Craigslist find, question about worth?
 

I'm looking at this 84 rx7, not for sure which sub-model it is but I do know that it is the 12a with the factory carb. 100k miles and new paint. The owner has told me that it it runs and drives, but one of the idle jets are clogged. I've been around on the 2nd gen forum for a while and I've learned everything I know about cars, from rotaries. I know very little about carbs other than how they work. I do know that idle problems in rotaries aren't that uncommon but they can also mean the engine is on the way out..

TL:DR I'm buying a clean fb for 1200 but I want to know if it is a good price if the engine needs replaced? Thanks.

Rebuilding the carb isn't expensive if you do it yourself, the kit is usually 40-50 bucks. It's just very time consuming. Shops will charge a lot to do it. Something to bring up during negotiation. You can test the compression the same way as a second gen, although you can't cut the fuel off by pulling a fuse because the carb will still have fuel in the bowls. There's a lot of things that can cause a poor idle. If it runs fine above 1500 RPM I wouldn't be terribly concerned. I don't see a sunroof, at least not in those pics so it may be a GS model. Check for drum brakes in the rear. That would also mean it has an open diff.

Engine Idle can be affected by many things other than it's remaining life expendancy. In fact most engine builders will tell you that they always run their hardest just before exploding! No joke. The 100K miles is more of a measure. To me, $1,200 is not bad for a running 84, but price is really dependent on condition and you don't seem to have many specifics except for the "claimed miles and new paint. Speaking of which, I'd assume new paint would mean the window trim too. This car's trim is well worn.

You might want to look to see if it still has all the emission related equipment. It's not too uncommon that someone takes it out, then complains about how it runs/idles. And the fix could be as simple as a hose not hooked up right.

It has all the emissions still on it. As far as I could tell it is all original, interior is in good shape but needs the rear deck carpet replaced. The mileage I stated was going off of what the odometer said.