I am considering buying a 1988 Mazda RX7 with 130,000 miles on it. Asking price is $2000. Only noticeable prolem is that the transmission makes a loud whining/grinding sound especially most noticeable when in 1st and 2nd gear. It is a 5 speed manual transmission. Engine runs strong and well. The guy selling it tells me that his mechanic friend at a transmission shop told him that the sound is caused by an aged bearing in the transmission...and that the bearing is not bad, but that when this particular transmission has so many miles on it the transmission bearing will just make the noise without harming driveability or performance. He said it happens to many older RX7s. Does this sound like B.S. or does this sound like a good deal? Let me know your honest opinion please. Thankyou very much.
~Ryan~

 

The noise does happen to a lot of older RX-7s, because the transmissions are wearing out. Might last another 100,000 miles, might seize up tomorrow. The whinning is caused by a bad bearing. The grinding is caused by a worn syncro (very common between 1st and 2nd).

But if the car is in great shape, then $2000 isn't bad. You can get another transmission from free to several hundred dollars. Or have the original rebuilt.

 

Use it to your advantage. Act like you know everything about 7's -- tell him it NEEDS a new tranny and parts + labor is gunna be over a grand (of course you can do it yourself for next to nothing but he doesnt need to know that). Talk him down, it seems like a pretty good deal but try to get a better one.

Here's the thing with buying cars - you can't be afraid to walk away. Give him your price, bring cash, he'll probably go for it.

 

^^ what he said... exactly what I did.

my toyota truck started the whirring/whinning ****- coming from the man trans.... i drive it like im trying to break it, so its my own damn fault.

either way, its a good buy. you can get the rebuild kit for your trans at rx7world.com for under 200 bucks


-mike