87 turbo ii (to buy or not to buy...)
 

I spotted this rx on craigslist for 1000. I immediately called the owner and told him Id be there first thing next morning to test drive it. I woke up at 5:30 to get there by 7:30 (2 hour drive from my house.) When I got there I found out that it had been broken into through the drivers side window and the stereo system and speakers where stolen. It has all power options so this by itself will cost alot. It had a dent (pretty big) on the drivers front left fender. The windshield also has a crack in it (drivable but needs to be replaced soon). He said it was his nephews and he got discouraged from driving it after the parts got stollen and it has been sitting in his front yard for over two years. He tried to start it up and it wouldnt turn over at first. (around four tries) He jump started it and I heard the beast purr for the first time. The rpms went to just above 1k and then settled at around 750. I popped the hood and saw that the engine was oxidized (the metal looked corroded?) The intercooler looked alright (a couple of dents in the grill from rocks). I got in and took it for a spin. This is the first rx-7 I have driven, and I think that the term "rotary rocket" is an understatement. It drove like a dream. I drove a ways and pulled into a parking lot to turn around, and got out to check the electric parts that where prone to failure. Everything worked, but the rpms seemed to dip slightly, and the engine seemed to sputter while idling. I got back in and started driving back. At WOT I noticed that a trail of smoke (black not blue, so it was all gas being burned) was coming out of my exhaust. At lower rpms this would dissapear, but at full boost, it would return. I was a bit discouraged by this and started driving "normally". At this point I heard a screaching sound (I knew it was a belt from experience). I was going to pull over at the next intersection to check on it but the rx died on me before I got a chance (sputtered, loss of power, hesitation, and then just died). I noticed that my gas was almost empty, the car would no longer turn on. I popped the hood and noticed that the belt off of the alternator had snapped. I called the owner, and he got another battery that had a full charge and the car turned over just fine, and I drove it back. (also put 5 gallons in it). It didnt drive the same, it hesitated through the rpms and always felt like it was going to die. When I got back, I talked him down to 850, and told him I would get the money later. The temp gauge never went high so I dont think it was over heated....HELP I WANT MY ROTARY ROCKET, I dont know if I should buy this one or wait and 2 miles is a long way for a faulty(?) rotary powered car.

Thanks

Sounds like the turbocharger needs to be serviced, hopefully not replaced though. (white smoke at full boost) If you do buy this car, realize that you will constantly be pumping money into it!!! 850$ sounds like a pretty good deal, but that is just an initial cost. This is simply a judgement call on your part, if you have the money and want to learn how to work on a beautiful and simple machine, do it. If you don't have the money to put into it, don't get it!

how much would it cost to get it serviced? replaced?

Black smokes indicates burning oil.
If it happens under boost it's probably seals in the turbo but I'm a NA guy so we'll wait for a pressurized expert to chime in.

for $850 I'd rock it.

uhh no...

Blue= oil
White= Coolant
Black - light gray = fuel

yeah black smoke is prolly just extra fuel, most TII run pig rich under WOT anyway. It sounds like a really good deal, i bought mine for 1500 w/ a blown clutch. Its defently a good base to start a project on. so i second the rocking of the TII.

It billowed smoke at WOT so I dont think it was normal, I think it has something to do with the turbo. I live 2 miles from the owner, should I risk driving it home? (dont trust it very much in its curent condition) since it already broke down once. I was thinking turbo ii for 850 = good deal any way you look at it, its just a matter of getting it back to my house (towing would cost more then the car itself)

Black smoke is gas, nothing to worry about. You can part it out for way more than $850 if you decide to not drive it.

i'd be more concerned about the interrior since it's been outside with busted glass for over a year