2005 RX8 for £2k. Would it be insane?

[Frog Dog]

I work in the car trade and as such, see a lot of cars come through which are 'bargains'

One such car that's just appeared is a 2005 (54) RX8 192 in silver, with 65k and no apparent engine issues (HA!) for £2000.

That's the price I could get it for, would I be just nuts to actually buy it?

It's going to break and cost me a fortune isn't it??

[paulmoonraker]

Yes... Mental thing to do...

[mikey P 500]

Might well be ok. Its a buyers market i have seen ok 231s with low miles for £2500.
good price, means even if it needs a rebuild in the future your still only £4500 all in.

[cheesesliceking]

It will either break and cost you a fortune

OR

Not break and still cost you a fortune.

Either way you need deep pockets...

[SMcP114]

I was recently in the exact same position. Bought an '05 Rx8 in red through the trade, 68k only needing an o2 sensor for 2k. No issues at all so far and plenty of interest in it. Really impressed with it so far as I wasn't expecting much from it.

[deeps]

What's the life expectancy of the RX8 rotor tips?

I've had several RX-7's and the rule of thumb was around 60 - 70,000 miles for a rebuild, anything over 80,000 is good going I think. Rebuilds were around the £2.5k mark.

[Ali_T]

At launch, they said 120,000 miles. In reality, probably the same as the RX7, so start looking for compression issues from 60,000 miles. It'll have coil issues long before that though...

[Frog Dog]

Glad I started this thread before buying, this one has done 63k.

[mikey P 500]

They can last the 120k but you are really at the mercy of how well all the past owners have looked after it.
Not just full service history but correct warming up, correct oil regularly topped up, never over filled and ideally not flooded too.
Coil packs (not on the service schedule) need changing approximately every 30k or when the plugs are changed, better leads also a good idea. Keeping the ignition perfect prevents un burnt fuel wearing the tips prematurely.
Some also add a little oil/additives to the fuel that’s meant to help (not sure on this) but a well looked after car can last the distance, similarly a poorly maintained one can give up at 20k.
Interestingly assuming its just the tips that need changing parts are fairly cheap a few hundred for everything required but its engine out and taken apart labour your paying for at about £2.5kish all in.

[deeps]

Yeah I used to add oil to mine (think it was synthetic 2 stroke oil) at every fill up.

It's amazing how many people don't really know how the rotary works, like when you tell them it has no pistons. Personally I think it's a work of genius, and if they can last around 100k miles before needing a rebuild that's not bad for the performance, and there's no cam belt servicing. I had a head gasket go on a 300zx at 90k miles and that's similar money to fix.


http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/rotary-engine-...