Bigcrush33

Hello I'm new here and I want your guys opinion, I'm about to purchase a 2004 Mazda Rx8 (the one I am looking at on the same lot are both automatics). They are both grey but one has 97 thousand miles on it and looks cooler and is loaded with all the options and the other has less miles but no options. I have read up on the rotary engines and when I buy it I'm going to my Mazda dealership to get a compression test done and checking the oil and other things so it will work for the long haul. I would like your guys opinions as to which would be the better buy and more reliable buy

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Whichever has the better compression test would be the better and more reliable buy.

I don't know which one that is from the mileage or the options.

Bigcrush33

Those are the two I'm looking at if this helps

Bigcrush33

Would you think the dealer would let me run a compression test on them from the lot?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It doesn't.

Go to MazdaUSA.com -> contact us, then use the chat option to ask about any engine replacements on warranty history for each of the two VINs. That will be another piece of information.

From that, pick the one you like the most and get it tested. If the numbers are good, go with that. If the numbers aren't get the other one tested.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

If you have a rotary compression tester, then it can't hurt to ask.

If you don't have a rotary compression tester, then asking is pointless because you can't do it anyway.

Bigcrush33

Thank you so much for the help, I've read a ton about the rx8 and I am very excited to own it! I don't care about the "extensive" (as some people say) care that it needs, just got to treat the car right an she will treat you right

Steve Dallas

RIWWP is correct (as always) on every point he makes. A compression test taken with an actual rotary compression tester is paramount. If you don't verify compression, you are setting yourself up for all kinds of hearache.

Besides that, those prices look to be about $1,000 too high to me for a 2004.

Bigcrush33

That's what I have seen about the rotary engines, compression when buying used is an extremely important factor! I know I'm gonna bargain the dealer because you're exactly right they are higher than what should be paid! Do you guys know where I could pick up a compression tester?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

They are rare. The only ones are only very occasional group buys, like once every few years.

Bigcrush33

Oh okay I gotcha, so my only option to really check the compression is when I buy it; I take it straight to the mazda dealership? And if you're wondering how my chat went with Mazda to check for recalls, the first one with 97 thousand miles had three recalls. This vehicle has had 3 recalls that have already been completed and has one recall that is pending. Recall 7914J for the driver front airbag inflator is currently in preliminary status. It had recall 1604B for the passenger front air bag, 3305G for the Fuel tank and 4206F which was a voluntary emissions recall.

Is there anything that should raise my concern? Besides the recall that hasn't been dealt with yet?

gwilliams6

Here are some links to some available solutions. It would only make sense to buy if it were a group buy like for an Rotary or RX8 club. At a recent Pa/De/NJ RX8 club meet we had a friend of a member who owned RX7's and he had one of these small units that works with software you put on your laptop computer. He was doing rotary compression tests for some newer members of our regional group, who like yourself had just bought used RX8s. He was charging just enough to help pay off the cost of the tester. Not too surprising a couple of our new RX8 owners had engines that were failing. None had done the compression test before falling in love with and buying their RX8. They will eventually have to pay to have these engines rebuilt or buy a reman.

Like RIWWP and everyone has said , it is worth the $100-$200 a dealer would charge to have a proper rotary compression test done before you buy any used RX8. A failing or failed rotary engine will cost you thousands to have rebuilt or replaced with a remanufactured rotary engine. So pay a little now and know what you are buying or risk paying many times more later.


Rotary Tech Tips: How to compression check a rotary engine

https://www.google.com/search?q=rota...ih=985&dpr=0.9

TR-01 Rotary Engine Compression Tester

****** Rotary-engine Compression Tester System

Steve Dallas

The dealer should allow you (or better yet arrange to) have the compression tested before purchase.

BTW, my comment about the price being too high was a generalization. Obviously, I don't know much about the specific options on those cars that might affect price. But, assuming the cheaper one with more miles is a Sport, and the more expensive one with fewer miles is a Grand Touring, they both look about $1000 too high. And, you can use the ole' "unreliable rotary" line to try to negotiate the price down.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

That didn't actually get the information i recommended you ask for

Recall history and warranty history are two different things.

