Hello all newbie here. I know this is a stupid question but should I purchase 2 FB RX-7s for $675? The first one is an 1983 gs with a fairly decent body that i was told had a cracked rotor housing. He bought it cheap at an auction and just goofed around in the field with it. Price $300. He is a semi truck mechanic that has done work for my step dad numerous times so i think he is credible. So i was looking for an engine donor on craigslist and found an 85 gsl parts car. Its missing the drivers door and front left quarter panel, Scrap title, 92k on the engine and body, and an extra rear axle. Price $375. My very first car was a Series 2 RX-7 that i never had the chance to drive. It sat in the weeds at my grandpas for a number of years. I didn't have any mechanical knowledge at the time or the common sense to tell my dad to protect it from the weeds. We had to move and there was not a place for the car to go besides the crusher. I have been wanting one ever since but haven"t took the plunge yet. The body on the first RX-7 is solid but the seconds isnt but i was mostly looking at it for the engine/better components. Please steer me in the right direction lol.

 

If you've got the time, space, and inclination to learn new things and get your hands dirty, this sounds like a dirt-cheap place to start. Whether the base car you plan to build on is "worth it" depends mainly on chassis condition & any rust repairs needed.

If things go sour, you could probably recoup most or all of your initial investment by selling parts.

 

Its sounds like something id go for honestly. If you have some knowledge and a will to learn, you can surely get it done. I actually bought my rx7 and started a motor swap when I had absolutely no knowledge, but it was a massive learning experience. check the body for rust like said above. inside the rear bins/wheel well wall are tends to be a common spot on these cars, aswell as the sun roof. post some link and pics to help us help you.

 

I would go for it if things don't work out you could make your money back selling parts

 

That's a cheap way to learn about working on cars. No better way than to get your hands dirty.

 

Thanks for the motivation guys. The 83 is a solid car body wise. No rust in the wheel wells or rear bins. I am going for it.

 

Do it up! Post some pics when you get it!

 

Sadly the 85 owner was not honorable and increased the price after i got to his house by $100. Another person called as I was on my way and offered him $475. He didnt even bother to text/call me to tell me not to come. I got there and we talked about the car for 15 minutes then he tells me i can buy if i come up in price or wait and see if the other guy buys it. I left immediately and politely. But i let him know that he broke the code with a text. Now that the bad news is told on to the good news. I bought the 1983 GS and its home now. Drained the bad gas and purged the old gas out of the lines, flushed the coolant, and got it to run partially. It will run of gas from the accelerator pump if you keep pumping the throttle so i have to remove the carb and clean it. One thing i have never seen before on a car is a drain plug for the gas tank and was pleasantly surprised to see one on the tank. I also like the tow hooks. The attached images are after i got her washed well.

 

Wow what a massive douche. Anyway that 83 looks solid!! Any interior or bay shots?

 

Here are some interior/engine bay shots. I had to resize the images due to file size limits so the quality is lower. There is some caulk that someone used to patch up a hole near the back of the pinch weld on the passenger side but for an 83 I dont think it has too much cancer. Oh and the upholstery on the door panels is loose.

 

that inner wheel well rust is super common :/ Not too hard to fix if you got a welder

 

Nice buy. The rims are probably worth the purchase price. Did I see a glass moonroof also? There's $200 right there. Well done. I'd keep it original since its it has all its bits still in great original shape. Don't go cutting up your radio surround and stupid stuff like that.

 

Yes you did see a moon roof with no cracks. She will stay original minus the rust and in my hands for the rest of my life, I will promise you that.

 

Between the rims and the roof its $500 alone. So. I'd say you got a good buy to start your project with.
Glad to hear she's staying original. too nice of a car to go customizing (very much). IMO. But then I'm a purist.