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Multiple RX8 owner here. This is a solid overview of common problem issues that you can check pretty quick when purchasing one. Covers just about everything. GJ
I now taking a 2004 rx8 ...What is the problem with them ..I read that they have a problem with a fuel injection and starter,What else to look,please respond.... Sorry for bad English :-)
I took a chance at one that barely rolled through the auction block. My son replaced the spark plugs and an ignition coil and wowwe, life jumped back in her! She is slow to accelerate from a stop and doesn't like a hot start but we've only had her a day. Now I've found your videos which are spot on and should get her the rest of the way to purring like new! But if we get stuck, I'm sending her to you. Great videos thanks a ton!!!
Fantastic video Ray. This type of analysis for rotaries and RX-8 is lacking on YT. Thanks for filling the need, you now have a new subscriber. One day, I will own one of these, not having someone I trust who can knows these cars besides a dealer is a major obstacle. Wish you were in Quebec.
Great video, will definately come in handy once I've saved up enough to get one. Been wanting one of these since I was 8 years old when I saw it on NFS Most Wanted. Fantastic car.
Thank you kindly, excellent video, definitely going to come in handy if my heart wins out over my head and I end up buying the RX8 I so so want in my life. Big thanks all the way from Scotland.
+Getwreckedm9 Happy to help! Please remember to support the channel by clicking the "Support Channel" button on the channel page! I hope you enjoy your RX8 as much as I enjoy mine!
Good point for checking the SSV The under tray is less for getting the proper airflow under the engine, as it is there to direct air through the rad. They are critical for cooling efficiency and engine life. Most of the the S1 cars [(2003-2008) especially 04-05), the sensor fails in the bottle and it is very common to have the sensor unplugged and therefore the bottle will not send a "low level" signal for the dash light. Also be sure to check if the level sensor is plugged in. The sensor connector is on the left side of the bottle. If you see a an empty plug with no wires, your car will not indicate low coolant. Although this is not the end of the world, and is the most common issue with the series 1 cars the level is easily checked visually and just add it apart to your oil level inspection routine. That being said, you can use it as a bargaining point as a new bottle/sensor combination is around $130. In the late model cars, one might experience the level light coming on during hard acceleration although the coolant is full. This is also totally normal. This issue can be resolved by (guess what?) unplugging the sensor. Stay pure :)
I do not think there is anything wrong with getting a rotary powered car. Just know what your getting yourself into. By that as in everything in this video, exactly how a rotary works by design in order to maintain the engine. That means compression tests, flushing & replacing coolant, oil levels always maintained as they burn oil by design, premixing if you either want to be secure your lubricating those apex seals or if your not running the OMP. As far as reliability, i mean yes gas mileage is not that good but if you ok with that who cares. Yes the cat does get clogged, but thats a simple fix honestly and mostly because the other owner didn't take care of it. Regardless the rotary is an engineering historical figure, still had the record of producing the most HP from the least amount of liters. Rx7 Rx8 have 50/50 weight distribution aka great handling. In a straight line well not so much but yet many go and buy mid 200HP sports cars today and so idk whats the issue there. Another thing who cares if you decide to swap out and drop another beast in there , Thats the freaking beauty of making it your car, besides its a cool feat to have done that. rotary guys - wtf u swapped a piston engine in here -> my response :: um you didnt buy it sooo wtf u talking about. u have no say. piston guys - ew rotary , so unreliable, go piston man ur a p**** , my response :: yeaaa you deff dont take care of your things do you. ur the 13 reason why hannah baker is gone. So should u get an Rx-8 , if you really want one and understand it will probably need TLC and willing to do it. Then F*** it and go for it. Cause once you figure out those quirks and issues and have a good running rotary, its definitely a great experience. Yes unlike a typical piston , the rx8 13b-msp can make it to 100k miles if not more. But realize getting up there the engine will need to be rebuilt eventually. So if your buying a high mileage one , well if its the original motor get ready to do that or else this isnt your car. If the motors replaced, ask for paper work, compression test it make sure its all good. and how many miles on it. But seriously it does matter how its was cared for. Like nothing annoys me more than someone saying oh well rotary's are unreliable , yet they dont care for it in the proper way , and compare it to a piston engine which is a totally different design that entails much more engine components leaving and engine rebuild much more expensive. Oh well a piston engine will last longer, well sure if its been taken care of, WELL WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT. IF ITS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. Rotary's need to be rev'd high here and there to remove carbon build up, thats just one way of taking care of the engine. While piston engine dont like being up there in revs too long, to take care of one u basically dont run it reved up high much u usually just cruise. OFC they both can be abused and ran hard, But at the end of the day who cares if you want it buy it but take care of it.
Good comments. For even more detail, the following website covers almost every question that anyone could think of. www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Thanks a lot man, really useful tips! Lost of them were not in my head for my forthcoming buy of the rx8 in the next couple months! Cheers from Germany!
Mine is at 80000 km it's a 2004 and engine still as good as when it was bought. Maybe lucky but I love the rotary. So smooth and powerful enough to have fun in. Great weekend car but have a daily driver because the fuel consumption is nuts. Goes through gas like a V8
I'd say the #1 rule is don't buy an automatic tran. other than that just use common sense when it comes to maintenance. I've got a 04 with 90k on it still runs perfect w/ good compression. I love it so much I'm gonna buy another engine when this one goes
Twist Did you buy it? I dont think its worth it. Since its best to get the second generation and here in phoenix you can find 09's for that price. The one im about to buy is 09 for 7K
Thanks for uploading. I'll watch and most likely like your other Rx-8 Videos. I'd like to add one thing tough: Do not buy an auto! There is no point in having this awesome high revving engine with a gearbox that cuts the peak power away. Shifting is precise and fun in the rexy and heel toeing easy.
thanks for the info! im planning on getting a 2004 6speed rx8 very soon my current car is a 1984 300zx turbo i got hit by an old dude not paying attention bad day anyways i hope you keep up the videos theese are already helping and i havnt even bought one yett
Bought an rx8 3month ago for £1000 2006 32k miles genuine, lad was just scared to drive it, just had some condensation in lights just had to reseal, runs like a dream power is still there,bought it expecting a few problems at that price hasn't cost me owt yet apart from abit of oil haha MINT CAR!
