I own a 1979 RX-7 5-speed with 69,000 mi. original on it.
Body and interior are in good shape.
It was stored a long time.
I got it running ok, Calif. emissions tested ok.
It's been a fairly good home-to-work runner.
But this car is not without problems. I had to replace the alternator 5 months ago. Now I am experiencing an electrical drain on the battery, which I cannot isolate. Thought it might be the alternator itself or the voltage regulator, but no joy.

Man, I have loved this car, but with the electrical issue I can't make it a dependable car for everyday use.
I am thinking I should sell it or just trade it in on the RX-8.
It'd probably be a nice project car for someone, i.e. for some high school kid to fix the electrical drain or for ralleye racing.
What would be better to do - sell it outright or trade it in at the Mazda dealer?
Thanks for advice.

 

I say keep it or sell it. The dealer will not give you much for it. A 79 with low miles is a desirable car. Personally, I would track down the problem and keep it. Looks to be in real good condition. Any rust or anything? Good luck.

Kent

 

If you want to get it PIIDB from the dealer w/ no lube, you can trade it in!

Sell that to a RX7 Guru! That is a sweet ride! 69K Original Miles!!! Thats crazy!

Sell that Third party!

 

Very nice looking car. I would repair and keep driving it. Bet the dealer would not give much for it.

Nice wheels.

 

That sounds like a very minor issue to sell such a beautiful car. I think you just have to get your hands dirty and do a little research. Or cars suffer a lot from cheap or faulty wiring. I would suggest changing your main battery wires. But before you do that search on the board for alternator up grades.

The stock alternators that came in the series 1-3 where never really up to the task of powering our cars in the first place. Just search on this forum or explain more in detail you problem and im sure with the help of this forum you can keep you car a reliable daily driver. If you want I am sure your problem can be fixed without too much trouble.

 

Should I sell it for $XXXX or trade it for $XXXX?

 

what is PIIDB?

 

You need more time in the lounge.

 

I say JUNK IT. I will give you $200; thats more than what a junkyard will pay. Let me know if this offer is acceptable to you.

 

something that dudes do when they aren't straight.

 

I say get a DVOM and find out what is drawing power. You should do a parasitic draw test, which involves hooking the digital voltage ohm meter (on the amperage setting) inline with your power cable and seeing how much draw your car is taking when nothing is on... Then you can start pulling fuses until this number drops, and BANG you have just isolated your electrical problem to a few things. Commonily these problems are small storage lights that are left on for some reason or another.

Although it would be awesome to get a new RX-8, don't give up on such a nice SA!

 

Trading in a car like that would be about the same as finding someone you cannot stand, and giving the car to them for free..................... You'll regret it very soon.
Selling a car like that would be less regretful, but you would still regret it at some point.

 

it's not hard to find the drain. first remove the negative battery terminal. 2. put a test light between the terminal and the negative battery post. if you have a short to ground the light will be on in the test light. now start taking out one fuse at a time from your fuse box. when the light goes out you will know which circuit has a short to ground. try this befoe you get rid of the car. if you still want to sell it, let me know. hope this works out for you.

 

Take it to the scarp yard. That will make the value of the rest of ours go up. Just kidding. If there is any way possible, just keep it. Buy the RX8, and take it to someone who can rip the rear seats out and weld up the rear doors!!!!! It isn't a sin to own more than vehicle. Currently I own, '80 RX7 for parts, '83 RX7 GSL (my baby), '98 Chevy Z71, 94 BMW 318i, 89 VW Cabrio, '03 Chevy Tracker, 2000 HD Sportster, and a '84 Honda Rebel (the Wifes bike!). See, you need a whole family!!!!!!!

 

You don't owe anything on the '79. I understand wanting something new, but who really wants payments for a new car? If you are deadset on getting the Rx-8, then buy it too, but that is such a low mileage, and nice (at least in the pictures) looking '79.

 

just take off a battery terminal when you park it. Or buy a terminal switch, or hook up a solenoid switch between the battery and the body,

or sell it to me for $300.25

that's $300 more than the dealer would give you.

 

put it in da butt? hah

 

Haha im pretty sure that wins the prestigious "most ghetto car fix" award.

 

"most gerry rigged fix" would be more appropiate. Or best improvisor, or most pragmatic fix. Speed shops sell the battery switch. Indy race cars, and NASCARs have the solenoid switch to isolate the battery.

Ghetto car is something that runs like ****, smokes, misses, and has a torn out shock, but also has a $10,000 stereo and $500 a piece spinning rims. And don't forget the ultra dark windows, fake cell phone antennae, decals, and wing..... If I left something out, please >>>don't<<< let me know.

A ricer has all those things, but runs mediocre.

 

why would you sell that? why? electrical drain? no not good enough. don't you do it. get it fixed and keep it. that's the answer.

 

Check the voltage regulator. '79s have a separate voltage requlator that sometimes goes bad, not allowing the battery to charge up fully. When mine went, it also took out some of the wires connected to it. Take it to someone who can do a full charging system check-out (not the dealer).

RXDad

 

keep it...save and buy another car...another sa or fb...lol...dealer will definitly not give you any amount of worthy money for it...

 

If you really wants to sell it!
Hell ill give ya 300.50 thats .25 cents more than the other guy! Ill even come pick it up!!!

BTW: 800 Post's Beautch!

 

Ok people. In all seriousness, Take the car to your local Autozone, Advance, Pep Boys, O'Riely, or whatever. Most of these places have a charging system tester they can use to check everything while on the car. If you feel the car want make it to your local parts store, most of them can check the alternator, or regulator, by itself off the car. This will save you the trouble of chasing ghost trying to find a drain on the battery that could simply be a regulator. Most people don't know this, but a faulty regulator can let the car charge normally while running, but kill the battery will not running.

 

check your pm's