Go Cheap, and spend on Rebuild? Or, Pay more for good example? HELP!!!!

[Doran78]

Hi Guys, Great to be part of the Forum!! I am in the process of buying my first RX8, and I'm really looking forward to owning one. The dilemma I find myself in is whether to go cheap ( bad compression, needs TLC blah blah blah) & pay good money for a rebuild or, try to to find a great car thats ready to go & pay more.

Im torn, and could really do with some guidance. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Mark

[30405]

Hello and welcome!

I'd say cheap.

Got mine for £400. I've put a lot of work into it. Including swapping the engine out for a low mile example.

Between getting to know the car inside and out I now know what is on the list for future work that needs keeping an eye on.

This works for me because I wanted to learn and do the work my self.

If your paying a garage to do the work you may be best going directly to a specialist and looking at what they have for sale. Could cost more but should get you a good example without hidden issues.

Keep a close eye out for rust on any example. While sills can be replaced it's often cheaper to buy another shell.

Where are you based? Club members in your area may know some good examples and be able to show you what to look for etc.

[kopite72]

Get a decent example ( no or very minimal rust ) with a dead or dying engine and get it rebuilt.You'll have more options than just a stock engine plus you'll know exactly what you have as opposed to buying what you think might be a good engine but could go tits up ten minutes down the road.

With a rebuild you can get it ported giving you the mid range power that the renesis lacks,you can decide whether you want a street port,a half bridge or a full bridge port ( personally I'd go for the full bridge ) and as it's being rebuilt you can replace the ignition system with top quality coils from Ryan Rotary Performance.

For me it's not even a debate,Talk to Carl at RRP or Ben at Rotary Revs,both are fine specialists who offer great customer service too

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi Mark & to the RX-8OC

<<<<<< Please put your Location in your Profile Box, it will help us to know where you are, if required any help in the future

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

Events Team

[Nickp47]

Whilst either option is a good option, if your budget will allow I think finding a low mileage, clean example with a bona fide compression test is the better route.That is unless you want to end up with an engine running some sort of porting.

[Doran78]

You might be lucky and find a clean example with a recently (still with transferable warranty ) engine and quality replaced ancillaries (engine mounts, coils etc)

Just consider every car on its own merits and the asking price.

As others have said, serious rust can cost more to fix than an engine.

Also don't be totally put off by a cat N insurance write off.

The book value means that deep scratches to say a front wing and door would be enough to qualify, given the cost of new parts and labour.

However there's lots of used parts available and the wing just bolts on....



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[Doran78]

Hello and welcome!

I'd say cheap.

Got mine for £400. I've put a lot of work into it. Including swapping the engine out for a low mile example.

Between getting to know the car inside and out I now know what is on the list for future work that needs keeping an eye on.

This works for me because I wanted to learn and do the work my self.

If your paying a garage to do the work you may be best going directly to a specialist and looking at what they have for sale. Could cost more but should get you a good example without hidden issues.

Keep a close eye out for rust on any example. While sills can be replaced it's often cheaper to buy another shell.

Where are you based? Club members in your area may know some good examples and be able to show you what to look for etc.

Thanks for the welcome, really appreciate it. Thanks for the advice too, It's really good to hear real owners experiences. Im based in Chorley Lancashire, so if there are any local members, who can point me in the right direction, I would be grateful.

[Doran78]

You might be lucky and find a clean example with a recently (still with transferable warranty ) engine and quality replaced ancillaries (engine mounts, coils etc)

Just consider every car on its own merits and the asking price.

As others have said, serious rust can cost more to fix than an engine.

Also don't be totally put off by a cat N insurance write off.

The book value means that deep scratches to say a front wing and door would be enough to qualify, given the cost of new parts and labour.

However there's lots of used parts available and the wing just bolts on....

