I'm not exactly new to the rx7 club but I am new to the first gen threads. I've been in the lounge and TRUST me.. I've already gotten my fair share of flaming for me being a woman. I'm here cause I want peoples inputs on this 1985 rx-7 i've been looking at and not just to be directed to a bunch of links to read up on. I would post pics but a guy is selling it in his yard. He says it has to go cause it's causing him problems that he can't afford to keep fixing... and when he said that I asked him what he meant by "keep on fixing". He says he has to replace the clutch evey 100 miles. I asked him if it was because he was too hard on the clutch. But he didn't answer. I don't mind getting a car that needs "some" work done to it.... but i'm 19 and I need somehing that I don't have to spend $500 or more on every month to 2 months. The electric is good from what i've witnessed, but I find it odd that some of the wiring is rusted, and I don't have anyone to help me car shop. So ANY inputs on this hopefully not project would be greatly appreciated.....

 

hmm ive never heard of having to replce a clutch every 100 miles

 

Sounds like a dumbass not knowing how to drive. Good to see you firgured it out LOL If you get a chance to really check it out, check for rust EVERYWHERE. Especially up under the wheel wells and behind the storage bins. If you can test drive it, do so to see how it drives to maybe explain this mysterious problem with replacing the clutch.

 

well I didnt drive it but i got to ride in it. and it squeled like crazy for 5 min then stopped..... and there was a little bit of rust on the bottom but nowhere else that i could see.... and I think the clutch mount might be off cause it seemed a bit loose.

 

The squeeling could be just belts too so take that into consideration. The guy could be just riding the clutch. Do you smell a sweet smell at all that would be kinda nausiating? That would be fried clutch, original recipe or extra crispy still unknown LOL

 

Either the clutch is being installed wrong, it's not being broken in right or is not adjusted right at the pedal. Explain the rusted wiring more please.

Rockhill, as in SC? Been there before.

 

well considering I haven't been able to smell anything for a few days is prob y I didn't notice..... and it might be extra..... cause he didn't really seem to know what he was doing.... poor car....

 

yes rock hill sc. but the wiring has rust on it... cause when i touched it... rust particles rubbed on to my fingers.... which i thought was weird.....

 

How much does he want for it? That car needs rescued LOL

 

There is a guy in Rock Hill named Ernst that works on 7s and sells parts. He had a website and a deal going with the local dealer for parts. I don't know what he's up now days. don't remember his last name.

 

I don't think the wiring is "rusted" as much as its probably just accumulated dust particles. Altho, that could be corrosion but I've never heard of it getting THAT bad on wiring terminals. More than likely dirt or loose rust from something else that floated onto it. As far as the clutch, yes, it definitely sounds like he doesn't know how to drive, or install a clutch. Or, takes it to a shop that half-asses repairs.

Do you know what trim model it is and what motor it has? Oh, and would you happen to know how many miles are on it?

 

yes that car does need a better owner! he want's $1,500 for it and it has 18059 miles on it. yes I've heard of ernst.... I used to live right down the rd from him..... and as for the clutch i think its a combo of him not knowing how to drive it, half *** job, and bad mount.

 

Wow, $1500 for a car with ONLY 18,059 miles?! You'd be a fool not to take it! I paid $1,500 for my GSL-SE and it had about 150,000 miles on it. Tho, still in pretty good shape, considering, with only minor repairs needed.

Do you know what trim level it is and what motor?

Oh yes, and welcome to the 1st Gen Section.

 

the thing is I've got a friend who is teaching me how to drive a stick..... cause my parents have automatics.... and i don't want to learn how to drive a stick in this car... getting this car is WHY i'm learning how to drive a stick...... plus they really are cheaper to maintain in the longrun...

 

18k miles?!!! Buy it. 180k, maybe. Get some pics and post them, along with which model.

 

Not to mention much more fun. And, easier to control a car with a stick versus an automatic.

 

i'll try to get pics of a car i might buy..... but when i ask him if i can take pics he mgith be a little skeptic..... i have the model written down here somewhere on my desk...

 

I'd say give that car a new home before it's too late. You recall if it was a 12A motor or 13B?

 

Yeah if it has 18k buy it down right.

 

it's a mazda 1985 GSL with white exterior with dark red interior, 5 speed manual transmission, power windows, power steering, cruise, delay wipers, power mirrors, rear wiper, rear defroster, four wheel disc brakes, limited slip differential, glass sunroof cause the metal one got damaged in a hail storm, it had AC til the compresser blew front seal. And I saw that all this worked the way it was supposed too! Nothing was duct-taped so to speak.

 

what surprized me was he bought the car brand new.... so he's been the only owner.... and he only drives it on the weekends.... and he has only had to get the transmission re-built once.

 

it didn't have any dents or scratches either..... and he said it had never been wrecked... and he showed me all the service records..

 

Buy it. No joke. 18K miles on it is a real find. You'd be kicking yourself in the rear if you didn't jump on it.

I'm also guessing that an '85 GSL was more common to have the 12A under the hood.

 

Definitely jump on it. Fixing clutch problems is worth it for this car. Starting with a GSL is great too because you already have 4 wheel discs and LSD.

 

i think you should hold out, and find a different car...