Did I get a good deal on my RX-7
06-17-08, 11:48 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did I get a good deal on my RX-7
Hey guys I'm in Maryland and just got my 1998 RX-7 GXL today. It has around 160k miles and the engine runs pretty well. Interior, exterior, and engine bay are very clean. Only major problems are the suspension bushings are completely toast, brakes are super soggy, shifter is completely loose (will be fixing w/ miata short shifter), and whenever i let off the gas the car begins to sputter and jerk back and forth (clutch related maybe?). The jerking is definitely coming from the drivetrain. It sounds almost the same as releasing the clutch really quick and then slamming it down again and having the clutch disc slam back and forth. Also all the tires need replacement. I $1400 so do you guys think it was worth it? Also any suggestions on my problems? Thanks
Steven
Steven
Last edited by Homebrewed; 06-17-08 at 11:59 PM.
06-17-08, 11:53 PM
#2
HKS obsessed
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: OP, KS
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
um, for all those problems sounds like a little much to me but thats just an opinion
when you let off the gas and it jerks like that sounds like a TPS problem to me because i had an issue with this and with an adjustment of the TPS it was fixed, and you probably just need to bleed the brakes, check the pads and maybe put new ones on there
congradulations and welcome to the wonderful world of FCs!
when you let off the gas and it jerks like that sounds like a TPS problem to me because i had an issue with this and with an adjustment of the TPS it was fixed, and you probably just need to bleed the brakes, check the pads and maybe put new ones on there
congradulations and welcome to the wonderful world of FCs!
06-17-08, 11:57 PM
#4
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I found another car for about the same price and much lower mileage, etc. I bought this one because it was kept very clean. I was thinking of just selling this one since it's not ideal and looking for another one. I definitely want to buy another FC though. I think it will make a nice compliment to my S2000.
06-18-08, 12:08 AM
#6
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Will I have a problem using the traditional bleeding method on an old master cylinder? I know on some cars you can damage the old seals if the brakes aren't regularly by using traditional bleeding.
Trending Topics
06-18-08, 04:50 AM
#8
Lives on the Forum
I think you paid too much.
The motor is on it's "golden years", and prior history is suspect.
Suspension bushings are a royal PITA to swap, and it's several hundred dollars if a shop did it.
Replacing tires would mean at least a couple hundred right there - you should've argued the seller down to an even $1,000 with the bad tires.
Oh well, at least you're happy...
If you got questions on used car values, check out http://www.kbb.com/
-Ted
The motor is on it's "golden years", and prior history is suspect.
Suspension bushings are a royal PITA to swap, and it's several hundred dollars if a shop did it.
Replacing tires would mean at least a couple hundred right there - you should've argued the seller down to an even $1,000 with the bad tires.
Oh well, at least you're happy...
If you got questions on used car values, check out http://www.kbb.com/
-Ted
06-18-08, 11:27 AM
#12
Zombie Response Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warsaw, Indiana
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Am I the only one that noticed he put 98? I assume you meant 89 lol. If so then its a S5 and if its in good condition interior and exterior I would hold onto it even though you did pay a little too much. At those miles w/o knowing how well the engine was taken care of it could go out right now or it could last you another 40-60k its all a matter of how well its been taken care of. Even so it would be worth getting another engine or rebuilding the current. Although all the other problems could add up if you cant do the work yourself. I guess it just depends what your looking for in a car though. It could be a fun project car. Although I think the running problems could be fixed w/ a good tune up.
06-18-08, 05:09 PM
#15
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I'm thinking if I just bleed the brakes and replace the two shifter bushings I can make the car far more appealing. and the tires don't need immediate replacement.
06-18-08, 09:07 PM
#16
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
by the way I noticed that right in front of the engine the harness going into it was completely cut and reconnected. could this mean that the engine was replaced? The motor sounded very good. Maybe I'll hold on to this one until I find one in better condition.
06-18-08, 09:47 PM
#17
Zombie Response Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warsaw, Indiana
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cant say for sure if you replace w/ the normal engine there is no reason to cut the harness. if they dropped a different engine in then it would be more then just rewiring.
06-18-08, 10:22 PM
#18
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is there any way i can tell exactly what engine it is? I'm pretty sure it's a S4 because the coolant filler cap is on the tube from the water pump. maybe they were lazy and didn't feel like digging out all the sensors and the engine they got from the recycler already had the harness cut?
Last edited by Homebrewed; 06-18-08 at 10:44 PM.
06-18-08, 10:42 PM
#19
I Dislike Everything
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: St. Louis/Southern Illinois
Posts: 3,701
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Good luck reselling it. It's an S4 with 160k miles. Also, those problems are actually normal around that mileage.
However, finding an FC in Maryland is very easy to do. I lived there for 13 years, and went through 2 of them.
