Buying secondary used vehicle 1999 Prelude vs RX8
Discussion
Hey all,
I'm just about to decide (or trying) between a 1999 Prelude 2.0i or a 2005 192 / 2006 230 RX-8. Any input from any one is welcome whether about specifics below and/or your thoughts on these vehicles via their own merits.
Thanks
Prelude 1999
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Prelude-/272545602...
Rx-8 192 2005
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-MAZDA-RX8-192-no-SW...
Rx-8 232 2006
https://www.gumtree.com/p/mazda/mazda-rx8-1.3-230b...
Used this to see MOT records:
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
I've been to visit the first two.
Prelude 2.0i (four previous owners)
Pros:
-Paint was pretty good(not as good as in the picture) but respectable, no rust I could see and minor damage or wear.
-It felt good to drive, was quite peppy for 130hp.
-It has never failed an MOT and has no advisories. The only past advisories were typical windshield damage, minor exhaust leak, slightly deteriorated exhaust and worn tyres - all of which I see are fixed.
-Service history was very thorough
Cons:
-2.0i engine
-124000 miles
-Potential issue, see Misc section
Misc:
It had a weird rattle and knock sound that was tinny/metallic but also as if it was in motion on a rotation. The very kind elderly gentleman said he had never witnessed it before (though the car was his wife's). We both test drove it in turn, going together around the block at various speeds. It seemed to be noticeable only when in motion and only at around 20-40 mph. He is going to take it to get yet another MOT(at his expense) with his local guy to see if they can find the fault and then contact me back as soon as to update me on any potential issues. He also offered to deliver it to our home for us.
Rx-8 192 2005 (five previous owners)
Pros:
-Felt smooth when driving
-Was quick enough.
-Seemed all interior electrics worked
-60,250 miles
Cons:
-Engine struggled to turn over. It did turn over, but had to hold it for at least three to four seconds and then it hesitated a little bit. I made sure to do this from cold and then two more times after having driven it a while to see if it had the infamous 'warm start' issue. I couldn't tell as the hesitation was persistant.
-I actually felt the Prelude was more responsive (odd I know).
-Wheels were pretty banged up. Mostly concerning was the plastic center caps were literally falling away if you touched them.
-Body work was a bit bad for a car of just over ten years old. I didn't spot any obvious rust though.
-Engine had a wild whining noise from cold start. It seemed to go away eventually. Owner couldn't say what it was "never heard it before until today"
-Bit sordid MOT history. The current guy has only owned it three months and cannot speak to any of the history.
Misc:
Only has MOT till June. The gentleman did not seem interested, or rather at least off his own back was not concerned about having it MOT. He kept stating it seemed to be a waste of the remaining three months. I did have an open conversation with him about that doesn't look good for prospective buyers and another MOT would give peace of mind to some degree, not only for them yet for him too. He stated that if it didn't sell, he'd just keep it as he did not have to sell it for any reason. To which I reiterated a MOT would be equally beneficial. If you are keeping it, then get it done and then you know it's OK too. Though he seemed to contradict his own points when he'd state that 'money was not an issue' or 'not the issue' but repeated that it was a 'waste of three months'.
After a little more pressing he admitted the wiper blades didn't work so well.
I convinced him to consider the MOT, and do it at my local garage of choice, yet he insisted I put a deposit down first which is not refunded or counted into the car cost.
I am waiting to hear back about the second RX-8. If only it wasn't silver...
Summary so far/initial thoughts:
-The price on the first two are fair I believe, but the condition of the RX-8 is bad for it's age.
-The RX-8 is faster overall, and that rotary did feel pretty smooth -then again so did the Prelude.
-I am troubled by the RX-8 owners unwillingness to MOT or to even have the understanding of why it would be of interest to buyers as well as in his interest for various reasons.
-I am concerned I pay the RX-8 owner to do the MOT, then it fails with something that he won't pay to fix. I know that it puts him in a position because if it fails, he technically has to fix it in order to keep it road worthy. But given how he was talking, he'd probably keep it, sorn it for three months then MOT it when he's ready to drive it again.
