RxSevenMan

Hey Guys,
I’m looking into buy a 93-95 Rx-7 but I’m not sure what I should do…Buy an Rx-7 with Low Mileage @ $15k-19k or a High Mileage Rx-7 @ 8k-11k.

Plan 1) If I do buy a Low Mileage Rx-7 I would hope that no major repair would be needed.

Plan 2) If I do buy a High Mileage Rx-7 – I would most-likely need to rebuild the engine - fix 3rd Gear Syncro – fix turbos ..etc etc (But I would have that extra money to get those repairs done)


Past Rx-7 Experience – I’ve owned a 93 Rx-7 R1 about 2year ago and I loved the car just as much as everyone on this forum. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I first purchase the car and about 2 year of driving the car I had to get the engine rebuilt. Which costed me an arm and leg at the time because I was a poor little kid – Now that I’m making better money and have more knowledge about Rx-7 – I think I can handle her again.

So please enlighten me with your opinions

What would you choose?


Oh Yea...I'm not looking to modify the car either...I love it bone stock...maybe minor cosmetic upgrades..

|aFk| LiMiTz

I would go for lower mileage cars at a higher cost, which is in fact what I did.

actually I have experience in both depts.
I bought a FD for 9,000 that was still running but higher mileaged. Car had all sorts of flaws that annoyed me.
I bought a lower mileaged fd for a little over 20,000 and I love it.

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

Depends on your wants and desires. If you want a fully modded car with exterior mods, you'd better buy the cheapest one you can find, because it's condition really doesnt much matter anyway and you're going to dump the time and money into it making it what you want regardless. Plus hacking up a clean, unmolested car isn't all that bright.

Conversely, if you're the type that wants to turn the key and go, and not really do anything to the car, then paying more for a clean, low mile car as-is might be your best bet, and certainly the quickest.

Me personally, I always go cheap and build it myself...even if it's going back bone stock. I dont trust a car that hasn't been gone through from the inside out after 10+ years. So it'd make no sense for me to put a bunch of money into a clean car, just to tear it apart and put more money into reliability mods and such (whether or not it appeared necessary).

RxSevenMan

This is my current outlook on this situation:

If I buy a High Mileage Rx-7 – I know I can get the repairs done by a quality mechanics (Tri-Point Engineering or Mazdatrix in So.Cali). So I know that my Rx-7 will run pretty smoothly after they get there hand on it…Hoping repair wont be more then 5-7k…Car should last after those repair are done.

If I buy a Low Mileage Car – I still don’t know what the previous owner did to the car and I don’t know how long those damn Apex Seals will last.

So right now I’m leaning toward High Mileage….but it could easily change…That why I need all your opinions.

rx7n3wb

I don't really know where I fit in in your criteria because..

Low mileage = good condition

High mileage = bad condition

My high mileage = good condition

I suggest you just go out there and test drive them until you find one in good condition. Mileage is one thing but the condition of the car will really depend on how it was maintained by the previous owner.

tdazmansFD

iTrader: (1)

Is a good condition salvaged (but restored) an option? I already owned 2 cars before I bought mine and still wan'nt satisfied till I got an RX-7 too! lol. I picked mine up for 7k with 88,000 on it. He just so happened to own a body shop where he restored it to about 95%. If you keep your eye out, and this is an option, you just might be able to find something with enough value to move forward. Good luck with whatever you decide!

RxSevenMan

I have 15-18k to play with...I don’t mine if the car is salvage, good condition, bad condition...as long as its within my price range...

I don’t want to buy a 30-40k mile rx-7 for 18-19k and 2 years later get stuck with a 3-5k problem later...you know

Its weird...I feel safer getting a jacked up Rx-7 and getting it fix with the extra 6-8k I'm saving...

I'm looking more toward the reliability aspect....

JUST KEEP VOTING - AND REPLYING - ITS REALLY HELPING OUT

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

I'll be honest...in my years of seeing hundreds of FC's and tens of FD's, mileage plays a minimal part in the problems you may or may not have. I've seen SHITTY 75k mile cars, and CLEAN 150k mile cars. I have a 93 with 115k on it, stock suspension, brakes, electronics, steering, chassis, etc. are all in great shape as-is...meanwhile I have another 93 downstairs with <85k on it and it has many electrical issues and doesnt ride half as nice as mine.

Really and truly, the chassis' parts on these cars are built quite well, and even fairly high mileage doesnt impact that stuff much...your main issues with more mileage are drivetrain related stuff, and of course anything made of plastic in the enginebay. I cant say I've ever seen an FD with a worn out wheelbearing, destroyed brakes, blown out suspension, etc...even with 150k miles.

It's much more about the mods that were or were not done to the car, and the maintenance that was or was not performed...and to a lesser extent, the environment it has been in (desert car, northern car, beach car, etc.). Generally southern and midwest cars are the best to choose.