However, finding an FC in Maryland is very easy to do. I lived there for 13 years, and went through 2 of them.
06-18-08, 11:11 PM
#20
It LIVES!!!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Only major problems:
Suspension bushings are completely toast: They sell them on ebay for pretty cheap... It is a "PITA" to change but well worth it... Plus... At the bottom of the ebay listing, it says he will give $5 back for quality photos of the installed product... Whoo Hoo
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-91...spagenameZWD1V
brakes are super soggy: Rebuild calipers and master and bleed the crap out of the system... Change the pads too... You should do all of that on any car you buy anyway, unless it is a new car...
shifter is completely loose (will be fixing w/ miata short shifter): I forget what it is but it is an easy and cheap fix... I didnt have the problem but a little search on here and you will be good...
whenever i let off the gas the car begins to sputter and jerk back and forth: TPS Issue most likely... Try to adjust it... There is a link on here some where that will teach you how to make a tool for about $5 or $10 to test it with... If it is not adjustable then you may need another... Being yours is an S4, I am not sure if it is adjustable... I forgot about that... I dont know how they work...
Also all the tires need replacement: You are going to have to do it eventually... Might as well be now... If you don't like the wheels on it, consider getting wheels and tires as a package, since this will probably save you a little mony...
Steven
Suspension bushings are completely toast: They sell them on ebay for pretty cheap... It is a "PITA" to change but well worth it... Plus... At the bottom of the ebay listing, it says he will give $5 back for quality photos of the installed product... Whoo Hoo
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-91...spagenameZWD1V
brakes are super soggy: Rebuild calipers and master and bleed the crap out of the system... Change the pads too... You should do all of that on any car you buy anyway, unless it is a new car...
shifter is completely loose (will be fixing w/ miata short shifter): I forget what it is but it is an easy and cheap fix... I didnt have the problem but a little search on here and you will be good...
whenever i let off the gas the car begins to sputter and jerk back and forth: TPS Issue most likely... Try to adjust it... There is a link on here some where that will teach you how to make a tool for about $5 or $10 to test it with... If it is not adjustable then you may need another... Being yours is an S4, I am not sure if it is adjustable... I forgot about that... I dont know how they work...
Also all the tires need replacement: You are going to have to do it eventually... Might as well be now... If you don't like the wheels on it, consider getting wheels and tires as a package, since this will probably save you a little mony...
Steven
Cost:
1400.00 - Car
88.00 - Bushings
175.00 - Break overhaul and pads
50.00? - Shifter Fix
200.00 - TPS (This is S5 Price on the internet) I dont know the S4 Price
500.00 - Tires
???.?? - Engine rebuild - May not be soon but it will most likely be needed
2413.00 - For a decent running 7... I think it would be worth it...
06-18-08, 11:46 PM
#21
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. I'd actually much rather get the energy suspension black master bushing set since it has much more parts and is graphite injected. For tires I can have all 4 replaced for $200. If the engine ever goes out I'd just get a TII instead of having it rebuilt... hmmm decisions decisions. If I bought another car I could have just as many if not more problems. maybe I should just keep this?
06-19-08, 12:04 PM
#22
Zombie Response Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warsaw, Indiana
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If your capable and willing to do the work yourself its worth it. You should get a compression test on the engine just to see what kind of numbers your getting. Turbo swaps are a PITA but when you get it out on the road and hit boost for the first time its TOTALLY worth it.
06-19-08, 12:47 PM
#23
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yea only reason why i rushed to get the car was because I needed to start on my s2k turbo project soon and I needed a daily driver. plus this has a/c still installed, and according to a friend who's owned 3 fc's none of his had a/c still on there when he bought them
06-20-08, 08:38 PM
#24
Full Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well i bled the brakes today and changed the oil. brakes are hard as rock now. pads and rotors seem like they haven't had many miles on them at all. overall it's turning out to be a pretty good car. Right now it's that slight blueish silver but it's got a bunch of little dents and the paint on the top of the car is all faded. Next week I think I'm going to paint it something like Suzuka Blue (the light blue on S2000's).
06-21-08, 12:28 PM
#25
Heres a tip homebrewed...
I copped a 86 rx7 se. had low miles and id been wantin another fc so i picked it up for 1100. 110k miles. ran good. i installed a push button start, system, brakes, cleaned it up and tinted the windows. sold it for $3100!!!!! Then i bought a TII which i currently still have. I miss the n/a cause it ran great but the TII even with its issues is too fun to pass up. Simple mods and get your $+some!
I copped a 86 rx7 se. had low miles and id been wantin another fc so i picked it up for 1100. 110k miles. ran good. i installed a push button start, system, brakes, cleaned it up and tinted the windows. sold it for $3100!!!!! Then i bought a TII which i currently still have. I miss the n/a cause it ran great but the TII even with its issues is too fun to pass up. Simple mods and get your $+some!