Newbe needs help, thinking of purchasing an 83 gsl
08-01-03, 06:37 PM
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Newbe needs help, thinking of purchasing an 83 gsl
I've been a big fan of RX-7's for quite a while now, but since I have always been extremely preoccupied with another Mazda, namely the Miata, the opportunity to own a 7 has never really panned out.
Well hopefully all this could change but I'm going to need some help first.
Basically the situation is this.
About a week ago my neighbor stopped by to see if I knew anyone that would be interested in buying his 83 GSL.
The car was running at the time, which is unusual, so I went over to take a look. Just quickly glancing over the car it looks pretty solid and extremely clean for a 126,000mi car, it’s been garage kept under a cover by my neighbor since new, the engine compartment is clean and the only obvious wear was on the drivers seat bolsters which are leather and are starting to crack. Honestly this car looks like it couldn’t have any more then 50,000mi on it.
The problem is that it hasn’t been inspected since 2001 and in the past 5 years I can’t ever remember the car leaving the garage and despite its quick starting and solid idle, it only gets started every 6 months at best.
So my question is are there any problems that show up in rotary engines due to infrequent running that are any different then those that occur in piston engines?
Another thing, are there any particular problems that the 83 rx-7 had that I should look out for? Also are there any websites or other resources that have an abundance of good technical info about the fb rx-7?
My only other problem with this car is that my neighbor doesn’t know how much to ask for it and I really don’t know what a fair price is to offer.
So what’s the consensus on what a garage kept rusty brown exterior reddish brown interior 126,000 mi 83 GSL that runs but hasn’t been driven in 3 years that’s in good physical shape and questionable mechanical shape worth?
Checking with Edmunds and KBB they both say between $900 and $1600. and rx-7s in similar condition on eBay seem to go from $500- $3500. Which has left me somewhat confused. I’m usually pretty good at estimating car values but I don’t want to offend my neighbor. I was thinking around $1000 is this out of line?
Thanks in advance
Chris
Well hopefully all this could change but I'm going to need some help first.
Basically the situation is this.
About a week ago my neighbor stopped by to see if I knew anyone that would be interested in buying his 83 GSL.
The car was running at the time, which is unusual, so I went over to take a look. Just quickly glancing over the car it looks pretty solid and extremely clean for a 126,000mi car, it’s been garage kept under a cover by my neighbor since new, the engine compartment is clean and the only obvious wear was on the drivers seat bolsters which are leather and are starting to crack. Honestly this car looks like it couldn’t have any more then 50,000mi on it.
The problem is that it hasn’t been inspected since 2001 and in the past 5 years I can’t ever remember the car leaving the garage and despite its quick starting and solid idle, it only gets started every 6 months at best.
So my question is are there any problems that show up in rotary engines due to infrequent running that are any different then those that occur in piston engines?
Another thing, are there any particular problems that the 83 rx-7 had that I should look out for? Also are there any websites or other resources that have an abundance of good technical info about the fb rx-7?
My only other problem with this car is that my neighbor doesn’t know how much to ask for it and I really don’t know what a fair price is to offer.
So what’s the consensus on what a garage kept rusty brown exterior reddish brown interior 126,000 mi 83 GSL that runs but hasn’t been driven in 3 years that’s in good physical shape and questionable mechanical shape worth?
Checking with Edmunds and KBB they both say between $900 and $1600. and rx-7s in similar condition on eBay seem to go from $500- $3500. Which has left me somewhat confused. I’m usually pretty good at estimating car values but I don’t want to offend my neighbor. I was thinking around $1000 is this out of line?
Thanks in advance
Chris
08-01-03, 07:04 PM
#2
To him, it might seem to be. He bought it new for probably 12-14g, and has taken (apparently) what he considers "immaculate" care of it. Offering a thousand would probably be considered an insult, though it's kinda what the car is worth, depending.
Not being able to see the actual car, it's hard to say. If the gas in the tank has had time to become more of a varnish, it could end up being a big hairy problem, but it just as easily might be a non-issue. Amazingly with my 4-year-sitting Rx, it wasn't a big problem. Just flushed a bucketful out, added a jerry-can full of new stuff and changed the filter...
If you want to make a serious offer, bring the list of blue book values, and offer him the $1600. It'll show him what the gov't/industry thinks it's worth, and you'll show him that you think it's worth the upper end of that.
If it's in *that* good of condition, $1600 isn't bad to pay. But you'll get most people on here saying "I got mine for $500" or "I'd never pay more than a thousand" and such, because that's the way they are. Most people on here do so much of their own work, that they will grab a $500 "parts car" and make it run as their daily driver. If you think it's worth that to you, I'd say so too.