My coolant level sensor went bad. Where can you purchase just the sensor. Looking online I could only find the whole unit including the sensor. Thank you
One previous owner since 2007,they used 5w 30 synthetic castrol magnatec,I hear this oil is not fully synthetic though, no problems engine runs like new,I know they made some improvements from 04 upwards,my car uses very little oil although fuel economy is 20mpg.
Thank you, its an excellent video! i am going to buy a used Rx8. Would you know of any mechanic shop in/near Chicago where I could get the car checked for such defects before deciding to buy?
Hey whitney can you do a total engine rebuild from start to finish removal to install. That would be awesome. My rx8 mine needs a engine rebuild and probably new apex seals.
Hello fellows. I am mazder too. Bought 2003 mazda rx-8 in good shape but with some problems. My engine dont start while its hot. Also overheating a lil bit hire than middle line on termometer. Also have another strange problem. When i am starting my engine my steering wheel is moving whery tight and when car is stalled and, as i told above, dont start agin i were try to start it from pulling car method until it start. After that way of cranking engine my steering wheel starts to work fine until i stop it and try to start it again when its cold. Please if you have any ideas i ll try it and give information. Could be fun to communicate that way
Hi hoping you can help..I have a 2004 rx8 93,000 miles I was driving and everything was fine then I stop go in store come back and go to leave and i see engine light come on and I can't go but like 10 miles an hour also the ABS and DSC lights come on I take battery cables off put back on and car goes back to normal but it keeps happening when trying to read codes got linking error any idea what is going on?
I have a 2004 Mazda rx8 non turbo and it’s not starting when I crank it over its not cranking as fast as it should be and I’ve tried the de flooding process twice with no success. I checked the apartment plugs and they were badly fouled up since I’ve put x4 new plugs a new battery the cars been sitting for two years. Last time it was driven it didn’t start anymore drove it home and turned the motor off then didn’t start and sat for two years. Any advice ? Haha
I had an RX8 for 5 years which was awesome but the engine needed to be recondition around the 130k mark. The salesman said every RX8 needed a engine recondition between 70 to 90K mark. It can be very expensive usually around 2k. I looked after mine like a baby but in the end the rotary can't be helped with servicing. After issues I had with it was a busted CD player, broken check engine and coolant light which would cost 3k to replace. The suspension needed to be replaced which was about 2k. I traded the bloody thing for a Mazda3. I wouldn't buy a used RX8 regardless of how well it was looked after.
No trust me the engine was fucked and even I knew it needed a recon. Thats one of the main reasons I traded it in for a Mazda3. RX8s are great cars but everything cost a lot when somethings breaks down. My problems were the following; Recon engine $2-3000 Busted coolant sensor lights $500 to replace Busted check engine sensor $2000 to replace Busted CD player $600 Shocks needed replacing $2500 Trust me Im not lying these issues were real and 4 years after trading it in I'm stilling angry at the issues I had with it. For the life of me I can't understand why I had these problems I looked after it like a baby but what can you do.
I have a question. so my 04 at mazda rx8 rattles sometimes when I have my a/c on or when I don't premix. I've heard many things and my engine only has 72k miles on it so it's odd that an engine so young is sounding like that. I would greatly appreciate it 1.(my coolant is orange and my dad puts water in it instead of pure coolant) 2.(I use 5w-30 royal purple full synthetic oil and tc-w3 2-cycle in the gas)
hey man need some help with my rx8 2004 manual 6 speed ....so the steering wheel gets to hard everytime u turn on any direction ....i tried cleaning the cables sensors or how ever u call them but is not working
One question. Can u please reply to this message or create a video on the full Start/Stop procedure for the Rx-8 cos I've heard some pretty naff stories??
Hey Ray great tips... I have some questions... I got up one morning and drove my car to work no more than 10 minutes away and my car overheated for the first time park it when I got to work got off 8 hours later start my car up let it warm up drove it home no overheating today my car overheated again is it my water pump or thermostat when I check were you put coolant in the bubbles up normally but it makes crazy sound like your bubbles it was a lot what do you think I'm just a car water pump and once again thanks for the tips
I will have both! Hang in there. I have 2 Mazda 3's and 2 Protege 5's I'm working on right now. As soon as I have room in the driveway I'll start the RX8s back up!
Hey, I'm a new subscriber noticed this video is 3 years old. Do you happen to still have your shop? I just purchased a 2009 RX8 that needs work and live in Northern Virginia.
Hi champ im checking out an rx8 and the owner is saying there is a cooling fault which is stopping the car from running is that a thing or is it bull shit?
Are you guys still in business? If so where located? I just found a 2006 RX8 that I'm very interested in and I did simple run through and test drive myself but I want/need more professional help to make sure it's in good shape
Great video. My question is, is there any tests that can be done in the driveway of a seller's house (ie: not on a rack and not pulling spark plugs, etc...) to determine whether a car that is not starting is flooded, has a clogged cat, or if the motor is toast and needs a rebuild? I'd like to get into one of these cars for racing, and having a low entry cost into a car whose owner didn't do the due diligence to unflood the car would be a great way to start.
+Krautastic Ask them not to start the car before you get there,do the cold start and hot start,take it for a test drive,ask for service records,if the cat is clogged the 02 sensor will glow red after letting it idle for 15mins
Ah, sorry, my question was a little different. If the car won't start (therefore cold start and hot start is not an option), could you determine if it's flooded vs needing a rebuild in the driveway or is it going to be buy the car and take a gamble?
the only things that seem to shit themselves on these are the motors and the CD players lol. love mine, just wish the 6 speed box was a little smoother
I have two options with the RX-8s, they both have 100k+ miles, for about 4500$ I'm stuck between everyone saying the engine will give way, what should I do? Should I just look for a different car?
