rx7chick

http://www.grandecom.net/~tardis

Hi all,
I am the owner of a 2nd gen NA that is the love of my life. My hubby and 2 of my sons were wanting to get a 1st gen as a family project to restore and tweak. I know nothing about the 1st gen. Last week I met a lady with an 85 GSL (carburated) manual with 97,000 miles on it...she's the original owner. We went and looked at it and drove it. My question is, I don't know what they are supposed to feel like. It definitely has problems, but the body is in pristine condition, so we are interested in it. Blue Book is $2150. It makes a loud whining grinding noise that feels like it's coming from the steering and the tranny. The engine bay had a lot, and I mean a lot, of oil in it. We checked the fluids and nothing is low. What I am most curious about is the driving. I floored it and it red lined at 30 in 1st and 45 in 2nd. I could not tell I was driving an RX. It had no pick up at all. I'm wondering for one, fi there is major buildup of carbon in the chamber. She has taken very good care of it but like you would care for a piston engine and knew nothing about the special qualities of the RX7. She has never used Chevron gas, or put any carbon cleaners in the gas. Two, is it losing compression? She seemed very disheartened by my assessment of her car and was thinking it was worth about $5000! We would be willing to take it as is knowing it might need a new engine and tranny. But not for that price. She has agreed to a compression test. My main question....is a 1st gen zippy like I am used to with my '91?
Thanks,
Carolyn

coldy13

Wish I could help, but my 85 gs is the only rx I've ever driven. All I know is that it is a LOT faster than my friends 86 accord and my brothers 86 jetta.

adssoccer

no, not a stock gsl. although they are lighter than the 2nd gens. stock, they only have about 100hp. especially being carbed, theres not a lot of torque and it's not a very broad torque band. the 91 SHOULD feel a lot zippier. i'd say, assuming the compression comes out ok, go for it!! especially if you are thinking about a new/rebuild engine. bottom line, the more rex's on the road, the better!! good luck!!

4ohfour

Ask if you can do the ATF treatment and then try another test drive... I hear it works wonders.

cheers'

jeremy

iTrader: (1)

if there is oil all over the carb spacer and the top area of the engine, look on the side of the carb and see if the two oil metering lines are hooked onto the carb or spewing all over. i wouldn't give over 700 for the car unless the body and interior are absolutely meant. the low power can be anything rom a vacuum leak to a clogged cat. if it has sat long the gas may have gummed the lines or water has rusted some of the fuel system. i would also say that it will need a carb rebuild with the mileage on it. 30 dollars and a little time is all there, no biggy. also as 4ohfour said, give the engine the atf treatment and let it soak in well. that should help free up the carbon deposits. do a search on the 1st gen section and there are many threads related to the atf treatment. also look at the electronics: distributor cap, sparkplugs, etc. a weak spark could also be a problem. if the compression test checks out well then you will need to run through this (except for the atf which should be done before the compression test).

welcome to a 1st gen project.................

peejay

Ever drive a Miata?

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

BOOOO!!!

HISSSSS!!

Why don't you just recommend a Honda S2000?
That's even better..

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

yeah Miatas are the ****. Insanely quick steering, good looks, LOTS of aftermarket, very very very fun.

People who buy RX-7's do so for the love of the car, the engine, the looks, and the idea that they have a something that does not fit the mold.

At least this is how I feel about my car.

Felix Wankel

What's so bad about comparing them to a Miata? FBs and Miatas are both flickable, darty, and gutless.

peejay

The first time I drove a Miata I said "Wow, this feels just like my '80!"

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

It wasn't meant to be mean.

I simply don't like Miatas. I know they are good little cars, but I have always associated them with a "Chick's car" mentality. That's all I ever see drive them over here. Just like the new VW Bettles. Good looking cars, maybe fun to drivre, but when a man is behind the wheel, he just looks...

I only like the new Miata's without the Air-brakes (Pop-up headlights), and I just like the look, especailly with some Mods. But still too girlie for me.

Besides, we're in a 1st Gen Forum, I am not gonna go off on how much I love Ford Lightnings - Which I absolutely love as well.

I am gonna root for the little guy, or the 12A in this case..

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

stock - i think a miatas handling is much better than a RX7
thats not to say a 7s handling is bad, its just that miata have unbeleivable handling. I drove my moms stock 91 at Brainerd raceway and a I was outcornering ferraris and some older porsches. just imagine there faces when a $4000 100hp maita is out running there
$300,000 dick extension.


