1 owner 1980 RX7back on the road
07-27-14, 02:15 PM
#1
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1 owner 1980 RX7back on the road
I,m the original owner of a 1980 rx7 that has been garaged for 25 years. It has 107k miles on it and runs great. Last week it passed CA smog test with very good emission numbers - surprised me. I registered it for $88 (it had a non operational registration status). I should add that over the 25 year period I ran it every few months an changed all the fluids periodically. In the last week I put a 100 miles on local streets and waiting for some new tires before I drive it on the freeway- the tires on the car are 25 years old.
I,m now trying to figure what to do with the car, sell it or keep it.
I,m now trying to figure what to do with the car, sell it or keep it.
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07-27-14, 07:57 PM
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Engine life
How many miles can you get out of one these engines? I used 20W-50 oil and changed it every 2K miles during the first 9 years of operation, but over the last 25 years I only put on a couple of hundred miles and changed the oil once a year or so. After 34 years you would think the gaskets would start to fail.
07-27-14, 10:41 PM
#11
I,m the original owner of a 1980 rx7 that has been garaged for 25 years. It has 107k miles on it and runs great. Last week it passed CA smog test with very good emission numbers - surprised me. I registered it for $88 (it had a non operational registration status). I should add that over the 25 year period I ran it every few months an changed all the fluids periodically. In the last week I put a 100 miles on local streets and waiting for some new tires before I drive it on the freeway- the tires on the car are 25 years old.
I,m now trying to figure what to do with the car, sell it or keep it.
I,m now trying to figure what to do with the car, sell it or keep it.
07-28-14, 12:49 AM
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07-28-14, 02:33 AM
#13
How many miles can you get out of one these engines? I used 20W-50 oil and changed it every 2K miles during the first 9 years of operation, but over the last 25 years I only put on a couple of hundred miles and changed the oil once a year or so. After 34 years you would think the gaskets would start to fail.
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07-28-14, 05:48 AM
#14
You have a rare and precious gem. Once you get new rubber, just drive it. The 12a is the energizer bunny of the gasoline engine world, and yours is just broken in. I'd be more concerned with the belts and radiator cap than any gaskets. The intake manifold gasket will be the 1st to go, and that's cheap and easy.
07-28-14, 06:42 AM
#15
You have a rare and precious gem. Once you get new rubber, just drive it. The 12a is the energizer bunny of the gasoline engine world, and yours is just broken in. I'd be more concerned with the belts and radiator cap than any gaskets. The intake manifold gasket will be the 1st to go, and that's cheap and easy.
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07-28-14, 07:32 AM
#17
Welcome back from the abyss! Original owners are a dwindling club. She looks like a very nice survivor which again, is a dwindling thing. Our cars are generaly still over looked and under valued in the collector hobby as a whole, but nice SAs are appreciated by both enthusists and casual observors alike.
I'd vote to get some new rubber (the 13 inch selection is also thin) and maybe spend a little to replace any suspect hoses and things. It should be pretty reliable but "things" can and do go wrong with 30 year old machines out of the blue, just cause. They aren't totally free and require some attention, time and money to keep them well maintained. Run a little sea foam through your gas tank to help clean things out.
Everybodys situation is different but if you decide its better to sell, a decent ballpark expectation would be 3 1/2 - 4K or so I'd estimate. You'll have your typical quick interest low ball offers as it takes the right person to fully appreciate these cars. Good luck either way. There is a lot of good info and knowledge here on this fourm site.
I'd vote to get some new rubber (the 13 inch selection is also thin) and maybe spend a little to replace any suspect hoses and things. It should be pretty reliable but "things" can and do go wrong with 30 year old machines out of the blue, just cause. They aren't totally free and require some attention, time and money to keep them well maintained. Run a little sea foam through your gas tank to help clean things out.
Everybodys situation is different but if you decide its better to sell, a decent ballpark expectation would be 3 1/2 - 4K or so I'd estimate. You'll have your typical quick interest low ball offers as it takes the right person to fully appreciate these cars. Good luck either way. There is a lot of good info and knowledge here on this fourm site.
07-28-14, 08:07 AM
#18
I bought my car from the original owner 2.5 years ago. It had been sitting in a climate controlled garage, not running, for 5-6 years.
07-28-14, 08:37 AM
#19
Body seals and such to be sure. Engine wise belts, and hoses. On my 85 I've replaced all of them, and the intake gasket, but the 139,000 mile engine is tight.
I bought my car from the original owner 2.5 years ago. It had been sitting in a climate controlled garage, not running, for 5-6 years.
I bought my car from the original owner 2.5 years ago. It had been sitting in a climate controlled garage, not running, for 5-6 years.
07-29-14, 04:42 AM
#20
as some have suggested, unless done in last few years replace:
-all coolant hoses (includes smaller hoses to/from the firewall)
-flush/replace coolant
-likewise brake and clutch fluids
-engine belts
-and yeah, tires. 13" are getting rare, tho the chinese are stepping up.
Then just drive and enjoy. The condition it seems to be in, if you keep it up, will guarantee you it will likely be worth more the longer you keep it. You sucked it up over the years it depreciated, so what the hell, now keep it - drive it - make a bit of $$ in the process
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
-all coolant hoses (includes smaller hoses to/from the firewall)
-flush/replace coolant
-likewise brake and clutch fluids
-engine belts
-and yeah, tires. 13" are getting rare, tho the chinese are stepping up.
Then just drive and enjoy. The condition it seems to be in, if you keep it up, will guarantee you it will likely be worth more the longer you keep it. You sucked it up over the years it depreciated, so what the hell, now keep it - drive it - make a bit of $$ in the process
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
07-29-14, 10:23 AM
#21
Beautiful car; keep it, drive it now and then to put a smile on your face, and hang on to it.
If you do sell it, you'll sleep better if you sell it to a fellow enthusiast who will keep it original. Not that many unmolested examples left.
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