+sergiojrguerra Theres alot of internet mechanics out there who will try to sway you. It is a fantastic car that will require a bit of maintenance, www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/ I suggest visiting that before making a decision
Muhammad Haris my engine check light is always on, one thing I'd add to this video is the gas cap sensor on the younger models tend to fail and says that theirs an O2 leakage which is a $350 repair and if it has a aftermarket exhaust the sensor usually doesn't work with it
I live near Fredericksburg and found one that is close to Aquia, it's a manual, I've never owned a rotary motor before and am very cautious about even looking at it because of the fact. I currently try own a Dodge Neon and have been doing research on the RX8, what's the average engine life for it?
+Brett Farrell highly depends on the driver. doing research is a good start. if it starts cold and warm immediately, the apex seals should be fine, and that's pretty much all you have to worry about, because there are very view moving parts, that are subjected to wear. No camshaft, no belt, no valves, no... use the proper oil, check it regularily and you'll be fine for a long time. the 3 inlet port opens at 6500 rpm (? or so). so don't be shy to rev it once it's warm. a redline a day keeps the carbons away. The average renesis is still running strong, so i'd have to quess how long it will last. ;) . Never be shy to test-drive. Are you afraid of getting to experienced at judging used cars?
Hey bro i own a Mazda 3 and i love it now in looking into getting a 2004 Mazda RX8 122,000 Miles with a flooded engine, would you recommend getting it?
you forgot to mention to keep a supply of oil in the trunk. only to put mineral oil and not any sort of synthetic oil. 5W-30 is all so a good all year round oil to run.
well they will run fully synthetic for a while. but the carbon build up is insane. honestly stick to mineral otherwise you will have to rebuild the motor in half the amount of mileage it should get.
***** Yes it does, if you live in North America thanks to the EPA. I would suggest you read a manual from Australia where the EPA doesn't exist. You will clearly see Mazda recommends oils all the way up to 20w50 depending on the climate you live in. Personally I run 5w40 Synthetic (I live in the south). But I would never use 5w20 in a rotary unless I lived in Alaska. I've ran 20w50 in my Rx-7's for over a decade with not a single engine failure.
+Darren Taylor most reputable Rx8 supply shops and rotary engine builders (i.e Pettit Racing, BHR, and Racing Beat) recommend synthetic oil. I only suggest dyno oil for rx8's under warranty. This is to avoid dealer from blaming it on the "not approved" oil. Regardless the #1 preventative mod I recommend is a sohn adapter. This adapter blocks the engine from injecting dirty oil (dyno or synthetic) into rotors and feeds clean two stroke oil into the rotors.
hey! i plan on buying an rx-8 with some kind of defect. According to the seller, the engine crancks, but does not start. Can you tell me is it worth buying, or should i stay away from this one?
AUT IceT People stopped buying them for the fact that this old myth is simply not true. Wankel engines are inherently less reliable and typically provide a significantly shorter service life compared to other engine types.. Hell, even Mazda's president said publicly that they would need to drastically improve reliability and service life if they would ever consider bringing back the old Wankel engines
The real doktorbimmer it isn't a myth though. engine failures are primarily due to lack of maintenance and poor driving skills. you can't baby it, letting it warm up is good, change oil often, check oil often. etc
Samuel Thomas Sorry kid, but the NHTSA investigation proved that myth was simply not true, it found that engines that had been properly maintained, not abused and operated in accordance with Mazda's own recommendations still failed prematurely at a very high and unacceptable rate.. which then triggered Mazda to recall most of RX-8s sold..
I recently checked out a 04 rx8 manual with 110k miles at a dealer, when the engine was turned on, I got close to the engine and it sounded like a machine that was sharpening a tool or a machine that was cutting somthing :/, is that Normal when it's cold?
+Panda21 I would stay away from it, an rx8 at 110k miles! that's not a good way to go. I would't buy one if it had over 65,000 miles, these engines don't last as long as normal ones, mostly due to actual rotor wearing. Look for ones at 50,000 miles or less and you should be good to go. Oh and to add, buy one less than 2006, better road tax by far for some reason I am not sure of.
@@xGT40x Hi bud! I checked a 2005 GT before yesterday: 30k miles, like new (interiore/ou) and boy the engine was sounding and acting like very very health...We took it on the highway, hit 145km/h (5th gear) and I am sure I would hit 200 km/h (6th gear) in no time...The problem is that the owner, though overly meticulous (was worried I would scratch his interior trim with my arm band), does not have a clue what premix is. He said: I religiously change oil and fluids, put highest octane premium gas possible and that's it! Please check the ad and tell me if I should go for it: www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1504284438. Thanks in avance!
On a 2004 RX 8, Can you expand on hot engine startup? What does it mean when it doesn't want to start when it is hot? You have to sit for a while and then it starts? Can this be fixed?
I currently own an RX8 and it is in the shop for hard starting and power loss when cold and only when cold (left to sit for 6 or more hours). They think that this is due to a malfunctioning or leaking injector (the big red ones) as it only affects the forward rotor. Do you think this a plausible assumption? There is also an evap leak code that goes along with the misfire light, as well as an idle of 900-1000 rpm. I have also replaced the ignition system, so it is highly unlikely to be the cause.
The real doktorbimmer Compression loss or what is the equivalent of a head-gasket going bad? Also, would a Canadian Mazda re-manufactured engine start blowing up at 26000 miles? If it is a blown engine, what sort of pricing would one expect for a replacement (no, I am not going to swap the engine, people who claim it's cheaper are idiots), the prices I have seen are between $2000 and $7000, it's a bit confusing trying to sort ripoffs and hack jobs from legitimate replacements.
***** It would be the equivalent of piston rings in a normal engine.. the apex and side seals are notorious for failure in all Wankel engines but is particularly common in the RX-8. Prices vary depending on the number of old parts reused and the labor rates in you area.. If your housing and rotors are damaged this significantly increases the cost of an overhaul job. somewhere between $5,000- $7,000 USD here in California for a decent repair job is typical.
***** I do.. a lot of experience actually ... unfortunately most of it was bad, most unreliable engines I have ever dealt with. would never buy one again that's for sure.
