New to site, and striaght newbie

[chodanger]

Hey everyone,

My name is Robbie and I have always been a long time fan of the 3rd Gen Rx7 lineup.

I currently do not own one of these beautiful pieces of machinery but hopefully this Saturday on the 2nd that will change.

Looking at a 93' red that was painted white. I'm a bit scared about the number of miles on the car, even with a rebuild just recently. However, after i get a good look at the vehicle, i can still back down from purchase so im not locked in at this moment.

Live in Fargo, ND so not very often of getting rx7's around here unfortunetly and I am traveling across country to get this, so I am hoping its worth it.

[RedR1]

Welcome to the site, Robbie. Do you have any more details on the car? Now-a-days not too many cars get by without someone or another knowing of it, bc good examples of these cars are hard to come by.

how in-depth was the paintjob? engine bay, doors, trunk, etc? full body strip and paint?

how long ago was the rebuild done, and by whom?

[chodanger]

I'll see if i cant get the details of ad again, he had taken the ad down as I have everything setup to get this car. From what i could see in the pics, it was just body, engine bay and doors insides were still red so it wasn't a full body strip and paint.

Seller said that mazda did the rebuild and think its around 30k on it.

What has me worried most though is the chasis has 200k on it. I haven't seen that many rx7's have that many on the chasis and feel like it is the biggest stopper. And not fully strip paint... I dont know, just happens to be my dream car and I think I may have jumped the gun on it?

https://www.facebook.com/ir.chodanger#!/photo.php?fbid=558486584292&set=a.510402560062.10676.304100669&type=1&theater

[RedR1]

I'll see if i cant get the details of ad again, he had taken the ad down as I have everything setup to get this car. From what i could see in the pics, it was just body, engine bay and doors insides were still red so it wasn't a full body strip and paint.

Seller said that mazda did the rebuild and think its around 30k on it.

What has me worried most though is the chasis has 200k on it. I haven't seen that many rx7's have that many on the chasis and feel like it is the biggest stopper. And not fully strip paint... I dont know, just happens to be my dream car and I think I may have jumped the gun on it?

https://www.facebook.com/ir.chodanger#!/photo.php?fbid=558486584292&set=a.510402560062.10676.304100669&type=1&theater

I can't access FB from here, i'll check it out tonight when I get home.

200K is a lot of miles. . . how much are you paying for it? Depending on how long you're willing to wait, the right car WILL come along. Me personally, 200K is a lot of miles on ANY car, much less a performance car. without knowing how much you're paying, I wouldn't personally pay more than $8000 for a car with 200,000 miles on the chassis, even if itcame with a brand new, zero miles motor from Mazda. Knowing it has an "almost" complete paintjob i'd pay even less. Just a personal thing of mine, really. Everyone has different levels of acceptable perameters when it comes to car buying.

I figure, the better shape and look of the car now, the less I have to spend to fix the little niggles that bother me. Especially opening the door and seeing one color, and closing it and seeing another color on the opposite side. I'm waaay to OCD for that, so add in the cost of a quality in and out paintjob (full color change) and that's $4500 right there if you don't do it yourself.

You can find cars with 80-90k miles on the clock with new-ish motors for around $13-$14k. wait another few months and save a couple grand, and you can be in a car with 60-70k miles for about $17k.

How far are you willing to wait for your dream car? There is jumping the gun, but then again, there is buying one for a great deal and customizing it to be truly "yours" . . . it all just depends on where you are financially, where you are in life, and how much time you have to pour into the car.

we're all here to answer questions, so definitely be sure to ask before you buy. I'd hate to see you buy a car and be stuck bc it was love at first sight.

[Fendamonky]

Welcome to the forum Robbie, I kinda agree with Chris (RedR1) that you may want to look skeptically at the car. Honestly I´d be a bit concerned with a local Mazda mechanic doing the rebuild, not many run-of-the-mill mechanics know much about the Rotary, even if they do have a Mazda badge on their shirt. Were you able to get compression numbers for the engine? That will help a lot regarding how healthy the engine is.

Either way, welcome to the forum, search around to learn what you can and don´t be afraid to ask questions if something doesn´t make much sense.

