Buying RX-7 first gen - common problems?
03-18-05, 12:58 PM
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Buying RX-7 first gen - common problems?
I'm looking at buying a 1984 RX-7 GS for $1,500 CAN this weekend. Are there any major deal-breakers that I should be looking for in the car ie, rust in particular areas, any common problems under the hood, etc? The car has never been winter driven and has 130,000 km on it with only two owners. Does anyone have any input?
03-18-05, 01:19 PM
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My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
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A very problematic area for rust in a 1st generation RX-7 is in the rear wheel wells, underneath the storage bins. Best thing to do is to take out one of the bins and take a look underneath to see if there is any visibile rust forming down there. Other than that, there aren't any major areas that RX-7's rust, at least any more than your average '80's car. They actually tend to fare better than Toyotas and Hondas of their era though.
Other than that, just do all the regular used car stuff, make sure it runs and drives to your satisfaction. You should be aware that 1st gens tend to have 'vague' steering feel because they use a box and not a rack and pinion design. There will be some on center slop, but the car should still track and drive straight and handle bumpy pavement well.
Good luck and welcome to the cult...I mean club.
Other than that, just do all the regular used car stuff, make sure it runs and drives to your satisfaction. You should be aware that 1st gens tend to have 'vague' steering feel because they use a box and not a rack and pinion design. There will be some on center slop, but the car should still track and drive straight and handle bumpy pavement well.
Good luck and welcome to the cult...I mean club.
03-18-05, 01:26 PM
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ditto what he said, also with 130,000, depending on how it was taken care of, the engine is either starting to think about dying (give another 30,000km) or still has a long long life ahead.
ask about premix and/or leaky omp lines.
ask about premix and/or leaky omp lines.
03-19-05, 10:15 PM
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Spend the $65-$80 and take it to a Mazda dealer and get a rotary engine compression test. Its a special tool so only the dealer will have it. The dealer will tell you if the compression is up to or at least near spec. have the owner start the car from COLD (not pre-warmed before you get there - easy to check, hand-on-block heat will tell you if it was run before you get there): car might smoke a bit but it should not be a white-ish sweet smelling smoke (=coolant in block = leaking engine seals = rebuild time). If there is any liquid dribbling at the tail pipe, rub between your fingers - oil and coolant are very different feel, and again, smell it: coolant is sweet smelling-
Great car but you need to get the right one (like anything) - so be cautious and take your time. There are lots out there to chose from-
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Great car but you need to get the right one (like anything) - so be cautious and take your time. There are lots out there to chose from-
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
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