Dark_Knight

iTrader: (1)

OK so I found this car out in Nevada via craigslist and I was thinking about picking it up for one of my mentoring projects. You see I volunteer sometimes as a big brother and one of my little brothers is going to be turning 16 in a few months. So I thought I would pick up this car since it needs some work and me and him would rebuild it and then when it is done I would let him have it for his b-day.

You know start him off with the right kind of car not something else like a VW bug. Not that there is anything wrong with bugs but it's not the same as a RX-7. Anyways the guy I am thinking about buying it from said it has been sitting for about two years with all of the fluids in it , but he said he went out put some new gas in it took out the air filter and it started right up but then died. The guy says that it won't stay running probably because of all of the old fluids.

But anyways it looks like it is all there and it seems to be in decent shape. Although there does seem to be some rust on some parts of the body. The good side is he only wants like $ 800.00 for it. I just have to drive out there and pick it up.

What do you guys think is it worth it or should I say no?, I have uploaded pictures below so any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

jlc85rx7

if it has alot of rust i personally would keep looking for another car.maybe spend a little more and get something that you wont have to spend as much on.but some peolpe dont mind doing rust repairs,so it depends if you have the time,know how to fix the car,then maybe its worth it.If you really like the car.I just bought a 85 gsl se.I paid 1200 and so far put about 1200 into it to make it a good driver,Josh.

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

The body is pretty rough, but I would suggest going to the junkyards in the area and see how many of those parts you can find that are in good shape. It looks like just the rear bumper and both front fenders need some attention. The interior aside from the drivers seat looks like it could just use a really good cleaning. Go back and pull the storage bins out and check the inner fenders where they meet the floor for rust.

Trouble shooting the engine shouldn't be a huge problem. Just do the usual basic tune-up and change out all the fluids, then you'll have a good place to start from.

rotary84

iTrader: (4)

damm gsl-se models are sweet... but IMO I would wait for another ... but also nice if this is a car you want to learn on and do lots of work to , and at the end your going to cherish it.

PercentSevenC

It's not that bad. Just needs some attention. If it starts, I'd say it's a reasonable deal.

takhay

If the engine still runs, i would say go for it. IMO, dealing with rust on the panels isn't that bad, but i'd take a look under the spare tire, make sure it's not rusted through and maybe take a look under the rug (if you can) of the passenger side where the ECU is just to make sure it hasn't totally rusted through in those spots...

Maybe even try to haggle it down a one or two hundred bucks...

openshot

not bad shape. i would talk the guy to making it a lower price

RX7 allnight

lower price for sure.. unless you really wanted THIS car for some strange reason.

OldSkoolFool

Your idea sounds really cool and I think would be very special to your "little brother". AND yes, get him started with a real sports car, not some econo-car or FWD grocery getter.

$800 seems pretty high, even for a GSL-SE. The interior isn't even that nice and the body looks pretty banged up. If you like it that much, maybe offer them $400 which I still think would be high for that car if you're planning on investing in it and fixing it up. Keep searching, there are better deals out there. If you were in the Midwest I'd direct you to a gentleman who's selling a road worthy '83 Limited Edition that actually looks presentable for $1000.

ihatetheTZ250

for $800...that's a pretty good deal, i picked up mine for $500 with carburetor problems, but i wanted the Weber IDF 48's anyways...so i went ahead and bought it, but try and talk him down to $600 and see if he'll meet you half way?

Hellias

my 84 gsl se looked the exact same, except my interior had ants and was damp and had actual interior rust. well anyway i gt mine for 1k and ive put about 1k into it and its awsome, i just need a new radiator and alternator to make it reliable. i would say go for it, but you have a big project ahead

SEEKING7

Well the interior is certainly dirty but it looks like it would clean up pretty well excepting the driver's seat. And where is all this rust that everybody keeps mentioning? There is some by the munch on the d/s door and a little here and there it seems but overall there is very little. If this car has spent much time in nevada you can bet there wont be much rust on the underside.
It's not the sexiest color but for a project car I think it's great...I particularly like the flacid antenna. Good luck!

comet909

I say do it. A little more work is a good thing. In the end the kid'll learn more. And it'll mean more to him. But, talk him down a little. I'd probably offer 500.

For referance, I just payed 1400 for my se. It was a running daily driver. But it also needs a little work. A little rust here and there. Needs some deep cleaning and such.

By the way, kudos for doing a very cool thing. Helping a kid out like that doesn't just help him now it changes the person he'll grow up to be. Someday it'll inspire him to take care of someone in the same way.

Dark_Knight

iTrader: (1)

Well thanks for everyone's help and advice but it seems that my little brother has found his true passion and it is not car's. It seems that his grandfather picked him up a video camera and he just finished making his first movie which he got his first A+ at school for so he is now completely enveloped in movie making. I am totally proud of him and I asked him if he would like to take some time out and help me with this car and he said that he would rather take some extra movies making classes instead (T T). So that pretty much killed the idea right there but I think I will still pick this car up and maybe due the project myself and still surprise him with it for his b-day. I will most likely contact the guy sometime this week. Thanks for everyone who voiced there advice and opinions here and I would still like to hear more. I am thinking about once this car is all put together and runs great that I might but a body kit on it !?!.

ihatetheTZ250

well i mean, if you want the car and you truly want make a project out of it there's no harm in getting it, putting work into it and keeping it if you choose to, or not. i mean of course if your financial means supports that sort of decision, but this '85 i picked up wasn't in the greatest shape either when i got it, but came with a lot of goodie extras, and sort of payed for itself with me getting self satisfaction after cleaning it up, and pulling the carb off it, and just doing all around tune ups.

widz

iTrader: (1)

i personally think its gonna take a good amount of work and money....i HIGHLY doubt the reason it doesn't stay running is because of "old fluids"...rx7s have been known to start right up with 2 year old gas in the tank...engine looks clean...but bodywork seems to be a pain...800 isnt TOO cheap for this car...i would personally keep looking...you wouldnt want to see a better one up on craigslist a week later for a little bit more money..

Hyper4mance2k

iTrader: (40)

Sorry too late I'm on my way to buy it for myself... j/k but that's what I'd do if I lived in NV.

Dark_Knight

iTrader: (1)

Well that's done and over with I passed up the car. I do wish to thank everyone who helped me with their opinions and their advice. Thanks and later.

Also could one of the moderator's kill this thread please ?