I am thinking about purchasing an 1988 rx-7 with 300 000 Kms on the chassis. The engine was rebuilt at 200 000kms. The body has minor rust and interior is in great condition. I think the thermostat is dead because the engine overheats within a couple minutes of driving and there seems not to be any cooling fluid traveling through the lines because they are cold after a 10 minutes drive and the engine is about 3/4 to overheating. He is asking $500 for it. Is this a good buy?

 

Overheating is almost a death sentence to Rotary engines. Especially if its happened over and over. If you do buy this car it will be rebuild time or motor swap for a good used engine. With 300k on the body, 100k on the motor (half life of a well maintained motor, the end of life for a neglected one or soon to be) and all the trouble you listed, I'd say save your money up and buy one with way less miles that runs well and has been well looked after - you will be WAY further ahead. There awesome cars (but need to be looked after, not just driven and abused). If you buy this one, you will spend as much to get it running well and reliable as you would to just buy a good one. Thats why he's only asking 500 bucks. Been there, done it.

 

I agree, there is a lot of good cars out there. I'd say save up and get a good one.

 

It's all in the eye of the beholder, if you are willing to put the time and money into the car, then do it. I enjoyed rebuilding my engine in mine that I bought. It'll make you proud to drive it and know you got it back running like it was supposed to.

 

If you are willing to put in a little work this could be a good opportunity to learn some things about the rotary engine which could help tremendously in the future. Also it depends how plentiful rx7's are in your area, around here not too many come up for sale so sometimes you have to jump on the ones you can.

At $500 its not a huge investment, as long as the body isn't rotted away you could always buy another n/a 13b and still not have too much invested into it.

But, if you would be having a shop do the work for you I would pass it up.

 

Yeah. the body is in good condition.. minor rust.. and i do plan and working on it lots. I plan on doing an engine swap. 13b-T and possibly a new trannsmittion

 

Well if those are the plans that car seems like a good one to pick up.

 

Yeah. Also this is my first car.. so i figured if i work on it and fix it up i will learn alot from this. Thanks for the input