J Hayz I don't think anything wrong I believe that's just how the automatics are I bought one a few weeks ago and I've noticed the acceleration is just awful as well
Im Thinking of Buying one and it has 110K miles is it a good idea or not? the dealership is offering me a Chrysler Crossfire too but i like more the RX8
Its a good car, but dont buy one thinking its going to run smooth, you will spend money and time on it. But there is also a reason why the RX8 was discontinued as well. Put blankly its nice to drive but at the end of the day its shit, so unless your prepared to spend the money dont buy one, spend the money and buy something better, faster and more reliable.
+Erik Taylor it's really recommended as an extra lubrification more than an actual obligation but remember that you will have to drive trought your full tank quickly or the gaz and oil will start to breakdown, I had this probleme last spring when I un-winterise it, the gas tank was full of smudge.
Really ignores the number one thing you need to do.. check the engine for compression loss.. because engine failure is the number one reason these cars go up for sale..
I recently bought an RX8 and it had no problems at first and the deal went very smoothly. However, when I left the lot and gave it a full tank of gas, it wouldn't start. It would crank but not turn over. The dealership is fixing it but now I'm very skeptical. What does that sound like would be the problem? Any ideas? I would appreciate any help very much. Thanks
best advice never buy one, they are prone to multiple engine rebuilds over 60,000kms that cost 5 to 6 thousand dollars, whether you look after them or thrash them the apex seals wear out just the worst engine ever made period. save yourself the headfuck and buy a true rotary rx7 vehicle.
"Used Mazda RX-8 Buying Guide: Step 1. Don't buy one. Step 2: Use the money you've saved on gas to buy a car that won't tear your heart out while it sucks your bank account dry."
+Gregory Evans Its true that these cars aren't for everyone. They don't get the best gas mileage and they do require a lot of up-keep and maintenance which can get pricey. But, in my opinion, when the car is running well they're a blast to drive. Sorry if you've had a bad experience with one!
Oh I loved running mine, great character and I still wish I could afford it! But I spent 4k in gas and about 5k in repairs in one year so I sold it for a Miata.
@@WhitneyAutomotive Gas is killing our planet. All about electric cars now. Tesla's the best. I have an RX-8 and a Tesla. RX-8 is a every once in a while driver. Love it but the electric is amazing
If this video helped save you time or money, please consider tipping the creator by following this link:
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if someone is not willing to look underneath a car then they should not be owning any rotary
Multiple RX8 owner here. This is a solid overview of common problem issues that you can check pretty quick when purchasing one. Covers just about everything. GJ
Saving for one now, will be watching this multiple times, want to get myself a good one!
+Jack Thorpe Happy to help! As I say in the video, make sure you check both "hot" and "cold" starts! Please remember to support the channel!
+Jack Thorpe same here man! me too will be watching this multiple times so i can minimize any losses when buy a used one.
I now taking a 2004 rx8 ...What is the problem with them ..I read that they have a problem with a fuel injection and starter,What else to look,please respond.... Sorry for bad English :-)
J
Very happy to find this channel with these videos. Found a 2009 rx8 r3 and it's nice to see everything about it.
I took a chance at one that barely rolled through the auction block. My son replaced the spark plugs and an ignition coil and wowwe, life jumped back in her! She is slow to accelerate from a stop and doesn't like a hot start but we've only had her a day. Now I've found your videos which are spot on and should get her the rest of the way to purring like new! But if we get stuck, I'm sending her to you. Great videos thanks a ton!!!
if she doesn't hot start that means the engine is gone!!!!!
It means the starter is bad idiot. Another RX8 misconception.
Fantastic video Ray. This type of analysis for rotaries and RX-8 is lacking on YT. Thanks for filling the need, you now have a new subscriber. One day, I will own one of these, not having someone I trust who can knows these cars besides a dealer is a major obstacle. Wish you were in Quebec.
5 years later, still a useful reference. Cheers mate.
Great video, will definately come in handy once I've saved up enough to get one. Been wanting one of these since I was 8 years old when I saw it on NFS Most Wanted. Fantastic car.
Thank you kindly, excellent video, definitely going to come in handy if my heart wins out over my head and I end up buying the RX8 I so so want in my life. Big thanks all the way from Scotland.
+Getwreckedm9 Happy to help! Please remember to support the channel by clicking the "Support Channel" button on the channel page! I hope you enjoy your RX8 as much as I enjoy mine!
At first I thought he was going to be uninformative. But I think you did a great job. I think you did help a few people with this video.
Good point for checking the SSV
The under tray is less for getting the proper airflow under the engine, as it is there to direct air through the rad. They are critical for cooling efficiency and engine life.
Most of the the S1 cars [(2003-2008) especially 04-05), the sensor fails in the bottle and it is very common to have the sensor unplugged and therefore the bottle will not send a "low level" signal for the dash light. Also be sure to check if the level sensor is plugged in. The sensor connector is on the left side of the bottle. If you see a an empty plug with no wires, your car will not indicate low coolant. Although this is not the end of the world, and is the most common issue with the series 1 cars the level is easily checked visually and just add it apart to your oil level inspection routine. That being said, you can use it as a bargaining point as a new bottle/sensor combination is around $130. In the late model cars, one might experience the level light coming on during hard acceleration although the coolant is full. This is also totally normal. This issue can be resolved by (guess what?) unplugging the sensor.
Stay pure :)
I do not think there is anything wrong with getting a rotary powered car. Just know what your getting yourself into. By that as in everything in this video, exactly how a rotary works by design in order to maintain the engine. That means compression tests, flushing & replacing coolant, oil levels always maintained as they burn oil by design, premixing if you either want to be secure your lubricating those apex seals or if your not running the OMP. As far as reliability, i mean yes gas mileage is not that good but if you ok with that who cares. Yes the cat does get clogged, but thats a simple fix honestly and mostly because the other owner didn't take care of it. Regardless the rotary is an engineering historical figure, still had the record of producing the most HP from the least amount of liters. Rx7 Rx8 have 50/50 weight distribution aka great handling. In a straight line well not so much but yet many go and buy mid 200HP sports cars today and so idk whats the issue there. Another thing who cares if you decide to swap out and drop another beast in there , Thats the freaking beauty of making it your car, besides its a cool feat to have done that.
rotary guys - wtf u swapped a piston engine in here -> my response :: um you didnt buy it sooo wtf u talking about. u have no say.
piston guys - ew rotary , so unreliable, go piston man ur a p**** , my response :: yeaaa you deff dont take care of your things do you. ur the 13 reason why hannah baker is gone.
