Im buying a 1985 Mazda RX-7 for my first car!
05-09-18, 12:26 PM
#1
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Im buying a 1985 Mazda RX-7 for my first car!
Im looking and hoping to purchase a 1985 rx7 for my first car. I have 7k saved up for a car, but realistically I'd like to spend 5500 max on a car. I have always been in love with older JDM cars (mostly Datsuns and Rx7s) and so I am buying my first car, I wanted to get something I would truly enjoy, and hopefully slowly work on and turn into something to be proud of.
I am looking mainly at Gen 1-2 Rx7s and was wondering what issues i should look for when going to look at one? (also a forum noob so go easy on me)
I am looking mainly at Gen 1-2 Rx7s and was wondering what issues i should look for when going to look at one? (also a forum noob so go easy on me)
05-09-18, 12:57 PM
#2
Waffles - hmmm good
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Um, I hope you have other transportation lined up. A 30+ old car does not a daily driver make, at least not until all the issues have been dealt with and that will take time.
Issues; rust, gunked up gas tanks and carbs, worn bushings everywhere, all the hoses, compression, blown motors, all t he usual old car things.
Issues; rust, gunked up gas tanks and carbs, worn bushings everywhere, all the hoses, compression, blown motors, all t he usual old car things.
05-09-18, 01:12 PM
#3
Agree with either option as a non-primary means of transportation. I daily drove my first rx7 all through college and it was a challenge.
I'd suggest finding a decent commuter and leave the rx7 as a project supliments ride. It's just easier this way.
In terms of what to look for in an Rx7, what's the goal with the car? All original? For the pure driving experience, 1st gens are the way to go. Need more space and comfort? 2nd gens are cool.
I'd suggest finding a decent commuter and leave the rx7 as a project supliments ride. It's just easier this way.
In terms of what to look for in an Rx7, what's the goal with the car? All original? For the pure driving experience, 1st gens are the way to go. Need more space and comfort? 2nd gens are cool.
05-10-18, 02:08 AM
#4
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton
First off, welcome aboard!
Without knowing much about your financial standing, amount of technical expertise, and your love of working on old cars to keep them running; the Gen1 RX7 is going to require a substantial baseline of routine and non-routine maintenance unless the prior owner has worked out all the bugs. Most of these cars will require substantial work to replace suspension components, braking system components, and other labor intensive parts - requiring mechanical know-how and a bunch of time and effort.
If you're up for it, it can be a rewarding experience. If you're struggling to pay your own way through college, have a young wife and small child(ren), I'd suggest looking at a Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla or Camry and call it a day. These cars at this point in time, are driven only by enthusiasts - as they are only as reliable as you can maintain them. Good luck,
Without knowing much about your financial standing, amount of technical expertise, and your love of working on old cars to keep them running; the Gen1 RX7 is going to require a substantial baseline of routine and non-routine maintenance unless the prior owner has worked out all the bugs. Most of these cars will require substantial work to replace suspension components, braking system components, and other labor intensive parts - requiring mechanical know-how and a bunch of time and effort.
If you're up for it, it can be a rewarding experience. If you're struggling to pay your own way through college, have a young wife and small child(ren), I'd suggest looking at a Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla or Camry and call it a day. These cars at this point in time, are driven only by enthusiasts - as they are only as reliable as you can maintain them. Good luck,
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05-10-18, 05:58 AM
#8
First off, welcome aboard!
Without knowing much about your financial standing, amount of technical expertise, and your love of working on old cars to keep them running; the Gen1 RX7 is going to require a substantial baseline of routine and non-routine maintenance unless the prior owner has worked out all the bugs. Most of these cars will require substantial work to replace suspension components, braking system components, and other labor intensive parts - requiring mechanical know-how and a bunch of time and effort.
If you're up for it, it can be a rewarding experience. If you're struggling to pay your own way through college, have a young wife and small child(ren), I'd suggest looking at a Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla or Camry and call it a day. These cars at this point in time, are driven only by enthusiasts - as they are only as reliable as you can maintain them. Good luck,
Without knowing much about your financial standing, amount of technical expertise, and your love of working on old cars to keep them running; the Gen1 RX7 is going to require a substantial baseline of routine and non-routine maintenance unless the prior owner has worked out all the bugs. Most of these cars will require substantial work to replace suspension components, braking system components, and other labor intensive parts - requiring mechanical know-how and a bunch of time and effort.
If you're up for it, it can be a rewarding experience. If you're struggling to pay your own way through college, have a young wife and small child(ren), I'd suggest looking at a Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla or Camry and call it a day. These cars at this point in time, are driven only by enthusiasts - as they are only as reliable as you can maintain them. Good luck,
05-10-18, 06:54 AM
#9
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@Banzai thank you for the advice! Ive been working on cars and motorcycles all my life, and Im young and naive so no challenge is to much. Im going to look for closest I can to mint for my price range. I also have no preference as too what year so that makes everything all easier. My max is 6500 on a car. Is that too little for a good condition Rx7?