If you want to get more detailed into things that can happen to a sitting car, e-mail me (vipernicus42@hotmail.com) or message me on MSN (same address). I'm nearing the end of the restoration of mine. At least yours *WAS* started twice a year.. it makes a WORLD of difference, mine didn't even have that chance.
Due to the way mine was.. umm.. "stored"... I have had to put almost 3g in repairs into it, but I did it because the body and interior definitely warranted the investment. Yours sounds to have been stored much better.. Though not perfect, it's a good chance you won't have to throw half of what I have into it.
Jon
Not being able to see the actual car, it's hard to say. If the gas in the tank has had time to become more of a varnish, it could end up being a big hairy problem, but it just as easily might be a non-issue. Amazingly with my 4-year-sitting Rx, it wasn't a big problem. Just flushed a bucketful out, added a jerry-can full of new stuff and changed the filter...
If you want to make a serious offer, bring the list of blue book values, and offer him the $1600. It'll show him what the gov't/industry thinks it's worth, and you'll show him that you think it's worth the upper end of that.
If it's in *that* good of condition, $1600 isn't bad to pay. But you'll get most people on here saying "I got mine for $500" or "I'd never pay more than a thousand" and such, because that's the way they are. Most people on here do so much of their own work, that they will grab a $500 "parts car" and make it run as their daily driver. If you think it's worth that to you, I'd say so too.
If you want to get more detailed into things that can happen to a sitting car, e-mail me (vipernicus42@hotmail.com) or message me on MSN (same address). I'm nearing the end of the restoration of mine. At least yours *WAS* started twice a year.. it makes a WORLD of difference, mine didn't even have that chance.
Due to the way mine was.. umm.. "stored"... I have had to put almost 3g in repairs into it, but I did it because the body and interior definitely warranted the investment. Yours sounds to have been stored much better.. Though not perfect, it's a good chance you won't have to throw half of what I have into it.
Jon
08-01-03, 07:08 PM
#3
Or... an even better idea...
Give your neighbor the information about the bluebook and what the car is selling for on e-bay (and maybe www.autotrader.com too) and let him decide on a price. Then you can haggle him a little bit and he won't feel offended, and you might even get a better price
Yeah, I think giving *him* the information and letting him decide is better. You don't necessarily have to tell him you're interested in the car until he chooses a price
Jon
Give your neighbor the information about the bluebook and what the car is selling for on e-bay (and maybe www.autotrader.com too) and let him decide on a price. Then you can haggle him a little bit and he won't feel offended, and you might even get a better price
Yeah, I think giving *him* the information and letting him decide is better. You don't necessarily have to tell him you're interested in the car until he chooses a price
Jon
08-01-03, 08:31 PM
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In general I think the 83s were among the best of the series. I have 2.
Check the clutch and the transmission. Maybe you will hear a howl in the transmission, in which case a bearing is going out. Maybe the clutch will slip or grab. Either one of these is worth about $500 off the BB price.
For comparison, I have an 83GS with 115k (all California car, no rust) that I un-dented and re-painted the original red, with a transmission howl. I have a line on a trans I can put in. I hope to sell it for $1500 with the trans fixed, or about $1000 without. I also cleaned up the interior and replaced the seats. Pretty good car: if I can't sell it I'll give it to one of my kids, or keep it for my own use.
B
Check the clutch and the transmission. Maybe you will hear a howl in the transmission, in which case a bearing is going out. Maybe the clutch will slip or grab. Either one of these is worth about $500 off the BB price.
For comparison, I have an 83GS with 115k (all California car, no rust) that I un-dented and re-painted the original red, with a transmission howl. I have a line on a trans I can put in. I hope to sell it for $1500 with the trans fixed, or about $1000 without. I also cleaned up the interior and replaced the seats. Pretty good car: if I can't sell it I'll give it to one of my kids, or keep it for my own use.
B
08-01-03, 08:32 PM
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Yeah I deffinately agree about letting him make his own judgement. I've never liked the "make me an offer" line.
Just to clear things up this guy is 60 somthing and his daily driver is an early 80's chevy van. To be honest I really don't think this guy thinks his car is imaculate,
he really doesnt seem to think anything of it really, just that its in nice shape and that he needs the room in his garage. He really seems like he has no interest in cars and that he bought the car on a whim after driving past the dealer and taking "that corvette looking car" for a test drive.
About the varnish I seriously doubt that the gas has caused much of a problem it started up easily and had a very stable idle for a carburated car expecially for one that only gets started occasionally.
