Hi, I'm going to look at an 1987 RX-7 tomorrow. Being the car newb that I am, what are things I should inspect and look out for when buying a used rx-7?

 

Oil leaks...do a compression test on the rotors. Make sure everything is in tact and working...all electrical,mechanical things. Check for frame damage. See if it runs good with no hesitations or problems. Other things like tires,brakes,suspension. See if the interior is nice. I dont know what else...theres many things to look out for.

 

If the car runs well with no hesitation, it usually means the compression is fine right?

 

I am not too sure. Its your money...so you can take the gamble.

 

No, it means that it is running good right now.

I was just looking at a car the other day that ran pretty good but when i really started looking at the engine i realized that it looked like an apex was going out.

In a piston engine it can have low compression and it can sound/run perfect if you don't know the way it is supposed to sound/run.

On a rotary it may be a little more obiuos but i am sure it is simular.

But in the end, if it drives good and you are happy with the deal, then get it. With a car this old, problems are going to happen no matter what you get, some are just bigger then others.

 

N/A
http://aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

Turbo
http://aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy2.htm

 

There's a list of buyer's guides in the FAQ, including the one above. Google works too. Always use a buyer's guide and/or have a mechanic look it over. It will be well worth it if you avoid thousands of dollars of repairs and guzzled gas, and on a 20 year old car like this there are plenty of lemons out there.

After you get it, I'd grab a Haynes manual or some such and maintain it well. Do everything listed. Oil changes are an American fad; there are 100 other things and many are more important than oil.

For repairs and diagnostics those manuals can be confusing. I'd search these same forums and/or check the FAQ. If you still don't find anything, start a new thread and remember to post specific symptoms of your problem. Poke around a bit first if needed.