stickgoat

So there is an '86 RX-7 (not sure of the trim level) sitting down at a local auto parts store for sale. The sign asks $800 and says the car has a new water pump, tires, and MSD wires. This is the only information given so I really have no other indications about how the engine runs, etc.

Anyway, the body looks to be in decent condition except for the front end.

It doesn't so much look as though the car was in an accident, but something definitely ruined the front bumper and exposes the underwires and parts and such. The headlights are up and the left cover is a bit disfigured so I'm guessing they don't go down.

However, the hood and side panels of the car look fairly decent...

Basically what I'm wondering is the possibilities of damage that could have occurred here.... Also how much a new front bumper/headlight setup would probably cost.

I'd really love to have this car as a project. I don't exactly have the extra money to justify this...but...if I could get it cheap enough.. It's 800 now as I stated before but it's been sitting there a couple weeks now and with it being winter and damn snowy out here I doubt people have been lining up with offers. I'm willing to bet these people would take a lower price.

I haven't been able to see the interior very well as both times I've looked at it it has been dark, but it's a 5spd and the seats appear to be cloth.

So from you experts...think the car is worth it? The paint looks fine, the rest of the body looks fine, the front isn't even that bad. It looks like someone ripped off half the bumper, basically. Not smashed.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer insight on possible damage and repair costs!

Mazdarules

you can get it for less, offer him like 350

turboren

Yeah, really. $350's good. You can get a straight, rust-free 86 for $800.

If it's got 5-lug wheels, you might go $400, but that nose and headlight assembly are gonna cost somewhat. Plus, you don't know what kind of damage may have been done to the radiator, A/C condenser, oil cooler, etc. Not to mention the frame.

Regardless of what you decide is your lowest price, I wouldn't get it unless it starts and runs well. You don't want to have your first experience with a 7 to be replacing the engine.

Ren

vaughnc

stickgoat,

Well you might want to remove the nose and look

It's not too hard either. Just remove the bolts underneath the nose that hold it to the pastic subframe, remove the bolts on the pastic wheel wells in front of the tire, use a ratchet extension to access the bolts in the back of the nose in the weel wheel area, pop-up the lights and remove the 2 bolts in the top corners underneath the lights, and then the 4 bolts on top of the bumper.

It just slides off then and you can see any frame, secondary bodypanel frame, plastic frame, plastic underbody, pastic engine scrape guard, etc..

Just got done repairing mine from where the previous owner had jumped a train track. For me, new nose, new rubber nose strip surround, new plastic subframe (the plastic subframe, nose, & plastic engine scrape guard bolt together), had to re-bend the drivers side body panel frame/holder back in place, replaced the plastic underbody underneath the corner panel, replaced both fog lamps, and all new 10MM bolts with lockwashers & regular washers.