Originally Posted by
jaredzx3
I'm looking at a 04 rx8 with 69k mikes and they're asking around 10-11k for it.
I would do a little research to see how much these cars go for then make an offer. IMHO 10 to 11k is a very reasonable price depending on the history of the vehicle. Try to find some flaws with the vehicle. The interior, tires, wheels, paint, head lights, tail lights etc. and see if you can get the price maybe $1000 bucks lower then their asking price. If you can get $500 you're still walking out with a good deal.
I just need to know what to ask and what to check before making the buy.
These are some of the questions I would ask.
1. Do you have a Carfax? <- Most important question. Try to get a carfax from the owners.
2. Receipts for the vehicle. Anything from windshield wiper blades, oil changes, to tail light bulbs. See what type of work has been done to the vehicle.
3. Ask if they ever had a compression check done lately. If not get a compression check done before you purchase. This is one of the main things to do. You don't want to purchase one with a bad motor.
4. Ask if the car has been in any accidents. From a minor fender bender to some1 bumping into it with their bottom, Get as much detail as you can.
5. Ask if it has the original motor,tranny, rear end, clutch. If it doesn't ask when it was changed and make sure they have proof.
6. If it's a manual check the condition of the clutch. Also ask for a receipt if the clutch has been changed. Don't forget to ask when it was changed.
7. Make sure the vehicle has a clean title. If it doesn't WALK AWAY. Unless you don't care.!!!
8. Look in the engine bay and carefully inspect the hoses. If it looks shiny make sure it isn't just a gloss coat of liquid wax to make it look new.
9. Ask when it was tuned up last.
This is all I can think of for now.
I hear the engine starts going at 70,000 but I don't know what to take from that. Any help will be appreciated!
Rotary motors are very reliable. I don't care who responds after me saying they aren't. They are. If you give it a proper tune up, keep the oil in check, and never let the motor over heat you'll be fine. I've had engines well over 180k and I even had one in the 250k range without a rebuild. If you want to rev it up high and punch the gas and all, you need to properly tune the motor so it can handle the abuse. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. If these motors only lasted till 70k, trust me it wouldn't sell.
Edit: You can find some nice deals on autotrader.com. If you haven't looked there already go look.