The main thing you would be looking for is the warranty history to know if either has had an engine replaced under warranty already, and if so how long ago. The higher mileage one might have had a new engine put in 5,000 miles ago, making it an easy winner over the other one that might still be on it's original engine.

Bigcrush33

That makes a lot of sense! I will be going to the dealer really soon to check both of the Mazda out and see how they drive. I am very excited to get behind the wheel of one of these vehicles! I would definitely arrange my argument around the engine and probably be able to knock about one thousand off, 2 grand off would be icing on the cake lol! What I have heard and seen is that if you keep on top of the oil and fix the problems as soon as they arise there really shouldn't be much trouble and apparently premixing is also really good for the engine too!

Bigcrush33

Crap! You are right I goofed up on that one! Thank you! And for Gwilliams (above) thank you for your comment! YOu are exactly right with paying the dealer a hundred or two dollars instead of thousands if my engine is not any good!

Bigcrush33

It has had several warranty claims mostly for software reprgroamming and engine related maintenance items. It looks like they Catalytic Converter was replaced under warranty in 2004.
The engine is still the original engine, but should that be any concern above?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

That's one, did you ask about both? You are trying to compare them, right?

Both on original engine says that the lower mileage one is probably in better condition, as 4-port automatics have the worst of all the reliability problems.

But until you know both, you can't really compare between them yet.

poacherinthezoo

Key word there is MAZDA dealer, not just any used car dealer. The compression testing equipment required for a rotary engine is NOT the same as that for a piston engine. In general, only mazda dealer's (and not all of them at that) and rotary-specific shops have this equipment on hand. As you (hopefully) already know, the compression test needs to give you 8 numbers or its completely worthless [(3 compression #'s per rotor + the RPM) x 2 rotors) = 8 numbers].


I got my RX8 from a Cadillac dealer. They bitched and moaned about Mazda touching their car with a compression tester before I signed my name on the check to buy the car, and tried to get me to buy it before it was compression tested. But they apparently had a "change of heart" after I left and told them I wasn't even going to discuss price until I had compression numbers.

Bigcrush33

Indeed I just asked about the second one with lower miles! Apparently it had a lot more warranty arguing! She couldn't give me complete details since their databases don't record the specifics, it had more electrical problems and the catalytic converter was worked on twice but never replaced! Indeed the automatics seems to be worse off, since they aren't allowed to rev out to 9 grand and more people don't drive them as hard!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, it's a toss up between them at that point. And you can probably do better than both.


It can be hard to find a good one. So many are dumped at dealers with problems, usually engine problems. I was hunting for a replacement 8 for the past few months. Constant problems. The 4 I had compression tested showed the odds I guess. 3 of the 4 had dead engines, the 4th was just barely passing.

I ended up buying one that wasn't actually for sale... and known good. My old RX-8 that I had sold 2 years ago. Only had 5,000 miles on it since my own compression test before selling it and lots of refurbished stuff that I had done myself, plus more that he did. Lobbied the guy an offer and he accepted it.

Bigcrush33

Indeed I have read up on the rotaries quite extensively! How much were you able to get yours for??? That's exactly how I am going to do it too, because I know compression numbers are going to be a make or break!

Chrishoky

iTrader: (9)

No one mentioned that both of these are automatic? Do not buy an auto RX8, they suck on so many levels.

Bigcrush33

I do understand that these are both automatics and those are the ones I am looking for. I love the manuals but honestly I find the automatic much easier. If this was my second car then a manual would be awesome, my grandpa taught me a manual the hardest way possible on his 97 vette, he put it on a hill and told me to go up it. I do know how to drive a stick but I prefer and automatic since this will be my daily driver

Bigcrush33

I found another red one at a Toyota dealership near me, would it be better to go private seller almost? I saw one on Craigslist, the guy seems to know his stuff about the car but he is moving and needs to sell it ASAP not sure if it's better or just the same as going to a dealer. That sounds awesome! Wish I could do the same lol!