I've a '82 RX-7 S,Mayan gold (original) w/moonroof, tasteful upgrades, turbowed wheels, leather steering, blacked out rockers, running lights. Babied for its entire life, garaged 98% of the time, tarped while sitting for any period of time. 110K easy miles (really, a weekend fair weather car) except for 2 yrs in San Diego with very low weekly use. It was rained upon just a handful of times.

It was to be my retirement project to bring it back to life and restore to it's glory, and drive it till I wanted to sell. Meanwhile I'm getting multiple offers to buy (but no price, save a $5K), as I contemplate towing it from Vegas where it is garaged and tarped. My mechanic agrees to help with engine stuff, while I'd restore the rest. My research informs when running and restored it's value could be $15K+-$20K(?). I admit emotional attachment but feel if an enthusiast-restorer gave me an enticing offer, I may let it go. My other retirement goal is extensive travel, is why I'd let it go.

Anyway, my primary question: Can I get new or good used parts for most everything for this car if I restore? And thoughts for an enticing offer for me to sell it?

Thanks to any that care to respond. (My first posting- ever!)

Thoughts anyone?

 

You can get many replacement parts, however there are some parts that are no longer available new. You might want to visit Mazdatrix, Atkins rotary, and rock auto to see if the parts needed to restore your car are available.

How long has your car been sitting? From what you say, your car seems to be a very easy restoration candidate.

 

About 5-6 years, all garaged, tarped and for most, battery on recharge.

Thanks so much for the encouraging response! It eases my mind as I ready to tow it home to TX, and start its revival. Can't wait!

Any thoughts on towing? I'm renting a u-haul dolly, and have taken precautions to ensure it does not bottom out going up the ramps and destroying the underspoiler - a 2 man job but fortunately can load it on my driveway that angles down to the street.

But still very nervous about this....

 

the values u listed would more suit low mileage, original unrestored condition. new parts no longer exist so finding them will be a challenge. and the bring a trailer site would be the place to list it if getting that kind of money is ur goal.

 

I agree with rxtasy3; $15-20k is very high-end and would be a low-mile car (+- 20k) in mint, original, good -running condition. If your car is in very good condition, with 110k, and you fix whatever needs fixin, I think you're looking at $5-10k.

Can you post pics of the car? It's very easy if you can access this site on your phone. What do you need to replace? Fenders and a few other body parts are available new from Mazda, as well as most sensors and engine-wear-parts (seals, gaskets, etc). Also brake lines, clutch parts etc. But if you need interior parts you're stuck scrounging junk yards and classified adds.

 

If you're going to transport it, at least get the h-haul aluminum car trailer and not the two wheel dolly.

 

Hope you do not mind my asking why. Since it doesn't run, how do I get it on the trailer? With a dolly my drive slopes down gently and with help I can guide it on the dolly and secure it. Seems many others, including other sports car have successfully used a dolly for transport. Cost is not a holdup but nice price for a dolly. And I'll be driving the truck that pulls it. driving in daylight only on interstates primarily. But 1200 mi. - yikes!

But I value your comment, very much. I want to do the right thing.

Thanks for your reply!

John

 

I only use the car transport trailer, never the dolly. The price is $50 vs $60 (local use), so the price is completely negligible. On top of that, the trailer pulls MUCH nicer than the dollys do. There's also no worry about running the rear wheels/driveshaft/transmission if there's any doubt to the condition of the mechanical components, fluids, etc. Less wear and tear.

A cheap harbor freight come-along will get the car onto the trailer pretty easy, just chock the tires, reset the chain and keep going. There's D-rings build into the trailer for doing so. I had my 8 month pregnant wife help me push the FD up onto the trailer and I felt really bad. The next time we loaded it, i used the come-along method and it went way smoother.

 

Defn use a car transporter over a dolly. Took our RX7 SF - LA and back for a show. So much easier to tow than a dolly, and less risky to the car. Was worth the drive just for the thumbs ups we got from other drivers! not much more cost than a dolly. And if car does not run (as for us) a $30 hand winch from Amazon does the job. Make sure you get one with a long enough cable, or if you can only find ones with shorter cables then winch a couple of feet, chock rear wheels, move winch a couple of feet forward, winch 2 feet, chock wheels... repeat until done.
As others have stated... most likely not an investment that will pay of dollars in the end. As a fellow retiree taking an RX7 on as a project it is for SURE an investment in mental health and staying young.

 

And just noticed your note about the other alternative being extensive travel. In the same boat too. (Or should I say cruise ship?). Do talk this over with your life partner, and make sure you thrash out the details. Mine was happy for me to keep the RX7, but we hit a big problem about downsizing the house yet maintaining a space for me to work on my vehicle. Still working our way through that one, so voice your needs early and clearly! Otherwise you may end up like me and be thinking of selling the RX& and buying a motorcycle to work on 'cause you aint got the space.

 

Thanks for the reply. Look for it's restoration in 1 yr+-

 

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Just figured out how to use the site is the reason for the delay..

 

Thanks for the reply...

Will restore, drive and hope for the best when I sell.

 

Pls excuse the late reply, moving (ugh) and learning to navigate this site. Can't post photo at the time, (no camera and iPhone and cell phone service died on us, and 1200 mi from home(double ugh). Will assess the needs when I get the car home. Not sure what needs to be replaced. I've had 10-12 very interested buyers in the last 2 weeks (estate sale) but none enough to make an offer.

Just learning this site and excited to get more involved after my return home.

thanks for the reply!

 

Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply, and pl excuse the tardy reply (moving (ugh) so little time!). I'm gonna try and take your (And other's) advice. Hope u-Haul can accommodate on short notice (I've reserved a dolly). Thanks for the phot, as the trailer I saw at another u-Haul was massive and scared me away. Your photo shows a smaller version, I hope they have. Off to Harbor freight!

Thanks again!

 

no need to post a reply every couple minutes. that's usually a sign of spamming to gain posts, which will result in posts getting deleted.