Hello all,
Basically I found a 88' FC vert NA near my house and I have an opportunity to get it for only 1k but the guy is not sure it will pass smog. He hasn't had time to try to smog it...I had to meet him at his work in order to see it. He did however say that "I" could take to go smog it.

First things first. This is his add:

selling my rx7 because i'm getting a new 4dr car

pros : all parts are fresh and were installed with in the last 4 months got some receipts too

engines runs strong and healthy (171k miles) no leaks!
just replaced all radiator hoses up/down everywhere ($220) and a new thermostat
changed rear differential and rebuilt axles ($500)
a brand new EXCEDY clutch 2 months ago ($160 excluding labor)
did a full tune up NGK spark plugs and wires ($80)
new radiator cap and fuel filter
K&N intake cone ($50) got the stock assembly too
kyp shocks and springs ($450)
big aftermarket swaybars front and back with new end-links ($250)
changed oil not too long ago
front upper tower strut bar ($60)
deep dish steering wheel and short shifter
FD brakes
turbo model transmission (closer gear ratio)
clean s5 leather seats
top comes down and up electronically
cd player with AUX plug

car handles very good!

Cons :
couple dents here and there but body mostly straight
car has salvage title due fender bender from back in days but no frame damage
passenger window needs a motor like 40bucks from pick n pull
car needs a wash! never had the time latley

asking $1500 obo. shoot me an offer i already bought another car and want this one to go!


I took these pics. Basically I need the car to pass smog and run good for st least 2 months. It started up cold ok...warmed up near 2k and idled fine.

I test drove the car by myself and was able to drive it around with no problem. So I basically have two concerns. First is obviously the smog. Second is that its transmission seems to wine fairly loud. Not sure if that is normal since it is a turbo ll transmission. I haven't noticed that on other RX7 that I have test drove. It shifted in all gears fine with no grind.

The engine seems to pool fine and read usually with no ball. When I came to stop lights are titled fine and he never went up. When I got the car back to the parking lot I let it sit and idle and he also never went up at that point.

The only thing that I noticed was some oil on top of the engine. I will post these pictures up to see what you think. It seems as though it's just residual oil though.

He says that the previous owner claimed to have done a rebuild and it does seem that way since it ran and I don't perfectly at that high mileage.

I would really appreciate any feedback. Please help me out on this one guys.

Thanks!!!😀

 

Thanks Moderators! =)


Now, the engine pics didn't come out so great but as I said, it had what looked to me like residual oil there. I am trying to post a video of it idling after I drove it for 10 min.

Idle at 1.5k but smooth.

Ahh. The pics go up but maybe I can send someone the vid...

 

The new roof will set you back about 5-600 if you buy new.
Other than that Verts have a better value than Coupes,so Haggle with the guy,Hell you are already in Killing Range!

 

I don't think he'll go below 1K...maaby $800.

But what do you think of the engine? If it passes smog do you think I should just pick it up?

Lastly...the tranny had a slight whine to it like a muscle car tranny or supercharger. It went in to all gears without grinds and didn't pop out so synchro where good but...After I warmed it up, even when I took it to 7k it shifted fine. But under accelerating the tranny seemed to whined up more then the engine. Normal?

 

$800 for a running car sounds like a deal to me if you like the car.

Once you get it home, throw some synthetic into the tranny and then see how it fares.

 

$800 sounds fair for a car that runs and drives. I just paid $300 for a coupe with no keys, all the windows busted out and I don't know if it'll run at all. Mine has a clean title though.
Check your state rules on salvage titles. Some states allow you to put the car under a restoration title that doesn't require you to plate the car and then have an inspection done to get it back under a non salvage title.
If you get the top replaced, the shop will tell you to leave it closed for up to a week, trust me, listen to them. The material has to stretch and relax into the closed position. If you open it sooner than they tell you it'll probably never close again. The upholstery shop I worked for told customers to leave it closed and bring it back in a week and we would open it and inspect it, otherwise there would be no warranty. You wouldn't believe how many people came back with the top unable to shut and the interior full of water cause they opened it and got caught in the rain or had no garage to park in.

 

Wow, thanks!

Yeah it's definitely fair price for what it is. It's just that the main reason I started looking at it was for a car to pass smog in case I either imported and FC or bought a Tll that had trouble passing smog.

However now that I look at the deal it is in fact good deal. Especially because I'm almost 90% sure the engines in great condition. I do worry that the transmission has worn out bearings. However Im willing to take that chance and just try to source a used transmission, and Just change out the current transmission fluid with synthetic as soon as I get it home as was suggested above. That may fix it in itself.


As for the smog I actually didn't think of that. I am located in California and the smog rolls here are very strict. But I did not take into account the aid to the vehicle I may not have to pass smog for long.

 

Oh I didn't notice you were in California. Unfortunately only pre 1975 vehicles and a few other categories you don't fit into are exempt. Unless you want to make it a hybrid or electric.

 

Ha ha. Funny thing is their working on passing a law right now that would make all pre-81 cars smog exempt. However I wish they would go back to the 25 year rule like most other states.

I do have a friend that is currently working on modified Honda Adom and says his "dream" car is Honda insight with a K 20 RWD. But then again this is coming from the guy that makes triple my pay and has a Dodge Viper so screw him.

Jk! =P
Nah, I love u Hsin (no homo)

 

So I ended up getting an AMAZING deal that (I don't think) anyone is gonna believe me.

I put the vert aside to drive two hours to see what became the best deal ever...needles to say. I'm glad I put off getting the vert.

I'm planing on posting a new thread with pics and maybe a link to a video soon.

I'll just say this...I found TWO gems in the middle of what I could only describe as a barn/farm. Single owner cars, and the owner had died.

I know it sounds like one of those made up stories!

Anyway. I paid a little more then I would have for the vert and got a Red S5 FC with showroom quality black interior AND a White S5 that is equally as clean. The red s5 has around 60k on it but has been sitting and will need a little work to run properly. Currently non-op though.

The S4 is RUNNING and...well ull see the pics.

Stay tunes friends. =P