If I purchase the car I fully expect to change all the belts, hoses, tires, fluids and filters at least.
Typically I would offer the high end of the price range for a car like this ie: $1600 but the fact that I cant even be sure if it will pass emmissions leaves me wondering how much to discount it.
Chris
Just to clear things up this guy is 60 somthing and his daily driver is an early 80's chevy van. To be honest I really don't think this guy thinks his car is imaculate,
he really doesnt seem to think anything of it really, just that its in nice shape and that he needs the room in his garage. He really seems like he has no interest in cars and that he bought the car on a whim after driving past the dealer and taking "that corvette looking car" for a test drive.
About the varnish I seriously doubt that the gas has caused much of a problem it started up easily and had a very stable idle for a carburated car expecially for one that only gets started occasionally.
If I purchase the car I fully expect to change all the belts, hoses, tires, fluids and filters at least.
Typically I would offer the high end of the price range for a car like this ie: $1600 but the fact that I cant even be sure if it will pass emmissions leaves me wondering how much to discount it.
Chris
08-01-03, 08:34 PM
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On the other hand, my original Misty Blue 83 is not for sale. No doubt I will be buried in it. Maybe next month if I don't sell this extra car and my wife gets wind of it.
B
B
08-01-03, 09:03 PM
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My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
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Well, as far as the '83 models go, the GSL is the best, with rear discs, limited slip differential and full load interior, with power windows, leather, etc. That's the good news. The better news is that the 1st gen RX-7 drives very much like your Miata. It doesn't have the confidence of the independant rear suspension or the mad quick steering, but they are both very neutral, tossable cars that reward good drivers.
As for the value of the car, it's worth what you're willing to pay for it. Not a very good answer, I know, but I think that $1500 to $2000 is probably not off base.
As for the value of the car, it's worth what you're willing to pay for it. Not a very good answer, I know, but I think that $1500 to $2000 is probably not off base.
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08-01-03, 09:06 PM
#8
I'm on my 4th RX and my latest is an '83 GSL. It's the second nicest RX I've owned. I had an '82 in '85 with 12K miles on it and it was cherry (until a bird met my hood at 95mph)...
I bought the latest from a little old lady that lived outside of town. It has 96K on it. It was driven into town on the weekends, and made a few trips to Colorado - and when her husband passed away, she quit driving it, but on a rare occassion...
I check for a few things basic: Rust, leaking oil, etc. On RX in particular, I'll check the transmission - two of the four I've had the second gear syncros off. May seem silly, but I also check the lower edge of the car, people always seem to place jacks under the pressed metal seam and bend it up... it's a bitch to fix, and looks like crap when it's not straight.
Also check the compression. The one I bought had 85 a rotor - which is basically new.
The body, original paint, engine compartment and interior was excellent. She had the manual and all the paperwork for the car. I paid her $2500. Some would say that's high, but very seldom have a seen a stock 7 as clean and well taken care of as this one - and it was worth it to me. She also had offers of $2,250 and $2,300 for it. Mainly, I had the money and needed something I enjoyed, that wasn't going to need work every other day.
I'm an advocate for RX-7 value appreciation and I'm doing my part to help!
BTW - has anyone ever had a bird bounce off your hood at 95mph? My reaview was filled with a really cool Top Gun exhaust-like swirl of feathers... The dent wasn't funny, though.
I bought the latest from a little old lady that lived outside of town. It has 96K on it. It was driven into town on the weekends, and made a few trips to Colorado - and when her husband passed away, she quit driving it, but on a rare occassion...
I check for a few things basic: Rust, leaking oil, etc. On RX in particular, I'll check the transmission - two of the four I've had the second gear syncros off. May seem silly, but I also check the lower edge of the car, people always seem to place jacks under the pressed metal seam and bend it up... it's a bitch to fix, and looks like crap when it's not straight.
Also check the compression. The one I bought had 85 a rotor - which is basically new.
The body, original paint, engine compartment and interior was excellent. She had the manual and all the paperwork for the car. I paid her $2500. Some would say that's high, but very seldom have a seen a stock 7 as clean and well taken care of as this one - and it was worth it to me. She also had offers of $2,250 and $2,300 for it. Mainly, I had the money and needed something I enjoyed, that wasn't going to need work every other day.
I'm an advocate for RX-7 value appreciation and I'm doing my part to help!
BTW - has anyone ever had a bird bounce off your hood at 95mph? My reaview was filled with a really cool Top Gun exhaust-like swirl of feathers... The dent wasn't funny, though.
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