Bzinc1

Hello, I have found a mint, one-owner 1982 FB GX for sale and am considering it as my first car. I live in Ontario, Canada where winters are harsh and salty. I'm looking for advice on what to look for when buying it, how it drives in the winter, and whether this is a good idea.

I'm not too familiar with any rotary shops around, do I need a PPI for this car? It has one owner and maintenance records. Are there any general checks I can do to see if the little 12a is in good shape, would it be worth getting the rest of the car inspected?

It has 230,000kms on it so it is not low miles and I plan on winter driving it, it has NO RUST and I'm wondering if anyone has had success with Krown rust coating, or any other methods to prevent rust. I know about getting proper snow tires and tossing some sandbags in the rear, but I'm also planning on letting it sit on the harsher days.

Am I biting off more than I can chew?

If anyone has any thoughts it would be greatly appreciated.

GtiKyle

iTrader: (5)

Keep in mind you're talking about a 40 year old car at this point, and any car that old will need work, maintenance or have some issues. I hate giving advice turning people away from rx7s, but as a first car i don't think it's the best choice. If you had the means for this to be your weekend tinker toy, a second vehicle then absolutely, by all means got for it.

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

The other aspect to this is that if it's your main means to transportation and he really need to rely on it, there are better choices. Not saying the RX-7 doesn't run or perform well, it's that if something breaks, you may need to wait to find a part. And some you cannot find new. it's not like some GM/Ford/Dodge/Honda that is 20 years newer and sold way more than the RX-7 and parts can he had at any local parts store.

Bzinc1

I have other means of transportation, as a university student I'm looking for something I can drive a few days a week and enjoy on weekends its not my sole means of transportation, but compared to a lot of the cars I'm finding on Fb marketplace, I know this one's current owner and how well it was taken care of. I always hear that rotary cars are not good first cars, but is it really true?

The car has also undergone a recent $12,000 interior restoration, seal restoration and new paint, probably more than what the car is worth, certainly more than what I'd be paying for it.

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

Sounds like a nice car. Can you post some pictures and the folks here can evaluate the condition and quality.

LongDuck

It's a Canadian car - and yet it has NO rust? It was someone's baby and then sheltered it during the winters, only driving it on beautiful sunny days. Hammered home by the $12k (*canadian) interior "refresh". I had an Rx7 for my first car, but that was in 1988, and it was 8 years old and parts were still plentiful and cheap. I was in highschool. It's not like that now, and parts are hard to find and $$$.

My recommendation would be to buy it for a song from your friend, sell it to someone in a warmer climate with no snow who will love it and take care of it like it has been to allow it to survive this long in canada, and use that $$$ to buy a truck. It's a survivor. I guarantee if you buy it and try to DD it through a canadian winter, it's going to get balled up and totalled next December. Mark my words,

Bzinc1

I'm planning on parking it for December-March to avoid the worst of it. I'm going to test-drive it and give it a feel/get a better look at it. Will post some pics soon.

Bzinc1

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

It looks like a beautiful car. I would personally buy the car and use it as a second or weekend car. That car deserves to be garage kept and enjoyed on nice days. I would not drive that car daily. The chances of it getting hit are greater, and driving it in the winter would not be practical and would greatly lessen the car's lifespan. I drive my 85 GS quite often but never in the rain or in the winter. And that car has rust. It's a great daily driver because I've gone through the entire car and have replaced everything that needed replaced and replaced many parts that were still ok but were common failure points.

You need to understand how difficult it is to find such a nice example like the car you are looking at. These cars are over 40 years old and some approaching 40. Many have led a hard life and are restoration projects. I have one that is such that I'm currently restoring. Parts can sometimes be difficult to source and some can be expensive. I would encourage you to buy the car and enjoy it, but I would urge and caution you on using it as a daily driver, especially in the winter months. Buy a Jeep or a front drive econobox for winter. Enjoy this car in the spring and summer on nice days.