robsatx

I test drove an 94 FD with 35K miles. I was really surprised at the noise level in the car . . .

the car looks really good. however, the spoiler, mirrors (a lot) and bumper covers seem a little "off" on color. do they discolor even sitting in the garage? I also smelled a little oil during my drive. do the seals go bad from just sitting there?

Over all the car is in very good shape. everything works the sunroff and all the ***** etc . . .

the seats look brand new and the dash and console look new . ..

I read the article from http://rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq/bguide3g/bguide3g.html

I will be driving it again later this week. I made and offer and they are "chewing" on it.

It is 100% original. No mods at all. What would you guys pay? and what should I make sure to look out for?

1994
RX7 w/ tour pkg
bose, leather, fogs and 5 speed.
34,300 Miles.

thx guys.

bobbydick

I think you know the answer but you want something else. First off, what offer did you make?

Second, if it was me, I would keep my offer within 13,000 to 15,000 and try to pay in cash.

I think on a car like this, you have plenty of time, check it two, three, maybe four times, drive the car hard. Run a carfax on it. Look for any signs of accidents. Ask for the maintenance records. Just give it time, and if they accepted your first offer, when you go back, look for things you'll need to replace and try to negotiate even further down. Remember, you have nothing to lose.

Cgotto6

iTrader: (8)

If i were you I would just make sure everything is working mechanically. Body and paint can be fixed easily. These cars can be a pain to trouble shoot. As far as what its worth, its worth what you yourself are willing to pay for it. These cars dont have a set value really. I would say somewhere around the $13,500 range though from what you have said.

robsatx

thx guys!

but what about the oil smell is that common? the car appears to have been very well cared for. It is a 11 year old car and looks like maybe 3 years old . .

will the engine fail from sitting around too long?

I offered $15K cash - it is the cleanest FD i have seen.

I will be driving again on a "dessereted" hwy . .. 8 mile stretch of straightaways, hills and few good curves . . .

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Wow. FDs like that (5-spd, 35k, '94) don't sell for $13,500 around here. It would sell for $18k if the seller tried a little bit.

Sounds like a nice car. Did you get a boost gauge on it? Did you get to lift the front end and look for an oil leak?

Dave

DaveW

With only 35K on it, I would suspect that the oil smell is probably an oil-pan leak. There are lots of other places that can leak or allow oil vapors to get out, but oil-pan leaks are quite common. Fixing an oil pan leak is a lot of work (you can't just drop the pan and reseal it due to the engine sub-frame being in the way), but I wouldn't consider it a deterrent to buying the car. It sounds like it is certainly worth at least what you offered.

If it is the oil pan (or anything else for that matter), there is lots of info on almost any subject on this forum if you search.

RX 4 Speed

paint fading on exterior plastic pieces are common... mirrors, bumpers, particularly on VR's.

Super77

Robsatx,

I bought my 93 bone stock touring model almost 6 year ago. It had 12,847 mile on the odometer. Paid $25K for it.

Prices have gone up and down over the years - looks like they have been down for a while, but $15K seems like a real good price for a car with that kind of milage.

I recommend that you get the car to a good rotory mechanic and have him do a complete check on everything under the hood to include a compression test.

If the owner won't let you do that I would walk away.

Super77

robsatx

thx again guys,

They said I can get it inspected or do whatever . . .

They said I can take it for a couple hours on Friday.

I was going to offer them 18K until I saw the plastic . . . and the tires are nearly 3 years old. Still look brand new, the car has been sitting in the garage for 18 months. Only driven three times in the last year or so . . .

Othere than that I would say the car is near perfect.

No mods at all.

If I get it I will add the downpipe and bov as I read earlier.

93Efini

yeah sure, what the hell FD owner is gonna let someone take out their car and beat on it?...not to mention letting someone look at it 4 times..thats ridiculous..

buy it or don't...can't any noobs buy an FD without getting opinions from people they don't even know?

robsatx

one of the reasons for these boards (success) is to get advice from a number of people and come to a conclusion . . .

I am part of a few other boards right now . . . I frequent Toytanation.com and tundrasolutions.com - I have been there about a year and most of the guys there Welcome noobs . . .

