whitlow

Hello to all I'm new here so let me tell you a bit about me. I'm going to be 50 in a week and I live in a rural small town in south central Va called Victoria. I work for the USPS as a rural mail carrier. I joined the forum because I'm in the market for a RX8. I'm looking at several both 04 and 05. I would like all the help I can get on making the right choice. Are there any problem or things I should look for when looking?
Thanks

dillsrotary

Number issue is making sure the 04/05 has all the updates/tsb's/flashes/ etc. Through out the years mazda has made several computer flashes and large factory recalls that each car was issued free of charge, mainly the MSP16 recall. If the 04/05 you find has all the up to date things done you are good to go.

04RX8man

Welcome...and dillsrotary has it down pretty good. Be sure to check the oil every other oil change until you get used to seeing how much oil it's going to use(rotary engines burn oil by design FYI) and "a redline a day keeps the carbon away" make sure you drive it like it was meant to be driven...up in the higher rpm range is where this motor is happy....

Hidef1080

Plus 1.

whitlow

So these are better off being run rather than not? RPM's How many miles can I look to get out of one if it is taken care of?

Hidef1080

Well over 100k.

Not many people have high miles because the oldest cars are 2004's so with normal driving they are just reaching 70 too 100k.

Also not many people daily drive.
I DD my 8 but I'm within 8 miles of work and stuff.

But again you should go over 100k without issue.
However there are some who take care of their cars and still need replacement engines.

whitlow

I called the owner of the car and he told me he has had the car tuned by a pro tuner he told me who the shop was but I can't remember. He told me the turbo timer was put on it because something about it lets the car run for a set time before it turns off and he used it in the winter I really did not follow him something about it will keep the plugs cleaner? He did tell me that he has alway used Mobil 1 10W30 synthetic oil since the first oil change that kind of worried me because I was told by a Mazda Service manger never to run synthetic oil. He said he has always driver the car and shifted atleast 45-55 rpms and he told me never to start the car and not drive it until it is atleast warmed up. I'm not sure what to think I know he getting divorced and said thats why he selling it. I've been there done that myself. So let me hear from you all what do you think? What should I check or ask of him from here?
Thanks everyone!!!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Don't go for that car. Read my PM response to yours first. Answers several of these questions.

whitlow

Owners answer "It does not have turbo, the turbo timer is mainly for winter use. Its not good to automatically shut the car off when arriving somewhere"

So I guess I should look for a different RX8???????

ken-x8

I'm curious - what's the deal killer? The odd beliefs the current owner has?

Ken

04RX8man

yes look somewhere else....either he is BS'ing you or he's an idiot and doesn't know anything abotu the car...walk away and keep looking.....

FYI the car need to be sure to have the water temp needle moves a couple lines before shutting off to assure flooding....as for shutting it off after it's warm...just shut it off. Some think revving it up to like 3k rpms and shut it off helps but that's really only used for COLD shutoff...

04RX8man

Oh my point was if he doesnt know anything about the car good change he didn't take care of it as well as needed...

check out the for sale section on this forum and try to find one from a member o here..

04RX8man

as an answer to your other ? in your new thread(which you should delete and use on thread) about seeing the recalls that have been done. Get the VIN and either call the closest dealership and have them run the vin or go to mazda NA website and I believe you can see the same thing on their website.

CarAndDriver

The newer the better and the lower miles the better. Search and you should be able to find and come back with specific questions.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Turbo timer usage seems really odd. Other things can easily do that. Plus the "always shift" range he gave. Probably doesn't wring out the revs enough.

CyberPitz

The guy took it to a "pro tuner"...ok, that's not odd.

TURBO TIMER? Someone went in there and mucked with the wiring. From personal experience, no matter how good it looks, I don't trust it.