-I worry about what that noise is with the Prelude however am also confident it won't be catastrophic given the good service record he has with the vehicle.
-The 2006 RX-8 I am hoping to view soon, has a strong MOT history as well with only one fail for what I would consider a minor infraction. Though the last advisory warning of : offside rear [Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint]- does concern me as they tend to get worse.
Thanks for reading.
I'm just about to decide (or trying) between a 1999 Prelude 2.0i or a 2005 192 / 2006 230 RX-8. Any input from any one is welcome whether about specifics below and/or your thoughts on these vehicles via their own merits.
Thanks
Prelude 1999
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Prelude-/272545602...
Rx-8 192 2005
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-MAZDA-RX8-192-no-SW...
Rx-8 232 2006
https://www.gumtree.com/p/mazda/mazda-rx8-1.3-230b...
Used this to see MOT records:
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/
I've been to visit the first two.
Prelude 2.0i (four previous owners)
Pros:
-Paint was pretty good(not as good as in the picture) but respectable, no rust I could see and minor damage or wear.
-It felt good to drive, was quite peppy for 130hp.
-It has never failed an MOT and has no advisories. The only past advisories were typical windshield damage, minor exhaust leak, slightly deteriorated exhaust and worn tyres - all of which I see are fixed.
-Service history was very thorough
Cons:
-2.0i engine
-124000 miles
-Potential issue, see Misc section
Misc:
It had a weird rattle and knock sound that was tinny/metallic but also as if it was in motion on a rotation. The very kind elderly gentleman said he had never witnessed it before (though the car was his wife's). We both test drove it in turn, going together around the block at various speeds. It seemed to be noticeable only when in motion and only at around 20-40 mph. He is going to take it to get yet another MOT(at his expense) with his local guy to see if they can find the fault and then contact me back as soon as to update me on any potential issues. He also offered to deliver it to our home for us.
Rx-8 192 2005 (five previous owners)
Pros:
-Felt smooth when driving
-Was quick enough.
-Seemed all interior electrics worked
-60,250 miles
Cons:
-Engine struggled to turn over. It did turn over, but had to hold it for at least three to four seconds and then it hesitated a little bit. I made sure to do this from cold and then two more times after having driven it a while to see if it had the infamous 'warm start' issue. I couldn't tell as the hesitation was persistant.
-I actually felt the Prelude was more responsive (odd I know).
-Wheels were pretty banged up. Mostly concerning was the plastic center caps were literally falling away if you touched them.
-Body work was a bit bad for a car of just over ten years old. I didn't spot any obvious rust though.
-Engine had a wild whining noise from cold start. It seemed to go away eventually. Owner couldn't say what it was "never heard it before until today"
-Bit sordid MOT history. The current guy has only owned it three months and cannot speak to any of the history.
Misc:
Only has MOT till June. The gentleman did not seem interested, or rather at least off his own back was not concerned about having it MOT. He kept stating it seemed to be a waste of the remaining three months. I did have an open conversation with him about that doesn't look good for prospective buyers and another MOT would give peace of mind to some degree, not only for them yet for him too. He stated that if it didn't sell, he'd just keep it as he did not have to sell it for any reason. To which I reiterated a MOT would be equally beneficial. If you are keeping it, then get it done and then you know it's OK too. Though he seemed to contradict his own points when he'd state that 'money was not an issue' or 'not the issue' but repeated that it was a 'waste of three months'.
After a little more pressing he admitted the wiper blades didn't work so well.
I convinced him to consider the MOT, and do it at my local garage of choice, yet he insisted I put a deposit down first which is not refunded or counted into the car cost.
I am waiting to hear back about the second RX-8. If only it wasn't silver...
Summary so far/initial thoughts:
-The price on the first two are fair I believe, but the condition of the RX-8 is bad for it's age.
-The RX-8 is faster overall, and that rotary did feel pretty smooth -then again so did the Prelude.
-I am troubled by the RX-8 owners unwillingness to MOT or to even have the understanding of why it would be of interest to buyers as well as in his interest for various reasons.
