Opinion on a car for sale.
 

If this is posted in the incorrect place i apologize in advance.

It's been a long time since i prowled these forums. So long ago i traded in my FB for a FD. Granted a few years ago the FD was sold for something more "economical" *cough* yaris *cough*. But the new owner is my brother-in-law so i can still see her.. I still miss my old FB... so much so i've occasionally been prowling various auto sites and ebay for one. That is the bad part of working IT on a 12 hour night shift... but i digress.

I saw a FB on ebay that looks too good to be true. I'm in the process of contacting the seller regarding this car for more information. However i just wanted some other enthusiasts to give me their opinions and more so if anyone has seen it around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-Mazda-RX-7-GS-Coupe-Rare-Find-/151044536269?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item232af4b7cd#ht_500wt_1179
It looks suspiciously clean for a car with 100K miles (limited interior shots look flawless). And i'm always leery of older cars with "nice" paint. I've seen how fast rust bubbles can pop up from a cheap coverup job.

As the car fails ebays "Buyback Protection", and paypal won't do anything about an auto purchases... well that is enough cause for concern. Am i being paranoid? Or can someone calm my nerves.

Appreciate it guys

If your really serious, go have a look at it. Your in KY, the car is in TN, it's not that far. The guy says the car came out of Chicago? That is a part of the salt belt. Pictures never do a vehicle justice good or bad. Your relying on the sellers intrepretation of condition and their honesty.

The house in the background seems nice and well kept and their is a mini cooper in the garage. Pluse signs for me that the guy is neat and organized. He does claim to have Rotary knowledge and enthusium-another plus, but the pictures are few and not specific. I like it when a seller takes pictures of and makes specific notes on the vehicles flaws. Gives me the impression that he's pointed out the imprefections not glossing over them.

Not a lot of great detail in his description either. He says he wants it to go to an owner who appreciates all the work that went into its restoration, but only says he put new rims on the himself? Makes me wonder just all went into this restoration. All things better off discussed in person. Either way, the seller should be more than willing to provide any and all information via email phone or in person. When I can't get info or its difficult, its a major red flag to me.

Overall, 2K for an clean 85 FB with some upgrade add on's doesn't seem to bad. Invest in a weekend road trip a see for yourself. Meet the seller to see what kind of guy he is and take a test drive.

I wonder what the reserve is set at??? I'd buy it for 2k in a heart beat but he's probably actually wanting 5-6 for it. I would echo all the points in the above post......and at very least request some underbody/chassis, engine compartment, hatch channel, behind the storage bins, wheel wells, and bottom of door pictures. White is the hardest color to see body flaws in....

"looks" super clean though. I love those rims. If I ever drive mine enough to eat through my 13" tires, I'll be shopping for those!

*edit-didn't see the buy it now price of 3k.....I'd already be in my car on my way to see it if I lived in KY.

I wonder why he painted over the bumper strip on the front but left it black on the back??

If your close enough the easiest way to ease your mind is to just go look at it. I thought my 79 was too good to be true but once I saw it in person it really was as the ad described.

I would suggest looking at the underbody of the car to see signs of rust. Generally if there has been a coverup job done they won't have done the underbody since that's just too much work. Look particularly at the storage bin area for signs of repair or outright rust.

Good luck with your search. There really is something almost enchanting about the 1st gens that just keep people coming back.