I just went to go look at a 3rd gen today and I'm thinking about picking it up. It needs a lot of work, but it has a lot of good things going for it. It's a R1 and it has a JDM motor, boost controller, new clutch, and a down pipe. Other than that it is bone stock.

The bad thing is the the engine won't start, (they think it's just flooded). The body is straight, but it needs some pant, new bumper, right fender, and a couple other little things. The interior has been pulled apart too. It needs a passenger panel, glove box, and few odds and ends. He also has the original engine available if I want it.

I'm just not sure what a good price for the car is. Any info will be helpful.

 

Pics would be helpful!

The BIG determining factor as far as value of the car goes is the engine.

Where in Cali is the car?

 

If they think the engine is flooded, have them deflood the engine and see if it starts, before you waste a trip out there.

 

if engine doesn't run.. its a great reason to lowball. once its fired up... you can't buy it for 4-7k or even lower anymore...

i would fly out here and take a look in person before u buy... the $ u save from lowballing can go to ur plane ticket

 

I will have pics tomorrow.

The car is in Northern California near Oakland.

He's trying to sell it as is. I'm just trying to find what is a good offer for the car.

 

I was thinking of offering him $3000 for it. when I get the pics tomorrow I will have a better idea.

 

Very few people are able to really find a "diamond in the rough". If you are able purchase a 3rd Gen for under $7000, you can probably expect to pay another $7-10k putting it on the road.

IMO, if you can't afford to spend a purchase price of $13-16k for one of these cars, then you are going to have financial issues later with owning one of these.

 

got mine just 2 weeks ago and i bought it for $4900. some girl traded it in for a beamer and they needed it gone so i bought it. the guy didnt even know if it was turbocharged or not lol. bad thing is that the clutch is going, not badly but you can smell it and it has 111,000 miles on it so rebuild is in my near future. but i still think i got a steal. GL and really make sure to look over the car.

 

Assume new paint will be $5k+, new engine about $5k+ (flooded my ***), new interior pieces $1-$2k, and $1-$3k for other minor fixes, etc. Buy the car for $10k, spend another $10-$15k to make it less than half-assed and you will still have a $10k car that you paid $25k for.

Don't do it.

 

I've done that!

 

Yep, it will add up very fast.

Interior pieces cost from $100 to 350 each on average. Just the driver door plastics will cost $500 to replace, for example.

If your goal is anything near perfection or really nice, keep in mind you can't restore many things in these cars. You can only start with a better basis.

 

I'm heading that way too... good thing I love driving it.

OP,

Dont. Do. It.

 

I would be looking at his one instead:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=734646

 

+1.

 

2 much rice for me!!! but its clean!!

 

I agree with the rice comment, but you car part out the pieces that you don't want or trade them on this forum for stock parts. I'm more concerned about how clean it is and what good parts it comes with. I think that this one is a pretty good bargain with all of those parts.

 

You could easily get rid of the wing and some of the panels. The most important thing is the interior, engine, and drivetrain. Cosmetics are just that.