looking at RX-7 tomorow...have concerns
 

heres the deal...i am selling my M3 for an RX-7
I called someone about an rx-7 i saw for sale on autotrader.com
its a silver 1993 RX-7 touring package with 20,000 miles. he gave me a list of upgrades over the phone. they are HKS upgraded turbo, intercooler, intake, exhaust, fuel pump, injectors, body kit, 18 inch rims, coilover suspension, sterio system, alarm, ECU standalone system (he didntk now which kind but im hoping apexi)...he said he bought the car like this a while ago, his license is suspended and is going to college in NYC and cant afford it anymore. sounds good so far. now the shitty part....he said the car was out of alignment and it pulls to the right. he also said that the car WAS in an accident but it was strictly cosmetic things. he is in DC right now and i am going to look at the car tomorrow. so i will be meeting his mother. (she wont be comming along for the test drive though :D ) i called her to set up a meeting time and asked about the accident. she said the body looks great you cant tell but one of the "flip up things" is missing. im assuming she means headlights. he didnt know what kind of rims or kit it had due to the fact that he bought it like that and didnt seem to be much of a "tuner". very freindly and honest however. what do you guys think? too shady? give it a shot? any opinions appreciated. Thanks a lot

take a look at it - what can it hurt.
ask if he has the receipt from the body shop (call them, maybe - ask them the deal)

if its really good, can you offer to pay $50 for a 4 whell alignment then drive it again to see how it does?

just a couple of thoughts -

thanks a lot man. sounds like a good idea

I suggestion, in addition to the prevoius reply that you re-post and ask other Forum members if there is a shop that specializes in RX7 in your area. Take the car to them for a complete review and drive. You may have to make an appointment. Ask current other for manitenance records.

run carfax and check out the low mileage thing and make sure the title is clean. 20k is just too low for a 93! Check brake pedal, tire, wiper and other wear items to see if the amt of wear is consistent w/ mileage. At 20k mi, the tires should be still original tires! Also, if the pedal are brand new, suspect that someone changed it to hide something. If they are all worn, the odometer maybe turned back.

You absolutely should have the alignment done before you decide to buy the car. Given that it was in an accident, you could be looking at frame damage, new rack and pinion steering, or new tie rod or A-arm, etc.

Also, have a rotary specialist look at it if you are really serious about it. It's worth paying $$ for. Look at service records too.

For more shopping tips on FD, check out

rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/

djantlive and others offer good advice....

he made a typo though, the website address is:

http://rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/

definitely check out this website. lots of good information.

Freaky... I'm trading my M3 (E36) in for an FD as well.

RUN A CARFAX!!
it might be salvaged.

and did he say it's out of alignment... because it hasnt
been aligned in a while??

or because he tried to get it aligned and couldn't?

if he couldnt get i aligned, THAT FRAME IS FUKD!

i have an fd with a salvaged title, it's been in an accident,
I took it to get it aligned just in case, and they said no need,
it's already in alignment.

so if my car can be aligned, then that one has something messy
goin on with it.
just some thoughts,
also dont trust a book by a cover,
the guy who sold me this car seemed like SUCH a nice guy,
and fed my all these bullshit lies. I have learned from that
that you cannot trust anyone, no matter how nice they are.