WHOO HOO 200 posts

peejay

Considering that Miatas pretty much own the autocross, I don't see why a comparison to one is a bad thing

I really would like to get one someday... a nice 1.6 model with no P/S.

error402

rx7chick welcome to the forum.

All I have to say is that I would own a first gen over and 2nd and 3rd gen RX-7 anytime. It's all about the "fun" factor. They are fun and nimble. (and IMO more "zippy" than a 2nd gen) With a just a few mods and you can get a strong little "toy" for the road. I do have to mention it is kinda odd that you red lined at 45 in second. In my '83 I red line at 55-60mph in second gear. As for pickup and go. I have never had a problem with a first gen. I can get off the line faster then a '88 TII but that's about it. ( damn turbos )

I have a '83(carb) GSL that I paid $1200 for and a '85 GSL-SE that I paid $800 (didnt run at the time, does now, and now I ripped out the engine to but in a 20b).

Denny

Well now, Sister, let me tell yuh...
A 1st gen makes a wonderful project car. An early 2nd gen can also be a good work project. But the 1st gen is much simpler and cheaper to work on. Can't blame your Lady Friend for thinking her car is worth so much, she's in love with its past, not its present. Bottom line is that I'd thank her very nicely, and move on to explore the world for a better car.

It's very disappointing to start going into a car that you're prepared to tackle minor issues with and discover that you've got Major Problems to challenge before it's even streetable....I don't like "oil all over the engine bay," or "loud whinning noises." Did you check the bins for rust? If the body and interior are really as "showroom" as you say, then you're actually buying a rolling chassis. That is itself isn't worth much more than a grand. 97,000 miles isn't too much for an 18 year old car, but I wouldn't pay more than $2000, and offer $1,500.

A carbed 12A 1st gen is much like an older English Sports Car. Lots of handling, good brakes, responsive, but a bit underpowered. They're lots of fun, predictable to drive, and Unique, but you're not going to win any Stop-light Grand Prix with one. If you desire something with more grit look around for an '84-'85 GSL-SE. With an SE you get the best of both worlds, 13B injected, close ratio trans, etc., and the 1st gen light body. With some minor tweaking you could easily challenge your '91 2nd gen, and probably win on just about every count, except for the all independent suspension on your 2nd....

I picked up a very nice '84 SE for my Son a couple of years ago for $2000. You should be able to do the same for no more than $3000.....

A tip of the Steson,
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...

hanman

Ditto on what Denny has to say. Although I think his prices are on the high side. I just bought an GSL-SE for $500. Great little car.
As to the second gen vs first gen. I own both. I like them both. But the second gen is faster and lots more low end torque. But my 80 was my first and only brand new car, so it has special meaning to me. I prefer the handling to the second gen. But out of all of my RX's ( I have four right now) The GSL-SE handles the best and is the fastest.
hanman

brownmound

Hey Carolyn!

Welcome (back?) to the forum. I got your PM today.

Well, all I can say is that the Mound is "quick" but not as "fast" as I would like it to be. Mind you it is a stock 13B with no upgrades to the exhaust, intake, etc. It does have some pickup though, especially on the highway, but redlining at 45 in second seems a bit slow. If the body and interior are great than it might be a good deal for around $1000 or slightly more. Maybe the engine only needs an ATF and some tweaking to get some power back, but like the others said a compression test would be a good idea.

I wish I knew more about all the 1st gen series so I could give you some more help.

BTW, are you interested in helping out with the Texas RX-7 meet June 29th?? We need some help putting it together and I have gotten little response from the club members.

Right on.

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

Out of all cars I've driven, my 85 feels the safest and handles the best.

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

$5000? Man she must have been smoking crack For me to pay $5000 for a 85 rx-7, it better be freaking mint condition with maybe less than 10k on it, and seats never farted on, im serious thats a rip off.. $500-1000 TOPS

speedracer_not

My RX-7 with a recently rebuilt 12A engine in it, everything stock, was a fast as a new Miata with a salesman. $5000??? I paid $3600 for mine in 1990. It had faded paint and 87,000 miles on it.

My philosophy is that making a car look pretty is cheap and easy. Faded paint suggests that whatever the car's history, it has been together for a long time.

IanS

iTrader: (4)

Blast from the PAST