Buying an RX8 questions.

[TiddlesRX7]

Hi All. Some of you already know me from the 2nd gen section. Well the point of this thread is for some buying guidance for an RX8, as I am thinking of selling my TII and getting an 8. It\'d make more sense as I could actually get the missus and my 2 kids in it where as I can\'t in my TII. So I know if I buy one I want the higher powered one but that is about it. So Please what do I look out for other than abused engines and are there any rot issues? I\'d be looking at the cheaper and of the market as the sale of my TII would have to cover buying the 8.

Thanks

Ade

[Casey]

Ade - that\'s a surprise, but really pleased to see you are staying with a rotary :Thumbs-up

I would recommend keeping an eye on  "cars for sale" over on the RX8OC forum.

LINK

If you can find a car with a good club member history who\'s looked after their car then that\'s got to be a good start.

Older, 2003/2004 cars are beginning to show signs of more serious rust underneath in some cases. My 2004 isn\'t too bad, but it\'s been garaged most of it\'s life.

Have a very good look  for rust
- sills underneath both sides
- near the bottom of the rear door skins for bubbling
- around the rear wheel arches
- where the rear door meets the inner door sill for signs of rust at the contact point
- around bootlid central rear barke light cluster.

Engine, the usual, you should really have a hot compression test result, or risk just a hot start test.

2003/4 models with reasonable mileage and good compression should go for £1500-£2500.

Got to go, be back with more later.....:Laugh

[boosted]

One biggie is the ved (car tax) on 2006 and on. Its the highest group circa £560 per year and that can be hard to swallow. As you say looking for an older 1 so this wont be an issue.

[re japi]

This is oftopic, but wich is better 5speed or 6speed gearbox? Gear rations and how much it can take power?

[Will66]

The five speed box is similar to the FD box and is generally thought to be able to take more power.  The Series 1 six speed is an Azin AZ6 box, versions of which are found in the Honda S2000 and the Nissan Silvia S15, it\'s capable enough but starts to wilt under bigger power.  The Series 2 six speed box is a tougher Mazda unit, although they have suffered with synchro problems in the RX8, it\'s reckoned to be the box to have if you\'re after lots of power provided you\'ve got uprated synchros.

Personally, my series 1 box has done 92k miles and was working fine, albeit whining in third quite badly, when the engine decided to crack a seal at Brands Hatch last year.  Once I get my project underway I\'m looking to fit an S2 box with an S2 final drive.

[Casey]

Ade, a bit far from you, but here are two for sale from Aston\'s Essex Rotary;

http://www.essexrotaryspecialists.com/cars-for-sale/

If Aston hadn\'t recently purchased an FC he might have done a swap as he\'s building a full collection :Laugh

[TiddlesRX7]

Thanks for the info guys. It\'s good to know the common problems with these things before you start looking.
Casey - I don\'t mind traveling for the right car and Astons 231 in the link looks like the kinda one I\'m after. Only trouble is I\'ll have to sell mine first to raise the cash.
I also need to put mine back together but thats a different story!

Ade