I have searched and read all posts including the CAKE Buying guide, thanks

My first RX-7 was a 1987 NA coupe with sunroof. Loved and beat that car. Had to sell back in the 90's because of divorce.

I am now looking at a 2nd owner convertible, 5 speed. I am 40 so I am not looking for a race car. I am looking for a weekend fun driver.

I found an owner who is 68 and had this car for 12 years. The Carfax is perfect. He has all receipts for work done, including regular oil changes, paint, professional upholstery reconditioning. Everything works but the AC. I believe it is a recharge with the upgrade, I will avoid freon conversion. I might do the freeze 12. The top was replaced 3 years ago, he also has the boot. Tires are 10 years old but not cracked. I can tell this has been garaged. Paint looks great.

I got the book value from KBB. Close to $6000.00, I can get this car for much less than that.

The car is 150 miles away and the owner is willing to meet me half way. He can take the train home. Shows that the car can be driven long distance, hopefully good?

He also just bought a BMW M convertible, so I believe his story for selling.

Anything else I should look for and is $4000.00 a steal?

Thanks in advance for all help!!!

 

Do you have a link for the listing, or is this a news paper ad?

 

IMO, Carfax is next to useless, especially with an enthusiast slanted car where the owner(s) tend to do more of the work themselves.
That's always nice to see.
Tires are dead, no matter how they look on the outside.
The paint condition is my prime consideration when thinking of a used car.
Paint is by far the most expensive thing to redo (easily twice the cost of an engine rebuild) and good paint is a major plus.
With a convertible the second most expensive fix would be the top...a quality replacement (with installation) will run @ $1500, so inspect yours carefully.

Mechanically the vert is essentially identical to the rest of the series, so engine/drivetrain components are no more/less expensive than any other rotary.



You consider 75 miles "long distance"?
You set the bar mighty low, even for a playtoy car.



No, $4k is not a "steal" but may be a fair price for the car anyway.

 

I am on the bubble with this car. Because of the age, I know things are going to go wrong. I have a budget of 10k, and want to get something fun for us to drive, although I will probably do most of the driving.

 

I dunno, based on the information I would say drop the money on that car like it's hot. I would however just drive the 150 miles to get the car. Realistically, that isn't that far at all. Hell the DFW metro area is 150 miles wide East to West.

 

Not saying 75 miles is long distance, just felt that was accommodating of the seller....

 

I am 42, and I really like my convertible. Mine has over 190,000 miles, and I have driven it from St. Louis to North Carolina for the last two DGRR events with no problem. I think you will be fine with that budget, and while $4K isn't a steal, it sounds like a decent price for that car.

+1

I wouldn't drive more than 35mph on those tires. In fact, I would probably drive it directly to the nearest tire store after I bought it.

Paint is freaking expensive.

 

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the feedback.