So should u get an Rx-8 , if you really want one and understand it will probably need TLC and willing to do it. Then F*** it and go for it. Cause once you figure out those quirks and issues and have a good running rotary, its definitely a great experience. Yes unlike a typical piston , the rx8 13b-msp can make it to 100k miles if not more. But realize getting up there the engine will need to be rebuilt eventually. So if your buying a high mileage one , well if its the original motor get ready to do that or else this isnt your car. If the motors replaced, ask for paper work, compression test it make sure its all good. and how many miles on it. But seriously it does matter how its was cared for. Like nothing annoys me more than someone saying oh well rotary's are unreliable , yet they dont care for it in the proper way , and compare it to a piston engine which is a totally different design that entails much more engine components leaving and engine rebuild much more expensive. Oh well a piston engine will last longer, well sure if its been taken care of, WELL WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT. IF ITS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. Rotary's need to be rev'd high here and there to remove carbon build up, thats just one way of taking care of the engine. While piston engine dont like being up there in revs too long, to take care of one u basically dont run it reved up high much u usually just cruise. OFC they both can be abused and ran hard, But at the end of the day who cares if you want it buy it but take care of it.
Good comments. For even more detail, the following website covers almost every question that anyone could think of.
www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Thanks
Thanks a lot man, really useful tips! Lost of them were not in my head for my forthcoming buy of the rx8 in the next couple months! Cheers from Germany!
best buyers guide video I've seen on the internet , well detailed. Thank you. can you post your mail because i've got tons of questions for you
Awesome presentation! I learned a ton of useful information.
Mine is at 80000 km it's a 2004 and engine still as good as when it was bought. Maybe lucky but I love the rotary. So smooth and powerful enough to have fun in. Great weekend car but have a daily driver because the fuel consumption is nuts. Goes through gas like a V8
Update?
I'd say the #1 rule is don't buy an automatic tran. other than that just use common sense when it comes to maintenance. I've got a 04 with 90k on it still runs perfect w/ good compression. I love it so much I'm gonna buy another engine when this one goes
How much? There is an '04 with 60k miles near me. They want $8k.
+Yung Twist not a bad price if it's in good condition. get a compression test. if the compressions good the engine could go another 100k.
Twist Did you buy it? I dont think its worth it. Since its best to get the second generation and here in phoenix you can find 09's for that price. The one im about to buy is 09 for 7K
thanks for all this info. i'm looking into buying a rx8 and info like this is imo a must have
Thanks for uploading. I'll watch and most likely like your other Rx-8 Videos.
I'd like to add one thing tough: Do not buy an auto! There is no point in having this awesome high revving engine with a gearbox that cuts the peak power away. Shifting is precise and fun in the rexy and heel toeing easy.
that applies to litterally every car ;)
thanks for the info!
im planning on getting a 2004 6speed rx8 very soon my current car is a 1984 300zx turbo i got hit by an old dude not paying attention bad day anyways i hope you keep up the videos theese are already helping and i havnt even bought one yett
I appreciate you telling me what to look for you are a big help thank you
Bought an rx8 3month ago for £1000 2006 32k miles genuine, lad was just scared to drive it, just had some condensation in lights just had to reseal, runs like a dream power is still there,bought it expecting a few problems at that price hasn't cost me owt yet apart from abit of oil haha MINT CAR!
best and most informative videos on youtube. thank you
My coolant level sensor went bad. Where can you purchase just the sensor. Looking online I could only find the whole unit including the sensor. Thank you
Great video thank you. It would be nice if you had a link to a drop box file of all the pictures, that way they can be printed out.
+Derek Jensen Gotcha, that is a good idea and I will definitely consider it in future videos. Thanks!
One previous owner since 2007,they used 5w 30 synthetic castrol magnatec,I hear this oil is not fully synthetic though, no problems engine runs like new,I know they made some improvements from 04 upwards,my car uses very little oil although fuel economy is 20mpg.
+Celtic Tiger they are using the right oil. rotaries need mineral oil not synthetic
Thank you, its an excellent video!
i am going to buy a used Rx8. Would you know of any mechanic shop in/near Chicago where I could get the car checked for such defects before deciding to buy?
I will watch this video again to know exactly what to watch out for...
Hey whitney can you do a total engine rebuild from start to finish removal to install. That would be awesome. My rx8 mine needs a engine rebuild and probably new apex seals.
Hello fellows. I am mazder too. Bought 2003 mazda rx-8 in good shape but with some problems. My engine dont start while its hot. Also overheating a lil bit hire than middle line on termometer. Also have another strange problem. When i am starting my engine my steering wheel is moving whery tight and when car is stalled and, as i told above, dont start agin i were try to start it from pulling car method until it start. After that way of cranking engine my steering wheel starts to work fine until i stop it and try to start it again when its cold. Please if you have any ideas i ll try it and give information. Could be fun to communicate that way
Hi hoping you can help..I have a 2004 rx8 93,000 miles I was driving and everything was fine then I stop go in store come back and go to leave and i see engine light come on and I can't go but like 10 miles an hour also the ABS and DSC lights come on I take battery cables off put back on and car goes back to normal but it keeps happening when trying to read codes got linking error any idea what is going on?
I have a 2004 Mazda rx8 non turbo and it’s not starting when I crank it over its not cranking as fast as it should be and I’ve tried the de flooding process twice with no success. I checked the apartment plugs and they were badly fouled up since I’ve put x4 new plugs a new battery the cars been sitting for two years. Last time it was driven it didn’t start anymore drove it home and turned the motor off then didn’t start and sat for two years. Any advice ? Haha
I sold it for 4300 ran great just had the p0661 code. when I bought it had a vacuum line disconnect on the intake after the map sensor.
