Definition of turnkey varies but anytime you get a 30+ year old car, unless it has just been
completely restored, it will not be turnkey. Things will need to be serviced, adjusted and
replaced to make it a reliable driver. Now if you spend around 8K for one thats been restored or refurbished than it will be turnkey, probably.

Maybe thats what your real issue is, you want a cheap, reliable, immaculate car. Only 2 of
those match any existing car out there. If its reliable and immaculate, it won't be cheap. If
its cheap it may be reliable or immaculate but never both for the price.

 

Actually that is not my problem. My budget is 6-8k.

 

I worked at a consignment shop for three years and my last year there (actually, about a year and two months ago) a guy came in wanting to sell his FB because he had an ad up online for years and never got a bite. Asked $5k but my boss told him that it isn't going to sell easily at that price, so he said $3k was more realistic. He agreed with my boss, and since my boss doesn't really like selling cars through the store, he poked his head over my cubicle and asked me if I was still looking for my first car. I said of course! And then two months later my FB was my first car at 137k. I've been looking for parts cars recently and found several FBs in decent shape in my area for about $3k, maybe a little more expensive. I live in the DMV area and used Facebook Marketplace to look for em. CG doesn't have as many, anymore :'( Haggle! I feel like I overpaid for mine, just a little, I think $2500 would have been more reasonable but he was an old dude, one and only owner, looking to sell it asap, and also gave me an extra $200 for tune up stuff at AA.

As far as I know and seen, I think I'm one of the few rare FB owners in my area. Have yet to see another one... seen about three FCs though.

Keep searching!!

 

Rich guy here.


Shoot find any shell out there toss it my way I'll make a DD runner for you for that cash.

 

I sold a 1985 GSL-SE back in February that was in decent shape for $4500. It took me two years to get it sold. From my experience, it's hard to sell one in what I would consider the middle level range. It's also hard to find one that hasn't been touched by everyone and their brother. When you find a good one, buy it.

 

Any cheap car over 30 years old will need at least some work done to it. If turnkey is your goal, the classifieds section has some good ones near your area although price may be a little higher.

 

I keep finding them cheap around here in the Midwest without a problem. Our issue tends to be rust though, it's impossible to find a rust-free example anymore. We have a ton of SA's and FB's up here, enough FC's to please and a few FD's to make it possible.

I'll just say to keep your mods clean and well-done, and you'll have a decent investment in an FB in a few years

 

Hm. I'm in the weird position of having a pile of shells without titles - were intended as race car donors and or shell builds. I really do need to figure out how to fix that.

 

I see you're in Dousman (Hi from Milwaukee!)
The great news for us is that Wisconsin recently passed a "Barn Find" title clause, that allows you to get a bonded title for a "barn find" car. Unfortunately it's a bit pricey. Your best bet may be to make a friend in a bill-of-sale state and have them "purchase" the vehicles, get a title, then sell them back to you for a small fee.

Here's more info on the WI "Barn Find" title clause:
Wisconsin eases title process for 'barn finds' and jalopies

And the WI DOT website regarding:
Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site ? Purchased/received a vehicle without a title or other ownership document

 

I just picked up this excellent condition 85' GS roller for $660 on ebay. They are out there, if you know where to look.

 

Out of curiosity what are you looking to spend for a clean, relatively turnkey 1st gen rx7?

 

Chipped paint, massive orange peal looks like it was reshot by Macco. dent by the drivers door handle... Yes that is a hell of a deal for $660. But it is no where near "excellent". Defiantly "good". Looking forward to seeing it become excellent.

 

If you wanted to come all the way to Iowa I would probably let mine go for 7,000. Im the second owner. 37,000 original miles. Runs really well. Small hesitation at low rpm ive been trying to chase down but otherwise runs all the way out. Its a 1985 GS model with the Nikki carbed 12A. Thing looks like a time capsule.

 

If you wanted to come all the way to Iowa I might let mine go for 7,000. Its a 1985 GS. I'm the second owner. 37,000 miles. Looks like a time capsule and drives well. Only issue I've been trying to figure out is a small low rpm hesitation. Planning to get anoher nikki to tear apart and clean soon.

 

Sorry didn't mean to post twice.

 

OP: here you go. GO GET IT!!!!


https://www.rx7club.com/se-rx-7-foru...-sale-1113337/

 

1985 Mazda RX-7 GS | eBay

 

That IS a nice car,VERY reasonable...thinking hard about moving on it,i don't have any room for it though. Girlfriend saying don't even think about it,i'm not giving up my spot in garage for another one of your cars...

 

That... is actually helpful as all getout. Thank you very much. In this day and age, $300 or so to have some of these cars made clear-and-aboveboard legal may be worth it to me.

I mean, unless a couple turn into race cars.

 

Bought mine CLEAN for 2,400 , no rust, dings or dents. The interior is in good shape ( dash is in tact, nothing missing) but just worn. It's a real shame 15 minutes after buying it a girl turned into me running the driver side fender. It has a coolant leak though, which means it smokes. But for 2,500 for a CLEAN car, i got a great deal ( 115k miles)

 

Damn - that car went for $9,600. I always wonder if eBay cars that reach a high threshold value like that are ever really paid for...

 

I've been wathcing BaT lately, and unless its has extremely low miles or is a very rare SA special edition or something, 1st gens have been going on there for 4-7K when the bidding is done. Some of these were really just run of the mill, clean FBs too. I was actually pretty surprised myself. Run your mouse over the dots in the lower right hand corner of the graph on the link below.

Mazda RX-7 For Sale - BaT Auctions

 

That chart is cool and informative. Maybe its time to sell! You know, though, I'd be really apprehensive on buying a low mileage rotary - seems to me, unless it's been ran frequently, you might as well add the $2,500 for a rebuild to the price you pay. 30+ years is old for seals, no matter the mileage.

 

Actually it didn't, the reserve was not met.

 

I missed that - but, looks like someone was willing to pay. Interesting though - a Barrett Jackson listing, beautiful car goes for $3,850. Makes it hard to place a value...

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...R-COUPE-154454