I'm considering purchasing a 2004 RX8 with 15-30k miles on it.

Is that too little? Should I look for something higher, like 75k?

I'm worried about lack of driving causing issues.

 

It's honestly difficult to say, each car is different but the point you make is a valid one. On the UK forums we had a member last week who bought an '07 car with only 25k on the clock only to find it had low compression. However, there are many cars on there and here that have covered 90k+ with no problems. There are two things to consider here,

1, the rotor apex seals like to be used and have high revs to help clear carbon, etc from the combustion chambers to maintain compression. Low miles tend to result in the chambers getting bunged up, resulting in a loss of compression.

2, the main bearings on the excentric shaft can fail due to the wrong oil or infrequent changes being performed. This is more likely at higher mileages.

Therefore, there is no right or wrong answer but overall, i'd prefer a car with lower milage if I had to choose. Either way, a compression test is a must.

 

I think on any rx8 you are going to want to get a compression test done prior to purchase and make sure all of the ECU flashes are up to date.

 

Bought mine last year with 18k miles....compression was great. Detailed service records are a bonus for peace of mind. Check to make sure it was serviced routinely and you are fine.

I would much prefer a low mileage RX-8 vs one with high(er) miles. Actually, to be honest, I think this would probably hold true moreso with the 8 vs. just about any other vehicle.

Where are you located?

 

I'm in Phoenix, AZ. Been looking for cars in NM, NV, CA, OR, WA, FL, TX.... anywhere where there isn't rust.

It's hard to find something low miles for about 10k without a sunroof in manual. That and I'm trying to decide on color.

 

Silver!


Mind you, I am biased!

 

Noooooope. Nope nope nope.

It's winning blue, yellow, white or black.

 

I regret to this day not getting a Nordic Green

 

Agreed. I bought my 06 in 09 with 8,800 miles - it's been fine and still looks new.

 

Dealers don't seem to be doing compression tests. :/

I've only really found two reasonably priced, white, manual, no sunroof RX8s in the country. One in CA, one in TX. Kind of crazy.

Pretty sure I'm going to go white.

 

I'd rather have a low mileage car than a high mileage car...its just me. Considering what i just said, have a compression test done even though the mileage is high or low. Good luck with the search...

 

Definitely want compression results. Not sure how to get a dealership to do them... or if they even know how on a rotary?

How'd you guys get them to do it?

 

Most Mazda dealers should be able to do it, call before you go just to be sure and make sure they know you need a rotary compression test done.

 

As I said above, I'm looking in Texas and California.

Most RX8s aren't at Mazda dealers.

What can I do about a little dealership a thousand miles away, for a compression test?

 

You need to tell the selling dealer that you want the car to be checked out by a Mazda dealer to have a proper compression test done on the rotary engine and only a Mazda dealer is capable of doing it.

If they can't or won't fulfill that request, you can do one of two things; walk or roll the dice. If you choose the latter and 3mos down the road you realize you have a spent engine, there is only one person you can point the finger at.......

 

^^this^^

I ended up with my 8 because some guy bought from ebay (thought he had a steal) and the motor ended up being trashed. He ended up selling to a mechanic who put a re-man engine in it and selling.