RedMercury

Quick introduction. I'm active duty in the US Army currently stationed in South Korea, and scheduled to come back stateside in the near future. I somehow managed to talk the wife into agreeing to the RX-8 as a second vehicle. I originally had been toying with the idea of a miata, but due to the lack of rear seats, she shot that down quick(we have a newborn). Since then I discovered the RX-8 and despite its quirks I'm more in love with it than I ever was with the miata. So much so that I want one asap when we get back home.


So here is the deal. We'll be flying through the states from east coast to our final destination in CA with a few stops in between. I was casually perusing ads at our stops, not really hoping to find anything that I would trust, and I expected to just wait for the right deal in CA. I've found something that is tempting me and I wanted to see what the experts thought. If I hit go on this then I'll have a week with the car to do any work I want to do with the car and a 1000 mile journey to CA. If my head is in the clouds with this, please bring me back to earth. I need to make sure my enthusiasm hasn't scrambled my wits.


My In-laws would help as go between for the purchase of the vehicle(by no means experts on rotaries.. or cars). Which brings up another point that I may purchase this vehicle without ever sitting in/driving an RX-8 myself.


Here are the details
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2004 RX-8 6spd $8500

47xxx miles

4xxx miles on new engine
- Engine replaced under warranty
- Dealership stated that engine failed due to under lubricaed apex seals(Car would sit for months between drives)

Clutch replaced for an Exedy stage 2 kit

New plugs and coils at time of engine replacement
Alternator has been replaced

Shifting is hard(clutch may need bled)

New tires are needed(Whats everyone regularly pay per tire)

The obvious things I see that need done:
- Engine compression test
- General inspection by a mechanic
- I need to pull a vehicle report
- I need to talk to the dealership that replaced the engine(ensure validity, etc)
- Need to ensure recalls were done

I'm waiting to hear back from the owner with the RX-8 specific questions I pulled from the Potential Owners thread. I'll post answers when I hear back

Can I get some feedback concerning this? Tell me straight if I'm blind to the mistake. Anyone ever hear of apex seals failing due to car sitting too much?


Aaron

04Green

iTrader: (1)

First impression, that is a lot of money for an 04.

And, that clutch will be a PITA. All the car needs is the OEM clutch unless you go FI in a large way. I had a Stage 1, and took it out the first chance I had.

I agree with the whole gotta have an 8 thing, I understand completely. But I think this one is too much.

Others need to contribute as well. Pictures would help, as well a trim. If it were immaculate, maybe'ish, but it likley needs $800 worth of tires.

Again, welcome.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

Op,

First off welcome to the forum.

OK, even though i have one the 2004's and 05's were a terrible year. Every issue you could possibly have will come from these cars.

However, if maintained and the issue's resolved you will love it as i do im sure.

The upside is the engine is "new/Reman" and documented from Mazda(i assume), hopefully you wont have any of the Reman issue's.

How old is the CAT, has it been checked for possible failure? It is a common issue.
New plugs and coils, have the wires been done?

I would look into the clutch setup. I remember there were several people who had issue's with Exedy clutches. I know the stage 1 needed shimming or just to be thrown out. Im not sure about the stage 2. I would research that if i were you.

Tire prices vary by what type of tire your looking for as well as rim size, not all have stock rims. Usually it's between $120 and $220 depending upon a few things.

If you do decide to purchase this car i would have the dealership flush the coolant as well. How is the paint and body work? How is the interior?

If your looking at a stock GT W/navigation then $8500.00 is pretty close to what its worth but thats damn near perfect condition.

If it's not a GT or doesn't have navigation and it's anything less than perfect it's a bit too much in price.
I would check the Clutch pedal as well< Another common issue.
Just like you said, call the dealership and check the validity of the engine install. Check the recalls on the VIN.

A "general inspection" by a mechanic.... Honestly find a member that lives close to where the car is before you go check it out.. Im sure someone lives close by and is willing to spend a half hour checking out a car with you. That would be a better choice even over taking it to Mazda themselves.

Hope that helps.

Travis

RedMercury

Thanks for cooling my jets guys.

Price is going to need to come down for this to be the deal I want. BTW it is a 2005, not the 2004 I mistakenly put, but that doesn't really change much.

Here's the latest email from the seller. Definitely has me rethinking things. It'll depend on the compression test and what price they will come down to. The amount of bodywork definitely doesn't bode well.

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Yes the engine was replaced under warranty, the 100k 8y one they extended. It has had all it's recall work done, Cats are still good just passed emissions with flying colors about 9 months ago. I never had them fail but I did have them replaced with the new engine, I still have the old working one's I'll pass on. I've never had any trouble with fouling plugs, as a matter of fact these one's that were on that engine were from the 30k service and when they pulled em they looked good. Not sure I know about the MSP13 but if it's the Apex gaskets I would hope it got those with the new block. I get between 15-19 depending on how I drive it. The best it ever got was 21. The starter has not but I do know it's the B version of it that didn't have the problems of the 2004 starter. Clutch pedal hasn't been replaced or anything although I am aware of that issue. It pretty much starts right up less than a second I would say cold or hot.


I was in 1 small accident less than 5mph and they replaced the bumper/front fender back in 2006. Also I did have about $3000 worth of body work done (No Bondo), in NYC it was parked on the street for almost a year and got dinged up on outside corners plus someone hit the door/front fender I wouldn't really call it an accident, just a years worth of ******** not knowing how to park. Those have been replaced with OEM panels and painted really well. It does have some marks in the plastic on the rear bumper and other imperfections I can't lie it is a 10yr old car.
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I guess a big thing that drew me was the "new" engine, but your right I guess this is probably a reman; should I be worried about that?

RedMercury

Here are some pictures

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Welcome, thank you for your service.
I'm with the others, it's too much, too many issues.
If you are patient, you should be able to find one in better shape.

Yes, they are awesome cars. I love mine.
LY GT 6 spd, over 2 1/2 years now.

archwisp

iTrader: (1)

That appears to be a base model 6-speed. Cloth seats & no traction control are the giveaways.

I would not buy an RX-8 before having driven it and having it compression tested. The suspension is likely to be shot after all these years, regardless of miles and the owner doesn't realize it.

Unfortunately, these cars are money pits unless they have been maintained, so look *really* close at any potentials.