I have the opportunity to purchase a very high mileage RX-8 for cheap (think ~$1000). I have steered pretty far away from these cars but can potentially see it being a fix and flip. Here's what I know:
- >180k miles
- Original engine replaced at some point (I think around 40k?)
- No serious known issues other than needing a replacement hood and bumper cover
Being that I'm already swamped with projects I'm inclined to pass. I'm probably too cheap to arrange for a proper compression test. However, if there is a decent enough market for cheap RX-8s I might fix and flip it. What say ye GRM?
Auto or Manual? Also, which year?
The RX8 market isn't exactly brimming with buyers...
And yes, you'd be ahead of the pack if you did a compression test.
Does it run and drive well? Stick or auto?
In reply to BoxheadCougarTim :
Early model...either 2004 or 2005. Manual transmission...supposedly runs and drives well.
In reply to enginenerd :
I say go for it at $1k. No way to lose.
Edited because I can't spell
In reply to singleslammer :
My thoughts so far. The only potential way to lose I can see is being stuck with it.
Wow, is that the highest mileage RX8 motor ever?
Heck, if it hasn't done 'blowed' up by now, I am sure you could get $1000 (or less) of enjoyment out of it.
I would normally say parts are worth something, but I suspect there is a huge supply of RX8 parts around (with the exception of running motors of course).
I'd love to have a running rx8 for $1000. However, if I were in the market for another car (THAT's a complicated statement, isn't it?) I'd probably be looking at the rx8 for sale in the classifieds here on the forums. $3k, but it's easily much more than $2k better than any $1000 rx8 out there.
I'd really rather not buy a $1000 rx-8 and then after replacing all the suspension shocks, bushings, tie-rods, mounts, etc that are almost guaranteed to be worn out on a 180k car, have the engine give up the ghost. At least at $3k you get a known car where most everything other than the engine wiring harness is good to go.
Unless you are going to challenge the thing. Then buy the $1000 one, a coupla turbos from whiskeybusiness, some pre-mix, and a very very large fuel injector.
enginenerd said:
In reply to singleslammer :
My thoughts so far. The only potential way to lose I can see is being stuck with it.
If it runs and drives I would buy it for $1000, you aren't far from Ohio right?
In reply to Robbie :
Why must you remind me about that car!
singleslammer said:
In reply to Robbie :
Why must you remind me about that car!
I'll fly and drive it home to you.
In reply to EvanB :
SE Michigan...so potentially very close.
I'm not sure if it's in good enough shape to be driven home. The owner was driving it to work often then one day told me it was parked and needed a new hood and bumper. He said it ran fine and wasn't leaking, so I presume it could be driven. I haven't seen any pictures but may go check it out as soon as I get a chance.
In reply to Robbie :
I don't think I'd be keeping it long enough to go through the car as well as I usually do with projects. Feels kind of like playing hot potato with a high mileage semi unknown history Rx-8!
In SE MI I would be curious how much of the rear fenders are left.
In reply to EvanB :
I don't remember seeing visible body rust on the car but I'll check when I go look at it.
At that mileage the rear shocks have been done at least once by now. If you're planning to flip it, I would not expect to make much on it. People are leery of the rotary at low miles. They run away in terror at high miles.
I wish I could find really cheap RX-8 around here... still entertaining using a Renesis as the new engine for the DMC...
In reply to Ashyukun (Robert) :
I like rotaries, but surely there's a better engine to drop in there?
In reply to clutchsmoke :
20B 
Yeah I would not buy it to flip, as others have said the market on any S1 (04-08) is from what you see to maybe a max of $5-6k for a perfect condition low mile vehicle, if you want to find one to flip try and find an S2 (09-11) as they will command slightly more but still not nearly as much as say an S2000 or 370z's.
A running/driving $1000 RX8 sounds like a hell of a rallycross car.
In reply to Pete Gossett :
Crap...you're right. I really didn't need that suggestion.
Now where can I fit the 7th car in my two car garage?
In reply to Robbie :
Now to see if I can come up with $3k to dedicated to a 5th project.... nope. I do plan on having a fly in drive in the nearish future. I can join your crazy adventure!
clutchsmoke said:
In reply to Ashyukun (Robert) :
I like rotaries, but surely there's a better engine to drop in there?
I have an L67 3800 sitting on a stand that is the other option. The Renesis though will likely fit better (the L67's throttle body is on the wrong side since in the US it was never put into a longitudinal application), and the DMC was originally supposed to have a rotary engine in it so there's a historical reason for it as well. And I really like the rotaries...
