reible82nd

Hello all, this is my first post as I'm in the market for a small project and just found a 1979 RX-7 Limited Edition for sale on my local Craigslist. I just wanted to check with you all to see if what the seller is asking for the car is fair, and to inquire as to the labor involved with working on these 1st Gen 12A cars. I had a 1985 GSL-SE years ago and had difficulty with the FI system...I'm hoping that the 12A is more simple to work with. Here is what I know about the car now:

1. It is a 2-owner car with 80,000 original miles. The seller bought it from the original owner with plans to restore it to it's former glory but is moving and has to sell it. It was purchased in NC (where I'm located of course) and has a clean and clear title.

2. The paint is faded pretty bad in places but the body looks to be solid and rust free. The seller says the dash pad is cracking and the seats need new vinyl but all the gauges are present and working and it even has the factory-upgraded tape player. The seller says the carpet and other interior parts are superb and the car has a sunroof with the factory cover for the roof insert.

3. The seller says the car needs a new carburetor. He said it will start if you pour gas down the carb but you have to keep feeding the carb fuel to keep it running. He said everything is OEM and the only things he has done are change the oil and buy some spark plugs for it. My concern with the carb is that it's not the carb, but something else that's potentially wallet-crushing to fix. However, other than the carb issue the seller says there are no other mechanical issues.

The seller has it listed for $1750 or best offer. I should be going to have a look at the car in person tomorrow and plan to inspect it thorougly. If the car is as advertised, would $1500 be a good offer on it? Is the carb issue simply the carb or a sign of something more complex and expensive? I know it's hard for you all to provide accurate guidance based on words alone but I thought I could at least gain a better perspective of what I'm in for.

Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Cameron38

iTrader: (2)

For cars of this age, they are worth pretty much what you are willing to pay for it, keeping in mind you may end up spending twice or more) than you paid to restore it. Having said all that, I think the price is not bad for a 79 LE.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

$1,750 for an SA is below the current average asking price. A 79 Limited has the potential to be above average in value, but only if restored to original condition with minual modifications. I highly doubt the carb is "bad", it just needs rebuilt. As Cam says, spending twice the purchase price (or more) to correctly restore it, is something you should be prepaired for going in. You can do less, but the end result will reflect only what you invest.

You really need to see the car and judge for yourself. To me, it would be important to make sure all the Limited specific parts are there and in what condition. It should have all 5 "Limited" style waffles (a OEM Brigdestone RWL spare tire would be a bonus) a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift ****, it's original stereo / tape player / underseat amp, the seats and door panels should be a grey velour and dark blue/black material with all the remaining interior and carpet in black. Does it still have its Limited B pillar badges? Other than those items, its a basic GS model with a 5 speed and factory sunroof.

Nice interior parts are important as there are no real high quality OEM style replacements on the market. Does it still have all the body trim and bumper ends? What kind of stripes does it have? This is all in addition to the mechanical condition. Take some pictures and post them back here, we can tell you whats correct and whats not. If you really like it, you might offer him $1000 first to get him down to $1500. In my opinion, anything under 2 grand would still leave you 5 to 6 thousand to spend on restoring while still remaining above water value wise.

reible82nd

Thanks guys for your guidance! I just sent the guy a text to see if so could go look at it. He asked if I would wait a day as he is replacing the carb today...a buddy of his is going aftermarket and has a good used Nikko carb. I'll take a lot of pictures and post them here as soon as I can.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Your "carb issue" is most likely eitehr something plugged up in the fuel system (possibly including the carb itself or the fuel filter), or a bad fuel pump. Especially if the car has sat for a long time; carbs get gummed up, tank pickups get clogged. I would be surprised if it's a high-dollar fuel system problem, as these systems are pretty simple.

twalke81

Did u buy it?

ask41

Agree with DivinDriver on the carb. I recently took my 79 GS out of long term hibernation. It ran with starting fluid sprayed into the carb but quickly died. I emptied the fuel tank, blew out the fuel line to the carb, replaced the fuel filter twice, the fuel pump (Mazda OEM), rebuilt and CLEANED the carb including ALL air and fuel passages.

The info you need to do the carb is available on here. This was my first carb rebuild and it took time and patience but now she runs as good as ever. 68,000 miles, original owner.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Always good to hear from original owners, welcome! Post up some pics of your car somewhere, as you know we like to see such things.

ask41

Banzai - a few pics on my page now...will take some better ones soon

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Thats a pretty sweet looking 79. Something to be proud of for sure. Looks like it has grey velour seat inserts? I'm guessing a March 79 or thereabouts build date?

wahootee

iTrader: (50)

2 SA's on Ebay right now. a black limited and yellow one $1750 for the pair (Wash state). Somebody should save these 2.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

OP, where in NC are you? Love to see a nice SA. Think about going to DGRR http://www.dealsgaprotaryrally.com.

Or Charlotte cars and coffee Cars and Coffee Charlotte

jbherri2

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, where in NC are you located? I'm in Durham.

ask41

Thanks...the original seats had the black and white plaid inserts...really thin material and when the driver's side wore out I had a local guy re-upholster them with some pretty heavy duty light grey fabric for the inserts and a nice heavy near-black fabric for the bolsters. He used a black heavy duty vinyl on the backs and lower portion of the seat. Still looking like new after nearly 30 years.

The VIN starts with 527, took delivery in January '79 so it's a pretty early example.

LongDuck

Non-standard speedo - the stock speedo only went to 85, IIRC. Nice looking interior; brings back a lot of memories of my first -7,

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Actually, the speedo is correct for a 79. It wasn't until 1980 that the speedo's topped out at 85. (due to the FED mandated 55 MPH max speed on the interstate at the time)

So you originally had the White plaid seats? Did you keep any of the original fabric? Those are rare and don't seem to wear or survive nearly as good as the Red plaid versions. Yes, that would make it a 78 build car. I was guessing the build date based on thinking it had the velour seats. Looking at your interior shots now, you have the early style door and dash trim, but also map pockets on the bottom of the door. You also have the early fan switch **** w/o the center push button. Most likely, it was built sometime during the summer of 78. The build month is on the drivers side door jam.

ask41

Good call on the speedo...85 was absurd.

The original seat material was black vinyl side/back with black/white plaid inserts. Nice material for a kilt but I was never very keen on them. The driver's side seat wore out after about 5 years. I didn't keep any fabric, I had no thought they would someday have value.

Build date was 11/78 as per the door panel. I put money down to order in about Sept '78 and took delivery in early January '79. Glad I waited for the blue GS to come in, I've never had any second thought on the best color of the original car.

You have a good eye for the details and history of the '7. I believe the interior materials were the best available at the time and have held up well. Other than the seat material, there is no significant wear and tear...of course keeping the car covered and garaged helps a lot!

The "old" style fan switch **** had a major drawback - you can not run the fan w/o the AC kicking in.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

The wht/plaid seats were pretty rare. I've saw those in some silver cars but only 2 Daytona blue cars, yours included. Spark yellow and Daytona blue were both fairly rare when new, but I believe the blue cars were the most rare. At least I only ever saw just a handful of them back in the day.