Hello,
I am new to the forum and have always loved the RX-7. Around the year 1980+- has been when I first saw the car and it has stayed a favorite ever since then.

Now i am looking at buying one and came across what the owner says is a 1980 in his advertisement. Automatic and he indicates "no rust garage kept with cover on hasnt even seen rain in 3 years that i have owned" asking is $1700

My questions are the color is bright yellow and I don't see this color listed for 1980's I do see a Space Yellow color listed for 1981. The owner has posted little info & I have not contacted him yet. Is price fair for average/good condition and waht other things should I check out before making an offer?Thanks to all for support & suggestions.

 

I'd say $1700 is reasonable if it runs and drives good, its straight and has no or limited rust. Not a fan of auto rotaries though...

 

At the risk of setting myself on fire, I have only driven a standard shift for a few hours in my life, is this the car to learn on?

Is the standard shift a better match for the rotary engine, than an automatic?

Thanks again.

 

wait i thought you said it was an auto?? a properly running 7 wouldn't be bad to learn on at all. I've taught the girlfriend even, who'd never drove anything but auto, *ever*, to drive on mine. if you've already got some experience, you'll do fine. I'd say go for it man. 1700 is 1700, you only live once. have fun & enjoy it m8!

 

Originally Posted by newbieinsuburbs
At the risk of setting myself on fire, I have only driven a standard shift for a few hours in my life, is this the car to learn on?

Is the standard shift a better match for the rotary engine, than an automatic?

Thanks again.

Sorry for the confusion.
Car is an Auto.
My experience with a standard is under 4 hours.
Meant to imply, should I look for a standard RX-7 instead of auto, even with my limited time on a standard shift,
Or should I get some more experience and break someone elses car before I buy a standard RX-7?

I sense I will have a better RX experience with a standard rather than auto?

 

ahh, gotcha. In that case, you may want to keep looking. sure, you could hop right in & drive that, but the 1980's only had a 3 speed auto. After a week, you'll sure wish you'd opted to hold out & pick up a 5spd. let us know how your findings go! besure to check craigslist, etc for local deals.

 

Keep looking. An auto won't inspire you to DRIVE the car whereas a 5 speed will allow you to learn the car and its capabilities and nuances. 1700 is probably fair, but for the same amount or slightly more you can find one that is a manual, has original paint or at least an original color and in similar shape. A manual won't be hard for you to learn if you've been driving for any length of time. Don't just jump at the first Rx-7 you meet. IMHO.

 

Thank you. I may go look just for education.

Is this a right color for 1980? or is it 1981 Space Yellow or a repainted 1980?

Thanks again.

 

Newb-
no yellow production color for 1980 AFAIK. 79s had "sparks yellow" - which isn't as bright as the pic of the 80 your looking at. So its a re-spray. Look around the spare tire well to see original color of the car - spare is inside under hatch area. Would be suspicious of eastern early RX7s - rust can be an issue and new paint might cover a host of problems. Doesn't have to be fatal, but something to be aware of.
Cars repainted non-original colors are always worth less than original-color re-paints - maybe not to YOU, but when you go to sell it....?

You did the smart first thing when looking at an RX7 - you posted a pic and asked questions on this forum. Keep doing that as you check out cars and you'll find lots of good help and advice here.

cheers
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

couple of other thoughts:
Look for a 7 with a SUNROOF! Tho non-sunroof owners here may fume, I held out for a sunroofed car - it transforms the driving experience!!! And by this I mean the _factory_ sunroof!!! Don't get stuck with one someone has modded. Not the same. Not the same value. MOST RX7s came with the sunroof, so its almost rarer to find one without (but not rare in a GOOD way IMHO). You WILL enjoy this accessory!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Also, the side mouldings have been removed. This almost always means a repaint. They remove them to paint and often people do not want to spend the money for new ones to install or just like the look without them.

I agree with all above. Get a sunroof car (even better if you can get one with a factory glass top) and get a 5-speed manual. The manual will make it much more fun to drive. My 1st car was an '80 RX-7, 5-speed. Wasn't hard to learn on. Sure, you may stall it a few times, but probably within a week it will be second nature to you.

 

Side moldings were an option on SA's I believe, so it's not necessarily a repaint.

 

Besides, if you like automatics just buy this car. If it runs good and is in overall good shape you will still love it. They are very unique and fun cars.

If someone like you who likes automatics doesn't buy it, who will? Someone who wants to rip out the rotary and put a V8 in it? The car should be enjoyed just the way it is.

 

You could buy it and do a manual swap later if you want. It's not super difficult.

 

I think a manual tranny just goes with the whole sports car theme, concept and experience. But it's strictly a personal choice. Neither is "better suited" to the engine. If you find a car you really like and your more comfortable with the auto, go for it. You will get good advice here. $1700 is a good price for a solid, smooth running car, but I'd look around a little while educating yourself. Another new Rx guy just pulled two very cherry 1st gens out of Minn for a very good price. An 80 should have two square rubber pads on the bottom half of the rear bumper. I think the trim was an option, but the auto was a GS model option and I'd guess as such, would come with the trim as well. Looks like a brown interior which suggests to me, an orginal yellow car. It might be a 79 Spark Yellow repaint too. It's hard to tell form the picture, the wheels might be aftermarket or painted Waffels.

 

Chris - good points- and your right about the auto being a GS option so it should include the side moldings - but as others have said, a respray could delete these. Now the wheels are something else.
Look close - these are the OEM _steel_ wheels with the chrome beauty rings, a fairly rare feature!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

I thought they could be the steel wheels too. I guess the only way to know for sure would be to get more info. Could you even get a GS with steel wheels? Not sure, but obviously, one could put them on later. Judging by the overall shine and the fact that Stu's toothbrush hasn't been anywhere near the car, I'd agree that it's been painted and the mouldings left off. I also suspect it actually a 79. That could be confirmed with the VIN under the hood and build date on the drivers door jam.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the comments.

The owner has not responded to any of my emails yet. His original adv posting did say he was going through a divorce and needed cash fast. So either it has sold or he is out of the house and unable to access a computer I guess

So my search & education continues but I am better armed now.

 

...or the wife parked her Escalade on top of it, after a rather nasty negotiating session...