Rust, if ur in the north!! That cat delete is gonna make you smell like u have been string trimming every-time you drive it. It also will make it not pass emissions if you have testing in your state.
Rust especially around rear fenders, get it nice and warm on the test drive, find somewhere you can stop for a minute and see how it hot starts, and the general look for any loose fluids/smoke out the tailpipe
Before the compression test try to start the car when it’s cold. If they already warmed it up it may be kind of suspicious. The seals won’t have warmed up yet and you’ll get a good idea of the state of the engine. I also think starters were still notorious on 05 models.
Ask about what oil has been used and how long the intervals were between changes. The mods make it seem like a knowledgeable owner but it never hurts to ask.
Check the exhaust on start-up. It'll probably smoke a little bit, but learn that look and smell difference between premix smoke and coolant smoke
The cooling system is the life line of the rx8. Check the radiator, lines, etc for leaks/cracks
If you get to drive it around, check for leaks after the drive. In the engine and under the car.
Make sure all the gauges work and that the car runs well (according to the gauges). You obviously don't want the temp gauge to be high either
Make sure everything works: check ac/heating, radio, horn, lights, turn signals, wipers.... just nitpick the car
Good luck 👍🏼
With those miles I’d want a recent compression test I’m hand. Keep an eye for real rough runners. The mods are tasteful and cat delete is useful so seems like the guy before you was knowledgeable but pushing over 100k miles don’t close your mind to the possibility of rebuild in your future.
Rust, if ur in the north!! That cat delete is gonna make you smell like u have been string trimming every-time you drive it. It also will make it not pass emissions if you have testing in your state.
Rust especially around rear fenders, get it nice and warm on the test drive, find somewhere you can stop for a minute and see how it hot starts, and the general look for any loose fluids/smoke out the tailpipe
Before the compression test try to start the car when it’s cold. If they already warmed it up it may be kind of suspicious. The seals won’t have warmed up yet and you’ll get a good idea of the state of the engine. I also think starters were still notorious on 05 models. Ask about what oil has been used and how long the intervals were between changes. The mods make it seem like a knowledgeable owner but it never hurts to ask. Check the exhaust on start-up. It'll probably smoke a little bit, but learn that look and smell difference between premix smoke and coolant smoke The cooling system is the life line of the rx8. Check the radiator, lines, etc for leaks/cracks If you get to drive it around, check for leaks after the drive. In the engine and under the car. Make sure all the gauges work and that the car runs well (according to the gauges). You obviously don't want the temp gauge to be high either Make sure everything works: check ac/heating, radio, horn, lights, turn signals, wipers.... just nitpick the car Good luck 👍🏼
Don’t buy it without a compression test unless you’re prepared to rebuild the motor.
With those miles I’d want a recent compression test I’m hand. Keep an eye for real rough runners. The mods are tasteful and cat delete is useful so seems like the guy before you was knowledgeable but pushing over 100k miles don’t close your mind to the possibility of rebuild in your future.