So found a GXL. $2k CAD, new tires, all stock parts (hell even has original radio lol), 160k on odometer, and faded paint. So went over and checked the car out.

When he was cranking the engine, it was a bit weak at first , and after about 5 seconds and reving it a bit, it gained power. A bit of white smoke came out but died down after a while. Gas didn't smell sweet or oily.

The idle was steady after that, all the way to operating temperature. The temp was -5c to -10c, at the time, so was it just the cold? The car has also been sitting for a few weeks.

The owner is a mechanic and seems to know about rotaries. He was mentioning the main components like the OMP, internal seals and was talking about the 6 ports the NA uses (said the last two might have become stuck), and he said he used to own a FB. He also said he has done maintenance to the car (fixed a rusted brake line, fluids changed, reduced tension of the belts/bled the breaks in the winter).

The car has no under body rust, no rust in the wheel wells, and the interior is almost mint.

So everything looks pretty good, just wondering if the difficult start was due to the cold (and the age of the car)?

I didn't get to test it out due to stuff in the way, but he will bring the car out next time I come on Sunday.

 

dont vuy it until you compression test it and do a coolant pressure test.
check out the aaroncake buying guide also.

 

Could the white smoke by the sub-zero assist? It seems cold enough for it to kick in.

 

i wouldnt count on it, that thing hardly ever works aha

 

Doh

 

PM me the Guys name..I know alot of people in your Area.so I may be able to tell ya if it is "OK" to buy.
(don't worry,I have enough Cars and don't want any MORE!!!).

 

Have you read the how to buy guides?

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy1.htm
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy2.htm

 

If it wasn't plumes of smoke it's probably alright. Every car smokes when it's cold until the exhaust reaches temperature and the moisture is taken out before the exit. The smoke should not smell sweet. Also any car that has been sitting is going to have lower compression. After you DD the car for a while the compression will go up. Read Aaron Cakes How to buy guides.

 

Aaron, yea I did. Also read the one on voodoobox.

Went with a family friend mechanic, and we checked it out in more depth. Said the calipers were probably rusted out because the owner couldn't bleed out the breaks (and the pedal went to the floor before you could feel pressure, so air was in the lines). The rocker panel and the edges of the wheel wells were also rusted. The car was sitting out doors for a bit, said all the bolts probably would be seized and rusted. Also clutch was totally gone. Finally he said the engine seemed tired out.

Final verdicts he said is you could buy it, but you'd have to put in at least $1k of work to get it road legal. Better to wait and buy one for $3k anyway, that isn't so banged up. Spring is around the corner, so I guess I will see what starts getting sold.

Kinda bummed out, but hey, learning experience. Best not to just look at one car and see what turns up! Also by the time another comes around I'll have more cash to spend on it. So the target is still April!

 

yeah good call on that one, a buddy of mine just picked up a 86 gxl for 2k and the car is junk.
the car is rusted on the entire underbody
the drivers door and front fender are smashed and rusting
76 psi compression on both rotors
dual cherry bomb mufflers

the only good about his car is that it has a nice header on it, and the suspension mode switching works.