Totaled 86 RX7 for sale - great engine, electric fan
10-17-05, 06:36 PM
#1
Totaled 86 RX7 for sale - great engine, electric fan
I totaled my beloved RX7 yesterday and I need to get it out of the tow yard quick. Nothing is salvageable on the body, except perhaps 1 wheel. The engine compartment, however, seems to be largely intact. A former mechanic friend told me that the engine sounds great. My mechanic said the same and that the last owner probably replaced the engine recently. It also has a 3 month old $200 Black Magic 2800CFM electric fan on the radiator, in perfect condition before the accident (and it presumably still is). If the buyer doesn't want the fan I may keep it and sell it. Car is at Precision Towing in San Diego, CA.
So I'm looking for an offer for the car (+ or -). Only checked one salvage yard so far, who would charge me $50. "Buyer" is responsible for tow away. It will go cheap. Besides the fan and engine, you might find something else you want. Before the accident the car was in very good running condition, except for the failing alternator (probably needs a rebuild). When the battery was adequetely charged the car started up right away and ran smooth (otherwise had to jiggle the key). No other major problems. A friend of mine kept complaining that it seemed like it had a little more power than the one he just bought. Brakes should still be good, though given the damage to the wheels I can't guarantee anything. There is a pair of brand-new rear brake bads in the back, still in the box. Front pads were replaced within the last 5,000-10,000 miles.
The accident was at low speed on a freeway onramp. It was right after a rain during very slick conditions. The cops say they get a lot of accidents on that on-ramp whenever it rains. I was moving about the same speed as surrounding traffic (~40mph?), but I was changing lanes and slowly moving forward on a turn. The car fish-tailed, hit the rail, spun out, got clipped by a red truck (only minor bumper damage on the truck), hit the other rail, rolled 540 degrees and landed upside down. I took several deep breaths (suspended upside-down), unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door. I am completely unhurt, thank God. There weren't any sudden jerking motions during the whole thing. It was like riding a kiddie-coaster. So that's why the body damage is so extensive, while myself and (presumably) the engine compartment are all right.
I'll ask a friend of mine to take some pictures under the hood when he attempts to start the engine. I may post some accident pictures as well when I get them, though there's not much to see on the outside. Nothing pretty anyway.
So I'm looking for an offer for the car (+ or -). Only checked one salvage yard so far, who would charge me $50. "Buyer" is responsible for tow away. It will go cheap. Besides the fan and engine, you might find something else you want. Before the accident the car was in very good running condition, except for the failing alternator (probably needs a rebuild). When the battery was adequetely charged the car started up right away and ran smooth (otherwise had to jiggle the key). No other major problems. A friend of mine kept complaining that it seemed like it had a little more power than the one he just bought. Brakes should still be good, though given the damage to the wheels I can't guarantee anything. There is a pair of brand-new rear brake bads in the back, still in the box. Front pads were replaced within the last 5,000-10,000 miles.
The accident was at low speed on a freeway onramp. It was right after a rain during very slick conditions. The cops say they get a lot of accidents on that on-ramp whenever it rains. I was moving about the same speed as surrounding traffic (~40mph?), but I was changing lanes and slowly moving forward on a turn. The car fish-tailed, hit the rail, spun out, got clipped by a red truck (only minor bumper damage on the truck), hit the other rail, rolled 540 degrees and landed upside down. I took several deep breaths (suspended upside-down), unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door. I am completely unhurt, thank God. There weren't any sudden jerking motions during the whole thing. It was like riding a kiddie-coaster. So that's why the body damage is so extensive, while myself and (presumably) the engine compartment are all right.
I'll ask a friend of mine to take some pictures under the hood when he attempts to start the engine. I may post some accident pictures as well when I get them, though there's not much to see on the outside. Nothing pretty anyway.
Last edited by ericgrau; 10-17-05 at 06:41 PM.
10-17-05, 07:00 PM
#3
Interior
The interior wasn't harmed by the accident, except for all the broken glass lying around. Even so, it was already pretty old; i.e., everything's good if you don't care about looks. The glove box, door upholstery (grey), steering wheel, and dash looked good though. The real shame is that the tow guy smashed the rear window, which was perfectly intact after the accident. No cracks, even with a 5HP air compressor stored back there. A friend of mine has a video of the tow guy smashing it.
Oh, and the exhaust is probably bent up but I bet you could get a good muffler or something off of it. - I remember seeing at least 1 intact (which is easy to see on an inverted car). Wouldn't bother with the old cat, even though it still passed smog.
Now that you mention it I've realized that the driver's side door - the one I exited out of - is in perfect shape. I mean, I don't see how it could have avoided a few dings, but it wasn't bent up or crumpled or anything. Glass is still good, might not even be scratched. We'll see how it looks when I get the photos. Wow, I am really lucky - the passenger door won't even open now, and the rest of the car is crumpled all the way around. I would have been trapped if that happened on the driver's side. Oh, and the spare tire is still good. If you need something random just ask me about it's condition and I'll try to remember and/or I'll check the photos when I get them.
Oh, and the exhaust is probably bent up but I bet you could get a good muffler or something off of it. - I remember seeing at least 1 intact (which is easy to see on an inverted car). Wouldn't bother with the old cat, even though it still passed smog.
Now that you mention it I've realized that the driver's side door - the one I exited out of - is in perfect shape. I mean, I don't see how it could have avoided a few dings, but it wasn't bent up or crumpled or anything. Glass is still good, might not even be scratched. We'll see how it looks when I get the photos. Wow, I am really lucky - the passenger door won't even open now, and the rest of the car is crumpled all the way around. I would have been trapped if that happened on the driver's side. Oh, and the spare tire is still good. If you need something random just ask me about it's condition and I'll try to remember and/or I'll check the photos when I get them.
