Okay, so my friends all liked my RX-7, especially the girls.

One of them liked it so much she wants one for her first car. Unfortunately, she hasn't gotten her license yet.

On top of that, I'm always talking about rotary this, wankel that, trochoid-eccentric babbledygook... So she wants ME to test drive it.

It's a Tender Blue Metallic 84-85 GSL (Judging year by dash board and instrument cluter. Judging trim by badging, disc rears, + shaped wheels, rear wiper, and sun roof. I know. I gotta check the VIN for the year.) It has 175,000 Miles.

I know about the problematic rust areas, drainage issues, and engine stuffs.

I haven't driven it yet, only looked at it while it was parked. I noticed a lot of oil on the diff above the fill hole and all over it.. Breather bad? Will it cause trouble.

Body seems rust free from the outside.. I felt behind the wheels and around the suspension mounting bracket for rush holes or roughness, there was none. I still wanna check under the storage compartments.

Heres the evil part about it. I'm shopping for ME.

I know she's not gonna change the oil or get the oil changed, no matter how many times I tell her. She's just gonna fill it with gas and go. After a while of this, the apex seals will seize and the engine won't run. By then, she'll probably be tired of the car. Bummer. I know who'll get the car off your hands, even if the engine doesn't run... ME!

Has anyone had luck with restoring engines just by ATF'ing them? Would any other damage result from such neglect? How long would you expect an ATF restored engine to last? I remember someone talkinga obut how they have a junkyard engine in their autocrosser that they put another 100k Miles on after just ATFing it.

 

Your story sound logical to me...
Why is it that when we see another Seven that's being neglected we either try to buy the thing, or at least convince the owner to correct his/her ways....I'm always tempted to tell 'em to bring their ride down to my Corral and I'll show 'em the ropes...So far I've been able to resist that temptation...It's all I need to have some Bozo callin' in the middle of the night with a breakdown problem! "Last month you did the pads and rotors on my daughter's RX-7 and now she's pregnant!"

Denny, from the 'ol corncrib....

 

Hi.

I would be kind-of reluctant to let someone who hasn't driven before start with an RX-7. I know they aren't too powerful, but it's still quite a bit to start with.

You might also be putting yourself in an awkward position if you give the car the okay, and then it has problems. You know that on occasions they can cost a bit to fix. Especially if the person is unlikely to maintain it.

My diff is covered in oil too. I don't know what it means (I'm hoping that just the drain plug is loose), but I'm going to have to tinker with it. It's probably no use, but I'll be able to tell you more about that in a week or two. If you drive it, listen for a constant, one tone whine from the hatch area when it's in motion. That's what my one does.

Bye,
ScruffyChimp

 

Lotta people said it's a great first car... I do know that in teh hands of an unruly teenager they can be dangerous. Mine held up to a good collision, so I'd say they're safe for a small car.

I've given her fair warning. No overheating, if it gets past halfway, turn it off. Oil every 3000 at the most. 2500 is better.

Got LSD? I've heard that's a trait of them.