dgross7

Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum. I have always liked mazdas and always wanted to own my own rotary. Right now I drive a mazda3. Im currently looking at an '89 rx7 convertible. The owner is selling it at 2600, I just went and looked at it today. this is a run down of what i could see:

-brakes are "soft"
-shifter is loose (new shift bushings?)
-car has 160k, motor is at 49k. first owner put it in at ~110k (current owner has paperwork for that
-car is in pretty good condition for 160k, interior isnt bad. leather seats are worn and splitting/split
-driver side window does not work. when you push the button it sounds like it wants to but doesnt move. pass window works fine.
-the top has a few tears in it. she says it doesnt leak but put tape over the cuts anyway.
-she began to tell me about companies that will rebuild the top for you, or make a new one. all you do is send in the glass window.
-the top is also a targa top. i dont remember reading that the rx7 convertible is a targa top, but this one is.

i think thats all

-she put new tires on it recently.
-oh and the a/c doesnt work. most likely just a recharge but not positive.

other than that the car isnt bad. drives well.

I would really appreciate your honesty on this one, is it worth it or not? I am not as happy as i had hoped, but i think its still a decent deal at 2600. (could talk her down a little i think)

as for me I am in college right now, this will be my first car under my name, the mazda3 i drive right now is under my parents' name.

thanks for your help everyone!

Evil Aviator

Most likely yes.
http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/ssinstal.htm

It is probably just old fluid that needs to be replaced/bled, but it could also be old brake lines that are bulging. If you need new lines, you can get some nice DOT stainless steel lines for about $84 (convertible has 4-piston calipers):
http://www.mazdatrix.com/j-sslines.htm

Generally, if it is torn then it will leak, and if it leaks then the car will rust. The premium replacement top is the Robbins brand, although some people like to switch to canvas. It is probably better to get a pre-cut top and have a local professional shop install it as opposed to having a shop try to figure out how to make one based on your old top. Yes, the rear glass is re-used. In addition to the price of the material, plan on spending about $400 for a local shop to install it. It is not a good idea to attempt this yourself unless you are a good seamstress.
http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/index.php
http://theautotopshop.com/
http://www.cartopsplus.com/ccp0-catshow/rx7.html
http://www.kwiktops.com/index.php?ap...catshow&ref=rx

Once you get a new top, be sure to keep it clean with proper cleaners and treatments.
http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...fm?category=58
http://wolfsteins.com/

They are all convertible targa tops.

RX-7 buying tips here:
http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/tech1.htm

I think an 86-92 coupe would be better for college due to the larger hatchback/trunk area, no soft top to worry about, and most likely lower insurance rates vs. a convertible. I think that $2600 sounds like a decent deal for the car, although you could offer lower to see what you can get. I paid $1K for my 88 convertible with good AC, PW, and decent interior, but the engine and transmission was pretty worn, and the top, tires, fuel lines, springs/dampers, halfshafts, and battery were shot. Also, the 89+ models tend to fetch a slightly higher price.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Look at the top Costing you about 500 bones to fix.
I have been a Coupe guy ever since I got a License( don't ask!).
Don't get me wrong I like a Vert,I just had one,But ****,I didn't like the overall Performance,,it was Laggy as Hell..no *****!

littlebit421

Ive owned two verts, and they both leaked a little where the door meets the top at the rain guard and where the targa meets the back half of the top. All verts are targa/full verts. I actually like doin just the targa top off,most people dont,. I replaced my top with a robbins top last november, the top alone was around $600 and then labor added the total was around $1,100, but thats cheap. Look into about 1400 to 1800 for your total, and buy the top yourself. Robbins is the best they use oem material and sell direct. Shops will mark up a $500 top to $800, so be careful.

Now for price, I paid 1,800 for mine and all it needed was a new top, and some other little things, but werent necessary. I personally think 2600 is to much.

So now the fun part. Make sure the headlight and wiper switches work properly. Also the top. rx7 is not cheap to wrk on so be ready.

If you would like more info or have any questions pm me, and ill be glad to help.

littlebit421

Sorry about posting two in a row.

About the back glass, someone correct me if im wrong but they all had glass back windows, atleast everyone ive seen. So if you get the top replaced have someone that has rx7 experience do it these cars are kinda tricky.

I would go with I nice coupe for your first rx7. IMO

littlebit421

The first one I had wasnt laggy it was just slow. It didnt have good compression and the 5th and 6th ports were stuck shut. As for the one ive got now its pretty quick untill about 6000 or 5500 rpms bc my 5th and 6th ports are also stuck shut.

Plus verts are about 350lbs heavier than coups. If you facter in power to weight at you lose 1hp for every 7lbs of stationary weight. And 1hp for every 3lbs of rotating weight. Thats why verts have the bbs wheels that weigh 11lbs a piece.

dgross7

well from what ive heard, i dont think ill be buying. thanks for your help guys, ill post up if i find a coupe i like