Hi all,
well i have had my rx8 since may 2006 bought it with 55,000 and it now has 90k. The paint is black and has wear and chips from the mileage. Also i have noticed that the transmission makes a noise once in a while and goes away as soon as the clutch is pushed in a little, i have been told its the throw-out bearing. Another thing regarding the clutch is that i have noticed it is really stiff/harder than other newer rx8s/cars i have driven, i dont think the clutch has been replaced yet.
Thats as far as problems/abnormalities go, as far as i know the engine has not been replaced yet. I am getting worried that with the amount of miles on it that the car may hit me with expensive repairs pretty soon, maybe even a new engine. I love the rx8 it is wonderful but i think that it may be time to move on to a newer rx8 or newer car.
Just wanted to hear some suggestions.
Thanks,
JC

P.S.-I am currently in the Czech republic and had the chance to drive an rx8 here too. It is very beautiful and the streets are wonderful to drive the rx8. It is quite an experience

 

There is a school of thought that you should get rid of a car around that mileage, before any of the major wear items (like the clutch) go out.

My Accord was pretty low maintenance until a bit after 100K. Then there were a few years with $1000 to $2000 repair bills, as the clutch, CV joints, ball joints, timing belt, etc., went. I spent less than a new car would have been, but it still took the new car smell out of it.

Once I got past that hump it was back to modest maintenance, but when it got over 200K I took a preemptive strike and bought the 8.

Ken

 

this is my suggestion.. It will all depend on your budget though..

I would set aside the money for a new engine.. Thats in about the $4000 range if you're not under warranty....at 90,000 you're still under warranty, but if youre engine goes out right now you're going to be waiting a while for an engine. Mazda is kindof short on Renesis' right now

I would get the tranny fixed up some.... Then i'd find a good rebuilder, pull the engine, and let him rebuild with what you have. As this point in the engine's life you could prolly use new seals and gaskets... The rebuild kit is generally $1200-$1600. My mechanic charges about $900 for a rebuild...so just do the math.

I was going to let my car go went my motor went out......but, i started adding up cost and everything...i'd rather finish paying the rx8 off and have no car note

 

i would go to a dealer and do a trade in for another car. you will pay more but you will have a brand new car will full warranty .

 

time for an R3!.....

 

^ +1

 

My car is already paid off and i was just wondering how hard it would be to sell my car privately or would it be a better idea to trade it in for a new car. Im half way done with college right now so i dont think i could afford a new car but maybe a used car. I just am worried about my engine going soon i dont really want to pay for a whole new engine or wait for one.
Thanks for the comments

 

I would stick it out. Seriously, your car is paid off, you are still in college, and your car is still running at the moment. Like FreakLink said, just try and put some money aside should you need the repairs. That will be a lot cheaper than getting a new car. Plus, you won't really be able to get too much money for your car, especially on trade-in.

Just make sure to keep maintaining your engine like you should: oil change 3-5000 miles, red line once a day, spark plugs, coils, wires, etc... you know, the stuff everyone hear preaches about.

 

Now that I see you're still in school, I'd go along with tigerfootball. You may be in for a new clutch soon, but (from posts here) I think that's like $1200 to $1500 from a dealer, less if you buy the parts and go to an independent shop or do it yourself. Any kind of deal where you sell and buy something else will cost more than that. Plus, if you buy another used car you're up against the usual gamble of a used car.

Trading a car in is the worst possible deal. Selling it yourself is the way to go, but it will be tough in this economy.

FWIW, when I was in school I had an Alfa roadster. Really fun, but it was a money sink. When keeping it became ridiculous, my next car was a $50 beater. Students really can't make capital-intensive moves like trading up to a nicer car.

Ken

 

anyone know what is wrong with my transmission and y it makes a noise is it the throw out bearing and how much would it be to get it fixed.

 

If the noise goes away with the clutch pedal pressed in, its not the throw-out bearing.
What you are hearing is called gear rollover and its normal.