Currently looking at an 88 FC vert. I can vouch for the fact that the owner has taken GREAT care of the car, NEVER run it ***** to the wall or anything to those lengths. The car has some aparently minor problems and am wondering from you experts how many are actually minor. The car has aparently been sitting for the better part of two years, and started fairly infrequently. it has 113,000 miles. He says it's lost some compression and MAY need a rebuild but i'll let yall tell me what you think. the fluids and what not have been replaced frequently as has the clutch just been changed. It has new tires. Asking 5,500. Any help appreciated:

1. Top has some MINOR damage to it. couple cracks but no sun damage or anything like that

2. CD player aparently no longer plays but doesn't hinder the ability of the radio etc. Is it possible with those to get a face plate that works with the in-headrest speakers (I know the current one is a six channel and was just wondering if i could right a newer stereo up)

3. Stick has a rather large amount of 'play' in it. NEVER falls out of gear, but it just has a lot of play. easily fixed?

4. He says in the mornings (relatively warm NC mornings) it gets something along the lines of vapor lock and takes quite a while to start sometimes. Normal?

Once again, any help appreciated.
Scott Carlson

 

I can't help you with the top, but some of the others, sure:

You can get a radio that will work, just buy a car stereo installation kit specifically for your year and model (should run you about 30 bucks).

Usually, changing the bushings takes care of the play in the shifter. About 30 bucks on eBay.

I've been told that difficult starting on warm days or when the engine is hot is due to loss of compression and you might need a rebuild.

 

It sounds like an ok car,but not for 5500. I know verts usally go for a higher price but with the mileage and everything he needs to come down. I think you are going to need a new top soon or you are going to get wet when it rains if those cracks get any bigger. Yes you can get a new head unit but you mst likely won't be able to use all six channels. Usually the wiring harness only come set up for 4 channels. If you find one set up for six or want to do th wiring yourself it might work for six channels. Your shifter play is an easy fix all you need are new shitfter bushings which you can get from you local Mazda dealer parts section. As for the vapor lock, it is not vapor lock. More likely he is flooding the engine which is typical for 87's & 88's. The way to combat this is to pull the fuse for you fuel pump and turn the car over(try to start it, it won't start). then put the fuse bak in and start it. This should have burnt off all the fuel that wasjust sitting in the engine. Do this only if the car won't start. If you want a more detailed explination of how to do this go to rx7.com and look at there list of typical problems for your year model. Hope this helps.

 

1. the top, if its not leaking, dont worry about that until later

2. CD Player, really has no effect whatsoever on resale value, if you can live with just AM/FM, great, if not buy a new CD player

3. The bushings are worn out, very easy fix. Like Puppy Doc said, 30 bucks or so

4. Hot start, could very well be a sign of lost compression...and usually is. do a compression check on it.

I wouldnt pay 5500 for it, unless compression is OK, even then Id be VERY hesitant to shell out that kinda cash for it. Just be sensible about it.

 

Ya $5500 is in S5 TII territory, not S4 vert with low compression. What you can do is have the compression checked. If its low, get a price on a rebuild. Use that as a bargaining tool to get the price way down. Then try the ATF trick and see if that helps out. Seems to work well for the cars that have been sitting long periods of time. Oh and instead of asking what the "ATF trick" is(if you don't know, you prolly haven't been on the forum long), use the search feature in the upper right hand corner

 

based on your description, not more than $3k for it. Sitting that long alone would lead to the kind of low compression that would lead to a rebuild being needed.

I am basing my price on that last Jan I bought my 88 vert with 113K on it for $2600 from a local dealer and the compression was perfect and the brakes had just been replaced.