Been browsing the forums looking at guides and whatnot getting a feel for everything involved in owning a rotary, and decided to make an account because I now plan on purchasing one

I've been browsing around, trying to hunt down an RX8 that's in decent condition, and I've found a few, but they are definitely up there in mileage.

What would one expect to pay for one with 85k miles? 130k? Assuming the engine starts cold/hot, no vibrations, noises, etc out of the norm.

I'm looking at 2 GT Autos. 2004/2005

7k for the one with 85k 2005, missing the cup holder lid button and looks to be a minor crack in the passenger side dash but otherwise a very clean interior, car starts and runs just fine, took it for a test drive and the only thing I noticed was a significant drop in rpms when coming to a stop, but would always return to just below 1000 once below 5mph.

The other one with 130k 2004, and I haven't gone to look at yet but has the same Orange/Black interior in what looks to be the same condition and they want 3.5k for it.

I've read the thread on buying a used rx8 but the price is what I'm more worried about

Both are sitting in used car lots, the one with 85k has a clean carfax and has had 3 owners, no info on the one with 130k yet.

 

Find out if engine has ever been replaced you can call mazda and give them the vin for that both are higher mileage and have a rotary specific compression test done and make sure it still has good compression. rpms dropping I think can be a sign of low compression but could also be a lot of other things.
3,500 is a good price but absolutely has to have good compression
7,000 is high in my opinion based on what they go for around here but definitely too high if it has low compression
if you don't get a compression test done than set aside enough money either for a rebuild or a replacement engine just in case

 

You can do a lot better for 7k, so if that's your price range, find a newer car.

2004/2005 autos are probably the worst choice you can make in cost, performance, reliability or repair cost. The engines are more expensive, less reliable and less powerful than the manuals. 2006+ automatics are already a step up.

A compression test must be a factor in your decision, you don't want to buy a $5000 engine replacement expense with your $3500 car.

 

If you can drive a stick or would be willing to learn i'd definitely say get a 6 speed over an auto

 

Would definitely drive a manual if it wasn't for the constant bumper to bumper to bumper traffic here...

I did look some more and found a 2008 GT that is still covered by the factory warranty for 5k... So that seems like a better deal. To me anyways. Since a)engine still covered by warranty and b)gen2

 

If you plan to spend a lot of time in bumper to bumper traffic you may be surprised by the fuel economy. Something to think about, and depends on what you're expecting.

But yes, a 2008 is a much better choice.

 

2008 wasn't a Series 2 - they started in 2009.

 

Ah my mistake, I read '08 instead of '09. Still, with the warranty still in place seems like it would be a better choice. Just got info back too, it has 59k miles on it. Not bad.

 

Way better deal, still make sure to have a compression test done because if it comes back low compression you can try and use that for talking them down and still use the warranty but if you go without and engine winds up having low compression and you find out after warranty is out then you're screwed