Traiko

Hey...
I've been looking for another car for some time now, and I stumbled across this 1987 Turbo RX-7 today. The car looks in really good shape. The dealer wasn't there for me to test drive it, but I wanted to know what im getting myself into...
Here's the specs from what I can remember:
1987 Mazda RX-7
Turbo 2D Coupe
Factory wheels(new tires)
60,000 miles
Automatic

I did a carfax report, and it matches with what the dealer told me over the phone. It was purchased locally, and only owned by one person. Those 60k miles are on the origional motor, and the dealer isn't aware of any major mechanical problems.

I was looking for a manual transmission, but this car just looks so nice. And I haven't found any like this in my months of searching for cars.

The guy wants $4,730, but I think I can talk him down a few hundred maby.

Now what I want to find out is... What's the common problems with this year and type of RX-7? Is there anything I should be looking for when I go to test drive it (which will be monday... not open sundays)? Is there any specific questions I should ask? And any other sorts of things I should know befor I buy it? The car looks in great condition.. I looked all around the car, and I only saw one very very tiny ding. The paint still looks great. Dunno if it's stock paint... it's a lighter blue color. The wheels aren't scraped up or anything. The seat's are cloth, black actually, and they show minimal wear. I couldn't get too good a look at most of the interior because the doors were locked.

So, reply with some info for me... Thanks!

InfiniIIIREX

Auto? Not good. But thats a fair price for the mileage. Definitely get a compression test. Also ask him if it burns oil, he should say it does. If you are really worried, get a mechanically knowledged friend to come with you.

Traiko

When I testdrive it monday, im taking it to my local mechanic to check over it... Hopefully he'll be able to tell me if anything's wrong with it... I just want to know any long-term problems I might be facing.

InfiniIIIREX

Make sure you NEVER miss an oil change, or your engine will be gone.

Rx-7Addict

iTrader: (2)

Turbo automatic?

I hate to break it to you, but that car is either not turbo or not automatic. Mazda never made a turbo automatic, the only automatics you could get were in N/A. Turbo II's are manual only.

To make sure it is a turbo, check under the hood for an Intercooler. Also check the dash for a boost gauge, and a 160 mph speedo, not 150. There are other little things, like the decals on the side, but anyone can put those on. If it is indeed a Turbo auto, that is sad someone would convert it, but I guess anything is possiable.

Rx-7Addict

iTrader: (2)

Ohh, also:

Check for oil leaks, compression, coolant, and electrical gremlins.

Make sure the sunroof works, all settings of wipers work (esp intermittent), cruise control, etc etc. Also, look for rust in places like the sunroof area and the normal places, like underbody.

If everything looks good, especially compression, I would say $4700 is a pretty good deal for a Turbo car with only 60k.

however, that auto/turbo thing still confuses me

Node

iTrader: (1)

there were turbo auto's in japan but it would be very troublesome to swap.
So this one is a halfassed turbo swap. The drivetrain won't hold up too good. Go to another car.

Erik

thats pretty low mileage for an 87 T2...so you might wanna see if you can get any more background info about it, like if it has sat for a while or anything.

also, like the previous guys said, there were NO turbo automatic coupes in the US. only japan, aus, and NZ. did it come up as turbo in Carfax? does it have the hood scoop and "TurboII" sticker in each fender? also, the wheels should be 16 inchers.

other things to look for. if the turbo is in good shape it should start pulling and feel boost around 2500-3K. if its not pulling that hard at that point or afterwards, something might be wrong. also, if you take it out for a spin and rev it out, when you get back pop the hood and check for leaks or smoke from anywhere...

if its fully warmed up and you shut it off...see if it'll start right up again after a few minutes...some are prone to flooding problems due to leaky injectors in hot start situations...

as for the price...if EVERYTHING is in working order and the car runs great, i'd still try to talk him down...

Node

iTrader: (1)

there were turbo autos in canada? I thought all the **** US got, none of North America got either, like turbo verts

*edit*
don't you just hate typos that get caught by quote ****** before you can edit? ha ha

Erik

phew!!! i was almost busted

copandengr

I can't comment on this particular car but I can say the going price around here (Memphis, TN area) for a second gen is anywhere from 1,000 to 3,500. 4,700 is a high price for a stock vehicle IMHO.

Most used car dealers have a huge mark-up. I would not offer the dealer 3,000 for the car unless you were going to buy it. He will still make a profit. I would bet if the truth could be known the dealer has 2,500 or perhaps less invested in this vehicle.

Most decent dealers will allow you to contact the original owner. If you can do this then by all means do so. This person can tell you what is up with the car, like why he sold it, etc. Hopefully he will be honest. I have been contacted three or four times by people looking at one of my former vehicles that were traded in, and I was perfectly hjonest with them. In two cases for sure the caller bought the car.

vaughnc

Traiko,

The auto makes a good around town car, but most enthusiest are never satisfied with the auto. Also the auto is not free revving, so you're going to loose 35% of the torque the engine puts out.

Have you though about the 2nd gen convertible? That would make a great around town car and does come in an automatic or 5 speed.

hope this helps.

