FNG here. I bought a new '88 RX7 convertible 21 years ago. Drove it nearly 200,000 of the most trouble-free miles I have ever experienced. Like a fool, I sold it 7 years ago and bought a Mercedes. Not the best move I've ever made.

Now I'm on the trail of a cherry '88 RX7 convertible substantially exactly like the one I bought two decades ago. Same color: red, with grey interior. 41,000 miles showing on the odo, and everything about the car seems to verify that this is a correct odo.

But no matter how well maintained a machine is, 21 years is 21 years and things get old, deteriorate, dry rot, rust, wear out, break, etc.

If you were doing a pre-purchase examination of an '88 RX7 convertible, what are some of the key items you would check, and what kinds of things would you treat as a deal-killer?

I'm fairly good with tools and have a shop sufficient for just about all work short of complete engine removal/overhaul, if that helps any. If I get the car, it will be used solely for recreational riding around ... I'm retired, so I have no daily commutes.

Many thanks.

 

i dont have a vert but i geuss most of the same things still apply. i would recommend you warm the said car up , take it for a spin ( if it runs ) go to a empty parking lot and park it but leave the car running . rev it untill you almost reach redline and then take your foot completely of the pedal ( make sure its in neutral or park ) look out the back and see how much smoke comes out the back and what color or tint it has . if alot of blue comes out its probbably a oil seal failure or one thats going to happen ( a little bit of blue is normal ) , or if its really white it means you have a coolent leak into the engine. ( both require a rebuild shortly ) . and dont forget to check the oil and coolent first before you test drive it !

 

41,000 miles is great because of the little usage the car has gotten. Unfortunately, the car has likely sat for extended periods of time, so the water seals may be shot. Check to make sure its not blowing coolant out the exhaust.

Also, what the guy above me said is good too.

 

I didn't see any mention of the car sitting; just the fact that it has low miles. I really wouldn't be concerned with either seals or oil control rings on a 41k mile car, but it doesn't hurt to check. The things I'd be looking at would be:

1) The condition of the top. A new top will run over $1000.
2) The condition of vacuum lines, fuel lines & coolant hoses. Simple to fix, but they will likely need some TLC.
3) Oil, coolant & gas leaks. The oil cooler and OMP lines are notorious for leaking, and the pulsation damper on the primary fuel rail can also develop one.

 

http://aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

Use this. Gives a good overview but I don't think all will apply because that car only has 41,000 miles on it.

 

Just got my Cherry 88 Vert FC.
I feel like a kid in a candy store, with a 100 dollars to spend.

 

7 years too late..
Thread closed..