# Not sure what to do with my car **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** rx-8, mazda\ **Created:** [January 16, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522 "2023-01-16T18:22:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rotorhed88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rotorhed88](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rotorhed88)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/1 "2023-01-16T18:22:14Z")
So I have an 04 rx8. I’ve had it for roughly 5 years. The engine was compression tested at Mazda 4 years ago and was said to be failing. I’ve driven it practically everyday since. It’s a fun car to drive but I can’t afford to fix it. I’ve put a bhr midpipe with cat and bhr ignition coils in. New radiator 2 years ago and new clutch 3 years ago. Installed a reinforced clutch pedal assembly also from bhr. Both light control modules\*\* have failed so the car has no low beams and I can’t afford the replacement parts. The high beams work fine though Also at the moment I’m homeless without a job. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/2 "2023-01-16T18:27:01Z")
You could check on an RX8 forum, see what it might be worth. If possible you’d want to get a cheap used car that was easy to fix. Tough situation, though. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/3 "2023-01-16T18:27:38Z")
Buy one of these. ![4sale](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/8/58c0f7ed6e135fa49e0d9986d521464ba1580cb9.png) ---
**Author:** ![Rotorhed88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rotorhed88](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rotorhed88)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/4 "2023-01-16T18:32:59Z")
Thanks for the response! I have checked out an rx8, I haven’t posted this question there yet. I might have a prayer of getting a decent price for it if the headlights worked ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 6:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/5 "2023-01-16T18:49:24Z")
For my own knowledge—What is ICMS? Google did not help. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/6 "2023-01-16T19:26:03Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > For my own knowledge—What is ICMS? Google did not help. Light Control Modules, guessing he has HID’s. ---
**Author:** ![Rotorhed88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rotorhed88](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rotorhed88)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/7 "2023-01-16T19:39:05Z")
Light control modules\* sorry about that ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/8 "2023-01-16T20:12:26Z")
Ah, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/9 "2023-01-16T23:10:12Z")
The simple question is, “Also at the moment I’m homeless without a job”. The priorities are always Housing, Food and Job.and I hope you get whatever proceeds from the sale to get your life back on track . ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/10 "2023-01-16T23:13:38Z")
In running condition an average-shape RX8 goes for $2000-$5000, so maybe you can get $1000-$2000. They are few and far between, so maybe someone in your area is looking for a project to repair. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/11 "2023-01-17T06:45:11Z")
Have you priced a junkyard for these parts? ---
**Author:** ![Rotorhed88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rotorhed88](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rotorhed88)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 6:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/12 "2023-01-17T06:47:59Z")
No I have not ---
**Author:** ![Rotorhed88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rotorhed88](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rotorhed88)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 6:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/13 "2023-01-17T06:51:39Z")
It’s seen a lot of road time. But I’ve been adamant about oil changes, and there’s no rust. The body is In pretty good shape. Minus a kneecap size dent in the rear driver side door. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/14 "2023-01-17T07:08:57Z")
> [@lion9car](#): > > Have you priced a junkyard for these parts? Is the RX8 a common vehicle in the salvage yard? I see a used HID headlight assembly in New York for $400. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/15 "2023-01-17T07:10:14Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Is the RX8 a common vehicle in the salvage yard? I have no idea, but it seems like the only option for the OP to have a running car. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/16 "2023-01-17T07:17:47Z")
> [@lion9car](#): > > but it seems like the only option for the OP to have a running car. Car will run without headlights. New HID headlight control modules are $315. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/8/d844fee896cdface82d0f8b8e3f8c23c9d4fdf12.png) ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/18 "2023-01-17T15:02:24Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > New HID headlight control modules are $315. If that’s the right part number, I see at least one of those as a salvage part on eBay for $65. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/19 "2023-01-17T22:04:21Z")
First thing I’d do in that situation, check the inventory at the local Pick n Pulls via their internet web-site. Easier for the diy’er than used auto parts recyclers, who focus more on repair-shop-mechanic customers. Even if P&P doesn’t have that particular car, they’ll give you a print-out of all the make/model cars that use that module. Or just keep your driving confined to daylight hours. When purchasing next car, suggest to consult publications which rate reliability and total cost of ownership before deciding. . ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/20 "2023-01-18T00:13:48Z")
Could one re-wire the high beams to power the low beams instead? Of course this would eliminate the high beams but keep the car legal and driveable. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522/21 "2023-01-18T00:17:33Z")
The low beam headlights have high voltage HID bulbs. The control unit is the ballast. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/not-sure-what-to-do-with-my-car/188522.md?page=2)