Should i buy an rx8 w/ 80k miles?
#1
Should i buy an rx8 w/ 80k miles?
I really want to get an rx-8, but ive been looking for one with 40-50k miles on it so it will be more in my price range. So far the only car ive been able to find has about 80k miles on it, and the guy said he has always run synthetic oil so he only changed the oil every 7000 miles or so. I would think you would still want to change the oil every 3000. Also he put all the miles on in about a year, he drives 325 miles a day 5 days a week. I asked him if he ran it hard or babied it, he said he didnt run it hard, since it was the only car he had and he didnt want to kill it. Kinda doesnt sound good, but he only wants 16,500 for it. Is the price too high for how he treated the car? or should i just stay away in general? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
#3
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Originally Posted by Rakasha
I really want to get an rx-8, but ive been looking for one with 40-50k miles on it so it will be more in my price range. So far the only car ive been able to find has about 80k miles on it, and the guy said he has always run synthetic oil so he only changed the oil every 7000 miles or so. I would think you would still want to change the oil every 3000. Also he put all the miles on in about a year, he drives 325 miles a day 5 days a week. I asked him if he ran it hard or babied it, he said he didnt run it hard, since it was the only car he had and he didnt want to kill it. Kinda doesnt sound good, but he only wants 16,500 for it. Is the price too high for how he treated the car? or should i just stay away in general? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
#6
Originally Posted by Gambit
That's absurd, it would have to be 220 miles a day in one year
#7
09/13/2003 3 FE6261195 0 ****, TEMP (fan ****)
03/16/2004 30056 Y6Y022100 1 BRACKET, INSULATOR K (recall damper)
08/30/2004 64061 N3H618881A 0 MODULE,POWERTRAIN CO (MSP04)
Three claims for common issues
This guy is a drivin' fool!!
09/03----3 miles
03/04---30000+
08/04---64061 miles
03/16/2004 30056 Y6Y022100 1 BRACKET, INSULATOR K (recall damper)
08/30/2004 64061 N3H618881A 0 MODULE,POWERTRAIN CO (MSP04)
Three claims for common issues
This guy is a drivin' fool!!
09/03----3 miles
03/04---30000+
08/04---64061 miles
Last edited by snap-on; 03-17-2005 at 11:17 AM.
#8
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As an ex car-guy with 15 yrs of experience appraising and marketing cars for a large dealer, chances of this car being in better mechanical shape than a "city driver" with 20K is pretty good. Just doing the math, you've determined that the owner put several hundred miles on the car daily...which means he had to drive it primarily on the highway. Highway driving is almost always easier on an automobile than stop-and-go city driving. Regarding changing the oil every 7K miles, this would be a problem if it was a city driver, but for only hiway driving, it shouldnt be. Let Snap-On check out the vin, then check out the owners maint records and finally have a local mechanic check it out. If the car is sound, it might be worth 12-14K. Don't let ONLY the odometer be the deciding factor as in this case it is probably the least realiable predictor.
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I agree with raadracer's points, especially about how highway driving is a low-wear environment for most components of a car. A one-year-old RX-8 priced somewhere in the teens doesn't sound unreasonable to me, but a check-out by a mechanic and a careful look at the maintenance records would be necessities. Maybe sending a sample of used motor oil away for analysis would shed some light on how the engine is wearing, too.
#12
First, I read a post here that synthetic oil may not be the best choice for a rotary engine. Don't have the link, but you can do a search.
Second, when I was looking to buy mine (about 2 weeks ago), a 2004 with touring package was about 20,000 (maybe a little more) after all the rebates. (I ended up paying a lot more, but I got one with grand touring and navigation.) If you're financing, the difference in payments between the used one and a 2004 may not be significant. And-- you get the warranty.
You might also be able to find a 2004 base model or one with sport package for about the same price as the used one, with the rebates. I'd check that out first.
Second, when I was looking to buy mine (about 2 weeks ago), a 2004 with touring package was about 20,000 (maybe a little more) after all the rebates. (I ended up paying a lot more, but I got one with grand touring and navigation.) If you're financing, the difference in payments between the used one and a 2004 may not be significant. And-- you get the warranty.
You might also be able to find a 2004 base model or one with sport package for about the same price as the used one, with the rebates. I'd check that out first.
#13
Originally Posted by utente
You might also be able to find a 2004 base model or one with sport package for about the same price as the used one, with the rebates. I'd check that out first.
Thanks for the input guys, its really helping!
#15
Originally Posted by DreRX8
You aren't going to get a new one with $10K $15K worth of rebates to equal sub $20K price. All the used ones I've seen have been $21K and up.
#17
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Right now there is $4000 off of 2004 models
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...esPopup.action
and if you get the S-Plan (employee purchase plan) you're sitting pretty. These 2 things made my purchase a dream.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...esPopup.action
and if you get the S-Plan (employee purchase plan) you're sitting pretty. These 2 things made my purchase a dream.
#21
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Originally Posted by Chrisbert
This bodes well for our reliability. Mazda should buy that one from him and tear it down.
On another note, think about what that dude spent on gas in one year... it's mind boggling!
#23
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If his employer reimbursed his car mileage at the current federal rate (somewhere around $.42 per mile), the car cost him absolutely nothing. In fact, he's ahead. Bought the car for $30k, sells it for $15k, spent $10k on fuel, $3k on tires, $2k on maintenance and is reimbursed $32k.
I'd buy that car before I bought a 10 year old car with 80k miles. Ten year old car has wear and tear on everything plus all the oxidation that ages the car.
I'd buy that car before I bought a 10 year old car with 80k miles. Ten year old car has wear and tear on everything plus all the oxidation that ages the car.
#24
Originally Posted by NVMYGT
Right now there is $4000 off of 2004 models
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...esPopup.action
and if you get the S-Plan (employee purchase plan) you're sitting pretty. These 2 things made my purchase a dream.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...esPopup.action
and if you get the S-Plan (employee purchase plan) you're sitting pretty. These 2 things made my purchase a dream.