I got a good one I believe 66000 miles it runs good! I got the sun visors at pull a part!
I had an RX8 for 5 years which was awesome but the engine needed to be recondition around the 130k mark. The salesman said every RX8 needed a engine recondition between 70 to 90K mark. It can be very expensive usually around 2k. I looked after mine like a baby but in the end the rotary can't be helped with servicing. After issues I had with it was a busted CD player, broken check engine and coolant light which would cost 3k to replace. The suspension needed to be replaced which was about 2k. I traded the bloody thing for a Mazda3. I wouldn't buy a used RX8 regardless of how well it was looked after.
+Mitch V always trust the salesman. Their only objective is your satisfaction. They usually really know all about technical stuff too. ^^
No trust me the engine was fucked and even I knew it needed a recon. Thats one of the main reasons I traded it in for a Mazda3. RX8s are great cars but everything cost a lot when somethings breaks down. My problems were the following;
Recon engine $2-3000
Busted coolant sensor lights $500 to replace
Busted check engine sensor $2000 to replace
Busted CD player $600
Shocks needed replacing $2500
Trust me Im not lying these issues were real and 4 years after trading it in I'm stilling angry at the issues I had with it.
For the life of me I can't understand why I had these problems I looked after it like a baby but what can you do.
Did you pay a shop to fix all that for you?
It sure seems like it.
Nah didn't fix any of those issues took the trade in price and ran!
Hey brotha new to the rx8. Is there a video you can do for proper starting and shutting down the car. I’ve notice after awhile i flooded the car
GREAT VIDEO!
It is really helpful, thanks a lot!
I have a question. so my 04 at mazda rx8 rattles sometimes when I have my a/c on or when I don't premix. I've heard many things and my engine only has 72k miles on it so it's odd that an engine so young is sounding like that. I would greatly appreciate it 1.(my coolant is orange and my dad puts water in it instead of pure coolant) 2.(I use 5w-30 royal purple full synthetic oil and tc-w3 2-cycle in the gas)
hey man need some help with my rx8 2004 manual 6 speed ....so the steering wheel gets to hard everytime u turn on any direction ....i tried cleaning the cables sensors or how ever u call them but is not working
Wish I knew about you when I bought my mazda 3 in Fredericksburg
+Leon Ricketts Give me a shout next time you need any maintenance or repair! www.WhitneyAutoRepair.com
Hi there I'm from Curacao in the Caribbean..just bought a used rx8 and kind of idles bad ..can anyone give me some Info what this can be
One question. Can u please reply to this message or create a video on the full Start/Stop procedure for the Rx-8 cos I've heard some pretty naff stories??
Hey Ray great tips... I have some questions... I got up one morning and drove my car to work no more than 10 minutes away and my car overheated for the first time park it when I got to work got off 8 hours later start my car up let it warm up drove it home no overheating today my car overheated again is it my water pump or thermostat when I check were you put coolant in the bubbles up normally but it makes crazy sound like your bubbles it was a lot what do you think I'm just a car water pump and once again thanks for the tips
whats the highest mileage rx8 youve seen?
i need help man. my steering power light came on. and i cant find anything to fix it . it randomly turns on and off. any idea?
Excellent vid !
Big help. Thank you!
Wish you had more rx8 videos. Or any mazda 6 v6 videos..
I will have both! Hang in there. I have 2 Mazda 3's and 2 Protege 5's I'm working on right now. As soon as I have room in the driveway I'll start the RX8s back up!
Hey, I'm a new subscriber noticed this video is 3 years old. Do you happen to still have your shop? I just purchased a 2009 RX8 that needs work and live in Northern Virginia.
bump, I'm moving back home to VA and would love to have a good mechanic.
I have the cover off to reduce heat. Does that matter? Or do I need it for said air deflection
Hi champ im checking out an rx8 and the owner is saying there is a cooling fault which is stopping the car from running is that a thing or is it bull shit?
I'm about to get one with like 105k year 2005 but Idk if is a good idea
Are you guys still in business? If so where located? I just found a 2006 RX8 that I'm very interested in and I did simple run through and test drive myself but I want/need more professional help to make sure it's in good shape
Great video. My question is, is there any tests that can be done in the driveway of a seller's house (ie: not on a rack and not pulling spark plugs, etc...) to determine whether a car that is not starting is flooded, has a clogged cat, or if the motor is toast and needs a rebuild? I'd like to get into one of these cars for racing, and having a low entry cost into a car whose owner didn't do the due diligence to unflood the car would be a great way to start.
+Krautastic Ask them not to start the car before you get there,do the cold start and hot start,take it for a test drive,ask for service records,if the cat is clogged the 02 sensor will glow red after letting it idle for 15mins
Ah, sorry, my question was a little different. If the car won't start (therefore cold start and hot start is not an option), could you determine if it's flooded vs needing a rebuild in the driveway or is it going to be buy the car and take a gamble?
Yeah whitney has a video on flooding if that procedure doesn't work,youll need a compression test done before you buy.
Hey I tried finding your website but for some reason I'm having some troubles could you comment a link for me, thanks
Please can someone tell me what’s the mileage of the RX8 that’s how many miles per gallon?
nice video thanks
Love your videos!
the only things that seem to shit themselves on these are the motors and the CD players lol. love mine, just wish the 6 speed box was a little smoother
I have two options with the RX-8s, they both have 100k+ miles, for about 4500$ I'm stuck between everyone saying the engine will give way, what should I do? Should I just look for a different car?
+sergiojrguerra Theres alot of internet mechanics out there who will try to sway you. It is a fantastic car that will require a bit of maintenance, www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/ I suggest visiting that before making a decision
I am going to buy a 2006 rx8 its engine sound the same as shown in the video but its showing as enhine check light..car is about 40k on prignal engine
Muhammad Haris my engine check light is always on, one thing I'd add to this video is the gas cap sensor on the younger models tend to fail and says that theirs an O2 leakage which is a $350 repair and if it has a aftermarket exhaust the sensor usually doesn't work with it
I just bought an 04 with 106xxx. for 1800 buck. thanks for the tips first rotary car.
