Special Ringpop

Hey everyone-

Second topic I've made. Whoo!

Anyways. I had to jump on a 2005 Winning Blue RX-8 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Appearance kit, GT, leather, 6-speed. They came down to about $27,500. I feel I paid a little more than I should have (neither my family nor I are rich; I'm college student), but the blue was too appealing for me to let go. We put money down because someone requested a dealer trade, and we would have to put money down to at least secure it, and they could refund that money later if we didn't want it. Is this an ok deal? It has everything but navigation.

Anyways. My mother is concerned about the Rotary engine and its reliability, as well as the reliability of this car in general.

I know this has probably been asked many times, but I want a personal approach and response to this, so please, bear with me:

What do I need to know about this car. What are common problems, what are severe problems, what are problems that aren't such a big deal.

What should I make sure to do before we flat out buy this car from the dealer to avoid being scammed? My parents and I work hard for our money; I don't want them ripping us off.

What are some proper, common things to do to keep this car running its best and problem-free?

Also, the car has 25 miles on it, roughly. I put a few of them on during my test drive. The dealer told me to "really test drive it", and I did red line it a few times, and I did ride it from 3-6k RPM for awhile during the tset drive. I stalled out once (been awhile since I drove a stick). I'm worried that I've damaged the engine from not fully breaking it in properly. Will I be ok with this car?

What kinds of thigns shold I have the dealer print out for me, and what shuold I be looking for as to scamming, or problems? (ie, past flooding, TSB/recalls not beign done, etc).

I know this is redundant and Im sure many hate answering anyone this, but I really appreciate it.

Thank you all.

dupa12345

the price is ok .. the dealer trade story is bullshit .. as all their other claims

no one will sum up the car for you in one post ... so read on .. there is plenty of info .. some opinions are good some are bad but most love the car

bad things .. gas milage .. flooding (bleh dont worry about it) .. recalls (ehh who cares) 05 should be pretty much up to date .. low torque (pheww so you can learn to drive a proper car for a change) .. summer tires - bridgestones supposedly are **** .. my dunlops are good so far but havent gone full winter, snow and all

on the not rich part .. im not either .. its a push to spend 30k .. you can consider this an exotic toy .. no investment or nothing .. youll loose money like on any other car .. so think twice how much debt this pleasure is worth to you

dupa12345

ohh yeah dont stress over the break in .. no one knows whats wrong or whats right .. recommendation is 600 miles of easy driving
another one ive seen was first 600 under 4k next 600 under 6k
i figure easy first 600 with some spikes wont do any damage .. if anything lets it breath a bit

Special Ringpop

Thanks Dupa.

I just need this car to be a realible Daily Driver, and I need it to be able to travel 5 and a half hours without crapping out. I doubt I'll have any problems, but its' nice to know what to look for just in case.

Keep the responses coming guys, I apprecaite it.

saturn

Yeah, the biggest problem you'll have is the tires. You're going to want some winter tires since you're in MN. You HAVE to get at least a very good set of all-seasons if you want to drive in the snow. If you drive in 1" of snow with the stock tires you are going to have an accident. This isn't an exaggeration.

Don't shut the car off when the temperate is cold (rev the engine for 10 seconds if you HAVE to shut it down when it's cold) or it might not start again. Make sure you check the oil regularly (maybe every 500 miles or so) and get it changed every 3000. This car likes to consume oil.

The price seems a bit high based on what other people are getting. People have been getting $6-7k off. But if it's got everything you want, then it's not so bad. It's hard to find 05's with exactly what you want (by the way, that's the EXACT car I want).

Special Ringpop

Well, I got quoted for 24-25 I think from Autobarn in Evenston.

They only had two silver without aero/navi, and one titanium with all but spoiler.

I should've taken those, too spare my parents and myself some change, but the blue is so much nicer to look at than the titanium and silver. I have silver car now, and its not terrible. I love it, but I just want something a bit more festive, I guess.

I just hope I didn't pay too much.

dupa12345

dont stress over the price .. there is always someone who claims or really got a better deal .. means nothing to a happy 8 owner

but daily driving may get to you .. it really kills a lot of gas .. long trips are not gonna help either .. so you kind of have to close your eyes to that

Special Ringpop

I dont mind paying for gas.

I was more worried about the reliability of it lol.

dupa12345

dont .. at least for the next 4yr or 50k miles

Special Ringpop

what kind of things should I expect the dealer to do before I take it from them?

toxin440

I bought my 2005 GT model with 4 miles on it, and its been my reliable daily driver for all of the 17,500 miles ive put on it over the past 6 months. I put tons of milage on it going from Dallas to Arkansas for work, but thank god thats over with and my 8 can rest peacefully in the parking lot now. FYI the trip i did twice a week was a 400 mile stretch on I30 for about 6 hours straight one way. Multiply that twice a week and you will know that you wont have ANY problems.

