Purchasing a 1988 RX7 Convetible. Need help/suggestions....
 

Hello.

I am in the market for purchasing a 1988 RX7 Convertible with 95000 miles. The seller is being pretty reasonable and asking $3600 for it.

I have not seen the car as yet but he says the exterior needs some work (paint chipping little rust) the usual with a car that was built in 1988.

Here are my questions.

1: With a 1988 RX7 with 96000 miles what can i expect to have issues with the engine down the road?? If driven properly, what is the expected life cycle of these motors. The car has been stored during winters. The owner says it idles rough and needs a tune up

2: Any know issues with the convertible tops that are known of?

3: Any/ALL suggestions on what i should look for when i check the car out. I know my way around cars but anything an RX7 expert can help me point out woudl be great.

4: IS the $3600 a resonable price for an RX7 convertible with high miles, and the body needing some attention. Is this (maybe) a bad buy or something that can turn into a nice project car.

ALL suggestions and pointers are GREATLY APPRECIATED

Thanks

I'll sell you my blue 90 convertible with 40k that needs nothing (maybe a little air in the tires), was never in an accident, was stored during the winters for $7,500.

the difference between the 88 and 90 is the side moulding/bumpers, about 15 more hp in the 90, and an airbag in the 90 (insurance discount). also, leather was standard in 90. the only options available in 90 were automatic, and wheel locks.

The price is a little high (I paid $2500 for my 88 'vert with 113K miles on it a year ago Jan), with a new top, poor paint, and average everything else.

I would be concerned with the rough idle, as it may be more than a simple tune up needed. Often times rotary powered cars that sit all winter are more likely to have problems then ones that were started and ran till warm at least once a week. A compression check at a rotary mechanic or Mazda dealer would be manditory.

If the engine is in good condition (again the compression check will tell you), then it would be realistic to expect double the existing mileage on the motor as a realsitic life expectancy.

To tops side seals on the Targa section (where the glass meets the top are common wear out points (around $50 a side each) as well as it is common to have the top develop a tear just behind the doors, if the top was rasied and lowered often in colder weather (should not be operated below 50F), or the owner did not use a vinyl or convertible dressing everytime the car was washed.

Aaron Cake has a great site on basic things to look for in any FC purchase.