I have an opportunity to get a 88 rx-7 in exchange for a drum set.

Im good friends with the current owner and I know that he has owned the car for about 5 years now and has not so much as turned it over in at least 3 or 4 years. My drum set isn't really worth a lot, so it might be worth it for me to try to get the rx-7 running for a quick sale.
The tires will need to be replaced for sure as they deflated long ago and have been sitting on them ever since, and while i think its probably just be the engine is flooded and needs a little tlc (like new oil and gas...), I'm wondering if i should be weary of other symptoms i might not be thinking of.
I don't have a lot of time, and I'd have to work on it in the cold of winter (Vancouver winter, so not to to bad), but if i could get 2000 or so for it if it were in running condition (with new tires), i think it would be worth it.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

For a drum kit!? Wtf. Yes, take it.

 

Do it.

 

Sounds like a deal to me!

 

Hell Yes!!!!!!!

 

Meh, it depends on the condition of the car and the drums. "worth a lot" means totally different things to different people. Need more details and preferably pics to make an accurate assessment.

 

I love my drums and really don't want to part with them, but my friend has been completely unmotivated to do anything with this car and i think he just wants it gone now.

I figure my drums are worth 800 on the high end. The car was bought for 3000 or 3500 at a deal price between friends before it was parked.
Since being parked it hasn't left the drive way, the paint has become faded, but no rust. and like i said, the rims have been sitting on the tires for 2 or 3 years now, so those will need to be replaced.
My main concern is the engine. I just don't know how bad sitting is for a rotary. I assume most of the thicker hoses and seals would be fine, but i still am concerned that some of them might have lost their seal and will need replacing.

I can try to get a few pics over the weekend

 

Well if it wasnt stored right which it sounds like it wasnt, some of the internal seals could be stuck.

 

im pretty sure the engine still has all the same oil in it from when it was sold last, unless it leaked out.
I know he did put an additive in the gas tank to prevent the gas from, well, doing whatever it is that gas does after its been sitting.

when you say that an internal seal could be stuck, is that a serious issue that could prevent the car from even starting? would the block have to be taken apart to reseal the engine?

Thats my main concern, i don't have the time, money or resources to start doing a rebuild.

 

It sounds to me like it's not worth it. The car might not run and if it doesn't... it may be worth less than the drums are. I would say.. compression test it. If it passes a compression test and you can handle the expense of a full tune up plus tires and any other items that will need replacement to run (brakes, clutch hydraulics, fuel pump, etc)...go for it. Otherwise, walk away. Honestly, I doubt it's worth it.

Aaron has a good write up on what to look for here:

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

 

Yes it could be very serious. I dont know if it would prevent it from starting but definitly would not be good for it. You would probly want to start with putting some seafoam in the plug holes and cranking it over with the crank angle sensor disconnected. This is also a good page. Just read and search.
http://aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

 

kbb.com

forum faq and google for buyer's guides.

Having a mechanic look at it can also help.

No one can tell you how much a car is worth across the internet. In your case a good RX-7 is worth well over what you want, but a bad one will cost you thousands to fix. So get a buyer's guide or two. If everything checks out good, then get it. If not, then don't. Of course if it won't even run that makes it harder to check out. Get it running first. You could be in for a heap of trouble.

 

Yeah, thats pretty much where I'm at. I have a pretty good understanding of what to look for now. I don't want to pay any mechanic bills, so i think im going to go out this weekend and get a compression tester and see how good/bad it is and make my decision off that. I know everything else was in working order before it was parked, just want to make sure i don't over look anything major. Minor problems i can let the next owner deal with.

 

Well go over to your freinds house and see if you can start it. Try to get it road worthy and take it for a drive. Find someone in Lower BC who can do a compression test for you as well.

 

umm im not sure if you are aware of this.. i know i was shocked to learn it.. but did you know they still make drum kits.. brand new ones even!!!

wish i could say the same about rx7's

seems an obvious choice to me.. keep the drums they beat walking

 

LOL, drums beat walking.

If it runs take it, if it doesnt run....... take it. Just plan on having no money for a long time if it doesnt run and also plan on having another car to take you to work and back.

 

Pics ...........!!!!!!!!!

 

LOL, I don't think some of you are paying attention... he's looking to get the car as an investment to fix and sell. So... spending all his money fixing it would be a very bad idea.