AlphaOmegaRX8

Hi guys! So I joined the forum about 5 years ago now. I never got a chance to buy an 8 back then because I was working only in the summer time at the pools and was paying my way through college. I bought an NB Miata instead but now that I've graduated and have a job, I'm looking at purchasing an RX-8.

Basically, my criteria was a 40th Anniversary Edition, an R3, or 2006 and up with low mileage and preferably in black. I have found a low mileage (22k) 40th Anniversary Edition in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania at a decent price($16,000). The car is at a Ford dealership and I have asked them to take it to a Mazda dealership tomorrow for a compression test. I have asked about any service records but they don't have any at all. They said there are no rust issues, no issues at start up, they changed the oil and filter and the car is clean (looks great in the pictures). I read the New Potential owners thread but the majority of questions to ask them, they don't know. Basically, I am relying on the compression test at this moment to tell me the condition of the car.

The issue is that I live in Las Vegas, sooo I can't really see the car for myself. I can fly up to see the car no problem, but I would rather know the full condition of the car prior to going up there. This is where I would need someone in PA's help! I'll paypal you money to buy a case of beer (plus some gas money) on me if someone would be willing to check the car out and test drive it for me. I'll be posting up the results of the compression test once I know. Otherwise, I'll be waiting to find another 8 and hopefully find one closer to me.

Thanks guys! Any advice is welcome!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Chances are, if the compression test is good, the car will be good too. Low mileage is always a help there. The car is ~3hrs for me, a bit too far for me to just go check out, or I'd be happy to help.

turboguy327

iTrader: (1)

Mod Edit:
WTB/FS posts/threads are not permitted outside of the classifieds.
-RIWWP

AlphaOmegaRX8

Well that's good to hear! Also, thanks for the consideration! Maybe I will post in the regional forums and see if anyone is nearby.

turboguy327

iTrader: (1)

Sent you a PM

Mazdaspeed RX8 ver2

I would say if the compression test is good, you're probably good to go. I bought my MS6 from Oregon and i'm from California. After a lot of pictures from the dealership and going over details with them, i took a one way trip up there with my girlfriend and test drove the car, final inspection and took it home. I definitely recommend getting all the information YOU want from them. Ask for pictures of the car and the interior, pictures of the engine bay, have them fax over service records and car fax that sucker as well. Chances are if everything looks good in paper and the compression test is good, you're getting a good car. Also, if it breaks down on the way back, you can always return the car within 14 days i believe or whatever their policy is at the dealership.

OGC SogeK

Hi, I'm also looking for an rx8, and I read this forum pretty much everyday so i can learn how to take care of my future car.. well, so I found this 8 here in japan, but I dont know if this numbers are good or not, because they're not on the 250 rpm mark.. can anyone tell me how is this engine? if its good, i think I might keep it, the car is in perfect condidtions and is beautiful!

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Without looking at the chart,
I'm going to say it's barely passing

AlphaOmegaRX8

So I received the sheet for the compression test early this morning. The salesperson previously told me that the results had been 7's and 8's. She never specified which rotor and at what RPM. So I asked her for the sheet they provided her. Attached is what she sent me but at the side, it says CX-7 General Specs. I've never seen a compression test results sheet for an 8 before but there is no information about what RPM nor what rotor. I'm about to call the mazda dealership where the test was done. Let me know if this is actually the correct sheet and I just don't know how to read!

Thanks!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, that is just a printout from a manual about the mode 6 diagnostics, and i'm fairly sure it isn't even for an RX-8.

That is NOT a compression test set of results.

See this post of mine where I attach images of each of my 3 compression tests on my first engine: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...7/#post4408673

See this post in the new owner's thread about how to interpret compression test results, which should show pretty clearly what is needed: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533734

AlphaOmegaRX8

I called the Mazda Dealership and I spoke to one of the techs (not the one who did the test but his helper i'm guessing) he said that the numbers he wrote down were 8.1, 8.0, 7.9, 8.1 (those are the ones he gave me, didn't specify rotor and there aren't 6 numbers) but he was unsure if they were normalized or at what RPM it was done at. The person who did the test said it had very good results but I'm not making a decision until I get the full details.

It seems like it is a little unprofessional to not attach it to a Mazda printout sheet with the VIN, make and model like it had in your post. Supposedly he just wrote it on a piece of paper. I'm supposed to call back at 2pm eastern time, so in around 2 hours.

I will keep you posted, thanks!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yup, keep on top of them.

If those numbers are normalized, they are solid numbers. If they aren't normalized, then the RPM is likely to be higher than 250 due to low mileage, so those numbers would drop a bit, but i think that the altitude that it is done at will bring them back up a bit. It should be good to go, but someone paid for a test, and that includes detailed results.

AlphaOmegaRX8

I definitely will. I sent the Ford dealership an email. I will call the technician in a bit here. The Ford dealership is pushing for a sale already. They told me they had one person test drive it two days ago and three other people made inquiries but since I paid for the test, I get first dibs on whether I want it or not. I should have made them include the test in the asking price, that way if the results are a bust, I'm not out $100.

