New RX-7 Owner (1984 GSL)
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New RX-7 Owner (1984 GSL)
Here's my story... might be long and drawn out.
I'm 16 years old. I had two dirtbikes, a 1982 Can-Am Qualifier 175, that I paid $650 and a 1979 Yamaha YZ 125 with a Honda XL 250 engine in it, that I got as payment for restoring my neighbors 1969 Honda CB350. I tinkered with the bikes for a while, than decided that I needed to move onto bigger, better thing. I sold the Can-Am for $1000 and the Honda/Yamaha hybrid for 400. 1000+400=1300-650=$650 profit! And I had like another $700 already saved. So now I was in the market for a car. I checked the local classifieds every day, and it was the same thing over and over, boring average everyday cars. I had loved Mazdas, all my short life, my parents own and 2005 Mazda 6, and I was especially fond of the rotary cars. But I never expected to find one in my price range, or to find one period, cause they're pretty rare. So one day on the classifieds I find a 1979 Mazda RX-7 for 1500 bucks. So I went and checked it out, and it was soild, and tight. I was suprised it was so cheap. I had $1400 cash with me, but the guy wouldn't budge, so I told him to think about it, and I called him the next day, and he had sold it! i was so disappointed. I figured Id never find an RX-7 again for that price, in that shape. I put an ad on the classifieds stating that I was looking for first gen RX-7s. And to my surprise I got numerous replies. One was $3400, and the other was $3500. Out of my price range, and they were NICE cars. But than One email told me of an RX-7 that was sitting at the foot of someones driveway for sale. S I went looking, and found it. A white, 1984, GSL, 5-speed, Leather interior, and in good shape. The owner said he wanted $2800 (out of my range), than the next time I was talking to him, he said he'd take $2000 (in my range) cash. So while my father and I were looking at it, the rear hatch's air piston things that hold up glass didn't work, so the guy had half a broom stick holding it up, and my dad didn't realized this, so he went to close the hatch, and the broom stick was still in the way, so the rear hatch EXPLODED. And to my surprise the owner dropped $500 off the price, cause WE broke the glass! So I bought it for $1500! Than, I found someone who was parting out a 1984 GSL, and I paid them $250, to take as many parts as I want, so I got the rear hatch glass, and tons of other parts.here it is, before the new hatch went in.
I'm 16 years old. I had two dirtbikes, a 1982 Can-Am Qualifier 175, that I paid $650 and a 1979 Yamaha YZ 125 with a Honda XL 250 engine in it, that I got as payment for restoring my neighbors 1969 Honda CB350. I tinkered with the bikes for a while, than decided that I needed to move onto bigger, better thing. I sold the Can-Am for $1000 and the Honda/Yamaha hybrid for 400. 1000+400=1300-650=$650 profit! And I had like another $700 already saved. So now I was in the market for a car. I checked the local classifieds every day, and it was the same thing over and over, boring average everyday cars. I had loved Mazdas, all my short life, my parents own and 2005 Mazda 6, and I was especially fond of the rotary cars. But I never expected to find one in my price range, or to find one period, cause they're pretty rare. So one day on the classifieds I find a 1979 Mazda RX-7 for 1500 bucks. So I went and checked it out, and it was soild, and tight. I was suprised it was so cheap. I had $1400 cash with me, but the guy wouldn't budge, so I told him to think about it, and I called him the next day, and he had sold it! i was so disappointed. I figured Id never find an RX-7 again for that price, in that shape. I put an ad on the classifieds stating that I was looking for first gen RX-7s. And to my surprise I got numerous replies. One was $3400, and the other was $3500. Out of my price range, and they were NICE cars. But than One email told me of an RX-7 that was sitting at the foot of someones driveway for sale. S I went looking, and found it. A white, 1984, GSL, 5-speed, Leather interior, and in good shape. The owner said he wanted $2800 (out of my range), than the next time I was talking to him, he said he'd take $2000 (in my range) cash. So while my father and I were looking at it, the rear hatch's air piston things that hold up glass didn't work, so the guy had half a broom stick holding it up, and my dad didn't realized this, so he went to close the hatch, and the broom stick was still in the way, so the rear hatch EXPLODED. And to my surprise the owner dropped $500 off the price, cause WE broke the glass! So I bought it for $1500! Than, I found someone who was parting out a 1984 GSL, and I paid them $250, to take as many parts as I want, so I got the rear hatch glass, and tons of other parts.here it is, before the new hatch went in.
