Bacon

iTrader: (12)

Attention to detail…….

Ok guess im taking the wrong approach to this. Seems the ones I’m looking at everyone wants ALL the money for a car that’s not 100%.

So we go to look @ the white one, it is in such better condition than in the pictures it’s a sin. Body was 100% perfect, an even in a bit better condition than the orange one. This one does have a brigeport, engine wiring was correct. Ran nice, BUT the windshields cracked (near impossible to find, might even have to import from NZ) drivers side mirror is missing, the interior although all there is dirty and some pieces not attached, although it has fresh weld wheels on it, the front tires are SPARE tires (temp use only), not even street able radials, and the rear offsets will 100% rub over bumps. Ohh and the Tachometer dosent work.

I offered her 10k she gets the auto trader and is like I have it listed for 13. so as politely as I can let her know the car still needs minor things, and the windshield alone will prob be around 600 to replace. And since im going to be building this car into a driver I will have to change a few things. And I realize what im looking to do with the car has no bearing on what you want to sell it for. But the car wouldn’t pass a safety inspection in its current state.

But after I talk it over with the GF and let her know all that it needs shees like why buy it for all the money just to put more money into it to make it right. So I sat around last night looking at all the pics I took of both of them. (god I love 5MP cameras zooming in is so nice on the pictures you’ve already taken) so the price between both of them is nearly the same, but she like the Orange color more then the white, the orange one will need new front wheels, but the backs are fine, interior was all there and clean. It will need to be re-wired which won’t cost anything since I have all the wire I could need @ home. And really just needs that and a radio and its in business. But the guy is still holding a 1k higher than I want to pay for the car, which is making me want to find a car minus engine and trans and build it up the way I want.

Ohh for those of you wondering neither car would be ready to hit the strip either, both have the stock rears, and the white would have rubbing issues on launch big time. Not to mention the orange one doesn’t have seatbelts in it either…..


Am I being to picky? Is 11-13k really what a rx-3 that still needs 1-3k worth of work what I should be expecting…..


Other interesting factoid, the girl who is selling the white one also had a green one that got shipped to PR, and she owned the orange one and sold it to the guy in vineland (current reseller)

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

redlineracer

Well both those cars are nice. Imagine how much they would want if they were perfect. Is your wife going to want to drive this all the time? If not then why not get historical tags and insurance like Jose13b. Then you would not have to worry about smog. Safety is a must. If I had the money I would get the one that is in better condition and not change it to much. Unless your wife demands it then its time to change some things.
I don't think your being picky you want the best your money can buy besides it for the wife.
Most of us on this forum or any other forum would wish our wives would be as interested in our cars as your wife is. So I say go for it if later she decides she doesn't want it then you have yourself a new toy and you can make your money back plus some.

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

She wants it to be her daily driver. Seems the 2 I've come across are quasi-drag setup.
I think my major issues is coming from the owners not knowing everything about the car. Both of them had “one of their friends” build/port the motor but don’t know much about it, the guy with the orange one knew the carb/intake/fuel pump he was running. The girl with the white one didn’t know any of it. Sure I know after looking at it but the owner not knowing kinda scares me. I think I have 2 much passion for a car and the setup its running. I mean I can tell you every single part on both my FD’s… mfg, and specs. But then again I’m a weirdo lol

The other thing in my mind is what else will either of these need that I don’t know about. Like do they need brakes, even though the suspension looks good are the shocks orig and need replacement? The more I sit around and think about the ups and downs it drives me nuts. For her she wants to look nice and be safe, for me I want it to be safe and reliable.

I really think I’m answering my own questions and need to find one that was a project car and just isn’t completed. This way I can be sure of all the mechanicals rather then relying on someone else to have done the job right.

Thanks to everone who is taking the time to read all this bable, and offering any insight/help

RE Matsuda

Has she ever owned/driven a 30+ year old car before? The old RX's are well made, but not an ideal daily driver (especially in this area). I used to have an RX-2 as a daily, and while it was fun as hell, the brakes sucked, it was uncomfortable, the steering was sloppy, and the suspension was harsh. This was after restoring/replacing alot of parts. Plus its a ~2000lb car made before most crash test standards, not the safest thing to drive on SUV infested roads.

I'm not trying to dissuade you/her, just make sure she drives one and is comfortable with it. Of course, a lot of these things can be remedied if your willing to spend some money. And if your paranoid about previous owners, definitely try and find one to complete by yourself. Just make sure the person isn't abandoning the project for other reasons (hidden rust, frame damage, etc.)

gafu mazda

Vineland's rx3 on ebay has his reserve @ 13k.Nice car though.I know the guy personally.

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

Going to drive it on Thursday, had a better conversation with Willie, guess it took a bit for him to warm up to a gringo like myself. lol

The rear is welded, so going to need to replace that/ I hear a 8.8 calling my name

I’ve driven them, but she hasn’t. The closes she’s come in my 1985 Chevy S10. workman’s special. Ie 2.8 Carb, manual brakes, 4speed, no luxury.

I really have a feeling ill be driving the orange one home on thursday lol

JAB89RX7

Give these guys a try. They are susposed to have a lot of early rotary parts (12b)and they might know of where to find a RX-3. I personally have not been there but Some friends of mine have been to his shop and were suprised at the rotary parts that he had sitting around for sale.

Angel Cycle World
641 W Market St
York, PA 17404-3712
(717) 854-6684
www.angelcycleworld.com

-Jeff

schmol

Angel has a few &s sitting around, but I'm not sure of any 3's. I do know one of his guys is rebuilding a rotary pickup, that thing is soo cool looking!!

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

Thanks for the tip!!

Vangie sent me a e-mail back

hazw8st

Clean ride...............

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

Drove the orange one, ran nice but with the differential welded, the brake master cylinder recently replaced and the brakes not bled...and all the things that would need to be done to make the car safe to drive on the road……. it just wasn’t what we were looking for.

The search continues......

redlineracer

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/sweet...QQcmdZViewItem

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

She’s got her heart set on a 3, I think the 2's nice but a little 2 family. we looked at a few RX-2's, The Rx3 has more muscle car feel LOL.



I appreciate the continued searching, just wish ******* (orange) wasn’t all rigged together life would be easier.

redlineracer

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-...QQcmdZViewItem

Bacon

iTrader: (12)

Looks like an option, I’m working on a real nice one out in Calli right now. If the e-bay bids don’t blow it out of the water to fast it may be an option…..
thansk for the heads up

2wankel

iTrader: (1)

Ya, ebay ruined most chances to get a nice car to build for a decent price. Now you have to be lucky and find one in a barn, in the middle of now where, or someone who does not know the evil ebay

Latin270

lol...thats so true! Even people that wouldnt know what these cars are worth now go on ebay as a refrence and before you know it your $500 offer to the little old lady becomes an insult.