Hi Guys and Gals,

Your help can really influence if I will be a lucky owner of an RX-8. I searched already and looked at the new owner faq, but couldn't get the hands-on info I am looking for. I currently drive an '04 SRT-4 which I still like very much. But planning on getting an RX-8 as an weekend driver. I looked at the RX I am interested briefly today but did not have a chance to go over every inch of the car. But will try to do so tomorrow and test-drive.

The specs:

2004 /w 105,000 miles
6MT
Sport Pkg
Navi Pkg
Prem Pkg

They're letting it go $9,000 FIRM

My first and foremost concern of course is the miles on it. But since having looked at the condition, it seems immaculate. Being local is also a plus. But I really would appreciate information about what I should check hands on (oil dip stick, coolant, Power Steering,etc?) I don't even know where the dipstick is honestly so I can use specific pointers about where the stuff to look for is. Second, things I should know, listen, feel for during the test-drive? And things I should know being an 2004? General inputs? Thank so much and I hope to be part of the community (once I get the car)!

 

FYI
Engine warrenty is over at 100,000 miles. Have a compression test done at a local Mazda dealer IF you really want it.

Other things to look for on the test drive would be;
Tranny shifting. Getting in and out of gear with out the shifter jumping out, not going in or clunking well shifting.
Ask when the tranny fluid was changed. If not, its not that hard to do.
Ask if the starter is upgraded or if its the old 2004 one. If so there is a new/stronger one out.
Also turn the radio on. Then at the same time press and hold the radio on button and the scan button till you see the AC temp light up. Move the AC temp dial from cold to hot and see if the numbers move from 0 to 16 with out skipping. That means the heator core is working ok. Check for leaks on the diff.
Check if the steering pulls, might need a alingment or the controll arm is bent.
2 oil coolers. Some only came with 1!!!!!!!!
Thats all I can think of I'm kinda high right now.
I got a clean *** mt for $18k with 21k miles so I would look around.
GL!

 

What is the potential cost of replacing an engine? Just curious.

 

Depends. Its about 2,500-5k. Its all about who does it for you. The traveling sales man or the dealer. I PM you right now hang on.

 

For a few thousand more you can possibly get a car with far fewer miles, still under warranty. With the deals on the for sale forum right now, you might not even pay any more than what they want to sell this car at.

 

Thank for the support. It really helps. I hear you about the miles being an issue, it certainly mine. The only thing I seem to gravitate to it is the the options, rather its "loaded." I seen some around with less miles and around the same price but without the options (xenons, navi, leather,etc) isn't present.

*Edit*

I hate to be a needy noob, but I have around 12 hours before I am looking at the car again, so I can please have more inputs, it would help so much. A little about me:

Live in Northern Cali. Grad Student (not much money!) but wanted an RX-8 since I saw the concept in '03. I can almost say that it was my "dream" to have an RX-8, hence check my SN = ) Please help out somebody who want to live their dream!

 

Mine is base modle with out nav moon thingy no bose and leather but I got hid's fogg lights and app pkg

 

Have you driven a model with cloth seats? I'm a big fan of leather but the cloth seats are actually very, very good. Navigation is a plus, but a garmin can do the job just as well. Definitely don't rush into it unless you've really checked out what's available. I nearly bought a sport over the summer for way more than what it should have been priced at. Instead I held off and got myself a *much* better deal by waiting a few months more.

Also with the high mileage keep in mind other maintenance issues will begin to arise, it's not just the engine with 100,000+ miles but everything else on the car as well.

Edit: Perfect example here There are deals like that all over the place, I just think that 11k is a bit much even with all the goodies on the car.

 

$11k seems pretty high for a car of that age/mileage. For reference, I just got a 2007 Grand Touring (top-of-the line model - all options except for navigation) with 29,000 miles for $14,900. Look in the classifieds section here; I'll bet you'll find a similar or lower mileage car for less money.

 

I think you can do better too. PM me I will help...

 

Hi guys...update. The car I am looking at is even cheaper than I thought, so now the decision is harder than ever! I updated the price. Salesman claims its the special of the week (yea...uh right). I also thought about it and I feel I would prob. be more comfortable with having a local shop check it out first. Does anyone know how one negotiate to have the car looked at by a shop, like what are the responses that you get when you bring it up? Woot. Thanks.

-Chris

 

What part of Nor Cal? I think you can do better on the price if you shop the Bay Area or Sac. Also, if you are willing to step down a little and go with a touring trim it might be a better value. I thought I wanted a GT with leather and nav but when I was shopping around it really wasn't worth the premium you pay IMHO. The cloth seats are actually really nice and w/ a touring you get HID, bose, moon roof, etc.

