KDMatt

Hiya folks,

I've been lurking about on these forums for a few months now, soaking in all of the juicy Rx8 goodness, and I am a tremendous fan.

I've been doing a lot of reading about these cars, so I understand a lot of their, shall we say, quirks? ... hasn't turned me off to the idea of owning one though, in fact, my mind was, at one point, juggling between a 350z, a GTO, and an Rx8, and now I've pretty much made up my mind that the '8' is more practical, stylish, and just plain cool than those other cars.

Anyway, all that aside, I'm finally posting on here because I keep my eyes peeled for good deals on 8's (especially considering my normal DD is on its way out the door into car heaven, and I intend, wholeheartedly, to use an 8 as my new DD), and I've come across an ebay listing that I could use the help of some trained eyes on.

It's a 2006 model with a salvage title. The Autocheck report doesn't really tell what kind of accident we're talking about, and it's clear from the pictures that the car has been freshly shot (but I'll be damned if it doesn't look drop-dead gorgeous).... to further complicate things, I'm up here in Minnesota, and the car is in Utah.

The current bid is reasonably low (and judging from the luke-warm bidding response I usually see on ebay for these things), I don't imagine it will go up all that much more, hence my extreme interest.

Here's the ebay listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_7766wt_958

I would greatly appreciate some experienced insight... or, possibly, if there's anyone near Salt Lake City who would, perhaps (for a little fee?) be interested in taking a peek for me before the auction ends on Saturday (doesn't look like the 'regional' forums are that active, so I haven't checked).

Thanks so much, 'looking forward to someday (soon?) being a member of the Rx8 elite!

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

Salvage title though....

can come with its own set of problems and will Mazda still accept other warranty work with a salvage title?

Also... A zero feedback seller.

what is the max you can spend? In my opinion is better to find something you can look at, test drive, etc.


the report is calling it a Shinka but that doesn't look Shinka color to me..

NErx8

Like it was mentioned earlier, previous accident / damage to the car. After getting into an accident with my Miata over a year ago I had it repaired since I didn't have the funds for a new vehicle and although the shop did an excellent job it isn't quite the same. I'd just be very careful on this one and there are plenty of RX8s floating around for 9-12k that I would say beat this one out.

jmc23200

I wouldn't buy an RX8 over the internet. If you can see it and drive(especially with the 8) don't buy it. It could have all kinds of problems and you will be stuck with it.

BigMikeATL

Getting salvage titles changed to a standard title can be problematic, depending on the laws in your state.

I looked at doing this but Georgia makes it so difficult that it's not worth the cost or hassle.


On the flip side, I bought an RX through eBay from a seller in Florida. I did not test drive it or have time to have it inspected, but the seller had 100% feedback and fielded my calls and e-mails, providing all the information I sought. I called Mazda with the VIN to see if there were any outstanding recalls or major work done... all was clean.

I got it so cheap that I made an instant profit, even after flying to Florida, driving it back, and paying local taxes.

There is always risk when buying a used car, even if you get it locally.

shaunv74

I would not buy a salvage title car. You have know way to know if it's safe or not and what kind of problems you may have. Salvage title for a DD for 10-14K is a bad idea. You can find a clean title '06 for not much more than that. Also I doubt any Mazda dealer would honor your engine warranty on a salvage title.

KDMatt

Hi folks, thanks again for all of the feedback, I've really appreciate it. I'm on the fence now more than ever.

I went to the dealer/seller's website, and found the car listed there, among a few dozen other repairable and clean cars.

http://www.mgautosalesinc.com/carDetail.asp?carID=372

I think perhaps my next logical step is to see if I can look at a copy of repair report for all of the work that was done to the car. That, in my mind, will determine what portions of the car are suspect, you know?

On a side note, the dealer has also wondered, seeing as I'm out of state, and would need to arrange (delayed) travel accomodations, if I'd be willing to just make an offer on the car, to which I am declining.

