Rx8 not running question

...or questions. Found an early one. Owner seems clueless as to why. 86k and auto. What questions/concerns should I have?

Question number one: why are you looking at automatic rotaries?

IIRC the autos typically have more issues than the manuals because they don't give the engine the workout that it needs to stay healthy. They are also slooooooooooow, like 9.5 second 0-60 slow (a Honda Fit is faster). The manuals are not fast cars but the autos are just dismal; 40 horses less than the manual, lower redline (which compounds the engine issues), smaller brakes, softer suspension...they are not desirable.

That aside my understanding of RX-8 running issues at this point is basically thus: it will either need new coils or an engine rebuild. Because of that I wouldn't buy one unless it was exactly what I wanted. The autos are worthless even in running shape so I would pass unless it's basically free.

Everyone is correct here, stay away unless you need a rolling chassis, even if you would want to do a MT swap the auto only has the 4port engine as opposed to the 6 which is a big no go.

Just about any economy class rental car is stronger/faster than an AT RX8.

It is not running or not starting?

First and foremost it needs to crank fast enough to start. RX-8s crank woefully slow even with the "updated" starter.

clutchsmoke wrote: Question number one: why are you looking at automatic rotaries?

This. Especially when it comes to RX8s. They aren't worth flipping either.

And as Knurled said, the important question it not running or not starting? That determines the next set of questions...

FWIW, I'd want an automatic RX-8. They have smaller brakes so that fitting gravel tires would be easier, and the engine itself is a better starting point for certain nefarious purposes.

Knurled wrote: FWIW, I'd want an automatic RX-8. They have smaller brakes so that fitting gravel tires would be easier, and the engine itself is a better starting point for certain nefarious purposes.

LS swaps? :D

Knurled wrote: FWIW, I'd want an automatic RX-8. They have smaller brakes so that fitting gravel tires would be easier, and the engine itself is a better starting point for certain nefarious purposes.

Booooooooooooooooooooost?

The main downside of any 6 port engine is that the aux ports close waaaay too late.

Think less boost, and more aux peripheral ports. All the power and none of the revs. I remember hearing 280hp at only 7000rpm.

Also, it comes with an automatic instead of a hipster trans

It's dirt cheap and I temporarily have only my right foot. Just getting creative so I can get around for the next month or so while I heal. Plus, just curious.

FWIW, it has a new battery, coils, plugs and fluids. So, sounds like an engine. He says ran fine, didn't drive it for a month then no start. Wierd.

Are you okay with even worse gas mileage than the manual RX-8? Think 16mpg or so. Hopefully knurled will want it when you get healed because trying to sell it will be tricky.

markwemple wrote: FWIW, it has a new battery, coils, plugs and fluids. So, sounds like an engine. He says ran fine, didn't drive it for a month then no start. Wierd.

Is this somebody you know personally? If not I highly doubt it just sat for a month and suddenly won't start with all those new parts...unless there is some serious fluid leakage going on inside that engine at least, which means if it was running before it probably wasn't well...

Starting and not running is different than not cranking.

Are you getting any cranking? with the new plugs/wires/coils etc that rules out ignition but your starter could be toast.

In reply to Knurled:

So here I was thinking the only good option for RWD gravel (for what I want as of now) would be trying to find an FC or an E36 but this would be a good idea as well, of course a hell of a lot of work to get it there just to have an RX8 with small calipers.

Had an 04 Auto Rx-8 because it was a screaming deal. The car was not a screamer at all. My wife's Honda Civic had it 0-40 no joke. Great sound, tons of compliments, but I felt judged at every light buy the guys commenting in the forum. The worst part was, they were soooooo right. LOL

I replaced it with an 83 Mercedes 300SD and my confidence came back. I felt like a real man again with real torque. I just through on some Frank and put on my loafers and rolled out. I wouldn't ever recommend the RX-8 Auto, my gas mileage was still 20mpg on premium and still it was a downhill racer. LOL

JtspellS wrote: In reply to Knurled: So here I was thinking the only good option for RWD gravel (for what I want as of now) would be trying to find an FC or an E36 but this would be a good idea as well, of course a hell of a lot of work to get it there just to have an RX8 with small calipers.

I've been down this path before, the Rx8 has bigger brake rotor diameter than an evo 8/9

I tried fancy BRAID wheels, still no luck. The rear can't fit a 15" the barrel ID of the wheel hits the lower part of the knuckle and the outboard part hits the control arm, didn't even try the front's because of this.

I suppose with heavy wheel spacers and some negative offset you may get by but I feel iffy with those on a rally.