Please help evaluating this car
 

HI guys.

My name is Daniel, I am new here.

I'm looking to buy a Mazda FC3S this weekend, and I wanted to ask, whether it is worth the money?

So the offer stands at $1500.

I went to see the car and went through the regular checklist:

- SE version from 1988, maybe 2-3 owners
- Milage is around 150,000
- Paint is pretty bad because it lived in the desert all it's life
- Oil, spark plugs, alternator, brake rotors and pads have recently been changed
- All electrical equipment, except radio works, including sunroof.
- No suspension noise
- Clutch is great



Engine department:
- Voltage is 14-15
- Oil pressure around 35-40 warmed up
- Revs up to the redline fine, with no interruptions
- No mechanical sounds from the gearbox
- Starts up easily, no smoke under acceleration

Known issues:
- A/C doesn't work - compressor issue.
- Bent fender (in the pictures) - doesn't concern me much
- Radio doesn't work - doesn't really concern me either
- wobbly gear knob
- Very old and soft seats

Do you think this is a reasonable offer, considering I am an international student and I just need a car to drive around. I know hardships of owning a rotary car: changing oil every 4-5k miles, using specific oil, letting it worm up...I did my research. Operating costs are not really a concern either, just want to make sure the price is right.

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you

At that mileage be forewarned, the engine could let go at any moment

In MY personal opinion, if your planning on relying on this car religiously, look for something else.

I'm NOT by any means saying the cars are unreliable, they are, but we're talking about a car thats almost 30 years old, internal engine seals are going to be getting weak, and the engine could be ready to let go soon

IMO, these cars now days are for people that have a backup vehicle, if its going to be your main vehicle, i'd be leary. Mine hasn't left me on the side of the road......yet. But i also know it has a bad coolant seal and is slowly ingesting water

Thanks for the quick reply. And in case the engine gives in, how much roughly would I be looking at to fix it?

Also, could anyone suggest a good service in New Mexico, preferably Albuquerque for rotary engine service?

Rebuilds by a shop are usually around 3K if they pull the engine and everything. But, it also depends on how bad the irons and rotors get/are when its rebuilt

Just an idea, a master rebuild kit usually costs a grand
New rotors $500
Irons 500ish

Thats new parts though

Thank you. Any more inputs guys?

Please help evaluating this car
 

As iduley said, it would be a wise choice to plan for rebuilding its engine. Beyond that, if the body is straight and true, $1500 or slightly less is a decent offer. Aaron Cake made an excellent how to video on rebuilding a 13b for his 1976 Cosmo.
What's odd is that it sounds like this is the only series 4 RX7 with a healthy stock alternator. most are swapped to a FD or Taurus alt.

Its a good price but, like everyone else said probably time for a new engine. Get a compression test from Mazda(rotary compression tester) and if it looks good, go for it! Go check out RotaryHeads.com - Rotary Engine Mazda RX8 Renesis RX7 Turbo Wankel 13B Rebuild Parts. Great site I use it all the time. Good luck.

That's a $500 car on a good day.