imacdon

A 2005 RX-8 for sale @ good quality lot (non-Mazda dealer). GT with MT, ~40k miles, clean car fax history, no service history (like oil change/service) is available, primo condition (no inspection yet). Test drove last week - seems to be good car. Asking $16k (yeah, too much), I offered 12.8k today (via email), they countered @ 14.25k with a quick email reply. Nice salesman - no bs, not much wasted time doing the car sales dance. So, your thoughts on price and how to proceed. I'm new here, and to RX-8's. Most of my info has come from this forum (thanks). I'm in no rush. This is a nice car, but I'm sure there are others. My thinking - I like the car, but don't really want to spend more than ~13k on this one, of course dependent on a clean inspection, especially compression testing. Thanks for any advice.

laythor

offer him 13 and say that's your top dollar offer

xexok

Yea I would say 13k is your best offer, and let them know that you are taking a big risk with it because there is no maintenance history. There is a chance you would be denied for the 8 year/100k engine warranty because of that, but some people still get a new engine when they buy the car used.

sh0gunshin

tell them 13k or you'll move on. they'll most likely take you up on the deal.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

call mazda USA with the VIN #. ask for the complete service history that they have. (if they dont have much service history, that doesnt mean it wasnt done, just means it wasnt done at a mazda service center). THEN - ask "if I maintain it properly from this point on, and keep records, and in theory if I had a problem with the engine, would it still be covered?" for all you know, as mentioned, the lack of service history could void the warranty the moment it leaves the lot. important to know....

imacdon

Thanks to all for the input. I'm mulling over my next move, and will look into the warranty issue. My sense is assuming the car wasn't tampered with in a way that would void the warranty, they would honor it. I'll call Mazda and check.

xexok

When I was buying my car I tried to call Mazda and ask that same question. They told me since I did not own the car they could not tell me any specific details about it. I asked a similar question to the one you suggest except more like "in your opinion from the records you see would this car still be under warranty?" they did give me an answer to that but again without specific details.

imacdon

So, I called Mazda. The info they had regarding this RX-8 basically matches the CarFax info. As for honoring the 100k/8 yr warranty for engine failure, they were somewhat vague. It's on a case by case basis. The better your documentation of recommended servicing - the better your chance that you are covered. I asked if a pre-purchase inspection (like documented compression testing) would be of value, in the event of future engine failure, especially if you don't have records of past service/maintenance. As you can guess, no direct yes/no from Mazda. You can see where this leads - pretty much into the gray zone - again a case by case basis.

xexok

Yea I have heard of people buying used and being told they need to have all the oil receipts. Then again I have also heard of people buying used and the dealership using common sense and understand that usually you don't get those type of records with a car when you buy it.

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

I would have the dealership document on your paperwork "Car did not have any previous service records available from xx,xxx miles" Then, if you have everythin past that date, you're probably in better shape if you need it.

Also, keep in mind that people talk o the forums if they have problems. Most people who have an engine replaced, the mechanic calls up says "hey, your engine failed a compression test, we need to replace it. it'll be here in 3 weeks". Most of the time, unless something is fishy, they dont ask about paperwork. They certainly didnt ask in my case, nor with other people i've talked to. So this is all just being suuuper cautious.

pistonhater

In regards to the issue of negotiation, when it comes to the RX-8, it is perfectly fine to "low-ball" the dealer, LOL. In fact, you should always make an offer below market value. When negotiating, going in increments of $250-500 seems to be a good approach. Next time try not to make your max price your initial offer. It leaves you very little room for negotiating.

The RX-8 is not a car on high demand, so you can low ball all you want and be somewhat safe. On the contrary, low-balling for a Mustang, Camaro, Charger and the like would not be a good idea. With those cars, the minute you low ball; the dealer will probably gently ask you to leave the place as they probably have a list of people waiting to buy.

So...stick to the $13K and be firm!!!