So this forum is kind of confusing and I dont know if im posting this question in the right place. Anyways I'm considering buying a 1983 mazda rx 7. It has around 130,000 miles on it and the guy is selling it for $1200. What should I know before and is it a good deal? He says it runs fine right now.

 

Tell him to not start the car at all before you show up to take a look. Have him start the car in front of you for the first time on that day. Watch the smoke coming out of the tail pipe. If anything, you want to see a bit of white smoke at first and then ti goes away after the car warms up. No smoke at all is ideal.

The idle should be 750 - 800 rpm once warmed up and not lopey at all. If so, you can make the field call that engine is ok as the owner states.

Is the body basically straight with ok paint? Is there rust in the hatch area under the carpet? If you're ok on those two points, pick it up. If you've got a problem in any of the above areas, offer $800.

Mario III

 

As Mario says....look in the bins behind the drivers seat (there should be only 4 small phillips head screws holding them on)....look toward the wheel arches....if the car has rust, more than likely it will be found here.
My '83 has about 125k on it and it runs like a top. These cars can run forever, but you'll need to do some routine maintanence....fluids, hoses, brakes, belts, plugs, rotor cap, wires...ect.

 

sounds like a good deal!