I don't want to drop $15K in cash without some advice from someone else that has gone down that road. I recently dropped about $4K on my stereo system in my 05 Tacoma My Taco

I get people asking me for advice all the time - I gladly help out. And I get the same NOOB ??s every day. I really appreciate the "other" brothers that are helping out . . .

kuning

I dunno bout the technical reasoning but one way for me to see if the car's fine drive it for some times and feel the gearknob console area. If it's hot as hell, then there might be something wrong with the cooling system.

As for the oil smell,I heard that rotaries tend to "eat" oil. If I drive my car hard for 15 minutes or so, it would start to smell oil in the cabin. But once the engine cools down, the smell would go away.

Best thing to check the engine + turbo is to do compression & boost test.
When I bought my FD, it had good compression result. But the heater core blew not long afterwards during dyno test (mods: catback+exhaust pipe, air filter cones). So yeah...I'd say do a throrough (sp?) check and if possible, get it done by rotary specialist (or someone who knows a s6 inside out).

good luck mate! post up some pics if you ever buy it

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

If anything, this would indicate a clogging cat or other exhaust overheat condition. Or it might indicate the rubber insulators on the shifter are missing. The cooling system is not related to the air circulating around the tranny (which is under the gearknob).

Dave

robsatx

do you guys think the RX8 has anything to do with the falling prices on the RX7?

I really do not like the RX8, but for a few dollars more I could get an 8 . . .

Not saying I would . . . but wondering if that is why the market is not hot like it used to be.

I would assume vin diesel blowing everyone away in his RX7 would have something to do with the value a few years back.

SayNoToPistons

you can fix the paint fading and bring it back to new (if not better/shinier hehe). just go to www.autopia.org i dont feel like typing a few paragraphs on how to remove. youll love autopia though. nice find btw.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a nice car, and a good deal. Buy it, and enjoy it. Don't get the BOV. It is a waste of money, and will do nothing except make a stupid loud noise.

Buying a low mileage car will save you a lot of money in the long run .

robsatx

BTW, the Bose system SUX!!!

I have a kick a$$ stereo in my 05 Tacoma . . . check it when you get a chance.

My Taco -

Trying not to get excited . . . will be excited when I have the thumbs up from the local rotary shop and the title, keys and car in my hand . . .

The dude that owned the car is like 45 . . so I am pretty sure he did not rag the car. but the inspection will let me know for sure.

I am paying $150 for the inspection.

BTW, I see some downpipes on ebay. I did a search anyone tell me which one is the best and why? also WHERE is the best place to get a new AST and radiator?

found this one but is it any good?

Outlaw


thanks again guys,

Cgotto6

iTrader: (8)

Koyo rad. Any aluminum AST pretty much. And most DP's are fine, all major brands at least. I have an HKS and it works just fine.

Ps best place to buy all of this is in the forsale section of this forum. Everything is cheap as hell.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

Before you do anything to the car (assuming you get it), read the stickies at the top of the 3rd gen section. There is a wealth of information compiled there. AFTER you read it all, then start asking questions

I suggest that you enjoy the car "as is" for a while. You need to learn to drive it safely before you mess with it. Glad to see that you are not 17 !!!

adictd2b00st

yea i gotta agree with this guy, i would NEVER let someone beat on a car i was selling, especially my fd. and let alone 3-4 times?

robsatx

I am not 45 the guy I am buying it from . . .

also, the only reason I am going with a downpipe is for reliablity purposes. Otherwise I will leave stock. I saw that someone "wrapped" their pipe with something . .. what is up with that?

I was reading the post on how to make the car very reliable. won't be my daily driver, but don't want to be stranded or blow the engine.

Force13B

iTrader: (19)

That wrap would most likly be heat tape or header tape or there is a few names for it. It an insalator just keeps heat down even more. As stated above, aluminum AST and some kind of new radiator, Fluidline is a little bit easyer to put in then the koyo since you don't have to bend the original mounting brakets out of the way. Try and get some pics of the car next time this will give us a better idea. So far i'll have to say it sounds like a good buy.

r0gu3

I hope you don't mean Alamo Rotary. If you want someone more competent to check it over, let me know and I can direct you to someone.

robsatx

you have a pm . .