newbie
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Newbie
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Florida
newbie
yep, the title of the thread describes me, but i know you guys'll help me out.
i currently have a 91 corolla, and i have found an 88 rx7 for sale. it looks good, but thats about all i know of it. its for sale around 1k or best offer....im seriously thinking about it, after a friend of mine (parents bought a 93 rx7....what a beast of a car) got me into the whole rx7 thing. now some questions....would it be worth it, how much money should i have to spend on it maintenance wise (140k miles, owner says he's replaced many parts such as brakes, alternator, clutch, other stuff) and any questions i should ask...im planning on asking for a test drive soon as i get a cash source but i dont want to buy simply on impulse. its the 88 non turbo. plus i think it looks better and seems faster than my 91 corolla
oh, and time is of the essesence, so... thanks in advance....
i currently have a 91 corolla, and i have found an 88 rx7 for sale. it looks good, but thats about all i know of it. its for sale around 1k or best offer....im seriously thinking about it, after a friend of mine (parents bought a 93 rx7....what a beast of a car) got me into the whole rx7 thing. now some questions....would it be worth it, how much money should i have to spend on it maintenance wise (140k miles, owner says he's replaced many parts such as brakes, alternator, clutch, other stuff) and any questions i should ask...im planning on asking for a test drive soon as i get a cash source but i dont want to buy simply on impulse. its the 88 non turbo. plus i think it looks better and seems faster than my 91 corolla
oh, and time is of the essesence, so... thanks in advance....
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: CA
1- do a compression test...(search the forum for the "how to..)
2- is the engine the orig or has it been replaced
3- does the car burn oil? (it should, it's designed to...about 1 qt per oil change)
4- which model (se, sport, gxl, gtu)? depending on the model you might be able to talk it down a few hundred $$$...
that's all i can think of right now...
2- is the engine the orig or has it been replaced
3- does the car burn oil? (it should, it's designed to...about 1 qt per oil change)
4- which model (se, sport, gxl, gtu)? depending on the model you might be able to talk it down a few hundred $$$...
that's all i can think of right now...
knowledge junkie
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,595
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta, GA
I second the compression test on the engine. It's the best way to make sure the previous owner took care of the car.
Make sure your mazda dealership does it and ask them if they use the "rotary specific" compression tester. They should report to you 6 numbers (3 per rotor) and let you know how the engine is doing vs optimal compression.
Other than that look for any leaks (coolant/oil), make sure the car idles, starts, and accelerates well, etc..
You might also ask him if the "pulsation dampiner" has ever been replaced. If not you might consider that a reliability upgrade after you get the car. Also ask when the last FULL tuneup/60K mile service was done by the mazda dealership. You can also run the VIN # through the dealership and lemoncheck.com just to verify the car's origon.
Finally after the above if you REALLY want it spend 3 hours MINIMUM going over the car. Open everything, look everywhere, etc..
You should expect the typical stuff like a sticky sunroof (oil/lube/clean it), goofy windshield wipers (do it yourself fix), engine may flood (ie dirty fuel injectors) etc..
-- vaughnc
Make sure your mazda dealership does it and ask them if they use the "rotary specific" compression tester. They should report to you 6 numbers (3 per rotor) and let you know how the engine is doing vs optimal compression.
Other than that look for any leaks (coolant/oil), make sure the car idles, starts, and accelerates well, etc..
You might also ask him if the "pulsation dampiner" has ever been replaced. If not you might consider that a reliability upgrade after you get the car. Also ask when the last FULL tuneup/60K mile service was done by the mazda dealership. You can also run the VIN # through the dealership and lemoncheck.com just to verify the car's origon.
Finally after the above if you REALLY want it spend 3 hours MINIMUM going over the car. Open everything, look everywhere, etc..
You should expect the typical stuff like a sticky sunroof (oil/lube/clean it), goofy windshield wipers (do it yourself fix), engine may flood (ie dirty fuel injectors) etc..
-- vaughnc
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