL is a misfire. If it's possible to hook a code reader up to it prior to purchase that would help to have the codes. The power steering issue could be something as simple as a connector, or it could mean the rack needs replaced. In all reality without codes or anything of that nature it's a crap shoot.

Babien

Thanks, that is good information and what I was thinking myself. I am actually looking at auto trader and it seems two people just posted their rx8's for sale around $6000 which is within my price range. Just gotta do a carfax on the cars to make sure they check out. Thanks for the help guys!

Khurram

Best advise I can give you is. Try to look for a private sale. Atleast you'll be buyin it from someone who knows a little about the rx8 comparing to the used car dealerships 90% of the times they have no idea except 4 doors sports coupe...

Test drive the 8 make sure you start it cold yourself, take it on a highway see if it revs all the way to 8 or 9k without hesitations,. Look for hot start issues. no hot start = low compression mostly.

Also, if you feel the car, and everything checks out definately go get the compression done no matter how smooth the car drove.. and when you are buyin a car you should be able to pop open the intake and check no one should stop or question you thats your way of determinig the condition of the car.

On the side note, all the warranties dealers promise, have a cap per claim. So lets say you need an engine, their cap is $800 so guess what you are still paying the remaining of the cost so if engine is 3K they cover 800 and you cover 2200 to me not worth it.