Just a curious "How rare" question.
 

I found an SA here in Muncie for sale. White exterior with red interior. It has exhaust, with 205 sized tires. Anyway, I was just curious how rare an automatic '79 is.

I am considering buying it because it is so clean. There is no rust, no dings in any panels, and the interior looks to be in superb shape as well (haven't sat in it since I found it today, and the used car dealership isn't open). The downside is that it is automatic. I also have no idea how much the car costs as there is no external indication.

The whole reason I was making this thread is just to find out how rare an automatic SA is though. I'm going to try and get some pictures of the car tomorrow night after the place closes, and ask them tomorrow during the day how much they want for it along with the mileage.

If it is anything like the other rx7's being sold here in Muncie, it will be an obscene amount of money for it, but I figure what the hell - it is worth asking about.

i know where you can get a 1st gen 12A for a good price if you want more info. ive only seen one auto 1st gen and thats at a junk yard all the others are manuals, but i havnt seen many so yeah.

Well I'm not looking for just any first gen. I really want an SA, but if it is pretty rare to have an automatic in an SA, I won't buy it because I would end up putting a manual in it and would rather this pristine example go to someone who will keep it rare and take great care of it. Not that I would have that much control over it, but I don't appreciate automatics as much as other people might. lol

well do you know anyone who wants a 1st gen 12a?

Is it just the engine or the entire car?

I know this is off-subject But I drive an automatic, and the rx I got is a manual so I"m learning to drive it b/c I've never driven a stick. So I don't know which is better in the long run but yeah. talk to y'all later

Jordan

94 Mercury Grand Marquis LS auto, 83 Mazda RX-7 5-speed stick

entire car, not in bad shape as far as i know but i havnt been able to look at it.

Some 8,000 79 automatics were brought into the US so it was fairly common. Since then over 75% have been scrapped or converted into manuals. Many were sold to be driven by young teenage girls as they looked cute and the auto was easy to drive but not really sporty or scary in performance.

Last year I came across an 80 automatic being driven by a 75 year old lady who had bought it new and found it an ideal shopping car as it was so easy to load groceries in the back.

Alright, well that will make me feel a little bit better if I do end up getting it and doing a five speed swap in it, then.

It's more important to get the SA's in the hands of people who value them rather than worry about which transmission they were originally equipped with.

If I were you, I'd be on that sucker like brap on a rotary.

Of course, then I'd swap in a 5 speed and all my go-fast bits and pound the shit out of it racing, but that's just how I show that I care. :D

Dustin, understand taht A/T sports cars are gay. BUT, you can use it as a parts car interchangably, just beware of the brake, clutch cylinders.

I have found a few in the junk yards but never a running one.

for rare take a look at the build date and the vin number.

Okay for the update on the car. Its a 1979 Automatic SA, white with red interior. Still don't have any pics. The car has 59,000 miles on it (a tad over 59,000, but still under 60,000) and it is in flawless shape. I looked under the car, through the car, everything. There are no dings, dents, rust, or anything that I could find at all. Its in amazing shape. Even the interior looks to be immaculate. I didn't drive it or anything, because the price seemed far too high to even consider right now.

The place is asking 3,995 dollars for it. I can't justify spending that much money on a car that old regardless of how good of shape it is in so I am just hoping it goes to a good home.

well i still got that 1st gen if you want...lol

haha I really need people to be talking me out of buying rx7's, not talking me into them. Aside from that if I were to get another Rx7 it would either be an SE, SA, or an S5. lol I need to get away from first gens though. Owning 2 is enough.

lol yeah

not even sure this is of any importance but I got a 79 auto about a week ago for 950$
no damage except the passeger side door handle is broken off

if this is even on the right topic...?

On topic and a good price if the engine and mechanics are in good condition.

In general, automatics were bought for appearance rather than performance. This means the engine was rarely badly treated so should be relatively sound.

i have a 80 sa it was auto. i was going to swap but bought a 85 gs in the middle of the swap. So i am parting out the sa now.

do u need an 85 12a nick??

I have an 82 SA its an automatic "for now" that was the easiest way to ship it from japan , i guess an automatic sports car doesnt threaten the american public.LOL..But ill be doing a turbo 2 swap as well as making the car a stick shift. But the car is fun when im acting like im shifting gears for the onlookers as i drive by lol.