Levin86

Just bought an 05 shinka with 33k in pristine condition.(other than needing a bath) So stoked spent most of last night driving the hills around my house.

gwilliams6

Congrats, read the info at this link thoroughly. BTW did you get a compression test of the engine before you bought the car? This is critical to be done before you buy any used RX8. The engine's condition could be a source of trouble and repairs if not in good condition. Not trying to dampen your happiness here, just passing on a word of caution and advice from a guy that has owned seven rotary RXs since 1973.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

Williard

iTrader: (18)

If thats a 2005 it's not a shinka unless it's been repainted. 2005 the "Shinka" RX8 only came in one color BCM, Not silver.

If you have the Bose system it looks like a GT.

Im also curious about the compression test numbers, You did have one done correct?

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/...on_Numbers.pdf
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...-vin-s-166370/

Check your VIN# against the list's that can be found at either one of those links.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yep, definitely not a Shinka. Common dealership screw up though for some reason. Welcome aboard, you have a 2005 Gran Touring.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

You know it's funny, while i was stationed at Ft. Hood i came across a young soldier one night while i was on CQ Duty and he had just purchased an RX8 and he was looking at mine. He told me the same thing that he purchased a Shinka. I only saw one other RX8 in the parking lot and it was a Red Sport.
I asked him where it was and he took me to the same red sport. He showed me all the paperwork from the dealership, Every bit said SHINKA. Pulled up the VIN# list, wasn't on it. So i gave him Mazda's number and the number to the JAG office.

Shortly after he showed me his new BB GT like mine. Turns out JAG did step in.


Seems like these "mistakes" happen a often?

Levin86

Compression is good.
I thought the same thing but the vin came back telling me it was a shinka as well the trunk has been repainted at least but if the whole thing was painted they did a fantastic job on it

Buckshot

I'd check that VIN again. Shinkas have a light parchment/sand coloured interior with alcantara and leather on the seats. Yours looks too dark. It is possible to change all that stuff out, but I don't know why somebody would do that.
Get under your car and look at the front cross-member. If it's full of polyurethane foam then you've got a Shinka that somebody has done weird things to.

I knew very little of all this Shinka/non-Shinka stuff when I bought my car in December. Dealer sold it to me as an '06 GT, but it decoded through the my insurance as a GS. Which, as it turns out, has been known to happen with Shinkas. 2005 Shinkas are pretty black and white as to what is and isn't, in 2006 it get's a bit more confusing.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

Exactly, As i said earlier. Unless that car has been re painted or you are incorrect about the year, it's not a Shinka.

gwilliams6

Do you have rotary engine compression test result numbers ? Unless it has been properly tested and the numbers bear out, then you are guessing on the compression, even if it "feels" good. That rotary engine's health is the key factor as you go forward as an owner. You need to know what you really bought so you will be able to know what issues may need to be addressed to keep your car running properly for years to come. If you have the rotary compression numbers, please share with us, ok.

Levin86

I don't have the exact numbers it was in the high 7s at 250 rpm the place I bought it from had done a test less than 500miles before but I didn't end up with that paperwork somehow

gwilliams6

Do you know if you got the readings from each rotor and each rotor face ? (you should wind up with six numbers). Just ask them to give it to you. It may seem unimportant but it is important to know how each rotor is doing.

Compression Results
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533734

Things to address first
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533735


Mod Edit (paimon.soror): Replaced large blurbs of text with links to the actual article, no need to clutter the thread

gwilliams6

thanks