Hello everyone. I dont have an RX-8 yet but i'm looking desperately to get one. I test drove one last summer and LOVED it! At that point in time I already had a project car but it turned out to be to rusty to be worth carrying on with. So now I need a car.

I've read most of the stickys but I would like to find out from you out there what should I be looking for when buying my car. I read about making sure it's had the recall dealt with but what else is there that I need to know about. Are there "problem areas" that i should be made aware of?

Being a paint and body man I know what to look for on the outside and i'm pretty particular about the interiors as well. Any additional info would be great!

Thanks for your time.


Brian

 

Welcome!
Get a compression test done and check the catalytic converter if you can.
Spark plugs, coils and wires don't have a long life so you may need to change them as soon as you get the car. Check the clutch pedal and get it welded if you want (I higly suggest that you do so)
The recalls and reflashes also, as you mentioned.
If it's a fairly new car check that the maintenance was performed in time and that there are the receipts of the oil changes\filters for warranty purposes.

This should be it!

 

1. Try to get an 09
2. If you can't, get a pre-09 and make sure it passes compression test with flying colors
3. Get a pre-09 with mileage still within extended warranty condition.

 

Weld the clutch pedal?! What's this all about?

About the recalls...how do you find out if it's been fixed or not? Is there a website to check this?

What should the compression check out at?

 

The compression test, especially in a rotary engine, tells a lot about your engine's life and conditions.
The clutch pedal is prone to breaking, there are some threads around here that describe the problem.

As for the recalls... i don't know what to say since mazda italia is a subsidiary of mazda europe and not mazda north america

 

sorry, maybe i should have asked what the compression should be. (psi?)

 

From the workshop manual:
Compression pressure
• Standard: 830 kPa {8.5 kgf/cm2, 120 psi} [250 rpm]
• Minimum: 680 kPa {6.9 kgf/cm2, 98.6 psi} [250 rpm]
• Difference in chambers: Within 150 kPa {1.5 kgf/cm2, 21.8 psi}
• Difference in rotors: Within 100 kPa {1.0 kgf/cm2, 14.5 psi}