When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Recently got a 2004 Rx8. Although it is my first Rx8, it's my 10th car. I've owned a lot of "typical" enthusiast cars - Camaro, Mustang, WRX, GLI, 350z, Corvette, Miata, and now this. I recently had a beautiful 93' Miata I just sold for $6500, and picked this 04 Rx8 up for $8500.
Now here's the nice part - my new 2004 Rx8 only has 10,500 original miles, fully stock, fully mint. Grand Touring package, leather seats, HIDs, heated seats, Nav, etc. etc. 6 speed of course. Interior is beautiful and it's a blast to drive.
So, to be honest, I believe we got a great deal due to the fact that the car sat (well not completely, but moved around every so often at a high end private dealer) for about a year. Since these geniuses who sell Ferraris, Benzs, resto muscle cars, etc, don't put any of their cars on actual selling websites, such as cars.com, cars guru, etc., I believe no one ever really saw it. As for the customers who did, it wasn't really their style, considering the dealership (which was also in the boondocks of the Hamptons, Long Island). So, over the course of a year the price dropped for 21k to 10.5k, and then eventually sold for our offer or 8500.
Haven't done anything yet, besides some basic maintenance. Brand new battery, oil, and fluids in the tranny and diff. Also cleaned out the airbox which looked like it had a dead animal or something inside at one point, because I took out a huge wad of ****. Removed the airbox walls too.
I know there's a lot of horror stories with these cars, the motors, compression, etc., but since I'm into cars, I'm sure it'll work out. I keep my cars immaculate and did a lot of research. My only issue is my own paranoia. The car did sit for a little while (or moved around very little like I said) between me and the original owner. I did get to speak to the first owner when I got it however, and he was big into rotaries and rx7s, so that was reassuring.
I guess my first paranoid issue is start ups. The car starts up no issues when cold, and so far always fine when hot. When hot, I wouldn't say I get that typical delayed start struggling / gasping for life noise or effect, but it's definitely a tad different that cold. It'll fire up fast, but I guess it's the quick noise it makes that I'm not used too. It's like it turns right over that it's almost abrupt - normal?
My second concern would be ignition. Everything still has to be stock. I know replacing coils, wires, and plugs on a car with 10k may be premature, but it's 12 years old at this point. If I'm experiencing no performance issues and it's starting both hot and cold, should I not worry about this for now?
Thanks for the advice in advance! Hope you all can appreciate a clean first year rx8 with low miles.
Man. It's pretty, but you could have bought mine for 8,500 with updates and services! I'd go ahead and uprate coils and plugs now, since you can. Prevention is better than repair.
That's an amazing deal for an 8 with that low of miles!! Not many original 8's left out there to be honest. I'd keep it all stock. Not only is is reliable, but in the end, you may find that it will be worth more. I personally keep all of my cars bone stock and I like it that way. I appreciate tasteful upgrades though. Did the original owner tell you anything about the car or any good stories with the car?
Nice pics, id go with midpipe to replace cat en get cooling fan switch mod. Id keep the exterior stock (humble). But i guess visually tuning wouldnt make it worse to look at
Thanks for the compliments, guys. I plan to keep the exterior and motor stock, but I basically do the same thing with all my cars - coilovers, wheels, intake and catback. This way it'll look sleek and tasteful, and have no irreversible mods.
I found some beautiful black wheels I plan on getting, and then tein coils for christmas. From there the catback and intake I'm looking at are cheap, and then I'll be content.
My main concern was the ignition issues with these cars, but I did the warm start test and recorded it here. Fortunately, it passed that test.
My only other concern was the headlights. Go figure, the tails are notorious for getting condensation on these cars, but mine are perfect. It's the headlamp housings that get slight condensation. Funny thing is, it's only when the HIDs are on at night. If i wash it, let it sit in rain, etc., it doesn't look like it builds up. But if I drive it at night for a bit, my passenger side headlamp with get slight condensation on the front lens, and then be gone by the morning. I tried taking off the main lowbeam cap and readjusting it, but nothing. Anyone ever experience this? I'm about to just silicone all the caps :0
Last edited by supermiatavaper; 12-06-2016 at 12:30 PM.
Don't bother with an intake. Really. Unless it's the REVI or AEM, don't bother. Stock airbox is plenty good at not only staying cool but it's also integral to airflow design. As far as upgrades - Coils. BHR Coils are proven, might not be cheap but if you start cheaping out on this car, it's going to bite you in the ***, quickly. If you don't need the cat on the car get rid of it and go for a resonated midpipe. You might be surprised how good it sounds just like that, and the stock exhaust flows plentifully enough. Even if your ignition is "new" at 10k, they generally get replaced at 30k anyway, so you can do it now and save yourself a headache later on down the road. As far as wheels go, stock are fairly heavy, but you don't need to stagger the offset. Something about the way the handling and balancing was set up with these cars is so you don't need staggered rims on the rear.
I found that resonated midpipes increase the overall volume, but not much. I've got a BHR catted midpipe and an HKS Hi-power. Not gonna lie, it can get a little loud, even for me. Buuuuuuut it does make for lots of grins on my face in the mountains of CO.
12-03-2016, 09:28 PM
