Hi everyone, I haven't been on here in a while but now I might be getting an RX-7 and I need some help. I am just about to sell my Camaro LS1 for a decent amount of money and I was looking for a cheaper used car. Just for the heck of it I decided to look for some RX-7s assuming I wouldn't find any cheap enough. But I did, and it more than likely has something wrong with it, but I haven't talked to the guy who owns it yet and he even stated in his profile he doesn't know whats wrong with it. Here is the info.....

1993 RX-7

Manual Trans
93,000 Miles
Salvage Title
Engine Overheats after a lil while I guess and the owner doesn't know why
Body/Interior Seem to be in near perfect condition.
Car has been painted a more mettalic red/orange

Intercooler
Turbo Timer
HKS Blow Off valve
Various Gauges

There are other body things that look nice but are irrelavent to the problem

I haven't asked yet why there is a salvage title, if it is from being stolen what does that mean for my insurance and the DMV? And if it is from an accident should I be worried?

I think it is safe to say the car has been raced judging by the drag radials on the back in the picture.

Here's the thing though, the car is only $8000 and I am sure that after I talk to the person and see the car in person I can talk them down because I will most likely have to have something or a few things fixed.

I will have more info later like why the salvage title and if anything has been replaced like the Clutch, Turbos, or Engine. I will also ask about maintenence.

What kind of things should have been done as maintenence for 93K miles? How often should oil be changed? I just want to know everything so I can ask what this person has done with the car since having it.

Well what do you guys think? If I have to replace things how much are we talking here? I mean I will have like another 8 grand to spare but the whole point of me buying a cheaper car was to have money left over for a bike.

 

At that mileage with the constant overheating and salvage title, you should look at this car as nothing more than a rolling chasis with a salvage title. With a salvage title, you will never be able to resell it at a fair value. If the salvage title was due to structural damage, I would *NOT* purchase this car. If you are not getting this car for next to nothing, I would also not get this car.

The constant overheating and high miles is a ticket for a rebuild in the VERY near future (if not now). The coolant o-rings are most likely shot and the rotor housings/rotors have a high possibility of being warped. Tack on ~$6k for a turbo/motor rebuild/reinstall. Personally, I would not get this vehicle.

 

Just because it's cheaper initially (purchase price), doesn't mean it'll be cheaper in the long run (maintenence, possibility of needing a rebuild/reman, etc.).

 

If everything on the car is working and exterior and interior in great shape why not. But from the description you describe, I wouldn't buy it.

 

I just kinda figured it would be a bargain even with having to fix the engine/turbos, I mean its 8 grand. I am almost positive I could talk him down to like 6. It's just that most working FDs I see are like 16k at least. Keep the opinions as to what the problem might be coming though. I mean what if it is something as silly as a broken thermostat?

 

One of the biggest mistakes people make (including me) was not listen to people who were initially telling them how much it actually costs to maintain an FD. It may only cost $9k - $16K to buy an FD, but remember each engine, and there will be other engines, will run about $4 - $5k if you want it done right. Then I'm sure you'll want to modify it. Parts are not cheap for the FD, especially performance parts. Also, modding an FD is a delicate balance of flow and fuel - more so than many other cars. That balance is very easily tipped by careless modding, and once it has been (well, toward the flow side usually) more and more strain is put on the engine and detonation becomes a real factor.

So, if you have the money to modify (if you want) and maintain the car, then I would suggest you get it. I've never driven anything like it before...wonderful power to weight ratio, amazing handling, great acceleration (especially modded), wonderful sound, unique cabin feel...it's all there. It truly is an experience.

However, if you DO NOT have the money to, without any financial strain, dish out $5000 in maintenance and repairs AT ALL TIMES along with being able to mod the car the way you want and afford insurance and everything, then I would suggest finding something else. I guess that's the clearest way I can put that.

 

If you can get the car for $4k and have $10-15k to spend right away, as well as an extra $10k a year to throw at the car, go for it.

Otherwise, there are a lot of decently powerful cars in the $10k range that, although they don't have the power, handling, and finesse of the FD, certainly won't break the bank in the long run.

 

Well listen I am not concerned about any performance mods at all at first. I just want to do whatever I have to, to fix the car and get it running perfectly ya know? So if I can get the car for 6k then is it worth if if I have only another 10K lying around to fix anything?

 

Anyone know any good RX-7 shops for with good prices here in Southern CA?

 

I just found out that he says the overheating causes the car to just kinda stall and not start after it is overheated after say about 20 minutes. He had this happen twice and then decided not to drive it anymore other than to just show it to people. He also gave me the Vin number, does anyone have car fax here?

 

if you plan to keep the car then buy it, just make sure that it its not structural damage, and also if you can deal him down even to 5000 I would buy it and spend another 10 grand on new parts...total 15000 g's that would'nt be to bad...But like I said this is only if you plan to keep the car as it would be hard to sell with a salvage title and also that it is salvage due to theft and not structural damage...IMHO

 

If you have $16K, you can surely get a nice, running, clean titled car. I'd pass on this one if I were you.

 

How can I check for "structural dmg"? What should I look for when I go to look at it?

 

It has a salvage title (which would greatly hinder selling the car later down the road). It most likely needs a rebuild/reman'd engine. You'd be spending a total of probably $15K to make this car road worthy (price includes cost of car). You can find excellent examples of FD's out there for that kind of money. Why not pass on this one (like many people have suggested) and find one that has a good engine and a decent title.

 

IMO:

This car could be a good deal IF the interior and exterior are in excellent condition. It may be worth parting out the car or making it into a race car. For a personal use car, I'd be wary since it may have insurance and resale issues - i.e. will insurance cover you adequately? In other words, can you accept the risk of owning a car valued well below what you put into it?

Mechanically, you need to determine
1) why the car has a salvage title, and whether the damage was fixed well
2) how to pay for an entirely new engine, and probably turbos and other stuff.

Overheating is really bad, really. Probably the motor is shot, and limping along with serious coolant or oil seal problems. Maybe other things, too.

I recommend having the car taken to a rotary specialist who will quote you for everything that needs replaced. Compression test, coolant system pressure test, visual inspections. The list for immediate replacement will probably be long and should include some reliability mods, but if the rest of the car is in good shape you may end up with a decent deal and a reliable stock FD. But only a good rotary shop will know how badly the car's been thrashed.

Dave