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RX-7 They dying breed?

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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 04:42 PM
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RX-7 They dying breed?

I've been on here for a few years praying for a RX-7 to a point of posting a WTB two years ago or so.

Seems like there are alot less within a short period of time for sale. Anyone else notice that?

Even on autotrader/ebay/cars.com in my area, there seems to be nothing but autos and pos ones. (I live in Los Angeles area)

sooo..someone sell me a slightly modded -> stock one please? hahaha
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 04:53 PM
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I see plenty of clean ones still for sale, the only thing is, if you wanna play, you gotta pay. You aren't going to find a clean low mileage 94 or 95 for $9k.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:06 PM
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VTECthis, i love your sig.

+1 on the pay to play... you're just going to have to bite the bullet.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:13 PM
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The lines are becoming very clearly drawn these days. The crap cars are dropping off rapidly in price and the good examples are climbing rapidly.

When I was FD shopping(also about 2 years ago), they were all mixed together, it was very hard to tell if your $15k was going to a prime example or a rolling chasis to be. But in the 2 short years since, it's becoming more obvious and the prices are reflecting that.

Also, unfortunately, a lot of poor examples of FDs are availible right now. You're going to have a hard time finding a good one and when you do, you're gonna have to pay.

I chose the other route and bought one that was surely destined for the salvage yard and am currently having it restored/built.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:35 PM
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It was coming more clear to me (as well as my typo) that I would need to probably fork out more.

I'm not low balling people by offering them 9k for an obviously higher worth car.

Even at 15k it seems no one wants to give theirs up. I even considered getting a bigger loan to get something of better quality...but we will see.

Ideally for me I'd get something a bit down in value and build it up a bit.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:43 PM
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I have a friend selling his for a fair price, mostly stock but with reliability mods....

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=687102
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:45 PM
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I wouldn't take a loan out for an FD though.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:47 PM
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It's through my company, no interest loan =) not worried.

I know enough rotary people where I think I'm safe, plus a 2nd car for now.

damn if it weren't for it being in texas, I might jump on that haha.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 05:49 PM
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Kids buy cheap ones, blow their engines cuz they think they can throw on mods without planning, sells cheaper.

Next kid buys it, treats it like a cheap *** car, dents it up, ruins the interior and never gets it running, sells it cheaper.

etc.

There are plenty of nice FDs around, you just have to be willing to spend. Just because someone scored a great deal on one doesn't mean you'll do the same.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 06:30 PM
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Best thing to do is buy one with a blown motor. And build it up with new and upgraded parts. If done right, you will have a very fast reliable sports car, that should get you where you want for the next 10+ years.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 07:19 PM
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I wanted a specific year, model and color, I waited 1.5 years and had to fly to california to get it, but in the end it was worth it. I bought my 94' white FD (rare color) with 60k original miles (motor included) for $14,900. It IS one of the cleanest cars out there, and I got a serious deal from a rich guy who had too many cars to fit in his garage and decided to part with it. The cars are out there, you just have to be patient and ready to buy the minute you find the one you want.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 07:32 PM
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There are plenty of nice cars out there. Just don't expect to find one in your neighborhood. It took me 6 months, and a two hour flight to find my car.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 07:42 PM
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I spent 2 years searching everyday and everynight just for a local one to build up myself, its been almost 2 years since I bought my Fd, and I'm still building it from the melted engine bay up.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 07:54 PM
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all this talk i starting to scare me. i better pick up a 2nd one while i can.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 07:59 PM
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I must say the process of finding one alone is like a test for the future owner in itself. It takes eyes like a hawk and patience far beyond that of a zen buddist to even find a great condition one. Then to own one you must have all these charateristics + more.

I think the process of finding one really separates the enthusiasts from the pretty boys from buying one. The more rare the FD gets the better, it's almost like a fine wine (gets better with age)
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 08:12 PM
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most rollers are selling for around 4k u can pick up some nice rollers for somthing like 8k or so and if u get one with a blown motor its only about 1k to rebuild the motor your self its not that hard to find one but unless u spend upwards of 15k or more u are looking at an immediate rebuild

the specialty shops that are capable of working and doing a good job on your rx7 is where most of the money goes its nice if u can devote some time to learning and working on your own car then u save money and end up knowing every bolt and weld on your car
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 10:11 PM
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i looked for about 3 months, and finally found what i consider a great condition 95 for an awesome price. I paid under $15000, and it has a mazda reman, and turbo assembly with less than 1500 miles. You just have to be patient and say a little prayer! and look for someone that doesnt really understand how much these cars are still capable of pulling, or someone desperate/need the money.
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Old Sep 27, 2007 | 10:32 PM
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Yep, gonna need one soon though...well soon as in 6 months =)
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Old Sep 28, 2007 | 12:54 AM
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I bought my car over three years ago after about a year of market watching (and I still track the classifieds almost daily in case something nice comes up). I don't think there has been a huge change in the market in those four years.

The beaten up high mileage cars have slowly dropped to the $8-$10k range from $10-$12k, and the bright spark collectors have eventually realized that they are never going to get $35k for their low mileage '93 red, tan interior, base automatics. Even very low mileage nice manuals now come with $20k or so asking prices. The majority of acceptable cars are still in the $15-$18k range - and too many of these have poor paint and worn interiors to be truly worth even that much.

A combination of marginal paint, fragile interiors, complex mechanicals, high parts prices, and a large proportion of cheap-assed young bone-headed owners with almost no disposable income has resulted in a very limited supply of decent cars.

Good cars are still out there, however - you just need to be willing to spend at least $15k, wait 3-6 months for the right one, and hop on a plane if necessary.
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Old Sep 28, 2007 | 01:10 AM
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it took me almost a year of searching for one to part with my t2 and i picked mine up for about 15, although the chassis had 136k engine tranny and turbos had 10 brand new from mazda. and i haven't had so much as the slightest problem with it. i wouldn't entirely discount ones with mileage that may seem a bit higher than normal cause odds are you're getting one with a new(er) engine. I'm just glad the other two guys before me kept the car in great shape
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Old Sep 28, 2007 | 01:35 AM
  #21  
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I don't mind a flight, but honestly I'd rather not risk going and being disappointed.

There were so many back then...wtf happened haha.

Even though this is a "used search button" question. Assuming I need to pay for labor. Is getting a Rex with a blown motor and then doing a rebuild cheaper?

I figure a blown one is 8-10kish as said before and around 4-5k depending on spec of rebuild?
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