R2?? How can I tell? Buyer advice needed.
09-15-01, 02:55 AM
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R2?? How can I tell? Buyer advice needed.
I am in the process of buying my first 3rd generation RX-7. I used to drive a 2nd generation and have always missed that car.
The dealer called the car an R1, but it is a 94. Color is red. It has the suede like cloth seats, dual oil coolers, and brace running across the engine. Are there any identifying numbers in the VIN that distinguish an R2?
Just for any general input on buying a used 3rd generation:
I have done a pretty good check on the engine and it seems strong. I remember replacing the engine on my second generation. It started smoking out the exhaust before the original motor went. This one showed no signs of smoke when at idle and I could see nothing in the rear view while accelerating. 87,000 miles, stock with no modifications. According to carfax it was originally sold in Ohio and come out to California in 1997. I can see the muffler is corroded and will need to be replace although it has no exhaust leaks.
Gave it a good test drive, and found no problems. I noticed a slight waiver in the rpm's when cold. Once warmed up very smooth. Suspension was very firm with a good feel on the road. Cornered like a dream.
I ran carfax and it came up clean. I was told that there was a small dent right behind the drivers door but it had been pulled out, no bondo. I ran a magnet along the body and found their was bondo right behind the drivers door covering about 8 inches. I can find no other problems with the car.
I am intending to buy the car for $15,000 and have already made a deposit. Does this sound like a fair price? Is there anything I should be checking in specific before I buy a 3rd generation? I have been wanting to get one of these for years but I want to make sure I buy the right one.
Thanks for any input.
The dealer called the car an R1, but it is a 94. Color is red. It has the suede like cloth seats, dual oil coolers, and brace running across the engine. Are there any identifying numbers in the VIN that distinguish an R2?
Just for any general input on buying a used 3rd generation:
I have done a pretty good check on the engine and it seems strong. I remember replacing the engine on my second generation. It started smoking out the exhaust before the original motor went. This one showed no signs of smoke when at idle and I could see nothing in the rear view while accelerating. 87,000 miles, stock with no modifications. According to carfax it was originally sold in Ohio and come out to California in 1997. I can see the muffler is corroded and will need to be replace although it has no exhaust leaks.
Gave it a good test drive, and found no problems. I noticed a slight waiver in the rpm's when cold. Once warmed up very smooth. Suspension was very firm with a good feel on the road. Cornered like a dream.
I ran carfax and it came up clean. I was told that there was a small dent right behind the drivers door but it had been pulled out, no bondo. I ran a magnet along the body and found their was bondo right behind the drivers door covering about 8 inches. I can find no other problems with the car.
I am intending to buy the car for $15,000 and have already made a deposit. Does this sound like a fair price? Is there anything I should be checking in specific before I buy a 3rd generation? I have been wanting to get one of these for years but I want to make sure I buy the right one.
Thanks for any input.
09-15-01, 03:17 AM
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Since you've had a 2nd gen you should probably have a decent idea of what to look for in a rotary but check out this site for some good 3rd gen specific info:
http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/buyaused.htm
You can call Mazda Customer Service at (800) 222-5500 with the VIN # and they should be able to tell you if it's an R2 or not and what recalls have been done. Most likely it will be an R2 beacause most people won't add the 2nd oil cooler because of the cost. I think $15k is a fair price but really price is just how much you're willing to pay for the car so it just depends on what you think about the car after test driving it. If possible, I'd take it to a rotary shop to get checked out just because 87k miles might be getting close to a rebuild but it really just depends how well it was maintained. A friend of mine has over 100k miles on the original motor and it still runs pretty decent because the car was always taken care of.
http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/buyaused.htm
You can call Mazda Customer Service at (800) 222-5500 with the VIN # and they should be able to tell you if it's an R2 or not and what recalls have been done. Most likely it will be an R2 beacause most people won't add the 2nd oil cooler because of the cost. I think $15k is a fair price but really price is just how much you're willing to pay for the car so it just depends on what you think about the car after test driving it. If possible, I'd take it to a rotary shop to get checked out just because 87k miles might be getting close to a rebuild but it really just depends how well it was maintained. A friend of mine has over 100k miles on the original motor and it still runs pretty decent because the car was always taken care of.
09-16-01, 12:29 AM
#3
R1 was in 93
R2 in 94...only difference was the softer ride compared to the 93
15 sounds like a fair price but then that IS more on what you are willing to pay than anything else.
Be sure to check to see it has that plastic undercarriage which draws cool air to the radiator. People often miss looking for that and it is vital to the car.
R2 in 94...only difference was the softer ride compared to the 93
15 sounds like a fair price but then that IS more on what you are willing to pay than anything else.
Be sure to check to see it has that plastic undercarriage which draws cool air to the radiator. People often miss looking for that and it is vital to the car.
09-16-01, 01:41 AM
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potatobbq,
Thanks for the link on buying used RX-7's. I had not checked the compression or boost. I will have to pick up a boost guage and take another test drive, then get it into the shop and check the compression. I also liked the section on reliability mods.
I will Mazda a call on Monday and verify this is an R2, but I am sure it is.
I think I will go for a warranty since I am buying from a dealer, this way if the engine goes, I will be covered.
I think 15 is a fair price also since this is a car I have wanted for a while and it is not that easy to find one in my area I can take the time to inspect before purchase. I guess I was just a little concerned knowing that the car has has some body repair on the driver side.
evot23,
What does this plastic undercarriage look like. I have seen several pictures of the car with a spoiler in the front. This car does not have that. Is this what you are referring to as the plastic undercarriage.
Thanks,
John
Thanks for the link on buying used RX-7's. I had not checked the compression or boost. I will have to pick up a boost guage and take another test drive, then get it into the shop and check the compression. I also liked the section on reliability mods.
I will Mazda a call on Monday and verify this is an R2, but I am sure it is.
I think I will go for a warranty since I am buying from a dealer, this way if the engine goes, I will be covered.
I think 15 is a fair price also since this is a car I have wanted for a while and it is not that easy to find one in my area I can take the time to inspect before purchase. I guess I was just a little concerned knowing that the car has has some body repair on the driver side.
evot23,
What does this plastic undercarriage look like. I have seen several pictures of the car with a spoiler in the front. This car does not have that. Is this what you are referring to as the plastic undercarriage.
Thanks,
John
