Mazda RX8 - what is the sweet spot in the market?
Discussion
In short, I'm confused.
I keep finding myself looking at the classifieds for RX8s and reading threads on here about compression problems, hot starting problems, coil packs etc etc... Yet on the other hand I think they're a lot of car for your money.
I wouldn't be in the market for a basement bargain £2.5k 53 plate example, as I know inevitably there are going to be issues.
However, I also fear if you go out and spend £14k on a more recent R3 example - that you're going to suffer mind boggling depreciation.
So where is the best place for ones money?
I can afford up to £10k, but think it's important to try and strike a balance between age, mileage and the quality of the service history (and spec!) in order to find an example between the heavy depreciation and longevity issues?
Where do people think that might be? I personally like to think it would be around this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3033538.htm
Any thoughts welcome!
I keep finding myself looking at the classifieds for RX8s and reading threads on here about compression problems, hot starting problems, coil packs etc etc... Yet on the other hand I think they're a lot of car for your money.
I wouldn't be in the market for a basement bargain £2.5k 53 plate example, as I know inevitably there are going to be issues.
However, I also fear if you go out and spend £14k on a more recent R3 example - that you're going to suffer mind boggling depreciation.
So where is the best place for ones money?
I can afford up to £10k, but think it's important to try and strike a balance between age, mileage and the quality of the service history (and spec!) in order to find an example between the heavy depreciation and longevity issues?
Where do people think that might be? I personally like to think it would be around this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3033538.htm
Any thoughts welcome!
Edited by miln0039 on Friday 12th August 12:50
Looks nice,
As ever check for hot start issues(no hesitation in starting), coils are not that expensive it's just the damage to the CAT. I traded mine in and I can't say I miss it, it was a great drive, I just tired of living with the "quirks".
I cannot help but think at that price there is room for it to plummit in price after you put some miles on it yourself.
As ever check for hot start issues(no hesitation in starting), coils are not that expensive it's just the damage to the CAT. I traded mine in and I can't say I miss it, it was a great drive, I just tired of living with the "quirks".
I cannot help but think at that price there is room for it to plummit in price after you put some miles on it yourself.
Thanks for the feedback - I think you might honestly have pointed out what I already knew in the 350Z being the better option. Just a shame as I've wanted a Rex since before I had a licence.
Perhaps second guessing the market isn't the best plan if there are better alternatives.
Thanks again for the thoughts chaps.
Perhaps second guessing the market isn't the best plan if there are better alternatives.
Thanks again for the thoughts chaps.
The glasses guide for a 60 plate Rx8 is now just over £10k, with a trade value of just over £9k. So whatever reg you get haggle and you'll get bargain!
Dont listen too much to the old wives tails.....change the plugs and coils regularly. Dont go to your dealership to buy them though. that way you'll get a car that will last a long time!
Dont listen too much to the old wives tails.....change the plugs and coils regularly. Dont go to your dealership to buy them though. that way you'll get a car that will last a long time!
We've owned both (still have the Z) and the Mazda is nicer to chuck down a B-road, more comfortable, more civilised and more practical. Z has a harder wearing interior, bulletproof mechanicals, marginally better fuel consumption (but needs Super), is more forgiving of driver incompetence and doesn't need an aftermarket exhaust to sound like it should.
If you do buy an RX-8, buy something with good compression test results, change the coils and then keep on top of them.
If you do buy an RX-8, buy something with good compression test results, change the coils and then keep on top of them.
In the market for an rx8 myself at the moment, have to say I am facing a similar dilemma of how much to spend, I think I am ideally looking for a 05 or 55 plate car with as low a miles as possible. (Old enough for cheaper tax and new enough to have better starter motor and ecu upgrades etc). This should cost about £4k to £5k privately but add up to another £2k on top of that from a dealer, which often comes with some warranty.
Is it worth the premium to get a warranty from a dealer is my biggest question/decision at the moment. In some ways would rather buy privately as least you can quiz the past owner.
Also given how big an issue compression problems seem to be, why don’t more sellers get their cars tested prior to sale. Personally I would be willing to pay a decent premium for one where the seller could show me a certificate of decent compression.
Is it worth the premium to get a warranty from a dealer is my biggest question/decision at the moment. In some ways would rather buy privately as least you can quiz the past owner.
Also given how big an issue compression problems seem to be, why don’t more sellers get their cars tested prior to sale. Personally I would be willing to pay a decent premium for one where the seller could show me a certificate of decent compression.
Was browsing through the Autotrader over the weekend, you can easily pick up an 05 plate 231bhp RX8 for between £3500-£4500 (& theres even an 06 plate in Azura Blue with 93,000 miles for £3150 - surely too cheap ?). Sadly the 06 plate cars incur the higher tax threshold but even taking into account the quirks of the rotary engine, surely there worth a punt ?
Saying that though, Im in the market for a 350Z at the moment & even for an 04 plate UK car, youd be lucky to get one for below £6000 & most are between the £7-£8000 range. All things considered, if I had £10K to spend, Id definately invest it in the Z. IMHO.