Is it having any problems?
How's it running?
how has it been?
He probably blew up. R.I.P
most likely R. I. P :'(
I live near Fredericksburg and found one that is close to Aquia, it's a manual, I've never owned a rotary motor before and am very cautious about even looking at it because of the fact. I currently try own a Dodge Neon and have been doing research on the RX8, what's the average engine life for it?
+Brett Farrell highly depends on the driver. doing research is a good start. if it starts cold and warm immediately, the apex seals should be fine, and that's pretty much all you have to worry about, because there are very view moving parts, that are subjected to wear. No camshaft, no belt, no valves, no...
use the proper oil, check it regularily and you'll be fine for a long time. the 3 inlet port opens at 6500 rpm (? or so). so don't be shy to rev it once it's warm. a redline a day keeps the carbons away.
The average renesis is still running strong, so i'd have to quess how long it will last. ;) .
Never be shy to test-drive. Are you afraid of getting to experienced at judging used cars?
Hey bro i own a Mazda 3 and i love it now in looking into getting a 2004 Mazda RX8 122,000 Miles with a flooded engine, would you recommend getting it?
no
you forgot to mention to keep a supply of oil in the trunk. only to put mineral oil and not any sort of synthetic oil. 5W-30 is all so a good all year round oil to run.
I've read that lots of owners use fully synthetic with no problems?
well they will run fully synthetic for a while. but the carbon build up is insane. honestly stick to mineral otherwise you will have to rebuild the motor in half the amount of mileage it should get.
+Xan Millar Been running synthetic for 8 years with out a issue. The problem with syn oil was the formula which hasn't been a problem since the 90's.
***** Yes it does, if you live in North America thanks to the EPA. I would suggest you read a manual from Australia where the EPA doesn't exist. You will clearly see Mazda recommends oils all the way up to 20w50 depending on the climate you live in.
Personally I run 5w40 Synthetic (I live in the south). But I would never use 5w20 in a rotary unless I lived in Alaska. I've ran 20w50 in my Rx-7's for over a decade with not a single engine failure.
+Darren Taylor most reputable Rx8 supply shops and rotary engine builders (i.e Pettit Racing, BHR, and Racing Beat) recommend synthetic oil. I only suggest dyno oil for rx8's under warranty. This is to avoid dealer from blaming it on the "not approved" oil. Regardless the #1 preventative mod I recommend is a sohn adapter. This adapter blocks the engine from injecting dirty oil (dyno or synthetic) into rotors and feeds clean two stroke oil into the rotors.
hey! i plan on buying an rx-8 with some kind of defect. According to the seller, the engine crancks, but does not start. Can you tell me is it worth buying, or should i stay away from this one?
Dead engine.
buying an 04 with 170k miles on it. the engine was rebuilt 20k miles ago and runs and drives fine. should I be worried about the engine being rebuilt?
Yes.. you should be treating any Renesis engine as suspect.
If you treat it well a rotary engine can last just as long as an usual engine.
AUT IceT People stopped buying them for the fact that this old myth is simply not true.
Wankel engines are inherently less reliable and typically provide a significantly shorter service life compared to other engine types.. Hell, even Mazda's president said publicly that they would need to drastically improve reliability and service life if they would ever consider bringing back the old Wankel engines
The real doktorbimmer it isn't a myth though. engine failures are primarily due to lack of maintenance and poor driving skills. you can't baby it, letting it warm up is good, change oil often, check oil often. etc
Samuel Thomas Sorry kid, but the NHTSA investigation proved that myth was simply not true, it found that engines that had been properly maintained, not abused and operated in accordance with Mazda's own recommendations still failed prematurely at a very high and unacceptable rate.. which then triggered Mazda to recall most of RX-8s sold..
Good! Thank you!
I recently checked out a 04 rx8 manual with 110k miles at a dealer, when the engine was turned on, I got close to the engine and it sounded like a machine that was sharpening a tool or a machine that was cutting somthing :/, is that Normal when it's cold?
+Panda21 I would stay away from it, an rx8 at 110k miles! that's not a good way to go. I would't buy one if it had over 65,000 miles, these engines don't last as long as normal ones, mostly due to actual rotor wearing. Look for ones at 50,000 miles or less and you should be good to go.
Oh and to add, buy one less than 2006, better road tax by far for some reason I am not sure of.
@@xGT40x Hi bud! I checked a 2005 GT before yesterday: 30k miles, like new (interiore/ou) and boy the engine was sounding and acting like very very health...We took it on the highway, hit 145km/h (5th gear) and I am sure I would hit 200 km/h (6th gear) in no time...The problem is that the owner, though overly meticulous (was worried I would scratch his interior trim with my arm band), does not have a clue what premix is. He said: I religiously change oil and fluids, put highest octane premium gas possible and that's it! Please check the ad and tell me if I should go for it: www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1504284438. Thanks in avance!
On a 2004 RX 8, Can you expand on hot engine startup? What does it mean when it doesn't want to start when it is hot? You have to sit for a while and then it starts? Can this be fixed?
+Henry Flores Not really... You will have to go choose the rebuilt or swap path, friend :)
It means you need another expensive engine overhaul.. the fix is a new engine
Cool!! Thanks!☺
good and informative video. just subscribe
I can't find your website, I get redirected. Your Facebook link is unavailable. These videos rule!
what should I be looking for mileage in a 2005-2009 rx8 if im trying to buy ?
+Alessandro Ortiz max 150k km
Thats nearly 4 times around the world!
I currently own an RX8 and it is in the shop for hard starting and power loss when cold and only when cold (left to sit for 6 or more hours). They think that this is due to a malfunctioning or leaking injector (the big red ones) as it only affects the forward rotor. Do you think this a plausible assumption?