I would not let mileage be a deciding factor on a car I was going to build up myself. I wouldnt even really use it as a bargaining tool...I'd let the actual condition of the car speak for itself.

RxSevenMan

I understand that the mileage has notthing to do with the condition of the car. But i used it to get a idea of what you guys would do in my senario...I guess i shoud have asked....9-11k RX7 that needs to be Repaired or 15-18k Rx-7 that is bone stock....or something like that...

But my whole point was...is it worth it getting a low mileage rx-7 if it might have problems later....or would it be a better idea getting a cheaper Rx-7 and have money to get repairs done..

You know

alberto_mg

Rotary Resurrection hit it on the head.

For your price range, it is probably not worth getting a low mileage FD. The original motor on my car went at 35k miles and I've seen quite a few low mileage cars over the years that ran like crap. From what I've seen out there, the low mileage cars that don't need tons of work wind up fetching above 18k.

If you have patience and funds available and want a project, go for the 9-11k Fd that needs to be rebuilt.

If you want to be able to drive it now and work on it over time, go for the 12-18k FD that has a good running drive train that you can slowly do reliability upgrades and enhance as desired.

My first FD, I got for $9k with a blown motor and some minor upgrades (PFC, full exhaust, intake, SMIC, Konis and new paint). I installed a motor and clutch and then fixed other issues along the way. After 2 years and not enough time in my hectic schedule to do what I wanted with it, I sold it and bought SleepR1's car with all the upgrades that I would have wanted to do, but poor paint. Price netted out.

Only problem is the motor in the car I bought with a 1,500 mile motor from RX7 store only has 85psi compression on the rear rotor. So I need an engine now.... Most people have better luck than I do...

RxSevenMan

Bump

Mike M

You will get more value for every dollar with a well kept low milage car vs. high milage car. You'll need to spend money on either one as the FD is not an Accord.

Nathan Kwok

It kind of depends on where your priorities are. I think it is a misconception that you "save" money by buying a higher mileage cars and getting a rebuild because what many people don't realize is higher mileage cars have wear on ALL the parts, not just the engine. That includes exterior paint and interior. If you've priced out a brand new leather seat cover from Mazda you will see where I am going with this. As time goes by most people replace worn out parts with cheaper non-OEM parts, and each time that happens the car gets a little "older". Even if its a seat cover that just isn't quite as tight as the original factory, or perhaps the suspension bushings are getting a little worn, all these little things add up quickly. If you are looking for a car with a lot of mods then all this matters much less, but if you want a car with that expensive feel the car had from the factory, I'd go for a low mileage car or one that was meticulously maintained and replaced with OEM parts as soon as they needed replacing.

88IntegraLS

I'd definately get the cheap high miler and pull all the stock stuff that doesn't need to be there. You know, all the garbage that controls the twins, heck maybe even the twins , maybe the entire block for a total port fest.

But I woldn't if I were you. I'm just one of those weirdos that has to redo everything "for fun".

SiKoPaThX

iTrader: (2)

I'd say Mileage is less of an issue. It's all about condition. Both my Rx-7's have been "high-Mileage" and have been in great condition.

First one was a 94 with 88,000 on the clock. Bought it for 18k because it was immaculate. I could eat off every panel.

Second one was a 94 with 102,000 miles and 14,000 on the engine. I'd say it was in "decent" condition. The interior was good but it needed paint and the turbos were bad. 15,250 was the price.

I feel I may have overpayed slightly for both cars, but both Rx-7s look to be in WAY better condition than most other people's cars that I know in person.

chris7777777

I bought my FD with very low mileage (20k). I did pay a premium price for it, but I will tell you that I have never fixed a single thing on the car yet after 3 years.

The only things I did was add a CD deck, Downpipe, and the regular maintenance. I can enjoy it as many days of the week as I feel like.

Chris

coolvette

I have had almost no problems with my last fd bought it with 27 k and sold it with 51k miles.I owned it for 2 years ,and my current fd bought it with 8300 and it now has 12,800 miles.do yourself a favor and get a low mile fd,1or 2 owner.Too many things just seem to wear out in high mile fds,and then your are fixing one problem after another.

RxSevenMan

Thanks Guys….I appreciate the help…Now my journey begins again…looking for a Low Mileage FD at a decent price 17-20k…I’m in not rush soo I’ll try to be patient and look for a low mileage FD….

What price range do you think I’m looking at?

Mileage------Price
00-10k-------????
10-20k-------????
20-30k-------????
30-40k-------????
40-50k-------????



Thanks Again

coolvette

20k$ should buy just about any stock fd with 20 k miles.If i ever decide to sell mine again 23K would be my price.Ebay would be your best bet,but you would have to get the car checked out before you did the deal. good luck with your search.