-- vaughnc

Traiko

The car, from what I saw didn't have any turbo decals on it, and i couldn't see inside to check for a gauge... and when I looked on the write up taped to the window, it didn't mention turbo... But when I traced the VIN it said turbo, and when I did a carfax, it said turbo... So I'm a little confused myself.

Also... this would be my second car. I drive an Eclipse right now. I'm only 17. I'm just trying to find a nice fast car that I can afford.

Another question.... Does the 87 have power steering? Good god... if it doesen't I doubt I'll get it. I remember driving without powersteering befor, and it's a definate workout. Esp with all the winding roads right befor my house.

I checked a car mag (auto trader) yesterday, and found there's a nearby place that specializes ONLY with RX-7's... I'm going to go there, and see if I can find anything. My heart was origionally set on a 95 MX-6... But after 3 months, I still haven't found one. The only reason I didn't consider an RX-7 from the beginning was because I thought it would be out of my price range... I normally don't like the look of older cars, but even the older RX-7's look sweet as hell!

InfiniIIIREX

Can't handle no PS? Don't be a wimp and your car will thank you Besides your arms will get stronger and it won't bother you after awhile. Does the car have a scoop on the hood? An intercooler on top of the engine?

ZachSpazz

RX-7s without manual steering are surprisingly easy to turn!

To repeat everyone else...if it's automatic it AIN'T turbo!!! There's a mistake somewhere. By the way, don't buy an automatic RX-7...they're quite slow.

Snrub

iTrader: (1)

I agree with what the others have said. PS sucks, once you've driven a car without PS you'll never want to go back. No PS is not a big deal on a light car. You get a much better feel for the road without PS.

Merovign

I would agree that if you want a fast RX-7, stay away from the auto. If they're passing it off as a turbo and it's not, stay away from the dealer. If it's $4750 for a non-turbo automatic 87, it had better have 6,000 miles, not 60,000.

I'd say that is, in fact, the least desirable RX-7 ever, combining a poor power-to-weight ratio and a slushbox. Autos like torque, also, and the rotary is all about high-end HP. The car would be driveable but not fast.

You can find a good TII for less than that, maybe even an 89. (89-91 had 18 more hp stock). If you have a good RX-7 shop nearby, you might be able to find a TII with a blown engine but otherwise in good shape and have a rebuilt engine done for less than the above cost, but that also might be too much hassle, and a good rebuild, with lots of replaced accessories and electronics, can rapidly become very expensive.

Hope you find a good one, and if you do, keep an eye on these forums for tips about how to keep it running! A lot of disinformation is floating around about these cars, and a lot of mechanics have no idea (about the engine anyway - the rest of the car is pretty "normal" and mechanics can work on brakes, tranny, etc. without having to be a specialist).

Traiko

I stopped by on my way to work today even though the dealership was closed... I took some pictures.

www.mazdasource.com/rx-7

I checked the spedometer... it says 150. Also, it lacks the word turbo anywhere on the ourside of the car. The pictures aren't the best b/c it was raining. You get the idea though...

Flyby116

Deff. an N/A and its auto. Looks in great condtion thoguh but dont buy it!!! I bought a 91 N/A auto a few months ago and that has like 20 h/p then the one you are looking at and well my moms van could beat it off the line lol. Mine only has 32,000 miles on it though and looks new but my engine just blew 2 weeks ago and now getting it rebuilt, streetport , and a 5 speed put in . So it will finally move pretty quick!
Adn by the way Im 17 to. Just look around and find one with a manual you will be so much happier.
Good luck

vaughnc

Traiko

Thanks for getting the pics to display in the thread...

stickgoat

Very nice looking FC. Too bad it's an automatic....

BTW, when you drove without PS was it in a FWD car or a RWD? Driving an FC without power steering is cake. It's not a problem at all, and besides removing weight, it helps you to feel the road better.

FWD cars without power steering does suck though, yes. When the distributor on my Probe GT went out, I had to coast it into a gas station without PS and turning it was not a real easy task.

Anyway. Keep looking for another FC unless you really don't have a problem with it being an automatic.

Traiko

After work today I'm going to check the car out and test drive it. During the test drive I'm gonna drive it to the local shop and have them check it out. Wish me luck!!

Josepi

Eh that's not gonna be a turbo.

1st, no turbo rims
2nd, no turbo hood
3rd, i'll put 1000 dollars on a bet that if you open the hood, you won't see an intercooler on top of the motor.

Looks like an SE. The dealer is what we would call, a dumbass. It's gonna be futile to ask him maintence q's since he's not gonna know. It's been repainted, so find out why. Make sure that all the VIN's match up. Take a magnet and run it around the doors/fenders to bondo check. Check for smoke at startup. It's an auto, na, so it's gonna be a bit of a dog.

Traiko

ok... thanks for the tips.

I never met the dealer face-to-face, only talked to him over the phone. He never mentioned turbo, but the VIN trace with carfax said turbo. Which I now come to see as a bug with carfax.

Thanks again!
-jason