Buying my first Rotary!!!
10-21-16, 10:55 PM
#1
Can Post Only in New Member Section
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Wildomar
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Buying my first Rotary!!!
Alright, so I was browsing the Old Craigslist today and I came across this add for a 1985 Mazda rx7 I'm not sure if it's the gsl trim level but after texting a bit with the seller she let me know that a little more about the car. So it has the 12a motor but it's taken out of the car she said it smoked a lot and that it would need new gaskets in order to pass smog. It's got a manual transmission which is good. She says she took the engine and radiator out of the car and she says she has all the parts to reassemble. The body is in really good condition based off pictures she sent me. I'll try to post all the photos I have of it in our after I post this. She's asking $300 OBO which I think is a really good price for this. So the reason I'm posting this is basically to ask is it worth it. I'm not at all familiar with rotary engines. I'm basically your typical backyard mechanic I go to school in San marcos so this would be my fun (hopefully) project. I really like these cars for their looks but basically would this be too much to handle, would I be in over my head to take this on? Or would it be managable. Any help would be amazing I'm sorta going into a tunnel without a flashlight here. I rewlly hope to hear back as I'm gonna go look at this car on Friday Oct 28th! Wish em luck!
10-22-16, 04:36 PM
#3
Young Rotorhead
Thats a great price for all of that; however, you are going to put much more into it than you'll ever get back. My rebuild was $1800 and i couldnt tell you how much else Ive spent on misc parts. Plus, while putting it back together youre bound to have missing peices and broken parts. It will cost you a lot financially to get it running. Parts are not cheap for these cars. (neither is rotary mechanic labor)
Of course, anything is possible with a little can do American attitude and patience. Once you do get it running, it is very gratifying.
Of course, anything is possible with a little can do American attitude and patience. Once you do get it running, it is very gratifying.
10-22-16, 07:27 PM
#4
The sunroof does not look factory and it also has manual windows so it's either a G or GS. It also looks like it might have had AC that was removed. $300 is not bad but depending on the usable/missing parts you could easily spend $1500-$2000 getting it running.
Look for bin rust.
Look for bin rust.
10-22-16, 09:45 PM
#5
Can Post Only in New Member Section
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Wildomar
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah I was sorta rolling over the idea again today. Alot of down time here at work haha. But yeah I gotta see what's there and what isnt. The main thing that got me intrested is the condition of the body like for 300 bucks I wasn't expecting much but it looks good. The car is about 4 hours away from where I live so I wanna also see if it's worth the drive out there. And what should I look for.
10-22-16, 09:59 PM
#6
I've took an 8 hour round trip to look at an RX-7 once. Spent 2 minutes looking it over to determine it was not worth it. Longest 4 hour trip back home I've ever taken. Lesson learned, be pretty confident the car is worth the trip even before starting off. Also, if you decide to make the trip, you'll need a trailer.
My advice, take a deeper dive and scout out some other RX-7's that are closer then make a decision on this purchase.
My advice, take a deeper dive and scout out some other RX-7's that are closer then make a decision on this purchase.
10-22-16, 10:15 PM
#7
Can Post Only in New Member Section
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Wildomar
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah I'm trying to see if I can find any project rx7 but they are all way to expensive some of the ones I've seen are not even running and people are asking 3k and up. I was intrested in this one because I was also thinking of an engine swap? Would that be too hard to do on a car like this?
Trending Topics
10-23-16, 01:15 AM
#8
Retired Moderator, RIP
iTrader: (142)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 0
Received 131 Likes
on
114 Posts
You will need to research this on your own as you are asking people to help you with a car purchase.
NOW before I Close the thread I will say this:
IF the body is OK and you have the money to toss around to restore it then sure..go for it.
Engines are a dime a dozen,and if it is solid then you are set to go..it's the BODY that you need to wrap your hopes and dreams on..not the engine.
No sense in putting windows in a house with bad walls..is there?
SO I am closing the thread so you can ponder the decision as the thread violates protocol with this:https://www.rx7club.com/new-member-r...ction-1104089/
NO offense but the thread is not technical.
I wish you the best in your hunt for a good Rx7 and hope you use the resources that are here.
NOW before I Close the thread I will say this:
IF the body is OK and you have the money to toss around to restore it then sure..go for it.
Engines are a dime a dozen,and if it is solid then you are set to go..it's the BODY that you need to wrap your hopes and dreams on..not the engine.
No sense in putting windows in a house with bad walls..is there?
SO I am closing the thread so you can ponder the decision as the thread violates protocol with this:https://www.rx7club.com/new-member-r...ction-1104089/
NO offense but the thread is not technical.
I wish you the best in your hunt for a good Rx7 and hope you use the resources that are here.