05-10-18, 07:34 AM
#10
That is awesome. I bought my FB after I drove my dad's for a whole summer. Driving it for a summer was essentially my first car.
Your goal will be to find a clean original rust free example, I would stick to a carbd 12a. If you can find one that has had basic maintenance done and runs well, you shouldn't have too many problems.
My car was original condition, 100% zero rust, and only 60k miles. It was $3500cad. It has not really given me any major problems.
The FB is very easy to work on and troubleshoot. Most basic parts are readily available, just make sure you find one with a good running 12a. In the FAQ there is a list of things to look for.
Your goal will be to find a clean original rust free example, I would stick to a carbd 12a. If you can find one that has had basic maintenance done and runs well, you shouldn't have too many problems.
My car was original condition, 100% zero rust, and only 60k miles. It was $3500cad. It has not really given me any major problems.
The FB is very easy to work on and troubleshoot. Most basic parts are readily available, just make sure you find one with a good running 12a. In the FAQ there is a list of things to look for.
05-10-18, 07:45 AM
#11
Waffles - hmmm good
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@Banzai thank you for the advice! Ive been working on cars and motorcycles all my life, and Im young and naive so no challenge is to much. Im going to look for closest I can to mint for my price range. I also have no preference as too what year so that makes everything all easier. My max is 6500 on a car. Is that too little for a good condition Rx7?
05-10-18, 10:40 AM
#12
Tim beat me to the punch about BaT, there is an exceptionally nice SA on there right now! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...rx-7-11/?blm=4 >
$4 to $6K should buy you a pretty nice example. FB's are a little more refined, but a lot of people like the SA's for their more simplistic interior.
$4 to $6K should buy you a pretty nice example. FB's are a little more refined, but a lot of people like the SA's for their more simplistic interior.
05-10-18, 11:41 AM
#13
Tim beat me to the punch about BaT, there is an exceptionally nice SA on there right now! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...rx-7-11/?blm=4 >
$4 to $6K should buy you a pretty nice example. FB's are a little more refined, but a lot of people like the SA's for their more simplistic interior.
$4 to $6K should buy you a pretty nice example. FB's are a little more refined, but a lot of people like the SA's for their more simplistic interior.
05-11-18, 05:39 AM
#14
Buy the best example that you can afford. The 12A cars are very reliable and fun to drive. A very nice original example is a very sought after car. The GSL-SE with the fuel injected 13B is also an excellent choice as it has more power and is just as, if not more reliable than a 12A car if properly maintained.
Being from the Cleveland area you're only about 30 mins or so from me. I'd be happy to help you the car that you get and I have many special tools for the rotary engine to include a rotary compression tester which could be useful if you find a car locally.
Being from the Cleveland area you're only about 30 mins or so from me. I'd be happy to help you the car that you get and I have many special tools for the rotary engine to include a rotary compression tester which could be useful if you find a car locally.
05-19-18, 10:26 AM
#15
In response to the original topic: My first car was an 84 GS with 80,000 miles. It was clean and everything worked but it had just enough rust to make suspension and exhaust work “extra rewarding.” Also, if you have to pass smog inspections maintaining the complicated smog equipment can be tedious if all the vacuum hoses are old, cracking and leaking. I have owned 1st gens and 2nd gens but I think the small size if the first gen is more fun to drive - feels closer to a miata than the FC even though the fb has relatively crude suspension components.
Edit: the engine itself was very reliable, I Beat the hell out of that engine and it never let me down. The electrical system of an fc (and poor maintenance) left me stranded more than once.
Edit: the engine itself was very reliable, I Beat the hell out of that engine and it never let me down. The electrical system of an fc (and poor maintenance) left me stranded more than once.
Last edited by 757boog; 05-19-18 at 10:31 AM. Reason: Forgot about a portion of the question.
05-25-18, 12:51 PM
#16
The elephant in the room is that there is $7000 on the table. That will be more than enough to buy you a good driving 79-91 RX7 and a reliable late 90s early 2000s Mazda, Honda, Toyota. There will be times during old car ownership that you will struggle to find a part or an answer to a problem. I have owned 25 or so cars in my day, 10 being rotary. I will tell you from experience that it is reassuring to have a second vehicle (or four in my case). I will also tell you, as will most people on this forum, that there is no other driving experience quite like the RX7 or RX8 and it is totally worth having to fuss with a cranky old rotary car every once in awhile.
Last edited by NCross; 05-25-18 at 12:57 PM.
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