Guys,

I'm wondering if you guys would pay $7,500 for a 3rd Gen like this:

Negatives:

Positives:

Other notes:

I may think of more detail as you guys respond. I realize some of you may not give 2 cents for the thing. And that's OK. But if you were looking for one, and didn't mind doing some work / making it a project, would you give $7,500 for it? Thanks.

- JyRO

 

This I can say for sure: the airbag / steering wheel are under $100. The intercooler (assuming it's stock) is under $50, but with those mods ought to be aftermarket, which will cost several hundred dollars.

There is no mention of an aftermarket ECU, which is very important for running at those mods/HP. Intake + midpipe + downpipe + muffler = risky. If you put a stock main cat on instead of the midpipe you would be ok with a stock ECU.

I'm not a 'body guy' so I can't comment on the price of new fenders and front end parts. From what I know about this, I'd list these as potential replacements:
bumper skin
hood
bumper reinforcement
new front engine harness (?)
fenders
front cross member
headlight assemblies and covers
undertray
lip
air guide
brake ducts

Dave

 

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback!

I agree with that.


Yeah, I forgot that. From my knowledge, its running the stock ECU. I agree with you, not a good situation. That, I will rectify. How much are good reliable ECU's that will increase the fuel?

new front engine harness (?) - seems OK
fenders - a nominal body shop could fix easy
headlight assemblies and covers - seems OK
undertray - probably
lip - maybe no need, to start with
air guide - learn me, what is this?
brake ducts - OK


But the big question is: Would you spend $7,500 on it, as a project type car?
- Jason

 

PFC w/ Commanders are about 1K or so, if I'm not mistaken... try RX7.com.

As far as getting it for 7500, that's your call. I personally wouldn't, due to the fact I prefer a well running vehicle, that's been taken care of, and in good shape. Also, the fact that he has a stock ecu is not a good thing, and not sure how long it's been that way. Might be time for a rebuild soon...

 

I believe that is a good deal. I would buy it as long as those are the only problems. Most likely there are a few more little problems as well, so make sure you check for them. (hoses, bushings, turbos, water seals, ect)

 

All I have to say is ! Are these commanders overkill? Are there less expensive ones that are reliable?



I see your point exactly. If I bought a car like that it would be $15k+ though.



Yes ... I am concerned. I would imagine it was driven that way for some time.

 

A piggy-back or re-programmed ECU can be bought used for $500. A used stock cat will cost $50+/-, and will make it ok to run on the stock ecu. I would put in a stock cat and make sure things are running very well before putting in the midpipe and aftermarket ECU. It will also be quieter, less smelly, and much cheaper.

For $7500, it might be a decent deal. I guess to me it depends on how good the rest is. One factor I forgot about the damage is that although the reinforcement and front bumper might appear to have the only damage, the frame at the front end will often be pulled together or crushed, and that's not a trivial repair. If you weld in new sections of frame, it should be done properly. But that's all I know - if you run some searches for frame repair you might get more info, and if you search for posts by TurboJeff he is one member who regularly repairs FDs like this and posts his methods/results.

Dave

 

I'd bet you are correct about there being more problems. But I won't know them until I own the vehicle. One thing for sure. It has a coolant leak. But hold on! I was checking under the hood for this leak and could see some dried up coolant on the bottom IC hose. I thought it was odd, so I had him fire up the engine (fired right up) and at first no leak, but after a while it started dripping and then a fairly good stream leaking from the small hose just under the radiator cap. So at least that's an easy fix.

If I buy this, and the engine goes south ... scratch that ... when the engine goes south, as much as I hate to do it, I'll be putting a V8 in it. But until then, I'm going to be doing as many of the reliability mods that I can learn about.

- JyRO

 

This area was damaged, pulled together best I can tell. There was some attempt to repair it (I can tell it had been welded), but I don't know how good a job was done.