Ebay is ebay, and I don't think he knows that it's against the rules to do that, but it shows some desperation his part maybe?

KDMatt

Precisely, that's why the current bid stands at $5k.

Good point about the extended warranty. I'll have to check with my local Mazda dealership if that makes a difference.

ZachLegend

Check with your insurance company about the salvage title too. You can tell it was a front end accident because thats a new front bumper, no emblem. I believe the OEM one would have holes behind it? And that would be a random mod for the previous owner to have done.

KDMatt

My insurance agent tells me that a salvage title makes no difference on my premiums. The only place where it would affect me is if I totaled the car ... the check I'd get cut would be for a depreciated, branded title value, instead of retail value for the year.

I also just got off the phone with my local Mazda service department, and regrettably, all warranties on the car are "nullified" by there being an accident on record.

This means I think I'm probably going to pass.

As confident as I am in my handiman/fix-it abilities, and I don't think I could rightfully move forward into an 8 without the buffer of the extended engine warranty. I've been reading a lot of the posts on these boards, and it definitely sounds like that has come in handy for folks on more than one occasion.

b'Eight'

I think it all comes down to price point. First, in thinking of when I bought my car, I chose to buy it new instead of used. Why? Because it's a sports car and stereotypically speaking, whoever might have owned the car before me must have run it hard. I mean, I well maintain my car but I also run it hard. That's what it's meant to do.

HOWEVER, there can be a certain kinda satisfaction in getting a steal on a fun car that doesn't cost that much. In the end, you can just fix up all its flaws or easily live with them knowing how much you paid.

In any event, I wouldn't buy the car without thoroughly driving it and looking it over. In the case of a bent frame, I don't think any amount of money short of giving it way would meet my price point.

I wouldn't let the salvage title automatically disqualify your intentions. Like anything, you just have to go check it out.

If I would put a value on the car, I wouldn't go over $8000 but more like $7K for a steal.

KDMatt

Hello again everyone,

I didn't think it would be prudent to start a new topic to update my situation, so I'm just continuing in here (one thing I've learned from years on various car forums, is extra thread = death )

Anyway, my Honda beater DD finally took a dump today in the subzero temps (water pump, blah, paid $600 for the car two years ago, not worth fixing) ... I've got arrangements to use my dad's "beater" Mazda B2200 for a short while until I replace it... and, you guessed it, this means the hunt is definitely on for an 8.

Problem is, I'm a bit picky, and I've really got my heart set on a Red one. So in lieu of ebay, here are two more candidates I've found.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national


First one has got just about 91k on the clock, and is in Arizona, and the second one has got just about 68k on the clock, and is in Michigan.

I was planning on trying to see if I could use each ad to leverage the other to negotiate prices with the dealers (which are pretty fair as far as I can tell... the AZ one might be a bit high at 91k miles) ...

Anyway, thoughts? ... and most importantly, any members in those areas who might be willing to examine said vehicles for a nominal fee?

Thanks again for the help guys.

... oh and one last thing, before someone starts yelling at me in regards to 8's, winter, and snow... I've already read the winter thread, and know fully well that I'll need decent snow shoes for this car if I want to use it daily.

jmc23200

The first one is def high mileage. I would call them and see if they can email you service records. You may also want to take the VIN to a Mazda dealer and ask them to pull up any open TSB's and see if any service was done at a Mazda dealer. Your main concern with a high mileage 8 is the engine health. I would try to find out if the engine was replaced and/or compression results. You should get 3 readings per rotor, so 6 total numbers. If the dealer only gives you two numbers, they are doing a piston engine compression check. This is important since you only have about 8k miles left under warranty.

shaunv74

I would skip the 91K mile car. Too many miles and you may end up with a car that needs a new engine just after going out of engine warranty. Plus with that many miles on a sports car it's going to probably need a bunch of maintenance items replaced.

