Help for a Friend
 

Hey guys, I'm a 3rd gen owner, but I've got a few questions for a friend of mine. I've managed to bring him from the dark side(Detroit Iron) to the RX-7 realm. We found a nice looking '84 auto, not sure of the trim level for $750. It runs decently enough, and looks like it's in pretty good condition, but I don't know much about the 1st gens. What do you guys think?

I would really, REALLy try to find a stick shift. They feel, give, and sound like they have more power.

but that sounds like a decent car any how. whats the mileage, cuz the good ol rotary engines don't like seeing more then 150 000 clicks for too long. But very nice and potentially fast car

yeah... auto isn't a good idea with the low level of low-end torque put out by the 12A.... try to find a 5-speed for sure... you'll be much happier in the long run.

Jeff

Thanks for the help guys!

do what my first mod is.... yank the 12a and auto tranny and through in 13b and 5spd!

seriously I have nothing against 12a's... just mine was dead when I got it... it wasnt even supposed to run.... but it did....... for a week. i just had the opertunity for a FC motor swap and took it!

Automatic is well ummm really slow in these cars... It has the same gear ratio basically as a 5 speed w/o using the 5th gear. Like I noticed that at 70 it had the same rpm reading as my 85 5 spd did in 4th gear...

Sounds like a decent deal if the body is good, and not rusty. It's pretty easy to swap over to a manual transmission. Again, the mileage is a potential concern.
My 12A currently has just a little under 160k on it, still runs pretty good, a little low on compression perhaps, but no major oil use issues, so I'm nursin' 'er through the winter and then looking for a 13B. The 1974 13B that was in my RX4 had even higher mileage before it finally gave up the ghost. Even then, it was an oil ring failure, not apex seals, so it should be an easy rebuild.
It killed Mustangs right up to the end... -WG

Are you planning on doing daily driving in traffic or having fun? A 5-speed is more fun than an auto, but it's the other way around in traffic :)

check for rust
pull out the storage bins and check the wheel well.
if there is some and its fixable you still might get hime to drop the price.
oh ya automatics suck