I'm looking to buy an 88 TII rx7 that the owner says its been in storage since 2000.
He told me that he drives it every now and again to keep things loose.
Its completely stock with the exception of exhaust wheels and brakes.
In the pictures he has the car looks immaculate.
I'm just wondering if it being in storage is going to cause problems if it wasn't stored correctly.
What can I check for to make sure it was stored correctly.

My last TII experience didn't go so well. The guy had done a lot of shady tuning and such. Thats why I'm looking into all original this time around.

Any input about buying this car would be much appreciated.

I'm doing research on my own time but I'd like to hear your opinion too.
I'm really hoping for a better experience this time around.

Thanks.

 

best info here:

http://aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

 

thanks for the info, I'm a bit worried now though.
I'll have to drive it home from Minnesota to Kansas.
Hopefully he stored it properly..
I'll have to ask a few questions about that next time we talk.

 

same question, same answer.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/done-research-years-back-beginning-what-oil-special-case-1002112/

 

Well, don't ask IF he did these things. Instead, ask what he did to properly store it? Asking someone if they did something can result in a lie. Asking what they did will usually get you the truth.

 

Unless the car was on the road and someone actually driving it,I wouldn't risk taking the car straight from a 12 year storage and driving it.
My opinion would be to flatbed the car back IF you buy it and look it over thoroughly.Then if it breaks down you are close to home.
otherwise get AAA and hope that your new car doesn't blow up because you took the word of someone who wants to get rid of it...for some reason.

 

thats what i did with my 87 tII ^ i trailered it from ohio to michigan do check under the batterie where it could rust mine was stored for a while too but it had sun damage to its paint and stuff ran but a lot of little things it ran but has a bad irregular hot idle but thats off topic remove the batery make sure its not rusted threw or anything turns out mine was and to fabricate a piece there will take some time cause i dont have the propper materials at the moment......little things like that

 

Where in minnesota is it?

 

^Same question.

If you go pick it up on a Wednesday there will be like a dozen rotary guys at Sonic after 6 in Bloomington for the Garagegeeks meets who could help you give it a once over.

 

I cant remember the exact town name, but ik its about 45 minutes north of Minneapolis.

No way I'm going to get there by Wednesday. Going to take my sweet time, do some good research. I haven't seen many pictures yet either. He's going to send me more soon. I have many more questions to ask now too.

Good advice, keep it comin!

 

Are there are any of these sort of things happening any time in July? I would definitely work my schedule around so I could have some knowledgeable people look it over.

 

If you decide to drive it make sure the OMP is functional if anything. Change the oil before departing! Or better yet tell him to do that. Do not drive on 12 year old oil. Chances are the oil rings are dried out so expect some smoke. I'm sure the fuel system needs to be completely replaced with an injector cleaning. It will need a new battery. The tires will be dry rotter and have flat spots from resting. Brakes will have surface rust most likely and need replacing.

You will pretty much have to...
-flush and replace all fluids
-new plugs, wires
-new tires
-new brakes
-new air filter
-new fuel pump with strainer,new fuel lines, new fuel filter, injector cleaning

just to get the thing drivable to get it home...
-change oil and check OMP
-check tire pressure
-check coolant quality and that it's leak free also water pump is noise free
-good battery

 

Do not drive on old tires - we all know better but sometimes do stupid things.

It's a long story from 2003 but coles notes it includes sliding on a roof in a ditch while on vacation in Portugal and then shipping off S.O.'s colleague the next week back home in fear she'd die over there.

 

just trailer this car home and deal with it then. I would not trust a parking lot inspection before making a long journey with a used car that has been sitting.

 

I agree, spend the few extra bucks to rent a trailer or have it shipped via a car shipping company. Driving a car a few times while being parked since 2000 isn't enough to make sure everything is in good shape. Also tells me he hasn't properly maintained the car if that's the case.

 

He wont deal with shipping, I have to meet in person. He said he put new tires on it that haven't seen the road. This guy has many cars I'm guessing he has quite a bit of cash in the bank. He just buys nice cars and lets them hang out, drives them every now and again. It has drilled and slotted rotors along with ceramic brake pads. Said he put those on recently too.

 

everyone trashing the old owner too, give him a chance.

I have seen plenty of driven RX7s that are nothing to write home about and I wouldnt trust them to go around the corner to get a slurpee!

 

No one is trashing the old owner..

 

the comments in this thread almost make every seller out to be a liar, brutal I tell you, lol

 

Well, unfortunately they are sometimes. I bought a "mint" 84 GSL SE from a guy here on the forums. Trusted him, had it shipped up...

It's not even visually mint, he lied about rust, a previous accident (which after my purchasing resulted in a "totaled" car with some research.) The engine bay is 1/2" shorter on the passenger side than the other.

But guess what? I bought it. It's mine. I didn't have the opportunity for a "parking lot inspection" like this guy. He and everyone else are right to be suspicious.

 

There are plenty of people out there with similar situations to this guy (not exclusive to RX7's) that also have direct or indirect connections with body shops and flipping such cars are a business for them. Just be sure you know what work has been done to the car, not just what he tells you.

I bought my car trashed, knowing that it was trashed. But along the journey, there were still discoveries about the car that I have made that the previous owner was less than honest about and straight-up lied about. I recently located the owner prior to him and found that my previous owner was well aware of the stuff he was bs'ing me about.

Just be sure of what you're looking for and don't just take this guy's word for it. Go somewhere away from him and spend some time with the car giving it a good review - and again, know what to look for....keep doing your research if you don't want another mess on your hands.

Maybe he is being completely honest - but used car salesmen don't have that kind of reputation for a reason.

 

except this guy plans on buying the car and driving it home, so its not like he is buying it and having it shipped like you did


you buy a $1000 car you take your chances I guess, you spend a few bucks then spend a little more and get off your *** and go look at the car.

 

and why is dealing with a transport such a headache? sounds like a lazy **** to me and that is a telltale sign right there that the car is neglected. i deal with transport companies all the time and it's one of the least stressful things i deal with and takes all but 15 minutes to give the driver directions, hand him the key and sign the paperwork. even if you showed up in person with the transport company to pick it up..

either you're getting a deal or you're getting a deal too good to be true.

 

I believe he doesn't want to ship the car without someone looking at it first. I completely understand that. If i were there It would be no problem to ship. I will be talking to him tomorrow I'll have more information then.

 

It's up to you to take the risk, i drove a t2 with a rusty fuel tank home 150 miles, and had no problems, if everything was in working order at first, i'd say you're probably going to be fine unless the tank is full of old gas, if it is i'd drain it first and refill.

Then again maybe i just have good luck.