greenjack

Well I am new to the whole rotary thing and this will be my first car. So I found this car at a used lot, drove it, and it seemed nice even with the lack of power steering. I was wondering what you guys think of it. I think it is just a base fb, not a GSL or GSL-SE. Its has around 84,000 miles on it. Would this be a reliable daily driver for a kid who would drive it everyday to school and work, including the winter? Or, should I pass on this car. The lot is asking for a pretty good price for the condition it is in, in my opinion. I checked all the floor panels by the way and it is rust free.

no_name

I drive a GSL all year round... I am a highschool student in Canada. The car has good handling, just get winter tires and rims are good to. They make a huge difference. You also should get the car rust checked and oil sprayed if you are going to winter it, and wash car frequently because of salt. Mudflaps help protect the quater panels, but rust is like the plag, unpreventable too.

kgray

how much do they want for it?
you might be able to get a free carfax from the for sale/ wanted section if you have the VIN.

greenjack

Well winter is different here than in Canada. When I meant winter driving I just meant really really cold, and if I could count on it starting up everyday. We get maybe 1 week of snow TOPS, and I wouldn't even consider driving that car in the snow, so that is not really an issue. I take it that your car starts up just fine in the winter? Sorry for the misunderstanding, and thanks for the insight.

greenjack

I think they want $3000 for it, I wish I had the vin, but I do not.

rxtory

Iam also a high school student in Canada and here in Vancouver we recieved are first snow fall of the year, its early for us we usually get snow at the end of December. I dont want to drive my car now cause the roads are gunna be salted to ****

RRTEC

iTrader: (13)

Way over priced, considering the bumper isn't stock, probably has been wrecked in the front. Pass on it. $3000 IS WAY TOO MUCH for a 12a'd GS model.

Offer them half and see what they say. You could buy a decent T2 for that.

RRTEC

iTrader: (13)

BTW you are in TN, a friend of mine is selling a NEAR MINT GSL tender blue with grey interior (1985 model) with a freshly rebuilt 12A a modified carb and a header for $2000 obo Maybe you should shop around a little.. PM me for his info.

greenjack

Well two reasons this car appeals to me is (a). The low mileage and (b). It can pass emmisions without me having to worry about it.

Aviator 902S

If the car is in very good condition it might be worth $2500. As for reliability, your warm winters in Memphis shouldn't be a problem. On cold mornings that dip no more than 10 degrees below freezing the car may crank over a few more times before the engine catches, and it will idle a little rough until the engine reaches operating temps but that's about it.

The good news is that a stock, un-molested (unmodified) 20+ year-old RX7 is every bit as reliable as a stock 20-year-old Toyota Corolla.

The bad news is that a stock 20-year-old RX7 is as reliable as a stock 20-year-old Toyota Corolla. These cars are old. You will have to replace items from time to time--- brake components, clutch master and slave cylinders, ignitors, hoses, etc.

But none of these items (or many others for that matter) are expensive or difficult to install as long as you don't buy from Mazda. With proper care and feeding these 1st gen RX7s are very dependable. Fuel economy isn't as good as that of a typical 4-banger shitbox (about 25 to 26 mpg hwy) but nowhere near as bad as that of a full-size pickup or SUV.

Paradox

iTrader: (1)

ya that price seems way too high. if you really want a RX check the classifieds or look around online.

or yes as stated above, offer $1500 and see what happens. altho that car does look like its in great shape i just wouldnt pay that much for it.

as for drivability for you. i figure it will be fine aslong as you're ready to replace a few worn parts that may need it. these cars are extremely easy to work on compared to anything else ive messed with. one of the major reasons i love them. get a haynes repair manual or download the FSM (search) both are awesome resources for learning how to work on these cars and will save you tons of money.

as for replacement parts, many can be found on this forum or ebay for 1/4 the price of the dealership.

g'luck man

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

My last three GSL FB cost me $250, $175 and $350 all were drivers, one is immaculate, $3000 for a GS is way too much, for a fabulous GSL I would be looking at $2000 and that has LSD, rear disc brakes, power steering, sunroof etc.....

revv_head

I have never seen snow in my winter and lowest is 64.4 degreees (australia) so mine starts everytime my dad brought it knew in 1978 4 seater i could get 9000 easy for it in australia and only mod twin webbers and k&n airfilter.

MaxBoost13bRX

RX7 have never really passed emissions so be sure cause 1st gens were really hard @ passing the emissions

boyee

iTrader: (3)

thats a pretty clean fb if you ask me. i would have thought the front air dam was to be a "factory" accessory. also it seems to sport the original "factory" louver. everything exterior looks clean... glass moonroof instead of origianl equiped steel sunroof (it might just be that the paint on the sunroof is so dang shiny). i would think this is an 81-82 or series 2 model because one obvious reason there is no "beehive" oil cooler unless i didnt examine the engine picture correctly.. and i just had a "feeling".. seriously... also i noticed mudflaps.. not sure if they are "factory" though.. and the paint for the bumper and mud flaps seem to be richer than the rest of the gold body... wish i could see interior shots.. but overall it appears to be an excelent starter car but like everyone else said 3Gs is on the high side.. unless it doesnt really matter much to you.. everyone has their own thoughts though..

boyee

iTrader: (3)

am i reading this wrong? i thought and always will think that first gens in great/good/fair/well kept conditions ( like pictured.. but sometimes pictures dont do justice) will always pass emissions by far flying colors!

nothingbutrotor

All I have to say, if that thing is 3000, it better spray gold out the tailpipe. I paid 1000 for my GSL-SE, and thats only because it has about 800 of rims and rubber on it, so I would pass on it. I agree that 3000 is wayyy too high. It's nice, but not worth that much.

greenjack

Here are all of the interior shots that I have.

revv_head

Mines worth 9000 and only webber mod i took it 2 dealer n he offered 7800

boyee

iTrader: (3)

knowing it is an fb, the instrument speedometer is 130mph, and the look of the dash, and sunroof/moonroof it is a 83 gs. nice condition... probably worth 3Gs if it was at least or more than 90% problem free.. and if it was all original.. meaning no accidents, mods, etc.. not too sure about the 84,85 gsl/se radio and cd changer.. like i said all original.. still a nice car.. just dealers overprice these cars a lot..

hammmy

The only thing wrong was reading it at all.

-dave

frisbeedog

If you got cash offer $1500 and save $1500 for insurance and future parts. Also consider looking at RRTEC friends' car. The Tennessee Rotary club knows their stuff.

fishbulb95

Yea i drive my fb every day, pretty much they're very reliable as long ast they are driven. fb's that tend to sit for long periods of time start to develop issues.

The people on this forum give excellent advice.


There's just one problem you'll face... you'll relize that no other car drives like a rotary, you will be hooked.

-Matt

Whanrow

Looks pretty clean. BUT - for those of you suggesting he offer $1500 - forget it. From what I can see in the first pic, the dealer is asking $3495. No way they'll accept $1500. They might take $2800.

I agree with everybody else, though - way overpriced. Maybe for a clean GSL-SE, but not for a 12A car.

Check out the one that was offerred to you. If nothing else, you will have something to compare to, plus looking doesn't cost a thing and in this case, may save you a bunch with the free bonus of getting into a group with the necessary knowledge to keep your car up.

greenjack

Well my deal on a gsl just fell through due to emmisions, so this is basically my option. I was thinking of just showing up and maybe just offering $2500 cash no strings attached.