Cheers,

Levi

[RedR1]

Honestly I´d be a bit concerned with a local Mazda mechanic doing the rebuild, not many run-of-the-mill mechanics know much about the Rotary, even if they do have a Mazda badge on their shirt. Were you able to get compression numbers for the engine? That will help a lot regarding how healthy the engine is.

this, agreed whole heartedly with Levi! I guess I take the normal knowledge for granted. Robbie, definitely get a compression test on the motor and let us know what the numbers are. we'll let you know if it's a healthy motor, dying motor, or DOA.

[speedjunkie]

Welcome!

[chodanger]

So more to it, the car is painted on the inside of the doors, its the engine bay, underhood and under hatch that is not painted. So not as bad as thought of.

Here is the ad's details:

New Engine (3mm apex seals) with 6k miles, installed by mazda
Did a proper break in on the motor!
Changed oil after 1k and every 3.5k miles after
Also new clutch and flywheel installed
Transmission has about 30k on it
~400Whp Tuned by Neptune Speed
Fresh Snow White Paint job

Engine:
-T70 Single turbo (Heat Wrapped)
-HKS SSQV BOV
-V-mount intercooler
-HKS Ignition
-BBK Fule pump
-Air/Fuel pressure gauge
-CX Racing Fuel Pressure Regulator
-3" piping turbo back
-Heat wrapped down pipe
-Fujitsubo and Magnaflow exhausts
-High flow pulley kit
-NGK Spark plugs
-Bored out Throttle Body
-Power FC Commander
-550cc and 1200cc injectors
-Megan Racing short shifter
-Optima Race Battery

Suspension:
-Tein Super Street Coilovers
-Advan Wheels
-Eibach Sway bars
-Cusco Front Strut Tower Brace
-Slotted/ Dotted Rotors

Exterior:
-C-2 Bodykit
-Yellow Calipers
-Neo Chrome extended lugs
-99 spec Tailights
-Amemiya headlights (HID Kit)
-Seibon Carbon Fiber Fenders (10MM Wider than OEM)
-Rear Fenders are rolled

Interior:
-Alpine head unit
-Apline type R 15" Sub
-Alpine speakers
-Alpine Amp 1600WATT
-Recaro Racing driver seat
-Leather passenger seat, Sun roof
-Battery relocated to back
-Personal quick release steering wheel
-Mazdaspeed carbon fiber shift knob

CONS:

-Coilovers are old and need to be replaced
-A/C is disconnected
-SMALL rip in Recaro Seat
-Back hatch interior panel is gone
-Hood and Hatch are original color (red)
-Interior door panels are partially broken

[RedR1]

-Back hatch interior panel is gone
-Hood and Hatch are original color (red)
-Interior door panels are partially broken

you'll find these interior parts hard to find, took me a while to source out pieces in good shape for mine.

The car with 200k on the chassis, that'd be your call. It being modified already, I would step away, but that's just my personal feelings on it. I don't like trying to fix other peoples mess or chase down bugs, as i'm sure there are some niggles the seller may not mention (always happens on modded cars).

If you do get it, I hope she makes you happy! i'm definitely not trying to talk you out of it if she's what you really want.

How much are you buying it for?

[Pete_89T2]

I'd be concerned about the "new engine w/3mm apex seals". That is a kind of a red flag when the ad says "installed by mazda" right next to it, because mazda dealers typically don't install or work on modified engines. Stock it came with 2mm apex seals. Not saying 3mm seals are a bad thing, but doing the machine work to adapt the rotors to use 3mm seals takes some skill - not all engine builders can do it right.

[RedR1]

I'd be concerned about the "new engine w/3mm apex seals". That is a kind of a red flag when the ad says "installed by mazda" right next to it, because mazda dealers typically don't install or work on modified engines. Stock it came with 2mm apex seals. Not saying 3mm seals are a bad thing, but doing the machine work to adapt the rotors to use 3mm seals takes some skill - not all engine builders can do it right.

this! definitely a big indication that something is odd.

I have my own opinions on 3mm seals and I won't spill it here (not a fan of them at all) nor am I a fan of the company that did the tuning on the car either. Plus the chassis has 200k on it. The list of why I wouldn't buy this car far outweighs the list of why i would.

though if the car is for sale for $9000 i'd consider it as a parts car. The mod/sales list he posted looks like a train wreck at best IMO