looks like shes in great shape and you got one heck of a deal. how many miles does it have? you better start conditioning those leather seats asap before they start cracking.
excellent!! great looking car! i wouldnt keep that duct tape on that targa band for long though. those parts are fairly uncommon and you dont want to ruin it. whats the mileage? how does she run? any known mechanical problems??
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From: Canada
$1500 Canadian too. I started to treat the seats with Dubbin. Those pics were taken the first day I got it. All the duct tape and plastic is off, and I have the rear glass in. The duct tape left quite a mess of adhesive, but I got it all off. The car needs a rear brake line, and the carb needs tuned, and it needs new tires. I have all the interor removed right now, im fixing a couple soft spots in the floor. While the interior is out Im cleaning it good. The last owner didn't take much pride in this car....but I sure as hell will.
I like the paint. Theres a few younger Fb owners around the board. I'm 17 with an 85 S and loving it.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,740
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Welcome, 16 here also. I have a almost mint 83 GSL. Nice you got the wraparound spoiler and the targa, keep those in good shape. Check out the faqs, archives and the search button. There's a ton of great info that will help you out. God bless.
My 7
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My 7
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Last edited by twinkletoes; May 25, 2007 at 05:21 PM.
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I'm gonna have to pull the bumper, and attack the rust thats coming in on that rear roll pan. The muffler on it right now is a Cherrybomb Turbo haha. I don't like it, cheap muffler that pop's a lot, it was on the car when I bought it.
Looking real good Mr. '84!
I'm sure you've already looked into these things, but just in case, that disconnected front air dam that you see in this photo:
http://forums.streetfire.net/attachm...id=25972&stc=1
is an easy fix. Usually what has happend is that the plastic mounting loop has torn. But it doesn't need to be intact to work well. Just open up the nut and bolt that holds it together, clean it up and insert the "tabs" that used to be the loop back in between the fender and plastic damn. Then tighten up the bolt using it as a clamp. All four of my GSLs had this problem and all were easily fixed.
Also, from the looks of this picture:
http://forums.streetfire.net/attachm...id=26416&stc=1
it looks like you might have some rust issues. Not too serious in this pic but the real problems are usually found as the notorious "bin rust". To check, take out the rear storage compartments and inspect underneath. There is almost always some degree of moisture and/or rust that needs attention in there.
Have fun with the new toy!
I'm sure you've already looked into these things, but just in case, that disconnected front air dam that you see in this photo:
http://forums.streetfire.net/attachm...id=25972&stc=1
is an easy fix. Usually what has happend is that the plastic mounting loop has torn. But it doesn't need to be intact to work well. Just open up the nut and bolt that holds it together, clean it up and insert the "tabs" that used to be the loop back in between the fender and plastic damn. Then tighten up the bolt using it as a clamp. All four of my GSLs had this problem and all were easily fixed.
Also, from the looks of this picture:
http://forums.streetfire.net/attachm...id=26416&stc=1
it looks like you might have some rust issues. Not too serious in this pic but the real problems are usually found as the notorious "bin rust". To check, take out the rear storage compartments and inspect underneath. There is almost always some degree of moisture and/or rust that needs attention in there.
Have fun with the new toy!
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From: Canada
Sure, I think that this stainless steel band is the only difference, I don't see whats so special about it. Does anyone know the production numbers of the Targa7's? Greasy finger prints on it 
