RX8 - mileage and buying tips

[nigel911]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting an RX8 but am on a limited budget (£5,500).

There seem to be a few cars round at this price level, but not surprisingly they have high mileage (circa 80,000).

Am I being mad considering gatting a rotary engined car at this mileage??

Any idea what specifics I need to be looking for?

Many thanks for your help.

Nigel

[Steve Evil]

As you're on a limited budget I'd make sure that you can afford to pay for any problems with the car, as the saying goes, 'If you can't afford a good one, you definitely can't afford a bad one'.

Not sure how often they recommend the engines are rebuilt on the RX8s, but if it has been done already then that is a bonus, if not then I'd say 80k is definitely a long time without a rebuild and I'd factor this cost into any bargaining you might do.

[Jonny671]

They don't rebuild the engines as they had to on the RX7.

Things to watch for..

Coils
Catalytic Converter
Anti Roll Bar Links
Starter Motor
Battery

Their the common things

[Steve Evil]

Jonny671 said:

They don't rebuild the engines as they had to on the RX7.

Interesting. I'm guessing you still have to make sure the engine is warmed through properly and drive it for a good 15 minutes at a time though in order to stop the carbon build-up?

[todd69]

If it's got FMSH with all recall work done then go for it

I have a RX-8 myself and love it but I wouldn't go near one unless it had the above.

PS, the old oil usage question, about 1ltr every 1000 miles is what most folk use.

MPG, after recording mine for the past few months, I'm averaging 22mpg, up to 26 on a run.

[Jonny671]

Steve Evil said:

Jonny671 said:

They don't rebuild the engines as they had to on the RX7.

Interesting. I'm guessing you still have to make sure the engine is warmed through properly and drive it for a good 15 minutes at a time though in order to stop the carbon build-up?

Um.. Yeah you do, but we have customers on over 60,000 miles and still going fine.

80,000 miles is quite high though really..

[todd69]

Jonny671 said:

80,000 miles is quite high though really..

For it's age, not the engine

[scoobydude]

The RX8 has been subject of a few recalls for various bits and bobs. There's a feature on the AA website which you can use to see if yours has been affected. If it has been subject to a recall make sure the work's been done before you think of buying. The RX8 has had a few problems relating to the coil pack buggering up which leads to a general buggering of the catalytic converter. I think most of the ones which I know of with these problems have been sorted by Mazda under warranty no questions asked. It's a lot of fun for not much money and well worth a look in my opinion.

[Jonny671]

scoobydude said:

The RX8 has been subject of a few recalls for various bits and bobs. There's a feature on the AA website which you can use to see if yours has been affected. If it has been subject to a recall make sure the work's been done before you think of buying. The RX8 has had a few problems relating to the coil pack buggering up which leads to a general buggering of the catalytic converter. I think most of the ones which I know of with these problems have been sorted by Mazda under warranty no questions asked. It's a lot of fun for not much money and well worth a look in my opinion.

Or PM/Email me and i'll check Mazdas Database for you

[papercup]

Steve Evil said:

As you're on a limited budget I'd make sure that you can afford to pay for any problems with the car, as the saying goes, 'If you can't afford a good one, you definitely can't afford a bad one'.

Not sure how often they recommend the engines are rebuilt on the RX8s, but if it has been done already then that is a bonus, if not then I'd say 80k is definitely a long time without a rebuild and I'd factor this cost into any bargaining you might do.

<sigh>

Thats the RX-7 mate.