WildKarrde

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've come around, but I'm back in the market! I found a really nice '88 RX-7 Convertible. It has a few dings, but relatively good paint, really nice new black wheels, new tires, 140k miles. The electric window switches were broke, he's fixed the left side, going to fix the right side, with new parts. The windshield wipers are defective, he's going to install a toggle switch for them under the steering wheel. The right headlamp constantly flips up and down when you tell the headlights to go down, he's going to fix that. He said there is a small leak in the convertible roof... he could replace the whole top for $300, but he's not going to unless I pay for it... which I may. He said there was a small oil leak, but he fixed that... I believe he said it was a seal around the oilpan.

The current owner owns a Goodyear tire and alignment shop. He also does a lot of custom engine work on vehicles... it's a full blown shop. He said the vehicle has always been properly maintained... I would tend to believe that from a guy who owns a shop like that. You would hafta be stupid to not maintain your own vehicles when that's your lifes business. The previous owner before him had the vehicle serviced by him, so he knows it was maintained then as well. The engine bay is clean... not immaculate, like it had been detailed, but no rust, and the engine looked to be in very good condition. I've never owned, or been around many rotory engines, but it sounded very good.

He's asking $3000 for it, which seems to be a very reasonable price... considering the KBB value on the car in good condition is $3760. Is there anything I should know about this? Should I jump on it ASAP? I've always wanted to make an RX-7 Turbo convertible conversion... and this car would be perfect for that, after the engine dies. I'm expecting the engine to last me at least 25k miles before having any real issues though... is that reasonable? If not, what is a reasonable expectation? Also, what's the gas milage like on these things? It's been a long time since I've looked at RX-7's... so what else should I know about these, in relation to long term ownership. It will be my only car for about 3-6 months.

rx7 FC TII

iTrader: (3)

i would ask more questions about what will be going wrong with it in the future also run a carfax report. 3k for it is low. i got mine for 3500 so i cant say much but mine is in really good condition. im also starting to get some minor engine problems leaks and hesitation small things so expect some stuff like that if you get it

WildKarrde

Soo... what can I expect in terms of future problems?

WildKarrde

Nothing at all???

Apathy

I got my 88 Vert for less than $1k. It was nice (w/ a new top and ok rims.) However, a week after I got it, an uninsured punk hit me and since I have PIP, now I have to spend about $500 in body work to get it back to pristine condition. It is nice, except the seals need to be changed for the top. I got the car for a good price because the owner thought the motor was toast (which he wasnt going to tell me) when all it needed was a few hours of TLC (a full tune-up, new injectors, etc.) When you get this car, just treat it how you are supposed to treat any other used car. Give it a compression test before you buy it and give it a good days work when you first get it (give it a tune-up and check the brakes and what not) and it should be ok. If you do this then you should be fine. COMPRESSION test it thought, dont take the dudes word for it. Also, drive it for at least 30min-1hour before you buy it to get a feel for the car and see if it may seem problematic. Dont be afraid when you test drive a car. See if it makes good power all the way to redline or not. That is one of the reasons I got the vert for so cheap. When I first drove it, it felt ok. But that is because it was cold and I wasnt taking over 3k. But when it warmed up and I took it to redline, I felt some fuel&ignition errors. Even though I know it was an easy fix (I had another ECU, coils and injectors ready to put in it), I got $600 knocked off the asking price. Also, cash in hand is a good bargaining tool when you want to low ball. They will usually take less if you have it now. L8ter.

13bturbofc

iTrader: (4)

sounds like a decent price for the mileage and condition....i payed 4500 for my 88 vert but it only had 60k on it and it was in almost mint condition it was garage kept so the orignal red paint looked almost brand new and the interior was mint except the drivers seat was worn. it is my daily driver and ive put over 40k on it already since last july and i have not had any engine problems at all..the car is kinda slow compaired to my T2 but other than that i love it its great to be able to drop the top and cruise around...

tommys

I picked up my 88 Vert for $1900 Two days ago.....Car would not start Owners wife said it had to go since he bought New Eclipse Spyder vert...Had it brought home on flatbed and had it running after pulling plugs cleaning off gas and deflooded her and she started right up..Now she sits next my 80 SA.....Sad thing is sold my 79 SA to get the vert..The one in my avatar....