New forum member

[GlowingBulb]

Hi guys,

Just joined the forum as I'm seriously interested in treating myself to an RX8. I've always been a fan of quick Mazdas owning a few 3MPS, I was close to buying an RX8 PZ but the dealer persuaded me to get another Mazda 3 worrying me about the 13b using oil

Fast forward 10+ years & approaching middle age fast I want something fun but now have the dilemma of buying as new as possible or get an early model & take it to Rotary Revs for them to work their magic on it, both seem to be about the same price in the end, the bonus is RR is less than an hour from home

Looking forward to learning lots for everyone's experiences on here so thanks in advance!

[njkmr]

Welcome GB
Plenty of advice available on here pal.
Good luck in your search for a car

[GlowingBulb]

Hi and GlowingBulb. Sounds like you have a plan - latest advice seems to be to find one as rust free as possible and do what you can to keep it that way, other stuff is relatively easy to fix with a known cost, the cost of fixing rust is unpredictable.

Have you read the Buyers Guide? viewtopic.php?f=25&t=24047

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi & 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

[GlowingBulb]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, I've had a good read of the buyers guide which is brilliant (thank you) & trawling through the FAQs.

I've spent some time looking at e Bay / auto trader, I think I'll probably see if I can grab an s1 for less than £1,500 that's cosmetically sound with passable brakes & at least running then take it to RR as I'll definitely be wanting a bridge port (brap brap brap).

Like I said, it won't be my daily driver but I'm certain it'll become a money pit if I'm anything like I used to be in the early 90's with my fast Ford's, 205 GTI's & R5T's - there's always a new something I'll have that buy!

[GlowingBulb]

Hi and welcome.....

Just a quick one on your car plans, i spoke to rotary revs and RRP a few weeks ago and they both had a waiting list for slots. This was mid june and they were booking for end of aug/sept when i rang as i was looking at a black R3 that is very well priced but i personally would of wanted it straight in for a rebuild. This was a nail in the coffin to that purchase as not having it this summer to play with was a no good for me.

[GlowingBulb]

Hi Drew,

Good information, thanks! Bit of a bummer that RR have a healthy waiting list but on the flip side that means they're doing well for work, the dreaded CV-19 hasn't hurt them too much & what I hear to be a brilliant rotary specialist is still going strong!

If I can find a runner that'll limp on until RR have a slot then perhaps it'll free up some more time to save the penny's & pick up some mods - intake, 'zorst, etc. I know nothing about tuning a rotary but I assume similar rules apply to the RX8 as a traditional piston engine (lots of trawling through this forum needed to confirm) I've always been tempted to have a dabble with laughing gas (WON SB150i)

[GlowingBulb]

Hi Drew,

Good information, thanks! Bit of a bummer that RR have a healthy waiting list but on the flip side that means they're doing well for work, the dreaded CV-19 hasn't hurt them too much & what I hear to be a brilliant rotary specialist is still going strong!

If I can find a runner that'll limp on until RR have a slot then perhaps it'll free up some more time to save the penny's & pick up some mods - intake, 'zorst, etc. I know nothing about tuning a rotary but I assume similar rules apply to the RX8 as a traditional piston engine (lots of trawling through this forum needed to confirm) I've always been tempted to have a dabble with laughing gas (WON SB150i)

If you have the exhaust and intake on for the rebuild and port, then much flames and pops can happen during remap after.

If you have not seen it yet, then search CarThrottle RX8 on YouTube. They have a series on doing exactly what you are looking to do of buying semi decent, taking to RR, filming RR doing their magic including full teardown, rebuild, remap and then enjoying it. Few episodes long........also just before that video series and during they also did a couple where they roped in a certain someones R3 from the club *cough* Dr.Frankenrex......RR also have there own youtube channel with a good series on an R3 by themselves covering the same

[GlowingBulb]

Cheers Drew, another YouTube rabbit hole to go down now!!! I enjoy watching project series so if CarThrottle are a decent YT channel I'll look forward to watching it.

[GlowingBulb]

Cheers Drew, another YouTube rabbit hole to go down now!!! I enjoy watching project series so if CarThrottle are a decent YT channel I'll look forward to watching it.

Yes they are a little bit like original Top gear with less budget. The rx8 series is a good starting point for the channel as theyve been going years but have clearly a bigger budget in the last 2 or so years. They do alot of top gear style challenges like racing car or motorbike against public transport and a good one in the rx8 actually after rebuild i think it was, do drive london to somewhere in scotland 400 miles on 1 tank of fuel.

[GlowingBulb]

Having a read of what your requirements/preferences are, I'd be tempted to eschew eBay and have a look at the classifieds on here to buy something owned by a member. You might need to spend a smidge over £1500 but it'll be worth it in time waiting for that RR slot, and you'll be unlikely to find any 'gotchas' like you might with one bought off general public.

I'd also advise becoming a member (if you haven't applied already), as it's dead cheap for all the benefits it gives you.

