RX8 Newbie! Buying this weekend / need advice!

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:15 pm

Hi Folks,

I'm making the transition from German to Jap, and going to go look at an RX8 on Saturday with a view to buying it.
The chap advertising the car seems genuine enough and he's mentioned "the exhaust is blowing a bit". He's since said it's the "Front flex pipe" and it said it doesn't affect the car much aside from a bit of power loss which would make sense.

Just wanted to see what anyone's opinion is of this? Equally, any advice you'd recommend / common things to look out for when buying, would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Matthew

Car has 60k on the clock. Some photos below;

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:25 pm

I've just been looking at the MOT history and this looks like it failed at first last year with;

"Repair immediately (major defects):
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))"

It was then put through again with the following as advisories;
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Post by **casey** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:33 pm

Those advisories should be easy to fix, so don't be put off by those alone.

The buying guide on here is a good start for what to look out for:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=24047

Looks clean in the photos, but check for rust, particularly in the in the sills and, ideally, have an engine compression test done.

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:35 pm

Cheers Casey! Really appreciate that.
So the engine compression test - Would most garages have one handy? The chap is absolutely fine me taking it out with him for a solid half hour drive. Wondering whether it'd be a good idea to see if he'll swing by a garage and I'll pay to have it done. Does the engine compression test take long to complete?
Thanks again!

Matthew

Facebook · Post by **qwakers** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:53 pm

no normal garage will have a rotary compression tester. youd need to take it to a specialist.

30405 · Post by **30405** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:53 pm

Hixzeh wrote:Cheers Casey! Really appreciate that.
So the engine compression test - Would most garages have one handy? The chap is absolutely fine me taking it out with him for a solid half hour drive. Wondering whether it'd be a good idea to see if he'll swing by a garage and I'll pay to have it done. Does the engine compression test take long to complete?
Thanks again!
Matthew

It's takes 5 mins to do the test. Jack the car up, wheel off, spark plugs out, turn engine over then back together.

Getting a rotary test is a bit different as the rotor has 3 faces and each face can differ so a regular tester will normally give the highest face only.

A rotary specialist will have the correct tester. A few club members have testers and maybe willing to help if local to them. I'd expect to pay a small fee either way could be cash or a pint.

Check the sills carefully for rust. Go over the ignition system to check the coils and leads.

Good luck

Post by **casey** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 8:58 pm

Unfortunately, a piston engine compression tester won't work with a rotary, as there are 3 pulses per revolution to measure. You need to get it tested with a specific rotary engine tester. Many members on here have purchased them and may be able to help if they see this topic, otherwise, the only way to do a crude compression test is to get the engine really hot from a spirited run, switch off, wait 10-15 minutes for heat soak and start up hot. The engine should start easily if there is decent compression. Not as good as a proper test, but should reveal an engine with really poor compression (= engine rebuild = £2000+)

Best and fastest colour too

EDIT: must type faster, beaten to it by 2 other posts

PaulAV · Post by **PaulAV** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:02 pm

So the rx8 didn't have a flex hope as standard, so possible a cheap repair and a leak won't cause a lack of power that's noticeable, it would be worth taking a code reader with you if you have one to look for any faults, the price should reflect the lack of compression test, you need to see if the car will start hot (about 5 minutes after being turned off) and should start nearly as quick hot as it does cold, you want to ask plenty of questions about how the car has been looked after, how often has the oil been changed, when were the coils and leads last changed, get a feel for how the car has been looked after. Rx8s don't like cheap.

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:06 pm

Thanks all, really appreciate this.
I'm picking the car up in Stockport on Saturday. More than happy to pay if anyone has a tester and a bit of spare time late morning Saturday!
Thanks again,
Matthew

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:08 pm

you can do a reasonable compression test with a normal piston compression tester

as you can either just bung it in spin it over and get 1 number to give an indication - this is not useless but not the full story

a better job is to undo the 1 way valve in the end of the compression tester and have your assistant watch the pressure gauge needle bounce as each bounce ( rotor face) should reach the same point on the dial
then use an OBD scan tool to check just how fast the engine is spinning over and use this website to correct it up to 250rpm
http://foxed.ca/index.php?page=rotarycalc

this then will give you a good idea thats 95% of the result with using a 'proper' mazda compression tester

GreySilver Beast · Post by **GreySilver Beast** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:18 pm

Hi Matthew &

to the RX-8OC

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

Events Team

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:45 pm

I should have added, I'm only paying a grand for it!!! Seems a steal!

PaulAV · Post by **PaulAV** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:52 pm

All depends on the engine, a steal can soon end with you behind bars (drowning your sorrows)

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:54 pm

PaulAV wrote: ↑
Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:52 pm
All depends on the engine, a steal can soon end with you behind bars (drowning your sorrows)

Interestingly there is no V5. The chap has offered to fill in a V62 form. Not sure what exactly that means but a bit of googling has suggested that it'll be to get a new logbook/V5.

Nickp47 · Post by **Nickp47** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:58 pm

V62 is the form to apply for a new V5, if you want to tax it straight away you will need to take it to the Post Office and pay for 6 or 12 months tax (although they can’t always tax it with a V62)

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:04 pm

Nickp47 wrote: ↑
Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:58 pm
V62 is the form to apply for a new V5, if you want to tax it straight away you will need to take it to the Post Office and pay for 6 or 12 months tax (although they can’t always tax it with a V62)

Thanks Nick! I know tax isn't transferable now so I'll get on that there and then when I go to look at the car

Facebook · Post by **qwakers** » Thu Jul 23, 2020 10:11 pm

hpi it and check the chassis number matches the reg...

Post by **Shagrington** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:31 am

Hi and

Hixzeh.

I can't add to the good advice already given, I'll just say good luck and hope it all works out for you to get the car.

nightfire10 · Post by **nightfire10** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:53 am

Just a warning if he doesn't have the V5 has he just bought it sent off change of ownership then realised it has a problem, now trying to get shot of it! Take care even for 1k

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

goodeggbob · Post by **goodeggbob** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 7:53 am

nightfire10 wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:53 am
Just a warning if he doesn't have the V5 has he just bought it sent off change of ownership then realised it has a problem, now trying to get shot of it! Take care even for 1k

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

I totally agree,quite a few unknowns. it could be coincidence,but a leaky flexi pipe which is not standard,coupled with a lack of log book doesn't smack of a car properly prepared for sale,be very careful.

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:54 am

as the guys have said there's no flexi pipe on these cars
however that could be just ignorance on the sellers part 'its got a exhaust leak mate, probably the flexi pipe, under the car innit'
these cars are worth buttons to the trade as they often need care and attention to make a good example so you are often dealing with the bottom end of the market

they are not like normal cars - this is what makes them great and difficult at the same time

its not impossible to get a bargain for £1000 but go into it with your eyes open

Hixzeh · Post by **Hixzeh** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 10:50 am

Completed a HPI check last night and it's all clear.
The chap seems very genuine. I'm going to his house tomorrow to go and view it with a friend.
Spoke with DVLA and provided I give them the VIN/Chassis can tax over the phone whilst the V5 is being changed.
I'll get the blowing exhaust sorted but I'm feeling pretty confident. Looking forward to getting it nice and clean, and following the forums for upcoming events

Thanks again all for the feedback

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:58 pm

Aaaannd?

GraemeC · Post by **GraemeC** » Mon Jul 27, 2020 11:20 am

Still stuck at the roadside somewhere

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