Saying that though, Im in the market for a 350Z at the moment & even for an 04 plate UK car, youd be lucky to get one for below £6000 & most are between the £7-£8000 range. All things considered, if I had £10K to spend, Id definately invest it in the Z. IMHO.
Robbo101 said:
Was browsing through the Autotrader over the weekend, you can easily pick up an 05 plate 231bhp RX8 for between £3500-£4500 (& theres even an 06 plate in Azura Blue with 93,000 miles for £3150 - surely too cheap ?). Sadly the 06 plate cars incur the higher tax threshold but even taking into account the quirks of the rotary engine, surely there worth a punt ?
Saying that though, Im in the market for a 350Z at the moment & even for an 04 plate UK car, youd be lucky to get one for below £6000 & most are between the £7-£8000 range. All things considered, if I had £10K to spend, Id definately invest it in the Z. IMHO.
As sad as it maybe....£3150 is way too much for the 06 plate! That will need a rebuild very soon! They arent that expensive to do, but still about £2500. According to GG the retail of the 230bhp is £4752.50 and the 192bhp is £4485.00.Saying that though, Im in the market for a 350Z at the moment & even for an 04 plate UK car, youd be lucky to get one for below £6000 & most are between the £7-£8000 range. All things considered, if I had £10K to spend, Id definately invest it in the Z. IMHO.
Tricky really!
Just spend the full amount you have available, haggle (you have the upper hand if the person is desperate to sell) and get the lowest mileage car you can possibly get
I don’t think the bids on Ebay are a very fair indicator, a car this specialist with well known engine reliability questions will clearly be sold outside of an auction where the car is viewed in person. Only the really poor examples will be bought blind at a very low price assuming the worst.
The same can be said for the 350z for example; no one bidding over 5k for one of those either even though market price is far higher.
I am still after an rx8 (need back seats and prefer it to a 350z anyway) it would appear to be a buyers market. So what mileage should I be buying at and what sort of price should be paid.
In terms of future resale should I only consider 231’s with full mazda service history and below 60k miles.
The same can be said for the 350z for example; no one bidding over 5k for one of those either even though market price is far higher.
I am still after an rx8 (need back seats and prefer it to a 350z anyway) it would appear to be a buyers market. So what mileage should I be buying at and what sort of price should be paid.
In terms of future resale should I only consider 231’s with full mazda service history and below 60k miles.
I would (and have) gone for a low mileage 2005 for the lower tax (£245’ish vs. £460’ish IIRC) from a Mazda dealer, so have a warranty. You’re towards the bottom of the painful deprecation, lower tax, but there are still some nice cars about.
Any premium I may have paid has been mostly covered by what I’ve had done under warranty, most of which are fairly common issues:
Coolant Bottle Level Indicator – £120’ish
Headlight Leveling System £440’ish
And a broken droplink £120’ish
It’s worth remembering that the 72 month service is the big one with plugs / diff oil, so about £550 from Mazda.
I got them to do the coils and leads as well, which is recommended by specialists at around 30k but not part of the service schedule. As someone above said, I got the Plugs / Leads / Coils from the States and saved a goodly lump of £. The dealer was happy to fit them.
They are great cars with a lovely feel to them. Unfortunately the Mrs doesn’t like it, so yet another change may be on the cards! So far it’s been:
• E46 M3 – Too difficult to get the little one in the back.
• L322 Range Rover – Too big.
• RX8 – Doesn’t like the ignition / stopping procedure that I make sure she does, and feels a bit plastic’y.
Arrrrrrggghhhhh!!!!!
I think I should put her back in a bally Micra!
So if anyone wants a much loved 2005 231 in Titanium Grey / Black Leather, with Mazda Warranty till Jan 2012, 32k, 72 month service incl coils / leads / 2 Tyres done last month, shout.
Any premium I may have paid has been mostly covered by what I’ve had done under warranty, most of which are fairly common issues:
Coolant Bottle Level Indicator – £120’ish
Headlight Leveling System £440’ish
And a broken droplink £120’ish
It’s worth remembering that the 72 month service is the big one with plugs / diff oil, so about £550 from Mazda.
I got them to do the coils and leads as well, which is recommended by specialists at around 30k but not part of the service schedule. As someone above said, I got the Plugs / Leads / Coils from the States and saved a goodly lump of £. The dealer was happy to fit them.
They are great cars with a lovely feel to them. Unfortunately the Mrs doesn’t like it, so yet another change may be on the cards! So far it’s been:
• E46 M3 – Too difficult to get the little one in the back.
• L322 Range Rover – Too big.
• RX8 – Doesn’t like the ignition / stopping procedure that I make sure she does, and feels a bit plastic’y.
Arrrrrrggghhhhh!!!!!
I think I should put her back in a bally Micra!
So if anyone wants a much loved 2005 231 in Titanium Grey / Black Leather, with Mazda Warranty till Jan 2012, 32k, 72 month service incl coils / leads / 2 Tyres done last month, shout.
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