I am about to purchase an 2004 rx8 with 70k miles on it. I have been reading alot of posts for the past month or so to get to know more about the car before buying it.

I still have a question tho, what exactly is flooding? does it actually flood in the interior of the car or under the hood somewhere?

Also how would do I check if this car im looking at is in good shape or not, any signs I can look for or take to a mechanic to look for?

thanks

 

Too many miles. Sit and wait patiently for one with less than 40K before you even go anywhere near it. Once you find one that looks in great shape (it'll take a while but it'll be worth it instead of settling for something that looks in decent shape) get a compression test done and test drive.

 

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid...ding+an+engine

Flooding occurs when there is too much fuel in the combustion chamber to ignite. And as you keep cranking the engine it adds more fuel making the situation worse. With the newer computer flashes there are steps using the gas pedal and such to clear out a flooded engine. This may not work all the time and will need to be de-flooded manually (either by you or a mechanic).

The best method is prevention. Look up on here for preventative measures.

If you're buying private, make sure you get maintenance receipts - especially oil change receipts as the engine is still covered by the extended engine warranty.

If you're not familiar with cars, bring it a mechanic to get checked out. It may cost you around a $100 but if there is something majour wrong you need to know. I would honestly bring to Mazda for a compression check as well.

 

NO... my 2004 38k mile RX8 is not for sale YET.


Take an automotive class.
Meet the rotory guy at a club meet.
Find an old dog that knows the ropes on buying a used car. They are all the same except Rotory is unique so try to bring a club member and an old dog.

And YES old dog not only learn tricks but teach tricks.

Any used car is Buyer BEWARE.

 

so wait to get one with lower miles? anyone else think so as well?

 

More miles typically means more problems... Not always but...
And you don't know enough about rotaries to take the risk. (no insult intended)

Spend some cash and get a healthy one... Lots of testing before you buy.

If this sounds like too much cash then this is the wrong car for you!

 

1. Compression Test
2. Oil Change records

 

I think you can do just fine at 70k miles. My gf bought one at 78k and had an engine put in around 65k. We were able to talk the price down to 8500 on an 05 fully loaded. By fully loaded I mean top to bottom, nav, leather, two keys+remotes, wheels perfect, 6speed, moon roof, 6disc, Sirius upgrade, upgraded audio with a memphis audio sub n amp, etc, and so fourth. You don't necessarily need to buy new or wait, you just need to find a sales man who needs a sale badly. Check craigslist, cars.com, road runner, view all your options. Most of the new engines on the 04 models are just fine as long as all the recalls are done. premix your fuel, do your oil changes, get an oil filter relocation kit, and you should be prepared to spend a couple thousand in the first six months. If not on a mechanical issue than on upgrades you want.

 

This sight is flooding with stupid questions!

 

terch1, please dont bother coming in here reading and posting something stupid. If you have to even think about it, dont post. If you think twice before speaking once, you would save us all having to put up with your dumb comments

have a nice day

 

Not to mention bad spelling/grammar.

Funky - Buying any used car carries more risk than buying new. That's why they cost less. The more miles, the more risk. There are really three main things to watch out for. First is to do enough research to know what a fair price is for a given age/mileage. The second is to get the car checked out by a good mechanic. The third is to stay in control, and not let excitement over any one car make you forget the first two.

Ken