Prospective new member!

[dvs]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at becoming a member of the club and buying my second-ever Mazda, but first ever RX-8. Firstly a brief overview of my car history so you can get an idea of what I'm into, starting allll the way back at the beginning

Nissan Sunny 1.4
Proton Persona 1.6
Mazda MX-3
Nissan 200SX
Peugeot 406 Coupe (3.0 V6)
BMW 330i
Nissan 350Z
Mercedes CLS 550
Audi TT (2016 model)
Mercedes C350 AMG Coupe

Got shot of the Merc recently as I barely do any miles, and now have an empty garage space waiting to be filled. In all honestly I'm just looking for a fun little runaround, I'll barely do 2000-3000 miles per year and want to buy it outright so looking at a few grand max budget. My options if I want something in the <8 second 0-60 category seem to be mostly a Mini Cooper S or an RX-8, both cars that I like the look of for different reasons, but if truth be told I'd prefer the rotary because, well, I don't need to explain to you guys

I've had a look and seen some for sale for some seemingly outrageous prices, for example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... =30&page=3

Apart from the "one week only" discount of £1000, I'm keen to get an understanding from the owners club about things to watch out for, points to check, warning signs or any other info you think relevant. I've been a previous member of SXOC, BMWOC etc so try to be active & involved with the community, and if it happens that way I'd love to be an active contributor here too.

Any advice appreciated.

Dave

[Ainmhidh]

Hi Dave and welcome.
Based essentially on what I've gleaned from this lot on here I'd say the following:
I reckon the key thing to look for would be rust - primarily sills or other areas that would need welding. bits like round the brake light on the boot lid are easier to deal with as you could switch out with a good replacement from a breaker like our very own BigPete.
Next would be a recent compression test from a trusted source - absolute values would depend on the units it measures in, but it should have two sets of three figures normalised to 250rpm, and the values should be broadly similar in each set.
If you can, test how it starts cold, then take it for a test drive for 15 minutes or so until it's warm, then turn it off for 5 to 10 minutes then restart it for a hot-start test.
Good service history, ideally from rotary specialists or a fanatical owner demonstrating regular oil and filter swaps.

Sure someone with a more definite clue will be along shortly, if not whilst I typed this!

[Nickp47]

I think that Evolve is a sensible price assuming the body is in good condition, it is a rare car and running pretty good compression.

The forum guides are helpful in understanding what to look for but joint number one priority should be rust and engine compression (IMO)

[dvs]

Hi Dave. Good advice up above.

Maybe worth considering this one too:

viewtopic.php?f=145&t=81056

A Member's car on here for sale, very well priced at £950. I can vouch for it being a fast, well handling car having been to trackdays with the owner, Alan. Located in Reading, so depending whereabouts in London you are, it might be fairly close to you.

[dvs]

Thanks everyone - and casey that is a fantastic price so thank you for the link. All I'd be looking for is something that isn't going to give me a ~£5000 bill in a few months, and will be alright sitting mostly in a garage (driven once only every couple of weeks). I'll reach out to the seller

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi Dave & to the RX-8OC


Please check out the EVENTS SECTION's for anything coming up soon in your area

Events Team

[dvs]

Update: Going to see the car on Friday. Looks like I could be joining sooner than planned! Make sure and collect your commission cheque casey

[Shagrington]

Hi and Dave. I'd think MightyCondor's car will fit the bill nicely, from what I've seen he does take good care of his cars and you can't go far wrong at the price he's asking anyway ... just as an extra something so you can be absolutely sure what you're looking at (and I don't think anybody linked this yet) have a look through the buyers guide before you go viewtopic.php?f=25&t=24047

I don't know where in London you are, but if it isn't too late already we have a meet this evening in Cobham (just down the A3 and turn off before you reach the M25) and you'd be very welcome to come for a chat and some food if you want and can get there. All details here viewtopic.php?f=99&t=59273 and we'll be there all evening.

[dvs]

Thanks Shagrington - if it was next week I'd be there, but as I'm currently car-less it'll be a bit of a mission Next time!

[BigPete]

I have a 192 nemesis for sale in stormy blue, if you don't go or Alans car; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254444428851

[BigPete]

@dvs bigpete is well respected and "a trusted trader" on this forum, so it's handy that you also have this choice

[Nickp47]

Off-topic but I am surprised the Nemesis hasn’t sold yet, such a nice colour combo and looks a nice example.

[Shagrington]

Thanks Shagrington - if it was next week I'd be there, but as I'm currently car-less it'll be a bit of a mission Next time!

No worries, I knew it was silly short notice and just mentioned it on the off-chance. Next time hopefully - and you'll be in your own RX-8 (it is not a requirement to have one to attend if not) - we'll be there in W3ednesday 5th Feb (and the first Wednesday of every month from then on).

[dvs]

@bigpete that is a gorgeous looking car - love the interior as well. If things don't go as planned tomorrow I'll definitely be in touch

[BigPete]

Hi Dave no problem

[dvs]

Well I'm now a fully paid up member of the Rotary Club!

Also joined RX8OC

Had never actually driven one before but the handling characteristics alone had me sold. May need to do a bit of work on the car but will leave that for another thread. For now thanks everyone for the advice and happy to be here!

[dvs]

Congratulations - and thanks for joining the club you should get your status upgraded before long and you'll get access to the rest of the forum as soon as that happens.

While you're waiting Have a good read through whatever else in the FAQ section you didn't already read and then (and just ignore me if you know all this already) here are my best tips for keeping it all running sweetly:

1. To start up turn the key to position 2, wait for most of the lights on the dash to go out (I watch the airbag light by the glove box), press the clutch to the floor (optional, but reduces drag), turn the key to start and do not touch the throttle until it has started. You can drive off straight away, just keep the revs down for a bit (see #4 below).

2. Never turn off the engine before it has reached at least somewhere towards normal operating temperature (should only take a minute or two, but best to go for a short drive if just swapping cars round on the drive etc). Switching off cold risks flooding, which is a real with a rotary engine. Mazda recommend rev to 4k and hold it for 8-10 seconds switching off while still revving if you have no option but to switch off cold (it is not necessary to do this in any other circumstance).

3. Check the oil level regularly (use the dipstick - the oil gauge tells you nothing other than that you have or don't have pressure) and top up if necessary with semi synthetic 5w30 (most people and specialists are advising to use 10w40 now though) ... small amounts at a time, no more than ½ a litre then check the level again before adding more as you don't want to overfill it.

4. Use all the revs once the engine is nice and warm (don't sit idling to warm up, start up and drive but keep it below about 4k until the needle on the water temperature gauge is pointing straight up, then give it another 10 minutes for the oil to warm up too before really thrashing it ) and hit the beep often. Best acceleration is from 4k revs up - to pull away you really need to rev to 2k - you can let the revs drop after lifting the clutch if you are in traffic, cruising steadily at 3½k revs and changing down to go up hills or accelerate gets you the best mpg ... which still won't be great.

[Ainmhidh]

Welcome, thanks for joining and congratulations on the new acquisition! Now you are fully paid up you can post pictures (HINT HINT!) directly to the forum.