Last edited by ericgrau; 10-17-05 at 07:26 PM.
10-17-05, 08:10 PM
#4
Oh, and I remember looking through the windshield glass, so that's probably good. There was already a small crack on it - probably from a rock. Hmm... so as for what's definately smashed: passenger door and glass, rear glass, both fenders, hood (flattened), exhaust pipe (bent, but not kinked), rims on 3 wheels, tires (flat), suspension (snapped/bent/twisted?) and probably: back, front and rear bumpers, various lights.
10-17-05, 09:35 PM
#5
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that sucks big time!!!!!!!!!!!!! what do you want for the car? i can tow it myself. hit me up at ibdrftn@yahoo.com
10-17-05, 10:25 PM
#6
That blotch on the door is primer over bondo. Looks like it is in fact intact, even the glass. It's open in the photo only because I left it open. It still open's and closes. That's a brand new bumper in front. $40 OBO (I paid $100 new, installed it day before crash). Likewise that was a new black-primed fender on the driver's side. If you look at the passenger's side the door and fenders are blue since I replaced them (also thrashed). I was getting ready to repaint
Apparently the rear bumper is still good (slightly easier to see in other photos, below). I sanded it down to a mix of primer and bare rubber so it'd be ready to paint. I replaced the tail-light assembly with a nice shiny one from the blue car I got the door and fender from. it's included with car, since I don't want to get it off and 'cause it's not new so I probably can't sell it for much.
Those are aluminum wheels. No functional damage, it seems, but there is major surface marring on 3 of them along the rims that you can't see too well in the photo. Tires are flat. So we're up to $90 for fan, $40 for bumper and $40 for the rest of the car, but you have to handle towing yourself if you get the rest of the car.
Last edited by ericgrau; 10-08-17 at 08:37 PM.
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10-17-05, 10:53 PM
#8
Sevenstock
Yeup, I went to sevenstock. You were showing me how to put you put in a cold air intake, right? I didn't have the new/blue panels on then. I put them on the day before the crash to avoid the hassle of body work. Next step was to bondo out a bunch of minor dings and paint it. Bondo on door is really thin, btw. The ding I bondo'ed isn't any bigger than all the other tiny ones you can't see in the photo. I still have the paint if anyone wants it, but I'm gonna see if I can return it first. 1 gallon silver metallic acrylic, 1 gallon primer.
Oh yeah, someone asked me about mods: There's the electric fan and the previous owner took out the pre-cats. Not much else. I don't know if he replaced the main cat with a performance one or if that's why I did worse than my friend at the smog check. I just know he did a rotten welding job that I patched up with sheet metal, hose clamps and fiberglass insulation.
Oh yeah, someone asked me about mods: There's the electric fan and the previous owner took out the pre-cats. Not much else. I don't know if he replaced the main cat with a performance one or if that's why I did worse than my friend at the smog check. I just know he did a rotten welding job that I patched up with sheet metal, hose clamps and fiberglass insulation.
Last edited by ericgrau; 10-17-05 at 11:02 PM.
10-17-05, 11:04 PM
#9
Photo again
Photo again, and the rest of them, thanks to image shack. Click thumbnail for larger image.
The red truck is the one that clipped me while I was spinning out. The scratches on his bumper are on the left-middle.
The red truck is the one that clipped me while I was spinning out. The scratches on his bumper are on the left-middle.
Last edited by ericgrau; 10-17-05 at 11:31 PM.
10-18-05, 01:46 AM
#10
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well hit me up 2morrow with the details of what is needed to get things going. i will be waiting for your reply. thanks
kelvin
ibdrftn@yahoo.com
kelvin
ibdrftn@yahoo.com
10-18-05, 10:33 AM
#12
prices
Car is up to $100, but every day of storage is $40. So earlier pickups will make your offer worth more.
Fan is $80 OBO. Front bumper is $40 OBO. Shipping is not included, though you can pick up in San Diego to save shipping.
Fan is $80 OBO. Front bumper is $40 OBO. Shipping is not included, though you can pick up in San Diego to save shipping.
Last edited by ericgrau; 10-18-05 at 10:36 AM.
12-12-05, 02:46 PM
#17
Car is sold.
Found another FC the very next weekend
. Noble white with 104k miles, $2,500. Everything's in great shape. Coworker said it looks like a Cadillac compared to my last one. Had to replace a door opening mechanism, though. And the fuel gauge is broken. Comes back on at random, and every time I fill up. Don't know how to fix it, but I'll research that later. For now I just fillup every 200 miles and it's been no problem. Plus fuel light still works.
I hate to clutter the forums like this. Do the mods get rid of old threads like this after a while?
Found another FC the very next weekend
. Noble white with 104k miles, $2,500. Everything's in great shape. Coworker said it looks like a Cadillac compared to my last one. Had to replace a door opening mechanism, though. And the fuel gauge is broken. Comes back on at random, and every time I fill up. Don't know how to fix it, but I'll research that later. For now I just fillup every 200 miles and it's been no problem. Plus fuel light still works.I hate to clutter the forums like this. Do the mods get rid of old threads like this after a while?
12-13-05, 01:45 AM
#18
I am the stig.
Originally Posted by ericgrau
...the fuel gauge is broken. Comes back on at random, and every time I fill up. Don't know how to fix it, but I'll research that later. For now I just fillup every 200 miles and it's been no problem. Plus fuel light still works.
The forum auto prunes... if you notice the 2nd Gen Tech forum is always 31-33 pages long. If anything is to be saved, the mods move it to the archives.
