Car has 160,000 miles and recent paint. Runs good. Oil pressure gauge is not working. What should I be looking at/for? Guys asking $1500. He's a broker selling off an estate. I currently own an 85 RX7 (12A). Looking to add to the corral.

 

Spray it reall good with water, and note any leaks. You WILL find a leak, just ask yourself if it is a tolerable leak.

I'd say $1500 with decent paint is an alright price. Speaking of paint, I am about to start a thread about my verts paint.

 

I'm more concerned about the mechanical Engine/tranny than I am about the top. I don't know too many older ragtops that don't leak somewhere.

 

Smoke at start up? At rev?

Notice any chance in the coolant bottle level after it's been running a while?

Even more important, are you sure the oil gauge isn't working? Or is there oil pressure to move it? Odd that that would be the only gauge not working, especially if the volt meter is working. That's because the oil and volt meters are part of a single module. One other thing to check, be sure the wire at the oil pressure sending unit is connected. Located the same place as your 1st gen.

PS I have three verts. And none of them leak in the rain.

 

You might want to read Aaron Cake's Second Gen RX-7 Buyer's Guide if you haven't already. There's lots of good info in there:

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy1.htm

Seems like a good price if everything checks out.

 

I'd concentrate on the condition of the chassis/paint/top...that's the really expensive stuff to fix.
Most- emphasis on "most"- of the mechanical is common to the rest of the rotary line and thus, not brutally expensive, or difficult, to repair.
The vert's switchgear is unique (for some unknown reason) but I believe the instrument cluster is common, so the oil pressure gauge would be an easy fix...besides, it's most likely a sending unit or wiring issue anyway.

 

We're talking about a car that's 20 years old. There is bound to be something wrong with it, so all you can do is trust your instincts.

Anything can be fixed BUT you have to know your own abilities. Can you fix rust? If not, then take a real good look at the under body. Do you have the time or money to replace an engine? If not, then pay close attention to the mechanicals. Etc…

Aaron has a great checklist of things to look for when shopping for 7’s. I’d start there with the research.

Best of luck!

 

Wiper switch, high/low beam switching (body cpu), stereo controls, headlight switch.

Passenger window regulator-does the window go up and down smoothly and quickly?

These are things that are likely going to have to be replaced/repaired in any S5 vert. There can be quite a bit of money involved with these items.

Then general maintenance, engine oil leaks, A/C, seat leather condition, soft top condition, paint/body condition.


There are two kinds of people in this world-those who love verts and those who hate verts. Verts are great if you like the drop top life, but sometimes you don't know until you own one.