That being said the AZ car won't have rust on it like the Michigan car will. I would hate to have to change shocks on the Michigan car.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

def skip the 91k one. High mileage and looks like the tires are going to need replacing (least from the pictures)

My problem with 04/05 is who knows what happened to it before all the updates were complete. and you REALLY need to be able to sit in the car and drive it, listen to it, get it as much information about the car as possible before you buy it.

I don't want to make it sound like these cars are bad but there are lots of things that could go wrong and if you don't get the chance to give it a good look over you could be heading into trouble. There are people out there that are dumping these cars because they know they are about to die so that the next person can deal with it.

KDMatt

Thanks guys, for confirming my suspicions ... The Arizona one (at 91k) was sort of at the bottom of desirability for me for that main reason (coming out of the extended engine warranty), and, most importantly, the 25 hour/1200 mile drive to bring it home in MN.

That is an excellent point, which is, all the more reason why I was hoping to employ a little regional help to get an unbiased, seasoned opinion of the cars in question. Afterall, who would know how a proper 8 should run, than someone who owns one.

Otherwise I might just see if I can find a professional car inspector, which I'm sure dealers are used to working with.

As always everyone, your opinions and suggestions are all very, very helpful. I'm in love with these cars, and, god-willing, would LOVE to end up with a pretty decent one in the near future.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

what is the maximum you can spend btw? (or did I miss that somewhere)

shaunv74

We hear you. Keep looking and be patient the right car will come around. don't rush in to a car with too many miles or something that may cause you problems and heartache. That way you stay in love with these cars and don't get yourself over a barrel.

I've been in that position before where I was making car payments and repairs on a car that I couldn't drive most days anyway and it was not fun. And that's the whole point of owning these cars!

KDMatt

No, you didn't miss it, I never explicity stated it.

I was originally shooting for around the 8000, 8500 mark (hence, you know, ebaying, patient approach) ... but now that things are a bit more dire, I'm willing to go upwards a bit on price to make sure that I get a pretty decent car.

(KBB indicates that an '04/'05 8 with mileage in the neighborhood of 60, 70k, in 'good' condition is worth between 9500 and 10500 from a private party ... so I don't think my goals are too unrealistic in this regard).

My insurance will be a bit spendy (as I am 23) , though not completely awful and ridiculous, so I'm shooting to keep payments right around 200/mo ... was looking to finance for four years, though I suppose in a pinch I could go six to 12 months longer... afterall, the idea is that I fall in love with the car, right?

It's like my buddy has told me... I've got 'big boy job' now it's time for a 'big boy car' ...

... lovin' your guys' emotes btw

Kaiser bun

iTrader: (2)

i think there is a red one for sale here in ND not that far away, let me get you the link, not sure what your looking to spend but you could always negotiate with him.

Kaiser bun

iTrader: (2)

wow, it must have sold yesturday... i just looked at it like 2 days ago :/ sorry i guess

KDMatt

No worries man, I've been keeping my eyes on regional Craigslists as well (the Dakotas included), but if you catch an inside line to something in a timely manner, do please let me know.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

Best thing to do is
A: test drive it.
B: get the VIN and lookup if it has had all the recalls and TSBs done and I think you'll be alright. If you can get the car inspected at a Mazda dealership, specially see if they can do a compression check on the engine and what not.

I think you'll be ok if you can figure out all this stuff.

KDMatt

Unfortunately RX8's are a bit scarce in MN, (the closest one for sale that I could test drive is over in WI)...

... however, I might have found a contender down in Albuquerque New Mexico... do we have many members down that way?

It's a "candy apple red" 2004, with roughly 60k on the clock, six speed manual (naturally), and the guy seems pretty desperate for a sale. He's got it priced at $8300. It's been for sale since the 10th of December and he says he hasn't had any nibbles, which I find a bit hard to believe.

But nevertheless, I've asked him for some pics and the VIN, so we'll soon see what's what. Fingers crossed guys.

Again, any folks down in NM who might be willing to take a look for me?