first time buyer!!!
 

Hi im nick and im new to the site. I am currently restoring a 1983 280zx but my funding is limited. I have found a 1985 rx7 for 3500. I havnt looked at it to much yet but just wanted to know problems and anything i should know before test driving and possibly buying. It doesnt look all original for example the window crank, carpet and trim is red while seats dash and the door is tan and brown. I dont know much about the rx7 or rotary engines in general. the car has been painted its red just like the one at the top of the screen. I dont see any rust but as I said it has been painted so no telling wat may be covered up. Im going to check it out more later on this week so any suggestions would be appreciated.

so over all any suggestions on what to look for and is 3500 a good price. for questions asked I havent looked at the engine at all so it will be hard to answer any you may have.

thanks for all the help!!

Another one thread? lol wouldve been better to bump the old one.

Check for rust everywhere, esecially in the bins

Look for oil leaks, they are the death of these cars. Take pics.

Whats the mileage, original or rebuilt?

3500 sounds high unless its low mileage stock and mint.

Chances are its Carb'd and not the FI model if it has crank windows but check anyways (12A engine vs FI 13b engine)

Red trim with tan and brown? that sounds like a mash of interiors but i could be mistaken. Make sure everything works guage wise. Start it while its cold and see if it smokes alot (meaning say you are gonna be there late afternoon and show up a few hours early or late).

Check the Faq's

Nick,

Welcome to the forum. :) I have moved your new thread and merged it with your old one. Please do not make duplicate threads. If a day or 2 goes by without a response, just 'Bump' your old thread.

$3500 seems high unless the car is low miles and nearly mint condition. It sounds that it is not, though. There is a nice classifieds section on here. You may be able to find a nice 7 in your area much much less money. Also craigslist, ebay, etc. are also good places to look. Read the 1st gen FAQ and the 1st gen archives. There is some nice information about the things to look out for when buying a 1st gen RX-7.

Kent

$3500 is way, way too high.

All I have to say is doit,doit,doit,doit,doit!!!!

You will not, repeat, will not regret it.
I've driven faster cars.
I've driven somehow better handling cars.

There is nothing in the world like an RX-7.

Ya I would definantly recomend talking him down in price, and Then you'll be very happy with the car!! Good luck

You say it looks like the one on the top of the screen...thats a second gen...are you sure its an 85?

I think he said that the color red matched the one up top... anyways...

if you can take it to a shop and have them compression check the engine, do that... most shops don't have a rotary compression tool... but someone in your area, from this forum, might be able to point you in the right direction as to what shop to go to.

Also, check out under the car... the oil pan and trans should be pretty much oil free.. if not then take a pic and post it up for us... it'll maybe give us an idea of what's going on...

what model is it? S, GS, GSL-SE?

thanks for the help guys hopefully ill get to look at a couple i found either today or tomorrow. and yes i meant like the one at the top as in the color red not body style. i think we will try to talk him down to 2500 but there is an 86 for 2500 that seems in pretty good shape but havnt got to go check it out yet.

gsl-se

A 86 is a 2nd gen model, different all together.

I wouldn't worry about if its a first generation (1979-1985) or second generation (1986-1991). Most people that buy an RX7 end owning more than one anyway.

Buy the one YOU like the most ....... and welcome to your new life. Enjoy.