hi everybody, names johnny, long time owner of a 2nd gen rx-7, with 2 rebuilds under my belt. I'm currently hunting for my 8, at first I tried the dealers, but well, its a bit outta my reach. So I turned to buying used.

so onto my questions, coming from an rx-7,if I were to buy an rx-7, I'd resort to this below

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

so if I were to follow those guides for when I'm buying my 8, will they work? a few I had on my mind...

1-the compression test? should I perform it? If yes, what numbers am I looking for? 3 bumps of 100+ psi? or same as the 7's? " anything above 70psi is good "

2-should I check for a dead coolant seals, by looking under the radiator cap for bubbles?

3-if I were to rev the motor in neutral for 10secs, and the smoke spews out the exhaust " can't remember for sure but i think this was a turbo test? " is this test do-able on the 8?

4- I know on the 7's the temp gauge had 3 levels, off, on, and uh oh sucks to be you. is the temp gauge on the 8 better then the 7's?

5-seeing how the newest car I've ever owned was a 91, I have no clue how warrenties work, is there paper work to done for the transfer? or is it kinda like a passive thing?

anything I should look for or tests to perform when I'm checking my potential 8 out?

and assuming everything goes to plan, I'll have a true introduction thread with pictures later on

 

same stuff applies to the 8 as it does to the 7. you can check the engine in the same manner. there is a list of tsb's found here for the RX-8:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com....php?pageid=11

those should help you determine common problems. other than that, check for driveabilit issues and look for abnormal wear of components.

 

Just make sure you get a black 8. cause they are the prettiest.

My previous car was a 7 as well. The fist thing i noticed was the gearing feels completely different between 2nd n 3rd from how the 7 felt. Depending on your driving style... this is an important point because it will make you think some thing is wrong when in fact it isnt.

as far as testing... get the cobb ... No more need to clutter your dash anymore. u can even data log now. If your getting an unfamiliar car the biggest thing is the compression check.... and i think the leak down test... forgot... try a forum search.

 

yeah everything is about the same

 

thanks all around, great to knwo that all my tools and experiences can be carried over

 

for the rx8, i think 90+ psi should be ok, but you are looking for 100+ psi.

warranties go with the car. not with the owner.

temp gauge still has only 3 modes.

revving the motor in neutral for 10 seconds will... waste gas.

look on these forums for an rx8. same crazy deals go on.

 

The following is my opinion based on owning 2, S5 RX-7s and an '04 RX-8 over the past 4 years:

One general comment. Do not look on the RX-8 as an extrapolation of the RX-7. It's a different machine and should be evaluated on it's own merits.

Almost all functions on the car are monitored/controlled by the PCM (aka, ECU), so if you are considering any significant mods, you will likely have to deal with malfunction lights. If you are looking for a reasonably-powerful, naturally-aspirated, great handling car and don't plan mods, it is a very nice car.

Look for a 2006 or later if you go used. Many of the early issues were cleared up by that point so there is a greater probability of getting a reliable car. Good luck!

 

90psi got it, thanks. looks like I'll be using my oil temp, and water temp, gauges from my 2nd gen then " glad i kept them " The warranties will be nice, atleast I won't have to worry about a rebuild project anytime soon lol.


This is going to be my daily driver, I have no plans on doing any mods... at least not to the motor anyways. maybe some suspension mods, and I'll swap the rims out but other then that though. O and I'll probably be tapping my oil/water temp gauges in somewhere, would that affect anything?

I learned my lesson from my 2nd rx-7, all I wanted to do was an intake and exhaust, then I found out that you have to factor in fuel aswell, I won't go into it, but I ended up replacing alot more things then I had originally planed lol.

and for some reason, I've only been looking at 2006 models, just from looking around the forums, everybody is saying to stay away from 04s if possible. " that and I really want that switch blade key "

 

switch blade was 05 I think. 06+ GT has a card that you stick in your wallet.

 

Negative, I have an 06 and I have a set of switch blade keys.

 

ah well i guess the advanced keyless entry/ignition is an additional option, which is what I have.

 

damn 04's donlt have any switchblade!!!!