Purchasing w/o Test Drive
01-30-2006 | 07:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Lost Wages, NV
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Purchasing w/o Test Drive
Alright, here's a question. Would anyone consider buying an 8 without test driving it first?
The problem is, there is a lack of them in the vegas area for sale that I would consider getting. (I'm looking for the Nav + Leather + Low Miles). I did find some that can be shipped from other states but don't want to travel to get it. I'm thinking of test driving locally, then getting one shipped.
Any thoughts??
The problem is, there is a lack of them in the vegas area for sale that I would consider getting. (I'm looking for the Nav + Leather + Low Miles). I did find some that can be shipped from other states but don't want to travel to get it. I'm thinking of test driving locally, then getting one shipped.
Any thoughts??
01-30-2006 | 07:46 PM
#6
Totally confuzzled...
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Agreed. Look at it in person! You at least need to be certain the car you're purchasing is in good mechanical condition. If you do find one, you might even post about it, and see if a nearby RX-8 Club member can go and take a look for ya. 
You should at least have some 8s available on dealer lots?? You could always give one of those a test drive, just so you have a good idea of what to expect.
Good luck!
You should at least have some 8s available on dealer lots?? You could always give one of those a test drive, just so you have a good idea of what to expect.
Good luck!
01-30-2006 | 07:46 PM
#7
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 112
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From: Minnesota
If it's used, I would say absolutely not. If it was a new one, possibly.
Assuming it's used-- personally, I would probably either pay more locally, or find an excuse to go on a road trip. Southwest flies out of vegas don't they? You could fly to CA for $39, and drive your 8 back. I would also have at least two or three lined up that you want to look at when you get out there- you don't want to feel pressured or boxed into a corner if you don't like the particular car you had pre-selected when you drive it.
Be sure and look up how to tell if a car has been through flood damage, and look for those signs when you inspect your car.
Assuming it's used-- personally, I would probably either pay more locally, or find an excuse to go on a road trip. Southwest flies out of vegas don't they? You could fly to CA for $39, and drive your 8 back. I would also have at least two or three lined up that you want to look at when you get out there- you don't want to feel pressured or boxed into a corner if you don't like the particular car you had pre-selected when you drive it.
Be sure and look up how to tell if a car has been through flood damage, and look for those signs when you inspect your car.
01-30-2006 | 08:03 PM
#8
if you buy without test driving, if we catch you posting a thread on how the car is too slow for you and you wish you woudl have known, we will tear you a new one.
test drive the car before buying please. this particular car is downright NECESSARY for a test drive, as the low torque and linear powerband are not for everyone.
test drive the car before buying please. this particular car is downright NECESSARY for a test drive, as the low torque and linear powerband are not for everyone.
01-30-2006 | 08:16 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Lost Wages, NV
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
I will test drive it out here, I'm pretty sure I will love. Although I've owned 3 mazdas before, nvr a rotary. Friends of mine used to race the rx2's so I know how they rev...
Here's a link to http://www.nicb.org/ to check out if the car was from a flood area that may help others...
Here's a link to http://www.nicb.org/ to check out if the car was from a flood area that may help others...
01-31-2006 | 04:22 PM
#11
No Gods For Me
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
Like rxeightr, I bought my RX8 as one of the 1st pre-order group. I believe I picked mine up on 7/17/03 like he did. I had waited 6 months to even see one in person (the morning of the day my car arrived). I had an RX7 for 21 years and loved it and everything I heard about the 8 up to that point made me feel the new car would be at least as good. I was so anxious to pick up the car, I refused the test drive because I didn't want to waste time.
I picked it up and never looked back. I absolutely love the car. It is so much fun to drive and it is even more practical than the 81 RX7.
I picked it up and never looked back. I absolutely love the car. It is so much fun to drive and it is even more practical than the 81 RX7.
01-31-2006 | 07:10 PM
#14
It wasn't me!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Test Drive locally at a dealership. you can get carchex to do a remote check for $100. They also work with ebay and are supposed to be good. Buy it cheaper on ebay if you can. If it has a lot of warranty remaining you should be ok.
Needs ***** though, ebay/remote car buying is not for everyone.
Needs ***** though, ebay/remote car buying is not for everyone.
01-31-2006 | 07:25 PM
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by hemanrulez
Test Drive locally at a dealership. you can get carchex to do a remote check for $100. They also work with ebay and are supposed to be good. Buy it cheaper on ebay if you can. If it has a lot of warranty remaining you should be ok.
Needs ***** though, ebay/remote car buying is not for everyone.
Needs ***** though, ebay/remote car buying is not for everyone.
Anyway, I saw a lot of overpriced RX-8s on e-bay back in Sept 2005, but your mileage may very (especially on the other side of the US).
I favor the $39 SouthWest 'fly out, drive back' suggestions. Make it an adventure.
I did a similar trick - 'drive the $500 beater trade-in car 3 hours out, drive back brand new RX-8'.
Do get a local person you trust to check the car for 'deal-breakers' such as damage, different mileage than listed, etc. Be sure that if you bid in an auction you reserve the right to back out if the vehicle is not in the condition you were told. I arranged an old high school buddy to look at a used 2004 which was being privately sold near him (far from me).
In the case of my purchase I could have driven my beater trade-in home, disappointed, but out no more than gas money so I didn't bother with a local agent pre-inspection.
01-31-2006 | 11:27 PM
#16
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Killeen, TX
If I were you, I wouldn't buy a used 8 at this point. With the 06's being built now...you should be able to find a new '05 somewhere at a greta price. You gotta do a test drive Zoom! See if you can get away with keeping it for a weekend or at least overnight. Check out the seats...they are some of the best in the business. I had a Winning Blue for 24 hours...but when I went to take it back...they had the Shinka coming off the truck....still with that ugly tape on it....which is what I initially went to see. I gave them a couple of days to detail and prep and the rest is "mystory." LOL!
You'll also get piece of mind that it wasn't owned by some disrespectful previous owner. Remember, anyone will sell it to ya..but once you get it...it's all yours....along with every problem you inherit.
Good Luck with your purchase.
518!
You'll also get piece of mind that it wasn't owned by some disrespectful previous owner. Remember, anyone will sell it to ya..but once you get it...it's all yours....along with every problem you inherit.
Good Luck with your purchase.
518!
02-01-2006 | 01:30 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Lost Wages, NV
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
How would you convince a dealer to give you one overnight or for the weekend. I am going to the dealer this weekend to look at an 05 silver GT, low or no miles and NO previous owner. I agree with getting a new 05 at this point.
02-11-2006 | 01:15 PM
#18
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I drove a 2005 rx8 the other night at the dealership for no more than 5 or 10 minutes.. Well I'm on my way to the dealership to go buy it in about 3 minutes. Didn't take much to convince me that this was the car.
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