oodroadie

Hi, My name is Brandon and like the title says, I'm new here. I joined because I'm looking to get a used RX8. There's two that I'm currently thinking about going to test drive, but before I do I was wondering what exactly I should look for and what I should ask specifically on the car.

One is an 05 Shinka edition with about 30k miles for about $17,300.
The second is an 05 GT with about 36k miles for about $14,000.

I was just wondering what I should be looking for. I would post links to the autotrader site for them, but I don't think I'm allowed to post links as of yet.

Flashwing

First Brandon, welcome to RX8club! Before the "search noob!" begins, I'll first let you know that there are various sticky threads including a great RX8 FAQ that you can read which will no doubt answer the majority of your questions.

A few short items I would ask the owners would be dealing with the care and service of the vehicle. Find out what kinds of service they have had the dealer perform including the engine recall service or any technical service bulletins that might have been handled with the car.

How well the car has been cared for should be the primary factor in your decision. If the owner seems to not be familiar with the service intervals or you can't find any information via carfax I would be suspect.

Check out the resources here on the website and if you have any specific questions post up!

sw-ontarioguy

don't buy an auto, and do a clutch test

Shaftski

Get the VIN"s and to a carfax to make sure they are clean cars. You could also to to a Mazda dealer w/ the vin and maybe they will give you the warranty repair history.

Prices seem kinda high for this area, see if you can talk them lower. I just bought an '06 Shinka w/ less thank 22K on the odo for $17K from a Mazda. See if you can talk them lower on price if they are clean cars. The GT seems like an OK price, not great just OK. See if you can talk them down closer to $15K for the Shinka. It may be a special edition, but it does not hold it's value like some other cars.

There's been a flood of used 8's into car dealerships around here lately, and theres a wide pricing range among them. There's a dealer in Lowell trying to unload used '04s for almost $20K! And they are just GT's, not Shinkas. Use the fact that there are so many on the marketplace to negotiate a better price for yourself. If seller won't budge, move on, there's plenty of clean 8's around.

oodroadie

Thank you. I had already read through the FAQ's but just wanted to make sure there was nothing else I needed to know. The only problem with asking the 'owner' what they've had done is I would be buying from a dealership so I can trade my current car in.

Thank you as well. I didn't realize these prices seemed kinda high. I plan on going out to a couple dealerships today and see what they say.

Also, is the factory warranty the same as Ford's 3 year/ 36000 mile?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Mazda Warranty is 4/50K, 5/60K on the drivetrain and 8/80 on the engine core.
To check the present prices for used cars, go to www.nadaguides.com. Some people use Kelly Blue Book, but their prices run a little bit high. NADA is close to what the dealers use.

Razz1

Carfax only tells you if there was a salvaged title or accident reported to the DMV.

It has been know for accidents not to show up on the report.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

lot of good info here..

and dont forget to take a towel.

beers

HockeyRX-8

iTrader: (1)

QFT. When I was browsing for my rx8, I came across an '05 VR GT at a dealership and I asked for a carfax of the car to see if it has been in an accident or anything like that. The carfax came back clean. I brought my mechanic to check it out with me and we test drove the car and it rode fine. I was just about to buy it until he he pointed out the overspray that was all over the underside of the car, which means that the car was hit, but the accident wasn't reported.

jmc23200

Make sure you bring the car to a good mechanic. CarFax is not always up to date. My friend bought a 2008 G35 coupe with 17,000 miles for around $27,000. Carfax was clean at the time. About 9 months later, he wanted to trade it in for something else, so he brought it to multiple dealers to see what they would offer. Two of the dealers told him the car was in a major accident and could only give him under 15k while another dealer told him the car was rolled and couldnt take it at all. Carfax has a buy back guarantee...... or atleast thats what they say. They will not help you in any way get your money back since on their website it states that the reports may not be 100% accurate. So much for that.

Anyway, drive the car and drive it hard. Then let a family mechanic or a good mechanic look at the car(they do not need to know about roatary engines). I would also try to get a print out of all TSB that were performed and any service history if they can provide it. Lastly, do not be afraid to WALK AWAY. Not many people buy RX8's and in this economy, no one is buying. The dealer needs you, not the other way around. Go in, take a look at the car, make a low offer and do not settle for an ok price since you can get a great price.

oodroadie

Thanks for the info and suggestions guys.

I went to a dealership yesterday and drove an '05 Shinka edition 6spd. It had a very smooth ride and lots of power. Seemed to be a very solid car to me. Their internet price was $17,300 and the first price they offered to me was $15,900. I was going to try to get lower but they wouldn't talk numbers with me anymore. The next step was to get the payoff on my trade. The manager said no bank would approve my loan because there is about 6k in negative equity. So as of right now that is where I stand.

Shaftski

$15900 is a pretty decent price if it's clean and drove good. Most of the reputable used dealers lately will give you a deal right around their cost, sounds like the # they gave you is close to what they paid.

Trade-ins are really tough right now. There's just so many used cars out there right now, dealers almost want nothing to do with trades right now. Good luck.

jmc23200

They can go lower or they would not have offered 15,900. Dealers do not and will not give you a price drop like that unless there is a large markup. Dealers are not your friends and never give you the car for what they paid. Some guy probablly traded it in and got like 11-12k for it. I would offer 15,000 and walk away. When it doesnt sell for a couple weeks, you will get a phone call.

oodroadie

I doubt it will sell in the next couple weeks. They had it on the lot long enough for the battery to be dead yesterday. Which sucked because there was a lot of traffic and I haven't driven standard in about 5 years (I stalled it once and then battery was dead).

jmc23200

Uhh..... the battery shouldnt just die. I wonder how the alternator is doing. I would make an offer for the car, request a new battery be installed(or buy one yourself), and wait. If it is not selling they will call you back. A low offer is better then no offer. This is especially true when the salesmen are not meeting their quota and they want their commisions check.

Glitched

Hmm, 4/50k bumper to bumper? Can you link to more info, as I'm certain my 08 only has 3/36k, 5/60, 8/100 (the mazda thing)

swoope

iTrader: (5)

08 may be what you say. the conversation here is about a 05. the info is in you owners manual pack.

beers

DOMINION

What? they are not going to do a carfax FOR you? when I went to get my MT 8 they did that for me so I know what I'm buying. That was cool. I did not even have to ask!

jmc23200

Most dealers have carfax and will give you the print out to show that it is in good condition. If they don't want to give you a carfax report, there may be good reason. If you are looking to buy a car, carfax is $30 and a good investment.

oodroadie

I actually forgot to ask about the carfax while I was there. But I'm not dead set on that rx8 yet. I'm still looking around. But if/when I go back to close the deal, I'll make sure to request it.

oodroadie

Below are a couple links to the different rx8's that I'm currently looking at.

2004 Aside from driving it, how would I know if it has either the 197 or the 238 hp?

2005 Shinka

At this point, I think I'm leaning more towards the 2004. But of course it all depends on what happens when I talk to the dealership.

CyberPitz

The Shinka looks like a pretty decent price. The mileage isn't too high, and it rode OK according to you. Make sure that dead battery isn't a sign of something, and I say get it.