Revkev6

hey all, new member who has been contemplating a purchase for a bunch of years! back about 5 years ago my father purchased one for a 6 month mid-life crisis. He let me take her around the block and and really, the car fit me like a glove and just felt *right*. since then I've always had them in the back of my mind. being a gearhead I've always known the RX8 since it's release had it's quirks. so, I am a little torn on a purchase decision. I'm not looking to race it, I just want a fun spirited car. 3 options I am considering and would like some opinions:


option 1 (which is what started pushing me to look at them again) do an LS swap.
pluses:

• reliable engine with the power that is slightly missing (I'm an old school hotrodder, V8's in the blood etc)
• sense of accomplishment
• fun project with my 11 year old son
• big aftermarket support for motor

minuses (many and big)

• time to complete
• lots of extra costs
• I live in communist massachusetts emissions/inspection are hell
• complexity after the fact
• another extensive project on my plate

Option 2: find a nice condition car with a bad engine and do a mild ported rebuild
Pluses:

• cheaper initial outlay
• known engine condition
• slightly more power
• still keep the fun rotary rev
• odball factor of motor (I do enjoy that a bit)
• fun project with son
• no real fab work

Minuses:

• another "project"
• having blown a motor, is this likely to blow another (some owners say this is true I have read)
• what else "should" be replaced while apart (AKA would I end up at the same price as option 3, but taking more time)
• nickel and dime issues during reassembly

Option 3: Buy a NICE low mile car in running driving condition (there is one at a dealer nearby)
Pluses:

• factory condition, no mods
• low miles on entire car
• drive and enjoy
• tinker with the car to keep it running optimally not get it running

minuses:

• more cost up front
• stock power
• stock everything
• unknown previous owner due to dealer purchase (although unless bought from a friend what do you really know)

the cars I am looking at have all been 2008 and under. I don't see many newer models pop up for sale. the particular dealer model is a nice looking 2006 MT with lots of options. they want 10k with 36k miles. asking price. what would a good sale price be and if compression checks out how many more miles would be considered expected use before I either sell it or revert the car back to option 1 or 2.
I haven't found a *good* deal on a car with a bad motor. seems everything with a bad motor here also has been poorly maintained in all other aspects. these are getting to be older cars now. my current experience is with antique fords. I currently own a 1928 roadster with a flathead V8 and have a 1932 ford in progress with a 283 chevy V8 in it. I have been building and working on them since I was 14 (40 now) so I can fabricate custom items, have my own tig welder etc. I know I could stuff an LS into the RX8 and make it work, but would it be more hassle and ruin the light nimble feel of the car?

thanks for the input!


does anyone have experience doing the three options, or have another option I should consider??

UnknownJinX

Personally I'd do either 2 or 3. 2 can be good if you like to mod, 3 sounds good if you use it as a daily.

You could also take 2 further and get a 13B-REW(FD RX-7 engine).

1? Just buy a 16+ Camaro SS and call it a day. The car is designed with the small block in mind, you can get goodies that won't happen on a swap(NPP exhaust, magnetic ride control, etc.) and the Alpha chassis is highly praised(probably handles better than an LS-swapped 8). I don't know what your budget is, though.

RX-8 is not that fast in a straight line stock, but the rotary engine in itself is a unique experience.

Revkev6

thanks, I did enjoy the way the original drove, straight line acceleration isn't exactly a requirement.
my plus to starting with option 3 is a known good car as a base so when and if I decide to make changes it's an upgrade not a repair. if I decide I really enjoy the car option 1 and 2 will still be on the table going down the road.

with option 2 it's going to be harder to determine the line of unexpected costs. I'd like to know if someone has done this and what ended up being the cost breakdown

camaro is too.... normal.

UnknownJinX

Well, you sound like you already have a plan laid down.

Revkev6

it's a plan, but my lack of experience with the RX8 makes me cautious of what I may actually be getting in the scenario where I buy a 14 year old car with 36k miles on it assuming it will be "good" (even getting the correct answers from the techs at the dealership)
I've read basically EVERYTHING can be considered bad for these cars lol
sitting and idling, short drives, cold engine drives, improper care, etc etc etc.

whats a reasonable price from a mazda dealer for a 2006 with 36k ya think?? they want 10k, would 7500 be more reasonable?? would a later model year be better instead?

wannawankel

As part of the sale - make the seller split the cost of the compression testing at a Mazda dealer. When I was looking at a trashed 2011 GT, the owner clearly didn't know what she had - she regularly ran the gas tank empty, ran regular 87 octane gas, low oil light was on (it was only low on oil), no maintenance records, etc. In the end she needed quick cash and sold it to the dealership (and out from under me after 2 visits). I even filled up her tank when I took it on a planned and agreed to 100 mile test ride to check for hot starts (since she was very resistant on visiting the dealer to check compression). It was OK from my hot start test that included a 20 min stop for lunch while the car idled in the parking lot.

Revkev6

Ouch, I hate sellers like that. i've been looking on and off for decent, low mileage units and haven't seen any newer than 08 for sale. where abouts in mass are you?? the current car I'm low mileage 06 I am interested in is at a dealership and a compression check and service records would be a requirement of the sale process.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

The newest RX8 is 9 years old so the low mileage thing is a bit of a dream. Great if you can find one, but don't count on it.
Instead, buy one with a good body and bad engine, and buy it a rebuilt engine. You don't need to -- and shouldn't -- rebuild it yourself, that rarely leads to success. It also makes your costs known. Mazda can provide a rebuild, as well as many professional rebuilders like Pettit Racing, RotaryResurrection, etc. They can do your choice of porting as well. You can find the closest one (or cheapest) and buy your way to a well built, long-running engine. There's a thread here somewhere that lists them.

What is your budget for any of this? Because buying a ready rebuild is guaranteed cheaper than option 1 or 2.

UnknownJinX

I think he is concerned about things like suspension, transmission, and other components if he goes down route 2. The downside with rollers is that there is no test driving, so there can be a risk in other components that becomes more apparent once you have the car up and running.

Revkev6

As I mentioned, I have found a low mileage 2006 at a dealer. unfortunately I haven't had a chance to go look at it yet.
it's been harder to find a "good" used car with a bad motor. 90% of them have visible front or rear collision damage just in the pictures and if it's not that its also disgusting inside.

yes, that's pretty much it. what's the cost of the initial car plus the rebuild and then finding out all the other issues the car had to begin with.

delhi

I think you are on the right mind to consider that a a car is a sum of its parts. Many buyers think blown engine car = good deal. You get what you pay for. It'll come down to whether you want a full rotary driving experience or simply want an excellent RX8 chassis as a foundation for a Frankenstein build. For me it's either all in for a rotary experience or buy other piston alternatives.... 370Zs, M3, 335i, Camaro, Mustang, TT etc.
I think pristine RX8s for cheap is getting rare. At least where I am.

UnknownJinX

I would actually love to see an LS-swapped RX-8/RX-7 go head to head against a C6/C7/Gen 6 Camaro with similar power figures.

Personally, I also couldn't do it and would just buy a car with the engine it's meant to have.

Revkev6

Ughh... well I swung by the dealer the other day and the 06 shinko with 36k on it went to it's new owner that morning! Guess I keep my eyes open...