There is also an evap leak code that goes along with the misfire light, as well as an idle of 900-1000 rpm. I have also replaced the ignition system, so it is highly unlikely to be the cause.
Classic symptoms of engine failure... time for another engine..
The real doktorbimmer
Compression loss or what is the equivalent of a head-gasket going bad?
Also, would a Canadian Mazda re-manufactured engine start blowing up at 26000 miles?
If it is a blown engine, what sort of pricing would one expect for a replacement (no, I am not going to swap the engine, people who claim it's cheaper are idiots), the prices I have seen are between $2000 and $7000, it's a bit confusing trying to sort ripoffs and hack jobs from legitimate replacements.
***** It would be the equivalent of piston rings in a normal engine.. the apex and side seals are notorious for failure in all Wankel engines but is particularly common in the RX-8.
Prices vary depending on the number of old parts reused and the labor rates in you area..
If your housing and rotors are damaged this significantly increases the cost of an overhaul job. somewhere between $5,000- $7,000 USD here in California for a decent repair job is typical.
The real doktorbimmer You don't have any experience with these cars, do you?
***** I do.. a lot of experience actually ... unfortunately most of it was bad, most unreliable engines I have ever dealt with.
would never buy one again that's for sure.
how do you fix the power steering
I'm looking to buy a rx8 should I get one that is intact with low Mileage or buy a non runner and get the engine rebuilt ?
@Harlie C Very good advice!
Why in the dashboard image the rpm indicator arrives at 9000 and in the video 10000?
+NeAr1986 Different cars. one is auto the other is manual.
Thanks :)
I have 2004 Rx8 125k miles Automatic trans car has slow acceleration does anybody know whats wrong
J Hayz I don't think anything wrong I believe that's just how the automatics are I bought one a few weeks ago and I've noticed the acceleration is just awful as well
@@willnunes6468 You should not have bought an AT car in the first place!
Im Thinking of Buying one and it has 110K miles is it a good idea or not? the dealership is offering me a Chrysler Crossfire too but i like more the RX8
Both cars would be considered a poor choice to purchase used
The real doktorbimmer why?
Both vehicles have a poor reputation for reliability and maintenance costs.. buying either outside the manufacturers warranty is a bad idea.
@@doktorbimmer thanks bro 💪
Good vid
Its a good car, but dont buy one thinking its going to run smooth, you will spend money and time on it. But there is also a reason why the RX8 was discontinued as well. Put blankly its nice to drive but at the end of the day its shit, so unless your prepared to spend the money dont buy one, spend the money and buy something better, faster and more reliable.
don't you have to mix oil with the gas. in the rx8 or is that just an rx7 thing ?
+supershark 9k Nope. No need to mix oil and gas. The RX8 has direct oil injection and also mixes during injection.
+Erik Taylor it's really recommended as an extra lubrification more than an actual obligation but remember that you will have to drive trought your full tank quickly or the gaz and oil will start to breakdown, I had this probleme last spring when I un-winterise it, the gas tank was full of smudge.
Some good info, good bit of misinformation too though...
Really ignores the number one thing you need to do.. check the engine for compression loss.. because engine failure is the number one reason these cars go up for sale..
I recently bought an RX8 and it had no problems at first and the deal went very smoothly. However, when I left the lot and gave it a full tank of gas, it wouldn't start. It would crank but not turn over. The dealership is fixing it but now I'm very skeptical. What does that sound like would be the problem? Any ideas? I would appreciate any help very much. Thanks
Time for another engine... you should never buy one without testing for compression loss..
best advice never buy one, they are prone to multiple engine rebuilds over 60,000kms that cost 5 to 6 thousand dollars, whether you look after them or thrash them the apex seals wear out just the worst engine ever made period.
save yourself the headfuck and buy a true rotary rx7 vehicle.
Alexander go to rx8club and research
The best buying advice would be buy anything other than an rx8...
04 automatic rx8 99 thousand miles for a first car. good or no?
thought about nearly the same car for my first car. But unfortunately I saw not a single automatic one here in germany ;)
u want to learn how to drive good a car by buying an automatic one? hahahah sick
mach erstmal halblang und hol ein auto, was ruhig vor die Wand gefahren werden kann. Und ein RX-8 hat mit Automatik sowieso keinen Sinn.
Did they make an automatic? I didn't knew
They made automatic for usa cause theirs brains are too weak for manual transmission
"Used Mazda RX-8 Buying Guide:
Step 1. Don't buy one.
Step 2: Use the money you've saved on gas to buy a car that won't tear your heart out while it sucks your bank account dry."
+Gregory Evans Its true that these cars aren't for everyone. They don't get the best gas mileage and they do require a lot of up-keep and maintenance which can get pricey. But, in my opinion, when the car is running well they're a blast to drive. Sorry if you've had a bad experience with one!
Oh I loved running mine, great character and I still wish I could afford it! But I spent 4k in gas and about 5k in repairs in one year so I sold it for a Miata.
I had all the cool mods for it too, BHR ignition coils and Richard sohn adapter, among many others
+Gregory Evans No harm no foul. Gas prices have been killing us for the past 15 years!
@@WhitneyAutomotive Gas is killing our planet. All about electric cars now. Tesla's the best. I have an RX-8 and a Tesla. RX-8 is a every once in a while driver. Love it but the electric is amazing
for a 2004
im selling one in Los Angeles
Hi everyone this is REEEEEEEEEEEEEE
dont bother the engine is mostly all trashed by now at this age go get a civic, 350z or even a e46 coupe save the headache
Are the 2004-2006 models with about 100k miles on it still good cars in 2016?
i think the first motor will come to an end at that mileage if the owner hasn't been super precautious about it.
The Cavebear Show still a baby
No wonder my neighbor only lasted about a month with this car lol...
I got it just to flip it.
WATCH ROTARY HEMI BREAKTHROUGH
buy them with a bad motor, then rebuild, you wont be disappointed LOL
best thing to do to a rx8 is put an LS 7 in it .
akane742. Sure if youre gay
How dare you the rotary is a sacred piece of motoring history, besides you can’t get the best handling from a big ugly v8