 

+1 for cloth seats. I have a GT loaded with red/black leather and navi. I personally prefer cloth some times. Sure they're less flashy, but they are very ergonomical and comfortable. They're not as slippery as leather seats and they hold up considerably better than leather obviously. They are also much cooler in the summer time. The factory navigation is terrible by todays standards. My 3 year old $150 TomTom performs better than the factory navigation system. A modern $100 TomTom or Garmin will perform head and shoulders better than the RX8s navigation system.

 

Got my 04' MT fully loaded with nav and 14k miles for $13,750. Private seller though... Others i were looking at were more money, more mileage, and less options. Both from prvt sellers and dealers.

If i were you, i would hold up a bit for 3-4 weeks and keep your eyes open. Patience is a virtue... believe me. I almost spent more for less myself.


Used rotary with 100k+ miles scares me.. especially for $9k...

 

I wouldn't do it man. Too many miles. I'd just be patient and keep waiting, one will come around with much lower mileage in that price ballpark. You want to stay within that engine warranty.

 

Does this car still have the stock engine?

 

That is a good question. I should ask them that tomorrow. I presume so at this point.

 

grrr...tough question... take it... then replace the engine to 3 rotor...lol

 

Moving from an SRT4 to and RX8 ......
Hope you're sure about the change, these two cars couldn't be more different from each other if they tried.

105,000 miles (170,000 kms) .... wow
That would worry me.

oh and btw ... I don't think the RX8 has like a traditional style power steering (ie pump) its more of a electronic motor assist (I believe)(flame suit on).

 

definitely looks around. you can find something better for a few thousand more. The "special of the week" from the dealer is just to get you to buy it. If you keep coming back to look at it, they know you want it and will do what it takes to get you to buy it while ripping you off at the same time.

As someone said above, (though they got an 07!) I got my 06 GT with 19,000 miles on it for 14,500. You should be able to get something with 50,000 miles for like 11 somewhere.

 

Hope you know power wise they are two different cars plus gas cost is much higher on RX8 . This are some other things to consider . I would wait and do a bit more shopping , thats way to much milage . You'll probably could get a better deal from a member here who know how to take car of the car . Be dilegent and you wont regret it .........


Good Luck .

 

Skip that 105K 8. The 8 will be a better handling and more adult car, but the SRT4 has more immediate get up and go and is better on the gas.

 

*Update*

I took possession of the 8 /w 105k against the advice of everyone. I know, I know, but the car drives really well. I am having my shop taking a look at it as we speak, unfortunately, they don't know enough about the rotary to do a compression check.

Only obvious problem at this point is tail-light condensation and the battery was dead so they had to jump it. But when I first driven it, there was a light right in the center of the center pod that was orange? Does anyone know what it is? It wasn't there in subsequent drives. Also, the TPMS light started coming on and blinking, I did some searching and found that it might be one of the sensors. Any advice? Pics coming soon!

P.S. In CA, we have an option to purchase a 2-day cooling off period for $150 which I did. As long as there isn't too major of problems, I am keeping it if not... it goes back to the dealership.

*Update 2*

Its now in the afternoon. I got the car back, my general shop has done the full assessment and came up with mainly two troubling things:

1.) There may be a slow oil leak of some sort from the "top" of the engine. The leak is small and very hard to pinpoint. Unable to tell where it is coming from.
2.)The transmission sounds "loud" but otherwise smooth shifting.

Wear & Tear parts that needs to be replaced:

Front Brakes (20%)
Rear Brakes (10%)

Ideas? Concerns? Comments?

-Chris

 

Take it back to the dealership... anyone who would sell you a car with 10% pads left on brakes I would say isn't reputable. Did they not tell you the pads would need to be replaced? It sounds like the dealership is taking you for your money, the car isn't worth it... think about the true cost to fix the *known* issues on the car. Never mind the things that you haven't come across yet. If the dealership wouldn't fix it before they sold it to you, I'd take it back now. You may regret this purchase down the road, especially when you could get a car with 50-70k less miles, still under warranty, for similar money.

Keep in mind the people telling you to watch out don't have a car they'd rather sell you instead. There are better deals out there and you're being taken advantage of.

Edit: Another example Had I been approved for a loan at the time, I would've had that car with far fewer miles with expensive Mazdaspeed upgrades (not sure if that's your thing, but I wanted them) for 800 bucks more than you're paying out for yours. By better deals I'm not talking about 5,000 less miles for a few hundred less. I'm talking about the same "loaded" features with *thousands* fewer miles for relatively the same price. Did I mention most of these cars are still under warranty?

 

The oil is probably from the oil spout. It's in the Center in the back. It could be from the oil filter too.

Both of those items are hard to get at so oil spills occur there.

You MUST take it to a Mazda dealer and pay for compression check.

If its bad its out of warrenty.


You will pay 500 bucks for new brakes unless you can do it yourself.