Just bought a used, looking for some advice
#1
![Question](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/icon5.gif)
So tomorrow I'm buying a used 2005 RX-8 with 35k miles. What all should I have done to the car in the way of maintenance very soon, since I don't know how well it was previously maintained.
I didn't have much experience rotary engines until I spent the last week reading everything I could get my hands on about the ins, outs and workings of it.
The previous owner did put SR Motorsports pulleys and exhaust on it.
I guess my overall question is should I just take it to a Mazda dealership and say, "Hey, give me the works." or what exactly? I'm not afraid of getting my own hands dirty, but sometimes it's just better if it's done by professionals, you know? Thanks in advance!
Been searching the forums, found mostly people with problems that were blamed on poor maintenance.
I didn't have much experience rotary engines until I spent the last week reading everything I could get my hands on about the ins, outs and workings of it.
The previous owner did put SR Motorsports pulleys and exhaust on it.
I guess my overall question is should I just take it to a Mazda dealership and say, "Hey, give me the works." or what exactly? I'm not afraid of getting my own hands dirty, but sometimes it's just better if it's done by professionals, you know? Thanks in advance!
Been searching the forums, found mostly people with problems that were blamed on poor maintenance.
Last edited by JessiahC; 07-22-2009 at 09:21 PM.
#2
went back to srsly broke
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I assume you're buying from a private seller? At least try to get a VIN check on it, if the previous owner didn't provide you one (carfax, etc). That should tell you a bit.
#3
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carfax it for sure^ also take it to a mechanic or if you know one have him come with you. Or (i just got my 8 a few days ago) i'm gonna take it to mazda for and oil change and they already said they'd go through it for me.
#5
Wow, I am a real car buying noob. I already had the carfax from the dealership.
It looks like 2 owners.
Owner 1 looked like they got it serviced and checked every 1000 miles.
Miles: 0-14k
Owner 2 on the other hand had no service records at all.
Miles: 15k-31k
Doesn't look good. Thoughts?
It looks like 2 owners.
Owner 1 looked like they got it serviced and checked every 1000 miles.
Miles: 0-14k
Owner 2 on the other hand had no service records at all.
Miles: 15k-31k
Doesn't look good. Thoughts?
#6
went back to srsly broke
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Wow, I am a real car buying noob. I already had the carfax from the dealership.
It looks like 2 owners.
Owner 1 looked like they got it serviced and checked every 1000 miles.
Miles: 0-14k
Owner 2 on the other hand had no service records at all.
Miles: 15k-31k
Doesn't look good. Thoughts?
It looks like 2 owners.
Owner 1 looked like they got it serviced and checked every 1000 miles.
Miles: 0-14k
Owner 2 on the other hand had no service records at all.
Miles: 15k-31k
Doesn't look good. Thoughts?
Would be a good time to start anew with a fresh batch of oil and a new oil filter just to be safe. I believe you can have Mazda check if your car has had the latest TSBs just by giving them your VIN.
#9
Second owner might have done what most of us do, which is oil changes by ourselves. Unfortunately, there's no way to really know that =\
Would be a good time to start anew with a fresh batch of oil and a new oil filter just to be safe. I believe you can have Mazda check if your car has had the latest TSBs just by giving them your VIN.
Would be a good time to start anew with a fresh batch of oil and a new oil filter just to be safe. I believe you can have Mazda check if your car has had the latest TSBs just by giving them your VIN.
Is there a normal maintenance package that the dealer would have for the mileage that would include:
spark plugs, plug wires, coil packs, engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and coolant
#11
went back to srsly broke
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Oh wow, that's a rough one. I've been searching all night for the right oil for it. Standard, Synthetic, Premix. Everyone says good things about all of them. My friends seem to suggest Royal Purple, then again, they don't know rotary engines.
Is there a normal maintenance package that the dealer would have for the mileage that would include:
or would one suggest that I do those things myself?
Is there a normal maintenance package that the dealer would have for the mileage that would include:
or would one suggest that I do those things myself?
To get an opinion on the engine oil, you need a little bit of bias. The only thing that the majority of this forum will agree on is that 5W20 is ****. A heavier weight oil will go a long way in protecting the engine. With regards to Synthetic or Conventional, it really doesn't matter...
Royal Purple is a well used brand of engine oil on this forum.
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careful when using synthetics...i dont want to start the war thats been started on all the other threads but the word is synthetic can clogs your cats and o2 sensors.
#14
Rotary Powered Countryboy
Oil change with 5w30 oil...MAF cleaning, Prob plugs and coils(unless you can find out if they've done recently) check air filter(replace if bad) oh and like said above call mazda with the VIN and check all the TSB's etc etc...
good luck
good luck
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do some of these things yourself as you dont wanna get used to going to a dealership everytime a minor problem arises...IMO this car can become a money pit if you go to a dealer everytime a minor issue comes up...not to mention how dishonest dealerships are. Learn your car!
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