[GlowingBulb]

Cheers Honkeytonk,

I took a look at the classifieds a few days ago with the intention of buying from there - buying from an enthusiast that advertises hopefully warts & all takes the guess work out of what I'm buying.

I'm in no rush to buy, I'll bide my time until something that ticks all the boxes comes up. Happy to travel for the right car, whatever state of repair at the right cost

[*thomas*]

Welcome to this great world of rx8's.

If you decide on a car, make sure it has little rust. Engines can be repaired, but having to deal with rot is a far bigger issue. Rear wheel arches and sill are prone to rusting, as are the front and rear subframes and rear suspension arms.

Finding good replacement subframes is a pain. Upgrades suspension arms can all be had, or you go the oem route for approx the same money (they are expensive).

[GlowingBulb]

Finally managed to find what seems like a straight enough '05 231 model at a local dealer - AA approved dealer with 6 months limited (£600 max claim) warranty, 12 months AA basic recovery & 12 months MOT. 44k miles & HPI clear. Not bad for £2300.

Seems solid underneath, slight blistering around the boot brake light & a dint in the rear nearside door, hopefully a decent starting point for a small project.

I pick it up Friday & booked in for a compression test & inspection at Rotary Revs in a couple of weeks. Touch wood they confirm what I suspect is a solid car that just needs a bit of love!

First things to do when I pick up the keys is a service & become a member of the club!

[Nickp47]

Good News, Get it booked in for the recalls that it requires too

[GlowingBulb]

Nice 1 Nick, just checked the MOT history online to see if there are any recalls outstanding & there's at least 1.

Does that mean Mazda have to do the recall FOC if I contact them?

[GlowingBulb]

Congratulations. Yes, recalls have to be done by Mazda, but they are done for free.

[GlowingBulb]

Try this for lots of background and details regarding the current round of recalls
search.php?keywords=recall

Repeat after your membership is established, and see how much more is available...

[GlowingBulb]

Cheers warpc0il,

Checking with Mazda confirms there are 4 outstanding recalls on the RX8 I collect from the dealer on Friday - 2 x airbag & 2 x fuel. Already booked in for next week to have the recalls completed!

[GlowingBulb]

Make sure there's less than half a tank of fuel when you take it in.

They should brim the tank after, as part of their checks, and will charge you for that added.

If they haven't filled the tank when you go to collect then they're not using the current version of the instructions.

Don't be surprised if the engine seems a little reluctant to idle, and tries to stall at the first junction on the way home.

They will have to disconnect the battery for the airbag replacement. This means that the PCM has to relearn the fuel trims, which could take a few (less than 5) miles to settle.

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[GlowingBulb]

They should brim the tank after, as part of their checks, and will charge you for that added.

If they haven't filled the tank when you go to collect then they're not using the current version of the instructions.

Just to add to what Dave said, the fuel tank recall has resulted in leaks in a handful of cases following the work being done. Brimming the tank is the best (only?) way to check there isn't a problem and they should be doing that before letting you have the car back.

When I took mine in for the recall I checked they would be doing that before I left them with the keys. You will have to pay for the petrol of course, but rather that than have petrol pouring out all over the garage forecourt (or worse all over a hot exhaust and catching fire) if they don't do it and you go to fill it yourself.

[phoenix11]

Hi GlowingBulb. I live quite local to you (Oldham). If you want to chat about anything rotary advice or pitfalls. I'd be up for a meet, love having a blast thru delph, denshaw and uppermill.
I had my recalls done at Oldham Mazda, they were very good. Surprisingly.

[GlowingBulb]

Well I'm gutted... Should have picked the RX8 from a local dealer today, he's done a great job, put a full MOT on it & everything seemed great.

I couldn't take it for a test drive initially due to some scroats cutting the cat off on the garage forecourt, so I put a deposit down until it was sorted. It cranked over great from cold but today before I paid the balance I had the chance to try a hot start - took a very, very long time to catch.

All credit to the dealer, I'm getting my deposit back tomorrow morning but then I have to start looking again!!!!

I could take a train down to Luton tomorrow morning but that's 4hrs+ to look at what seems a great RX8, my only concern is a high pitched whine from the engine; on a piston engine I'd say this was normal & either fuel pump or injectors but I don't know how a rotary should sound "normal" & I don't want to waste a day + train fares to view another dog.

Could somebody on here confirm that the whine when he opens the bonnet sounds OK & not something about to go pop?

Any advice I get is given with best intentions & without guarantee I know, but I think it seems like a good 'un & warrants a trip down to see it?

Link to the video from my phone below - its from the dealer by WhatsApp but I don't know how to download the actual file :/

https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/p8Tdq5pHv8el

Really appreciate any advice offered.

Cheers,

Gareth

[MARKTHOMASBRAND]

Most likely the SAI pump (Secondary Air Injection) bearings on the way out

[nightfire10]

One thing with the rx8 is rust especially cills and it's mentioned on an mot so I'd check that as it can become expensive

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