jtwisconsin

iTrader: (1)

I was hoping to get some advice on purchasing a low mileage 1983 GSL. The car has 75,000 miles with an automatic transmission. It sounds like someone inherited this car and traded it at a new car dealership, and a used car dealership purchased it for their lot. Unfortunately the car has no maintenance records available.

I looked it over and drove it this weekend, and it seems to be in very nice condition. Engine bay was immaculate, no rust, fresh tune-up, started and ran very good.

Here are the issues. According to CarFax this car has only traveled 1,000 miles in the past 11 years. I am a little concerned buying a car that has been driven so little for so long. My plan is to use the car as my nice weather toy driving a few thousand miles a year, so is there anything I should be concerned with? Obviously I plan to do a full fluid change as soon as I get it.

The dealership said they just had someone replace the idler arm but the car still has tons of play in the steering (way more than any other RX7 I have driven). The oil pressure gauge also reads almost zero at idle, but she was full of oil and ran out very good. Thinking a bad connection or sending unit. From what I have searched on this forum, both issues appear to be common problems and shouldn't be too much of a hassle to resolve.

Everything else about the car seems very nice. Any advice I could get before I make the plunge would be really appreciated.

JoeNoble

iTrader: (6)

DON'T BUY THAT CAR... cuz I'll have to drive all the way to Wisconsin to steel it! No but seriously depending on the price I'd be all over that! Personally I'd drop a 5spd into it but I say go for it.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

You need to pull the rear bins and look for rust. Also look for rust in the
rockers and behind the rear wheels. Pop out the drain plug on the inner
rear fender and feel around and see if its crusty with rust.

Post pics up and we can help evaluate what its worth.

Remember its almost 30 years old so figure on replacing all fluids, rubber,
and wear items like brakes, clutches, tires etc. I would estimate doing all
that right would eat up about $1000.00 easy.

Top price would be around 4 - 5K but if theres rust or other issues, sound like
there is it should be less than that but a good bit.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

1. its a mazda, @75k its really only had the 30k and 60k services, if you want to verify look at the spark plugs, and fuel filter, you don't actually have to touch anything just look.

2. 1000 miles in 10 years could be a problem. the rotor oil seals don't like to sit like that, coolant doesnt like to sit that long. if it doesn't smoke a lot when you start it the rotor oil seals are prolly ok, but the cooling system is harder to check.

3. steering box is adjustable. oil pressure unit might start working if you start driving it, electricals don't like to sit

jtwisconsin

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. I should have mentioned that I currently have an 85 GSL-SE that I bought last year cheap, but it does have some rust and mechanical issues. Thought I might want to do a mild restoration, but after having it a few months I decided I really wanted a rust free, low mile car instead.

t_g_farrell - Thanks to my current car I learned where to look for rust issues, and I couldn't find any signs of rust on this one. Really looks like this car was a pampered garage queen by the previous owner. I also am fully prepared to spend at least another $1,000 to fix any issues with it.

j9fd3s - I was worried about the seals as well, but she started perfect with no smoke issues from dead cold. I also gave her the "let it sit for 5 minute" test after it was warm, and she fired right back up to a perfect idle.


Here are a few pictures. Dealer emailed me this morning dropping the price to $3,200 and I have a deposit holding it.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

For 3200 it looks like a good deal although it is an automatic. If he's emailing
already and dropping the price, he may drop it again if you wait a bit. Autos don't
sell like manuals especially in sports cars. Keep teasing him with the deposit
and see where it goes. It looks nice enough that you may just want to keep the
auto so it stays orginal.

patmac6075

iTrader: (26)

Where are you at in Wisconsin? I'm in the Milwaukee area.....looks like a real sweet ride, although the automatic is a bummer. $3200.... is probably a fair price from a dealer, I don't think you're stealing it from him, and he's not ripping you off, so if you can get it (or better yet, get it for less)....go for it!

jtwisconsin

iTrader: (1)

The plan is to keep this car all original including the auto. Personally I don't think I could bring myself to modify such a survivor. She isn't very fast, but combined with that red leather interior kinda gives it that old grand touring car feel.

Dealer won't budge anymore on price but I think this seems fair. I live about 100 miles away so the plan would be to trailer it home this weekend. Don't really want to drive it until the steering is resolved and I am confident we have fresh fluids everywhere.

Any other thoughts?

EDIT - patmac6075, I am in Eau Claire and the car is in Minnesota.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

tell him $2800! if he says yes, then buy, that's a sweet car