Hi everyone, new to this forum and don't have an RX8 yet but looking to get one.
So I'm looking to get this '04 RX-8 MT with the 6-port Renesis. Apparently the current owner had the engine replaced a few months after buying it second hand but has since kept up with maintenance like changing oil and replacing the spark plugs and coils and wires. But he didn't pre-mix and do any kind of other reliability modification (i.e engine is stock) except for a high-flow cat and a turboXS exhaust.
I thought it was a good buy since it only had 28K on the new engine from the Mazda dealership, but when I took it to a mazda shop for a compression test it gave out these results:
R1:
7.0
6.8
6.9
R2:
6.2
6.2
6.4

Those seem terribly low for a 28K miles engine to me, shouldn't a good engine be above 7.0? The shop says that the R1 is still fine but the R2 is failing. I mean the car starts fine cold and after we drove it around to the shop (20 minutes drive through the freeway too) it still starts fine hot and the shop says it starts and drives fine. Doesn't feel lacking power either but I never been in another RX8 so who knows. Sounds normal too not like its misfiring on a rotor. Only other problem the shop found is there's a small oil leak around the stationary gear and they said its easily repaired for $700 but the engine might need a rebuild after 20-30K they estimate because of the R2.

Now I'm wondering if this really has a bad rotor or it might be because the car has been sitting in the drive way for a while, I mean its all dusty and stuff. The owner said that he hasn't used it in a while because he has other cars now and that's why he's selling it.

So do I avoid or not? The chassis and everything is pretty mint with minor scratches only and no rust according to the mazda shop. Thanks for any help!