Hi guys I'm about to get an 1986 GXL, and would like to find out what I need to check out first. Does the frame easily rust ? The car has a lot of rust, and when I tried jacking it up it kinda went in a bit, and can't find a spot where I would be able to lift it without damaging it. I need to know as much info as possible. I'm getting it for 800$, and will have to completely rebuild it. I would like it to be my summer project. I'm a student and only 18 so I can't do much ATM, Trying to find a long-term job. I already have a car so I would have all the time I need to fix the rx7. I always wanted a Rx7. It is a manual, with sunroof and other options.

Let me know, thanks.

 

uhh.. where did you put that jack? if its that rusty to where the metal bends then that is not a good sign.. ive found running fc's no rust as low as between 800 and 1500

 

haha same here buddy im in the same shoes as you..
but mine is a 86 rx7 n/a automatic
the rust is killer but im dealing with it

well just lift if from the differential in the rear should help you

 

dude if the pan is that rusty .......let it go ~~!!!

 

is there anything i can do about the rust on the bottom near the skirt of the car?

 

I'd say pass on it. $800 is cheap, but a little much for a rust bucket. Save up some more money and get something better. If you cruise the for sale section in here i'm sure you'll find a better bargain.

 

Well, here's some pics of the car.. took them today. The car has been sitting there for about an year...









Let me know what you think...

 

whoaaaa. way to much work dude.
look around for a while, dont settle with the first thing you check out.
i looked around for a couple months and found an 86 gxl sitting behind a shop with NO rust at all and i purchased it for 500$.



not bad aye?
you should see what my engine bay looks like now

 

a quick wash, and i could tell this 7 was in really good condition

 

Well I already have a car, this would be my summer/toy car and I have all the time I need to fix it... but the question is, is it repairable... Can a car be just dead because of the rust ?

btw, around here there's no such thing as 10+yrs old car with no rust.

 

lol well i live right next to the beach so that kind of applies to me as well..
if you wnana spend the money anything is possible, but just from the looks. it looks as though it is gonna be as expensive as a running car in decent shape would be in order to make it look decent.

 

Tonight a friend told me he can ask a friend of his who sells cheap cars if he can get me one of these. The thing is, I'm getting this car from a friend... so I can pay him as I get the money. If he can find one for 800 or less I'll take it if not I guess I'm stuck with this one. Tomorrow I'm going to try to start it. I know about the flood problems and all. Any suggestions on what to bring there? I'm currently thinking of some oil and a battery as it doesn't have one. If it doesn't run I will probably let it go.

 

Alright well I couldn't find another one so I guess I'm stuck with this one. Owner told me an intake part needs to be changed but I can start it. It didn't start in almost 1 year. I was thinking of bringing :
Coolant
Oil
Battery

With me. Anything else ? suggestions? Ideas ?

 

Give them $400 and use it as a parts car for your next 7.

 

That is way to far gone for $800. I didn't even know a car could rust like that, the rustest car i have ever seen is my RX7 (ok, i have seen a a few cars worse, but never up close, just driving by)




And i got it for $500.Of course i am in Texas where rust is not allowed. I hear it is differnt up north.

 

I plan on restoring this car... I don't have the money to buy another 7. I'm buying it from a friend so I might lower the price as I pay. So no one has any suggestions for what I should bring with me to start the car? The engine is in running condition but I heard it might need replacement of an air intake part.

 

I'm telling you my friend, save up for a few months and get a nicer one or just keep looking. That car looks like it's ready to fall apart.

 

well looks like you have a bit of work ahead of you~~~

Well good luck!!!

 

Don't be dumb buddy. I live in Canada too, and that thing is only worth at MOST 400 bucks and it can only be used for as a parts car. Personally I wouldn't even payy 400, buddy or not man. Don't even bother fixing that thing up, it's not worth it.

 

There are certainly better deals down here, but up there, I don't know.

First: Bring a compression tester, even if you have to buy one. Remove the lower check valve and watch for three even pulses of 85 psi or higher. Check the front and rear rotor. If the car was flooded, get it running first, let it warm up, rev it some, etc. and then test it. The compression numbers will be artifically low when flooded.

Second: Bring a battery, Jumper cables, two-stroke oil and a tow strap. You may need a little boost to get the car to start, you may need oil to get the apex seals to hold compression after a series of floodings, or you may have to pull start the car (I observed that it is a manual transmission car).

Third: Bring a bargaining attitude, that rust is going to be a MAJOR pain to fix. I have a friend that did it, he is an excellent body man and it took him about 1.5 years to restore a 1990 Turbo II in similar condition to that GXL. 1990 Turbo II cars are much more rare than '86 GXLs and we still question if it was worth it.

I have a 1990 GXL that is better than that (no rust on fenders, only floorboards)and I am scrapping it out because it is too rusty.

Aaron Cake has a recommendation on what to look for at This Page

Hope this helps

 

Thanks a lot for the Aaron page, helps a lot. Will let you know what happens tomorrow.(today)

 

I bought a car like that with rust on the under side for 500$. But the engine is in great shape and the previous owner was older so probably didnt abuse it. I'm using it to drive around while i look for a decent price s5..in canada. and can use it for parts when im done or probably sell it for 500$. thing about rust on the under side is, theirs probably holes in the fuel lines, the floor, brake lines, ect. I'm lucky and have a pit to fix that stuff but if your just doing it on jack stands it will be a bitch. I would offer 400-500$ if the engines in good shape and drive it around because hell its still a rx7 and full as hell to drive.
good luck

 

If you dont have any experience with body work, then I suggest you take your pictures to a body shop and ask them what it would cost to fix that rust. I think you'll be shocked.

And dont think you can just fiberglass it because rust is like an iceberg. You can see only a little bit of it. So if you try to glass the holes the rust you can't see will burst thru in short order. My first car was a Fiat; I know. Oh, how I know.

Fixing it right (dipping it, having new patches or panels welded in, etc) will probably set you back at least $10k. I know they make it look fast, cheap and easy on Overhaulin', but it aint.

 

Where are you in Canada? That looks like it could either be a BC or Ontario plate (maybe even Quebec?).

I'd suggest you take a look at your local craigslist, and avoid that car.

 

I live in Montreal,Quebec. I tried everything and can't find anything even close to this price... I'm going to try and start the car in about an hour.