Hey i got a few questions for you guys. I went to a junkyard today to get a piece for my prelude, and while i was looking around, tucked in the back was an 87 RX-7. the body was fine, clear coat was fading, but the body was straight, the frame is straight, the windows have been left down, so the interior has been rained on and has leaves/cobwebs in it, so its not the cleanest thing ever. But everything is there. The car is near perfect, i have no clue why its there. the engine looks a little rough on the outside, but its not too bad. no rust or anything on the engine. The wheels were taken off, but its got tires under the body to sit on. The suspension is a little rusty from the rain, but its all there. The wheels are in a pile on the other side of the lot.

So I went and asked the guy who runs the place what he wants for the whole car. $500 (USD) for the whole thing...

With the expectation of having to buy a new engine, because i have no clue how this one is working.

Do you think its worth it to get this car? Even if i have to get a new engine?

thanks for the help guys!

 

If i had $500, and a place to put it, I would definitely get it.

 

Well, if you have plenty of time to fix it up and possibly rebuild the engine, and like projects, then I say go for it. Just plan on putting new suspention on it, also. Even if it wasnt rusted, they were most likely old and sagging.
Also, why is the thread title "89 RX7 questions"? Typo?

 

May I inquire as to where this junkyard is in Tn?

 

yeah it was a typo sorry about the title.. it should say 87 rx7 questions. I do have a place to put it. plenty of space actually.
I was already planning on changing the suspension. it wasnt in good shape. By rebuilding the engine, what am i getting into. I dont know alot about rotaries so its unfamiliar territory. I have some friends and family members that know their fair share about them tho, i think. Is it going to be a pain to rebuild? would it be cheaper to buy a new engine? what parts will i most likely be getting and or what are the most common problems?

 

Well since you live her ein TN, you can cheaply send it to Kevin Landers here in Morristown. His rebuilds run by far the cheapest for a quality build. Congrats on teh find and good luck on teh new project, always glad to see and hear a doomed 7 coming back from teh dead.

 

Me personally, I would be sorta leary. I mean why would you pay 500 for a car that you dont know exactly what kinda condition it is in overall? New interior, motor, suspension? If your interested in a fc and want to do a project, I would consider something a little less demanding on the pocket book as well as your time and patience.


I know i have gotten myself in these situations before by seeing the end result before actually getting my hands dirty. Something of this magnitude could get very costly, and I am sure you dont wanna pay 5 bills for something that when you get it home finally come to the conclusion that you bit off more than you could chew.

I would shop around on the forum or other junkyards for possibly a better deal or at least something that runs still and does not need a virtual complete restoration.

 

well against my better judgement, i bought it. 400 bucks. upon closer inspection, there is NO rust, ANYWHERE. the suspension is actually rust free.. the car is in amazing shape..

engine is in running condition, and i might get it running soon. the interior is actually in pretty decent shape too! ill get pics up soon. i know im an idiot, but whatever.

 

Congrats dude! you get a purple heart for saving a forgotten 7! And look at it this way: if you get lazy, decide that the car is not worth your time, or run out of money, you can EASILY recover you losses by parting it out and selling the parts in the for sale sectoin of this thread. Good job

 

thats a nice deal if its running, 90% of the time if the cars striaght an in a junk yard, its cause the engine is blown.... good luck tho post up if u get it going!