I've never had any problems with flooding, oil, or any of the other scary topics people talk about. Just follow common sense and checkup on your car every 1000 miles (if nothing else at least for the oil) and you car will take good care of you.

gonnahanvan8

I have an 05 Shinka. I bought it with 3k on it 12 hours from my house. I flew in and met the guy, checked it out and drove it home. With a smile all the way. I paid 24k for it in October.

I bought Winter tires for it and rims to make the swap over eaiser. Make no mistake, winter tires are a must have.

I've had the tail lights replaced under warrenty for moisture and shims placed on the front brakes for a light squeel.

I get an average of 19 mpg city 21 mpg highway.

I have 10k on it now.

I smile everytime I see it. I grin everytime I grive it. I love this car.

My insurance is $30 more a year then my 97 Dodge Intrepid was.

I changed the tranny and diff fluid at 10K and put Red Line synthetic in it. I've noticed a tiny increase in Mpg and the temperture of the tranny is 20 degrees cooler.

I have a slight rattle under the steering wheel cover, which there is a TSB for that I will have done when I get aroung to it.

Oh, and some dumbass drove into me and munched my fneder. Dealer fixed it good as new.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...smashed+shinka

I'd buy the car again in a heartbeat.

You should be able to do a tad bit better on the price as the 06 is now shipping.

Special Ringpop

Nevermind, they refused my loan request. They wouldnt finance my parents because we had two late bills in the last eight years. Both only one day late due to post office error.

I'm quite sure they refused me because I worked them lower than they wanted to go, and they had a dealer trade request for my blue one, and they would've got more from them.

I'm so pissed off right now, and so sad.

BunnyGirl

I'm dreading hearing that they denied my loan but it went through fine to start with and I was told before that I qualified for the loan. I live at home and have a high credit score that lists me in the "less than 2% chance of default" category and no late bills whatsoever. The only thing that worries me is my job situation. The last three months I have had crappy pay, and then start a new job next month plus still doing the crappy one, so the job/income thing is a little tricky and the man was not entirely sure how to list it on the paper. I used last years tax statement for income proof, which is what the credit union had required before. First payment due May 10.

fredw1

I'm not sure who "they" are that refused the loan request. If the reason is as you say, get your own financing. There has to be someone who will approve a loan. I wouldn't give up based upon one refusal.

ALP22

It's not as if this is classified information that only dealers can get hold of

Do yourself a favor and hop on over to the website of a credit reporting agency (Experian, TransUnion etc.) Pay your $5 and go find out what your credit score is. This is different to your credit report... the report is just a list of what bills you pay on time e.t.c. Everyone is entitled to a free one from the fed's once a year. This just gives you an opportunity to see exactly what is listed in your name (i.e. any stolen identity crap).

The credit score is not included in the fed' freebie, and you have to pay for it (usually $5). This (or something similar) is what the dealer/bank uses to judge whether you are credit worthy. For a car of this value (30k), and to qualify for low interest rates, you should have a score in the ~700 range if you expect to be taken seriously at the delaership. Your $5 also gets yoou some good advice on how to improve yoour score.

If your score is good, you can walk right back in the delaership and wave it in their faces and demand to speak to the manager. If its bad, tough luck and try again next year.

BunnyGirl

If you have a credit account with Providian you can get your credit score for free online by registering and it is updated every month. On mine at least, they use TransUnion, which usually gives the lowest score. My lowest score is 739 at this time. My highest score is 788. I was told by my credit union that to qualify for their lowest rates I needed a score of 720. In general, to get a car loan expect to have a score of at least 685, based on what I was told.

ElGuapo

BS, definately. I've been late on a few bills before, and I've never had trouble getting top-rates for mortgages or car loans. Definately check your (or your parents) credit score out, and get your own financing. Call some local credit unions, www.capitaloneautoloans.com, and have them beat each other's rates.

kevsRX8

I worked at a bank and the denial is not for one day late paying a couple bills. Your credit report shows 30, 60, and 90 day late payments. One day late usually just gets you a penalty and that is usually only on credit cards. Utilities are usually just happy to get your check before your next bill is sent out.

Go to your bank (where you or your parents have a checking account) and ask for a car loan. Tell them what you plan to buy and then find it on mazdausa.com. If it is not close enough to just drop in call the dealer, ask about milage on the car, and make them an offer over the phone. If they are willing to deal with you on the phone schedule a time to meet and buy the car. If you find an 05 that is acceptable don't pay more than 6k under sticker - out the door.

Next test drive DON'T RED LINE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is just bad karma