So I was driving down the road, Saw a red s4 vert for sale for 2500 at a mechanic shop, i pulled over, asked the guy a few questions, of course he knows nothing about rotarys... but he said it had been sitting in the shop for about a year, some lady brought it in to have the fuel pump replaced.. they fixed it, she never came back..
So they filed for abandoned title, and now they are selling the car.. they said after fixing the fuel pump, it sat.... and when they went to drive it again, the fuel pump was bad again. Well they replaced it a second time.. and it runs, i started it up, no smoke, good idle and no vibrations..

I went to drive the car, good temp, clutch feels really weird, i had to push it down alllll the way and the car kept stalling out.. the clutch didnt want to come out either i had to pull it with my foot a few times, could this be due to not being driven?

another thing, this car is COMPLETELY stock.. but going from first to second gear, it felt like it was getting not a lot of power, i dont know if its just because i am not used to stock.. but i just thought id ask on ur opinions.. I dont know too much about cars.. so any imput would help.

the driver fender is banged up kinda bad, but other than that the chassis is clean.

should i try and talk him down or is there any questions i should ask?
btw im a female so i want to know as much as i can before i get ripped off..

 

The clutch system probably needs to be bled before it will behave like it should. The FC's clutch pedal travel is pretty long, but the release point shouldn't be on the floor. It should never get stuck on the floor though. Air in the system may be due to a leak that needs fixing. Make them try to bleed it, or replacing whatever could be leaking. It's usually the clutch line from the master cylinder to the slave.

As far as power, you may just not be used to a rotary's power-band. There will be little torque under ~3500 RPM, so don't be afraid to rev it up. It likes it. There could also be issues with the auxiliary port actuators, which open additional intake ports at high RPMs. If non functional, these will result in a substantial power loss up top.

Also, $2500 is pretty high for a car with fender damage and will need some work. Talk him down on it.

Some helpful info:
Un-storing: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm
Aux ports: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/6porttest.htm

 

Convertibles are snails, I mean like really, really slow. I wouldn't buy that car for that much unless it was almost excellent condition with like 60k on it.

 

It sounds like there is a leak in the clutch slave cylinder or its line. Yes, this is common, and it is also common for the clutch master cylinder to fail at the same time.

The power issue is difficult to diagnose over the internet. If you are seriously considering buying the car, take it to a local rotary-smart mechanic shop for an engine compression check and overall check-out. See the FAQ in this section for buying tips.

I paid $1,000 for a 88 convertible last year, and it sounds like the one you are looking at is in worse shape. I think $2,500 is entirely too much money for that car. Plan on spending about $800 in random parts like a new battery, fan belts, new fluids, spark plugs, etc. Also, keep in mind that a new convertible top is about $1,000 to $1,500 parts and labor, so be sure to check for any tears.

 

Mine moves. Not to fast but it moves up to 80 nice. Cant say i own a hatchback, hopefuly soon =].

Talk him down, if he dosent know the rotory he dosent like it. Good rule of thumb if they dont know about them they hate them for no apparent reason. Also download the FMS (Factory Service Manual) S4 86-88 S5 89-91

http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1986_1988/ S4

http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1989_1991/ S5

FAQ's

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/frequently-asked-questions-2nd-generation-rx-7-faq-fc-494667/

 

^ links for FSM dont work.

 

I would offer him $800 and if he bites take it. If not then look for another. It cost them 2 fuel pumps and some storage space to keep it so they are going to make money on it anyway.

 

UPDATE
Apex seals are toast.

 

Oh ****, more info?

 

when i tried to start the car up again yesterday, it wouldnt start, the mechanic said it was doing this every now and then.. but sure enough, white smoke from the exhaust, and when we finally got it to start.. ran slower than a snail... i drove the car again, this time trying to punch it in second, i had to FLOOR it in second just to get to 40mph.. when bringing it back to the shop, i had to drive it uphill, it didnt even have the power to do that, stalled it out. asked the guy to do a compression test, hes supposed to be calling me back today. Im almost 100% sure its the apex seals..
but well see.. unless the cats are completely clogged.
i told him i wouldnt pay more than 400 for the car if the motors trash..

 

S4 http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1986_1988/

S5 http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1989_1991/

Find out about the Compression. I would be there to see it if it were me. Is it smoking for a few secconds or for a long while? What color was the smoke ( blue, black white?).

 

the smoke was white. when they call me back, if they do with the #s, im not even going to trust them. because its clear that the motor is done, they just think im a stupid girl that doesnt know **** about rotarys.
it smokes the whole time the car ran, and you seriously had to have the pedal to the floor to get it to go to 40 mph in 2nd gear.. i had a completely stock NA and when i punched it, the car moved..
the clutch was also f*ed, the pedal kept getting stuck..

 

I'd just walk away, and find a different car. It's not like it's something super rare.

 

yup unless you want a project. It sounds to me like a coolant seal fail... Its up to you......

 

any verts in AZ send em my way then!

 

if your near phoenix heres a 500$ one might be a steal
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1312030809.html

let me know weres abouts your looking ill do some searching i got nothing better to do and keeps me outta trouble =]

 

Yeah 2500 is kinda high for a car that needs a cage welded in it before you can put it on most tracks. But if your looking for show, hey, nothing beats those. As far as performance, lets says worst case, new fuel pump needed some, possible drop of tank as gas might be sludgish, maybe why the fuel pump keeps failing. if so go ahead and replace or rebuild the injectors, filter as well. As for it being slow, you said its completely stock, my bet is the pre cat and cat , or what that stupid thing is, its still on, once that is replaced, much more power will come. However you should consider that a car that might need a fuel system replacement as well as a master clutch cylinder as well, and if that is bad, and they have been letting people drive it hard or not, the clutch might need replacing soon as well. I would have to say, no, if you can get it for like 1000-1200, ok, but it needs alot of work. If they dont sell, they are looking for a sucker, don't be that sucker.
Well unless you have alot of cash, then hey, do what you like

 

Still the white smoke says that the coolant seal is gone. so it will need a rebuild soon. The one i posted above looks like a good deal from what i read and if hes 100% true (sometimes they arn't) then it would be a good choice and 2000$ cheaper and its OBO.

 

wtf, hell yeah walk away!!!!! Dang unless you get money for taking it. Thats a project car for sure!!!!

I didnt see this part at first

 

lol its ok i didn't see at first. lol i

 

I cant view craigslist at work!!!! fml.