Help me decide on this fb please.
12-01-05, 08:08 PM
#29
Senior Member
I paid $300 for my 84 GS and all it needed was a tune up and a starter. The exterior was in perfect shape and the interior was in damn good shape too. ALL FOR $300.
12-01-05, 08:55 PM
#30
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i'll admit that i paid a little much for my 85 gs (1,200). but i had never seen seen one so perfect. excellent paint, new brakes, new motor (30,000 on it) ran great and even had on of those old "supertrap" exhausts on it.......i fell in love. but 3g's is 3g's i'm sure you'll find some thing better and pay less so you can have more money to put into it. 
i forgot to mention before buying my 7 i spent a week looking at about 10 before i found the one for me.
i forgot to mention before buying my 7 i spent a week looking at about 10 before i found the one for me.
Last edited by drugblock12a; 12-01-05 at 08:59 PM. Reason: just because i forgot....
12-01-05, 09:23 PM
#31
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There's an awful lot of people recommending looking some more, and giving you samples of what they paid. It is highly unusual to have everybody completely agree like this. That should be enough motivation to pass on this one. Its NOT the only one out there.
12-01-05, 09:25 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by Whanrow
There's an awful lot of people recommending looking some more, and giving you samples of what they paid. It is highly unusual to have everybody completely agree like this. That should be enough motivation to pass on this one. Its NOT the only one out there.
12-01-05, 10:42 PM
#34
Rotary Enthusiast
Depending on condition, $3,000 is a very good price, IMHO. It is also in line with the NADA book price. For a 1983 RX-7 GS, the average NADA retail prices are: $1,900 - $2,725 - $3,725 (low-medium-high). (Private party prices are typically lower.)
I have owned numerous RX-7s over the past 25 years, and monitored prices and looked at many before buying a recent one in good condition for "well over" $3,000.
Condition is ultimately the key factor. You can find an 83 for $250, or a 93 for $2,500; but the cost to restore or recondition such a vehicle to a fully roadworthy and presentable (not necessarily "show") condition could be much higher than you might imagine.
Good deals do exist, but in my experience a cheap RX-7 is typically either very neglected, run-down, and/or been subjected to substandard repairs and maintenance. There are at least a couple reasons for that situation, and these are my observations gathered over the years:
First, Mazda dealer maintenance generally had a poor reputation, so some owners turned to "uncle jimbob" or simply picked up a wrench (or hammer) themselves without knowing what they were doing. The result was often a total hack job, and sometimes even included creative use of coathangers or household hardware in lieu of proper parts (also stripped threads and incorrect bolt sizes). Some owners' "repairs" consisted of simply removing a malfunctioning part, or for that matter any other parts the owner decided were superfluous. **You should inspect closely for missing parts.
Second, as an unfortunate effect of decreasing average sale prices over the years, people became less inclined to spend money on maintenance and repairs--the costs of which did not decrease. Paint is a good example. Many owners were not willing to spend $5,000 for a good (not even "show" quality) paint job on a car which only cost $500. As a result, any repainted car is highly suspect and should be inspected very carefully for hidden damage, filler, or rust; and potential for future bubbling, scratching, and chipping.
Many of the plastic interior parts, especially the console and bin hinges, are easily broken or damaged. The vinyl door skins and ceiling were prone to cracking, and the plastic console and bin hinges are comparatively fragile. It can be difficult and expensive to find new or even good-condition used replacements.
Inadequate preventative maintenance is common, and will eventually be a problem in the long run. Previous owners may not have replaced items as they showed signs of age, waiting instead for catastrophic failure. Wheel bearings, U-joints, transmissions, rear-ends, alternators, fuel pumps, water pumps, etc. all have finite lifespans. Mechanical parts such as steering boxes, window, and door mechanisms can eventually wear to a point where replacement is the only alternative. Rubber parts such as hoses, belts, bushings, and window/door seals, etc. deteriorate over time. Wiring and battery cables also suffer from corrosion and cracked insulation over time. Even seats wear out and need replacement or reupholstering. Ignoring these items will only compound later problems.
In summation, it's possible for a car to start and run, and even look bright and shiny, yet at the same time be a time bomb/money pit due to poor maintenance and repair history.
-Just had to break up the unanimity
I have owned numerous RX-7s over the past 25 years, and monitored prices and looked at many before buying a recent one in good condition for "well over" $3,000.
Condition is ultimately the key factor. You can find an 83 for $250, or a 93 for $2,500; but the cost to restore or recondition such a vehicle to a fully roadworthy and presentable (not necessarily "show") condition could be much higher than you might imagine.
Good deals do exist, but in my experience a cheap RX-7 is typically either very neglected, run-down, and/or been subjected to substandard repairs and maintenance. There are at least a couple reasons for that situation, and these are my observations gathered over the years:
First, Mazda dealer maintenance generally had a poor reputation, so some owners turned to "uncle jimbob" or simply picked up a wrench (or hammer) themselves without knowing what they were doing. The result was often a total hack job, and sometimes even included creative use of coathangers or household hardware in lieu of proper parts (also stripped threads and incorrect bolt sizes). Some owners' "repairs" consisted of simply removing a malfunctioning part, or for that matter any other parts the owner decided were superfluous. **You should inspect closely for missing parts.
Second, as an unfortunate effect of decreasing average sale prices over the years, people became less inclined to spend money on maintenance and repairs--the costs of which did not decrease. Paint is a good example. Many owners were not willing to spend $5,000 for a good (not even "show" quality) paint job on a car which only cost $500. As a result, any repainted car is highly suspect and should be inspected very carefully for hidden damage, filler, or rust; and potential for future bubbling, scratching, and chipping.
Many of the plastic interior parts, especially the console and bin hinges, are easily broken or damaged. The vinyl door skins and ceiling were prone to cracking, and the plastic console and bin hinges are comparatively fragile. It can be difficult and expensive to find new or even good-condition used replacements.
Inadequate preventative maintenance is common, and will eventually be a problem in the long run. Previous owners may not have replaced items as they showed signs of age, waiting instead for catastrophic failure. Wheel bearings, U-joints, transmissions, rear-ends, alternators, fuel pumps, water pumps, etc. all have finite lifespans. Mechanical parts such as steering boxes, window, and door mechanisms can eventually wear to a point where replacement is the only alternative. Rubber parts such as hoses, belts, bushings, and window/door seals, etc. deteriorate over time. Wiring and battery cables also suffer from corrosion and cracked insulation over time. Even seats wear out and need replacement or reupholstering. Ignoring these items will only compound later problems.
In summation, it's possible for a car to start and run, and even look bright and shiny, yet at the same time be a time bomb/money pit due to poor maintenance and repair history.
-Just had to break up the unanimity
12-01-05, 11:59 PM
#35
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Well I have yet to check out this gsl. But, I suspect it's in pretty good condition due to the fact that it's owned by a shop called rx7 heaven, and the owner says it's in good shape for an fb.
12-02-05, 08:07 AM
#36
i'm going to have to go with the majority here and say either low ball him at around 1200, or just pass.
and what are you talking about emissions in TN. my mom just moved and i think she said all she had to do was pay $15 for her tags and thats it. or something like that.
~Steve
and what are you talking about emissions in TN. my mom just moved and i think she said all she had to do was pay $15 for her tags and thats it. or something like that.
~Steve
12-02-05, 03:07 PM
#37
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Every county in TN has different laws on emmisions some do not require it some do... Rx-7 Heaven is a shop, if they are selling it for $700 I would be a little concerned. They know what they are doing and a GOOD RUNNING Rx-7 will be at least $1500 especially from a shop.
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