There is this '88 RX-7 GX for sale at 1200 $ CAN... which mean about 800 US$. You're going to say "You're dumb, buy it right away !" (the engine has only 25000 kms) but I want to know if, after 14 years of service, there may be permanent damages and troubles. The guy says there is "some body job" to do, a new clutch and new brakes to buy. I'm reluctant to buy it right away because of the experience I have with older models -- shaking dash, troubles with doors, hood that won't open, etc. Overall, on the pictures I saw, it seemed in a quite good shape, but they were just pictures and I am no mechanic...
Please help me... I live quite far from the car's location so I wouldn't want to go there without a good reason.

 

You need to actually do some hands on work with the car before you buy it. Check the compression, run and listen to the engine, see how it drives. Rotaries are very quirky. If you can't actually get to the car, and you do not trust the guys word on the condition of the car, just walk away. You live in Cali, there are TONS of 2nd gens for sale there!!!

 

I correct, I live in Canada, not California. I saw no more than three RX-7s for sale in the last year... Evantually I could send somebody to test drive it for me.

 

And to be honest, I trust the engine but not the body.