Hey all... my first post on the forum...and need some advice. I'm new to RX-7's but have learned lots reading up on this forum, thanks!

I'm considering buying a 1988 FC NA Vert (proper lingo I believe ) w/ 176,xxx mi (orig engine as far as I know). The body is in pristine shape (for the most part with the usual rear wheel well rust spot in one place) as are all the other components, but the engine is bad in some way. I've only seen pictures of the car so far, so I don't know what the problem with the engine is yet, other than the fact that it doesn't run.

The guy selling has been great with answering my questions and says I can come see it whenever I'd like to. He is starting the asking price at 2000. As I've been reading the forums and doing research, that seems high to me.

I emailed this evening asking him more details about the engine. Any thoughts on what it might be? I also basically told him good luck getting 2K for it and if he didn't in a few weeks to let me know and that I would offer him something... I was thinking like 500 for the car maybe?? Thoughts?

Also, should I consider doing the rebuild myself (I have a father-in-law whose hobby is rebuilding 92 camaro's)? I figured I would purchase the DVD's obtain the manuals.

Any insight would be great! Thanks...

 

well i just paid $500 for mine and it ran and is in great shape with 125000 its the 90 n/a

 

I paid 1800 for mine. 90 GTU, paint's dead, dented rear quarter, runs, but not perfectly.

 

i'd pay up to 1250 for it, Depending on whats wrong with the engine , if you dont really know much about rotarys i wouldnt recomend trying to rebuild it yourself, although i heard its easier than a piston engine. If your planning on rebuilding it , why dont you look into a turbo swap also?

 

Thanks guys... appreciate the insight. He plans on posting it on ebay in the next week, so I figure that I'll wait and see how much he puts the reserve on it. Still haven't heard back from him yet as to the engine problems I asked him about.

 

If the motor is blown to the point of needing a rebuild(i,e. apex seals, coolant seals, oil seals are bad), $2000 IS alittle high. If you do ever go see it bring yourself a compression gauge and check it. That'll be able to tell you alot!

 

i payed 2g for mine, 88 gxl na with 223K high K's on it but the body is mint and a couple rips on the driver seat (where the leather and cloth connect)

 

i payed 500 for mine blown motor.. actually just finishing up the turbo swap right now...condition wasnt so pleasant but no rust at all so it was a winner

 

i paid 400$ for mine and is an 88. It has a ripped top but a brand new motor, the body is a lil rough but the interior is in alright shape

 

Hey again all... thanks for more advice. The BIGGEST problem with it is that it does not run... period. So I have no idea how I'm to gauge the state of the car mechanically when I can't test much. I should hear back from him tomorrow and see what he has to say. Then I'll post more progress....

 

Hey all,

I'm considering buying the car mentioned below. I am going to look at it today. The body is in pristine condition but the engine is seized up. It has 176,xxx on it and has been sitting (but garaged) for 4 years. I'm considering either rebuilding the engine or I can also get my hands on a good used rotary w/ 80,xxx on it for around 1300 bucks. Would that be a good route to go?

I'm thinking of offering 500 for it. Does that sound like a good amount? I'm going to also have to pay around 100-125 to get it flatbedded to my house.

Thanks for any advice!

 

i personally wouldnt pay more than 500 for it... siezed motor, and rust....i payed 800 for a base model SE with like 90k original miles, blown motor. but i had a spare motor sitting in the shop at the time....yea 500 max IMO

 

Well, I went to look at the car this afternoon... oh my... it's sweet. It was repainted (professionally in like 96) and is in PRISTINE condition... except it has sat in the guy's garage under a cover for 6.5+ years not moving at all. So I have no idea what shape ANYTHING else is in in terms of mechanical. I offered him 500 for it and he said he would get back to me. Was 500 a good offer for a pristine shell condition vert with a blown motor and sitting for 6.5 years?

 

dont go over 1000... plus with the money you save, you can get a jspec motor tranny ecu harness etc.. and have a turbo vert, and if there is one thing that i know, it is that turbo+vert rx-7= ultimate panty remover. but seriously, dont pay 2000.

 

you know you probably could get the engine running again with minimal work (but then again you dont no whats wrong with it) if the wiring is good then yea its a pretty good buy but dont forget about the trans you could get a brand new engine for around 5 grand at mazdatrix.com if necesary i guess...
you know the decision is really up to you...but remeber with a dead engine you may find other parts to be sour (lemonish....get it sour because it might be a lemon!! haha i crack myself up)

 

That's my biggest worry right now is the other components. The engine is not what worries me really. I'm worried that the whole exhaust system will be so rusted and corroded I will have to replace it...hoses, anything rubber, not to mention the fuel tank will need to be cleaned badly after bad gas sitting in it for so long. Also wondering about the status of all the aluminum parts and how corroded they might be. But, you would not believe the condition of the body, interior, and top on this vert...looks brand new, one tiny little chip in the paint about the size of a pin head.. that is it. Also, the tires only have about 1,000 miles on them if they are savable from sitting so long. So many unknowns... the original motor has 171,XXX on it and it blew while he was driving it down the highway.

Really appreciate everyone's help in this forum!!!

 

Could I easily put an S5 NA engine in this if I strip it down to the shortblock and use all S4 parts? Where I live I have to pass emissions, so can I do the swap and keep the emissions rack? Actually they are going to change the law here in Missouri soon to eliminate emissions for cars this old!!!