Thanks Dave, great advice. I will be starting to shop for my car in the next week or so, I will no doubt be asking for lots of advice!
Cheers Mark
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[Doran78]

Get a decent example ( no or very minimal rust ) with a dead or dying engine and get it rebuilt.You'll have more options than just a stock engine plus you'll know exactly what you have as opposed to buying what you think might be a good engine but could go tits up ten minutes down the road.

With a rebuild you can get it ported giving you the mid range power that the renesis lacks,you can decide whether you want a street port,a half bridge or a full bridge port ( personally I'd go for the full bridge ) and as it's being rebuilt you can replace the ignition system with top quality coils from Ryan Rotary Performance.

For me it's not even a debate,Talk to Carl at RRP or Ben at Rotary Revs,both are fine specialists who offer great customer service too

Thanks for this, top advice. I suppose it's better the devil you know. Really excited about getting mine now

[Doran78]

Hi Mark & to the RX-8OC

<<<<<< Please put your Location in your Profile Box, it will help us to know where you are, if required any help in the future

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

Events Team

Thank you for the warm welcome I will update my location , and I look forward to being a part of the community

[kopite72]

Get a decent example ( no or very minimal rust ) with a dead or dying engine and get it rebuilt.You'll have more options than just a stock engine plus you'll know exactly what you have as opposed to buying what you think might be a good engine but could go tits up ten minutes down the road.

With a rebuild you can get it ported giving you the mid range power that the renesis lacks,you can decide whether you want a street port,a half bridge or a full bridge port ( personally I'd go for the full bridge ) and as it's being rebuilt you can replace the ignition system with top quality coils from Ryan Rotary Performance.

For me it's not even a debate,Talk to Carl at RRP or Ben at Rotary Revs,both are fine specialists who offer great customer service too

Thanks for this, top advice. I suppose it's better the devil you know. Really excited about getting mine now

No worries,now get it done!!

[350matt]

as others have said both of the approachs have their merits

it really depends on what cars are available to you and how far you want to travel

as rexis are generally pretty cheap most folks tend not to want to travel 300 miles to see one
but for 3-4K you can get a nice example with either low mileage or a rebuild

there's 1 here in lockerbie so 100 miles from lancs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... ars&page=1


42k miles 231 model and £2700

[Doran78]

Thanks Matt, that's a real help. Im gonna check out this one. Cheers

[Nickp47]

Was going to say be extra wary of rust as every RX-8 I have bought from Scotland has had rust issues but the MOT history beat me to it...

[mi60o0]

What is your budget and what you are after modded or standard etc

[mi60o0]

Bigpete have lovely example for sale with good compression.

[Doran78]

Hi and Doran78. Nothing to add to the advice already given, just saying hi.

[98of400]

Assume you've seen the red one on AutoTrader with just 9k miles. Should be like a new car, but £6,995.

[350matt]

got a link and the one for big pete?

[Doran78]

Was going to say be extra wary of rust as every RX-8 I have bought from Scotland has had rust issues but the MOT history beat me to it...

Thanks Nick, well spotted. Will be passing on this example.Can be a problem with Scottish cars. I am leaning towards going cheap & going for a rebuild at the moment. The thought of having an RX8 with a fresh start mechanically really appeals.

[Doran78]

What is your budget and what you are after modded or standard etc

Hi, Looking for a 231 standardish. I am going to spend on mods mechanically, but visually going to keep it relatively low key. Just wheels, coilovers, maybe some very minor styling changes. Moneywise, circa £4k for a cheap starter car and the mods.

[Doran78]

Hi and Doran78. Nothing to add to the advice already given, just saying hi.

Hi to you too. Everyone has been so welcoming. Thank you, had some great advice already, and people just saying hello.

[Doran78]

Assume you've seen the red one on AutoTrader with just 9k miles. Should be like a new car, but £6,995.

Yeah scouring Autotrader all the time. I was looking to keep some money back for mods & unexpected mechanical gremlins!!

[nightfire10]

Yeah scouring Autotrader all the time. I was looking to keep some money back for mods & expected mechanical gremlins!!

Fix that for you