Alcoholic

I found an auto '93 with 46k miles for $5,000.

The car itself appears to be in good condition, but there are motor problems...

If I rebuilt or replaced the motor, do you think I could turn a profit on this? This seems awfully cheap to me and it seems as though I could buy a 13b swap, pay to have someone install it, then sell the car for a profit?

What might be some things to watch out for in case the seller is holding back some ugly details? Obviously I would run the VIN and visually inspect the car before buying...

I'd rather buy it and keep it, but it doesn't look like that will pan out...

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

the 93's came with a 13b, so it wouldn't really be a "swap" persay, just you putting a rebuild motor in.

4CN Air

iTrader: (7)

might as well swap in a manual while your at it too, auto FD's don't sell very well.

actually if the engine in bad, and considering the tranny $5000 isn't that great of a deal, unless everything else is mint.

Alcoholic

Yes, I know they all come with 13b-rew's....but I think buying a swap or long block would be cheaper then rebuilding the motor.

Alcoholic

http://osakajdmmotors.com/codes/mazda13BTT.htm

New motor and tranny~$1600?

Let's say the car is in good/fair condition (at that price, I'm not expecting mint unless this guy's an idiot), what do you think the car would be worth with a new/rebuilt engine and a manual?

I'm going to work on buying the car and keeping it but like I said, dunno if that will pan out.

RX7UP

^^^Looks like a used motor.


Not good for resale.....

Purchase $5,000
New engine and install $5,000

Total cost $10,000 not including the head ache

Value after a non original new motor in an automatic $9,000 if you're lucky.......

Total loss of profit $1,000

4CN Air

iTrader: (7)

try $3000-4000 for decent rebuilds

that $1600 is quite a gamble, plus it may need rebuilt, you can't tell from mileage, also you'd need to pay labor for the install.

I'd say pass on this deal unless you plan to run it yourself and upgrade as you can (manual, rebuilt engine, etc.)

Fumanchu

Too bad it isn't an auto '94 or '95. I sold mine for 12.5k and I was rushed to sell. Mine had 90k on the clock and 4k on a rebuild and a few mods.


If the paint and interior is in good condition, I imagine with a rebuild you could sell it for 10k or so. Even though an auto FD "isn't the heart and soul of a real japanese experience"(Saburo is a retard) , the car might be right for someone else.

Alcoholic

Well thanks for the input.

I'm gonna try to get this car to keep for myself....do any of you have access to carfax or something to run the VIN for me?

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

I'm pretty sure there is an actual VIN check section somewhere here on the forum. Also, with that kind of low mileage that is a helluva deal if the car is in good shape. 5 spd swap (which is neither cheap nor easy) and you're good to go

Alcoholic

I see it now, thanks.

That's what I was thinking... only 46k miles. Resale value might not be the greatest, but it would still be a damn new fd...

I don't get my license for 8 months (gotta hold your permit for a year in FL)....which would give me some time to get the car in driveable condition. here come the flames.

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

sweet lord, be careful if you do get it. better yet, keep it an auto for a couple of years, it may save your life.

SiKoPaThX

iTrader: (2)

You are correct my good man

I don't see you turning a profit on this, but if you want it for yourself...leave it stock for a while and leave it Auto as well. Trust me on this. Been there, done that, learned the hard way.

ijneb

Its rare to turn a profit on a car unless you have a dealers license or you almost stole it from someone (read: killer deal) or are dealing with high end exotics.

Alcoholic

There is no way in hell I'm driving an auto. How much work is involved with the mt swap?

When the motor got rebuilt, I'd get a streeport done (while the motor is in pieces), 3mm apex seals, make sure the oil passages get ported, any other reliablility mods (no matter how minor) and that'd be all the motor saw for a while.

Next up would be full suspension mods/chassis mods; coilovers, whatever suspension components/bushings, strut/sway bars, xbrace, tension bars, etc.

then there's the cooling system...v-mount, dual oil coolers, low temp thermostat, lots of water wetter , etc...

clutch, lsd.

Then come power mods.

Would be a project for quite a while, and I wouldn't want to worry about the engine blowing. Problem? I don't know if my dad will pay the insurance or even what the insurance would be at this point. I can't work for mods and pay insurance at the same time. My dad said he'd get a quote done soon.

I'll be going to racing school at some point or another/getting a competition license and I think it would be a fun car to take to sebring and moroso.

SiKoPaThX

iTrader: (2)

O boy....like you said: Here come the flames.

Alcoholic

or maybe i should just put altezzas on it?

REnorm

wow, the car you found sounds almost the same as this one being sold here in the bay area in california except the milage thing

http://www.notsecure.us/rx7/rx7.htm

Neakor

auto is a prob....i dont think some one will buy a auto RX7
i cant find any good reason why they produce auto RX7....

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

If your screen name "Alcoholic" says anything about your maturity level, you should NOT be driving a 250hp car, especially if you've got less than 4 years of driving experience.




Search for "wrecked" or "crashed" in the 3rd gen section, and pay close attention to the average age of the people who are crashing these cars.





Start with a good learner car. Miatas are great. They're cheap and plentiful, and there are tons of aftermarket parts for them. Their lack of power will punish you if your technique is sloppy, but the light weight and good suspension design will reward a good driver. The FC is similar, but doesn't weigh as much. It's a good learner car if you want to know more about the rotary. The 1st gens are pretty cool also, there are even spec racing classes for them. Maintenance might be an issue on a car that old, though.





To summarize: learn to drive in a throw-away race car, then step up to the FD3S when you're ready. It will be a much more rewarding experience.

-s-

Alcoholic

Heh.....carfax's last odometer reading puts the car at 96,000 miles in 2003. 46k miles? What a douche.

RevZempoe

I guess I stole it from the preacher I bought it from . I'll be turning a profit on my car haha