I'm a new member to the forum and depending on future decisions may be buying an '84 RX7 GSL-SE. Anyway, I may be able to get it for really cheap. I went and looked at it today and it has been sitting for quite awhile it seems.

I am not familiar with common problems that these cars have. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what to look at on the car to see if it is worth the time or money. I will have to work on it since it is missing a starter (any plausible reason for that?) The guy selling it said it had caught fire under the hood, but I did no see any damage, just a spot on the hood in the center where the paint failed. Also the clutch pedal was sitting on the floor but the trans was in the car. It is all there and looks pretty shape, although the paint is fading. Brown leather interior that shows some wear with a door panel removed a sitting in the back. I would really like to get it but don't know what I might get myself into.

Any ideas of what to look at and maybe what to offer? Also how great of mileage do these cars see?

Thanks in advance.

 

I'm currently having hell with varnish in my 85 gsl-se. Clean all that varnish out as i have ruined a new filter and pump because of it.

 

weird noises coming from the engine, when you start it up it backfires everytime you hit the gas,bad,,,

missing badly. after warmup. time it and change wires.

smoke after warmup. stuff like that,,

but interior is easy to change, ebay and stuff. atlantarx7. all other kinds of stuff,

mazdatrix is a ripoff to me but hey its life.

 

Engine fire was prpbably caused by a pulsation dampner leak. If it toasted the hood, you will have some rewiring and vacuum hose replacement to do. Missing starter, who knows. Door panel off, had a broken window or the electric window has problems. Clutch pedal, replace the clutch master and slave cylinders, good time to add the stainless steel clutch line too.

Pull the rear bins and look for wheelwell rust, take pics and post. Also check the rockers, door bottoms and underneath for rust.

Replacing the oem pd is a $100+ part, you can also substitute a 5-6 buck banjo bolt instead, intake manifold will need to be removed to do this and the wiring.

 

Thanks for the quick answers. I may try and get some pics up, and after wandering around this sight I am going to try and turn the engine, see if it is locked which is why I suspect the starter is gone.

 

Starter probably failed as thay are known to do and he never got the replacement in....Take a 7/8 long socket and long ratchet to turn the engine over, there is a large nut on the front of the main pulley just turn it from there but not much you need to lube the housings with MMO before you get too carried away.