I am an orginal owner of a 1987 genII GXL. recently it started to burn more and more oil (113K genle miles in 16 years) and would not pass smog, so I just parked it since I don't use everyday.

anyway, the question I need help with is: in the SF bay area, does anyone know of a reliable, reputable and good business that would evaluate the car (do a diagnostic) and replace the seals (my guess?) OR better yet, I am thinking about sinking significant money into it and get that problem fixed, as well as about a dozen other little annoying gremlins that have popped up over the years. the car interior and exterior is in excellant condition (always covered or garaged) which is the only reason I would consider sinking some $ into it---if salvagable, I can give it to my son soon to turn 16 next jan.

budget is about $ 5K total (if I do all the work) and I am hoping that someone in this forum can direct me, or disuade me if sinking that kinda of money into a 16 car does not make sen$e.

thanks,

steven

 

definately rebuild. i think www.mazdatrix.com sells rebuild kits. your son would LOVE you for this...more than he does already! you can do a base rebuild for about 2k dollars. if you replace everything in your engine bay i'm almost positive it can be had for less than 3.5k dollars (especially if you make numerous trips to the junkyard for some treasures that people junked with their car) then you can also do suspension mods or maybe intake or exhaust mods with the left over cash. it is definately worth it to keep the car.

 

Deffinetly keep it. What minclo said

I just about DIED when i got my FC for my 16th birthday even tho it was a POS but i put my money into it and LOVE it now

 

keep it and give it to your son on his 16 b-day and say fix it. he'll learn alot about the car and taking care of it. this is good for one thing and that is so your son doesnt run it into the ground like so many of us did our first cars . but in overall it will be a good father son bonding thing.... i didnt hav one to teach me anything so he'll be really lucky.

 

I am having my engine rebuilt right now with a large streetport for $1500 with every seal replaced. If you want/are capable of rebuilding it yourself you can do it for less than half of that. All seals don't have to be replaced(but many recommend it while you have it opened up). You can buy a video that guides you through the rebuild from atkinsrotary.com which is very helpful.