If the results are normalized and it is in the low 8's/high 7's for each rotor face, I should be good to go right? Theoretically, this should last more than 60k miles if all the maintenance is kept up correct?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yup!

AlphaOmegaRX8

I spoke with the technician that performed the test and he said it was tested at 300 RPM.
Rotor Values were
8.1,8.0,7.9
8.1,8.0,8.0

He told me the CAT looked good but he brought my attention to that sheet I posted earlier that had 6 counts and then 5 counts of misfires within the last 10 driving cycles. He said that it might either be the coil pack going bad or because they let it sit for a while. He said there was no rough idle after it had been warmed up and the car looked great from his perspective.

Now I looked at the website Foxed.ca - Rotary Compression Calculator
to try to normalize the results. From my understanding, the Crank RPM is 300, the altitude I googled for the town where Sherraton Mazda is located and it was 552 feet from sea level. After I normalize the readings with a compression ratio of 10, it comes out to 7.62, 7.53 and 7.43 which are lower than what I anticipated. The desicription from the New and Potential Owners for the compression results is:

"7.0-7.4: The engine has some life left in it, but start looking for replacement options. Compression loss is going to start speeding up from blow-by combustion gasses eating away at the seals. "

Which, if I did it correctly, the values are rather close to this and the "acceptable engine" description. Not sure if I should just walk from this. I would rather not want to deal with a downhill car from here on out. I know the car requires maintenance but what do you guys think?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I'd pass on that car for that price. I'd probably still take it with those compression numbers if they came down to like $11-12k, but not at $16k.

AlphaOmegaRX8

Yeah I am leaning on taking a pass on the car. I am trying to see if I can recoup some of the money I spent on the compression test from the dealership since the way things were handled wasn't that great and considering I won't be buying the vehicle. It's worth a shot.

I am now looking at a 2010 RX-8 with 6,700 miles in Pennsylvania (Monroeville) and a 2011 with 24,171 miles in Texas.

turboguy327

iTrader: (1)

Dont forget my car.

TFRX8

I'm 9 miles from Monroeville....so if you need a set of eyes on the car, let me know. Is it through a dealer or private sale?

AlphaOmegaRX8

That would be amazing if you could check it out and let me know how it drives/ condition/ any issues! It is through a dealership. #1 Cochran Buick GMC of Monroeville. Here is the address:

4520 William Penn Hwy
Monroeville, PA 15146

I spoke with a salesman on the phone and he said he would get back to me on the compression test. I asked if they could cover the cost this time and if everything checks out, bill that compression test to the total cost. I asked about rust issues or any maintenance records but he was rather vague on those and focused more so on trying to say it went through a 201 point inspection. He said he would let me know more information at which point I will ask him what exactly is covered in the 201 point test.

Thank you!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

201 mechanically ignorant salesmen looked the car from 50 feet away.

That being said, I wouldn't worry about a compression test with only 6,700 miles on it, especially a series2

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

TFRX8

Ok, I'll try and get down there within a few days to take it for a test drive. How soon are you planning on making a decision? I haven't had much luck with the Cochran dealerships....they are pretty big and have several sites. They've been advertising a no-haggle price...meaning their price is non-negotiable, but not sure that applies to their used cars. To me, everything is negotiable.

TFRX8

I checked their main inventory which covers all their sites and didn't see it - they only list 3's and 6's. How long ago did you talk to them? I found it - a new listing. Looks nice. I'll try and get down there tomorrow....if not Monday.

AlphaOmegaRX8

Yeah I never really buy into their XXX point inspections. It doesn't really mean anything if you don't tell me exactly what you looked at and what was changed out. As far as the compression test, I guess I was being skeptical on why the person traded it in after only so little miles but it could be a number of reasons. My mind just automatically assumed it was a mechanical issue of sorts.

Thanks! I really appreciate it! I was waiting on them to send me back some information they have on the maintenance and the compression test. Judging on what RIWWP stated, it makes sense that the engine should still be relatively new and the car in overall great condition. I'm curious as to how it drives, overall condition of the vehicle, rust issues, any issues with the car cranking upon start up etc.

As far as the decision, this one looks really nice. There aren't any other low mileage 8's in black that I have seen( low mileage being 30k and under). All the other R3's are in the 30-40k mile mark. So this one was going to be the one I went for if I could get the price down. For close to 19k, the car better be near perfect. Have you ever dealt with them? Not sure how something is non-negotiable. There is always some wiggle room at dealerships, especially with used cars. Let me know when you visit the dealership and test drive the vehicle.

TFRX8

I agree it looks really good - the price isn't bad - and the mileage is very low. Yes, I've purchased a a few new cars in the past 5 years and none were through Cochran. I did buy 2 used cars from them about 20 years ago, but nothing recent despite trying a few times in the past few years. They just didn't negotiate and offer great deals. The non-negotiable thing is what they advertise in their numerous TV commercials - Rob Cochran is the owner and he's on all their commercials.