-I am concerned I pay the RX-8 owner to do the MOT, then it fails with something that he won't pay to fix. I know that it puts him in a position because if it fails, he technically has to fix it in order to keep it road worthy. But given how he was talking, he'd probably keep it, sorn it for three months then MOT it when he's ready to drive it again.
-I worry about what that noise is with the Prelude however am also confident it won't be catastrophic given the good service record he has with the vehicle.
-The 2006 RX-8 I am hoping to view soon, has a strong MOT history as well with only one fail for what I would consider a minor infraction. Though the last advisory warning of : offside rear [Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint]- does concern me as they tend to get worse.
Thanks for reading.
Edited by IWilson68 on Wednesday 1st March 18:47
Edited by IWilson68 on Wednesday 1st March 18:48
Edited by IWilson68 on Wednesday 1st March 18:48
Edited by IWilson68 on Wednesday 1st March 18:50
Edited by IWilson68 on Wednesday 1st March 18:51
Edited by IWilson68 on Wednesday 1st March 18:52
If you are prepared for the terrible fuel consumption and running costs of an RX8 I wholeheartedly recommend buying one (I am on my third) but that grey one looks moody to me , for example the front bumper seems to be a different colour to the rest of the car.
You can afford to be choosy with them as there are plenty around so move on to the next one I reckon, that silver one looks much better.
You can afford to be choosy with them as there are plenty around so move on to the next one I reckon, that silver one looks much better.
I had an RX8 as my only car for years and loved it- but it is a marmite car- love or hate!
The 232 HP is worth while for the 6 gears and few other improvements (sorry cannot remember what they were!) and as NickP says- loads around- no need to deal with untrustworthy sellers.
And I wouldn't buy one from someone who had only had it a short time; apart from the obvious'why selling' you don't know how previous owners treated it. I would suggest ensuring the seller understands about never switching off cold...
If you get a good one though- great fun, and comfortable with it. And a real 4 seats!
Edited to add: Running costs- yes it uses as much fuel as a V8 Mustang, but mine had in 6 /7 years only consumables + a set of rear springs(well known to corrode)so maintenance no more than any normal car. Perhaps I was lucky.
The 232 HP is worth while for the 6 gears and few other improvements (sorry cannot remember what they were!) and as NickP says- loads around- no need to deal with untrustworthy sellers.
And I wouldn't buy one from someone who had only had it a short time; apart from the obvious'why selling' you don't know how previous owners treated it. I would suggest ensuring the seller understands about never switching off cold...
If you get a good one though- great fun, and comfortable with it. And a real 4 seats!
Edited to add: Running costs- yes it uses as much fuel as a V8 Mustang, but mine had in 6 /7 years only consumables + a set of rear springs(well known to corrode)so maintenance no more than any normal car. Perhaps I was lucky.
Edited by mac96 on Wednesday 1st March 23:01
Thank you everyone.
I have decided not to pursue the first RX-8. I also called the kind gentleman with the Prelude and said I would pass on that as well, but made sure he was aware of how much I gushed over it's condition and quality, so therefore he should proceed with the MOT - get his peace of mind and I am certain it will sell soon. If not later this year I'd buy it from him as a toy.
In the meantime I have purchased a different type of vehicle.
Great learning experience so far though, much obliged.
I have decided not to pursue the first RX-8. I also called the kind gentleman with the Prelude and said I would pass on that as well, but made sure he was aware of how much I gushed over it's condition and quality, so therefore he should proceed with the MOT - get his peace of mind and I am certain it will sell soon. If not later this year I'd buy it from him as a toy.
In the meantime I have purchased a different type of vehicle.
Great learning experience so far though, much obliged.
NewRulesPaul said:
Rx8 needs a rebuild as its on 60k, probably also involves the starting issue, stay away my friend.
Not guaranteed. I mean it might but it's not that straightforward.Anyway, back to the OP. I would go an 06+ car if you can, quite a few changes which make them a better and more reliable car.
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