Well it's just a 2dr rx-7 (havent talked to the dealer about it other than he says 'it runs and drives great') and my dad who's a mechanic (though with pistons) says it's super clean, shows no real sign of rust other than a spec or two, and it's all original aside the paint and seats (which were replaced with mazdaspeed racing seats). The carb/filter looked okay. And all the lights (aside the signals for some reason) worked including the flip up lights. And had no apparent leaks of any sort.



But there was a belt in the behind driver storage thing, and upon inspecting the engine bay again we notice it's most likely the A/C belt (?)



Only downside is the 300,000 miles on it https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...DIR#>/ohmy.gif , though how its gone this far without being noticeably in need for a (major mechanical) tune up is weird being I hear they need one after just 100,000. I'll ask him if the engines ever been rebuilt also when i get a chance to go back. And he's asking $2,200 for it though we're definately shooting for a bit less.



(My dad says we might as well drive it till the engine dies and from there decide to rebuilt/swap the motor for the new one or go all out and drop a small block in it, being the condition the body is in.. o_O)



And the picture i took of the engine messed up so i never got it, but it looks similar to most carb'ed rx7 bays i've seen in photos.



**carfax says it's a 12A and has no buyback or lemon problems, but 24 things otherwise.



http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...31_29_full.jpghttp://memimage.cardomain.net/member...31_30_full.jpg

I'd buy it in a second for maybe $2000 just for the external condition alone.

ive seen 12a's last for over 300k... most likely though its had an engine...



300 is a lot of miles, but these cars just dont have that much stuff to wear out (compared to say, my bmw)

As long as there is no rust, jump on it. Definitely drive it though, and check the brakes and feel for any "looseness". With that many miles, bushings and tie rod ends etc. will probably be pretty worn out. But really, they would be worn based on age alone.



Watch for any smoking or odd noises from the motor while you're at it...

Well I'm deciding between this(most exotic), a 95 civic ex(safest), and a 90 integra ls(cheapest). And both honda's have under 200k miles..



This would be my only car also, and rx7's tend to get lower mpg (from what i've read)



Can anyone tell me how much it would cost to replace/rebuild the 12a engine? I know all about 4-cylinders but nothing on rotary..





(plus i'd buy it to hold and re-sell for like 2,500 but with those miles it might be hard..)

It's about enjoying the ride. A Honda or Acura would be boring for me personally.

I would look forward to driving the RX7 every day. If you get bored, you might just need to waste money on another car.

Yeah, my first(and only) car was a 93 civic si hatchback. And honestly it was a hell of alot of fun, and it never made it past stock, but comparing it to a same-weight RWD rotary I'm sure makes it seem lacking.

I'm just worried I'll buy the rx7 and a month later the whole engine will need replaced.. from what the carfax said (got one) it's never been in an accident NOR has had the engine replaced or even overhauled, just serviced which could mean as little as an oil change.



But my dad says, based on his 35+ some years of buying, building, and racing older cars, (Pontiacs mostly, though he did buy that '93 honda and liked it 'but fwd cars dont give you the rush of launching, etc etc') that the engine and everything attached looks as though it's never been replaced, so at the most it COULD have been internally rebuilt but I don't know..



I wish mazda engines had the same reliability as honda's (mileage wise, no offense!)! my si had 330+ thousand miles and i still raced THAT, but everyone always says 100k is the limit on these rotaries..

my GSL-SE I just bought last week has 170k on it.. I worry about the engine blowing every day too. Just something you gotta live with.

LOL.. dood.. ask people here. that know about rotaries. Most of them make it to 200k with care, and occasionally 300k..

Oh, that's news to me, lol, but yeah that makes it a little different.

Yes, these motors last forever, and replacing the motor is not difficult. But I am going to be the one Nay Sayer. Not because the miles or because of the condition of the car, but because it is too expensive for a base model rx7 (not the no sunroof, which means drums on the back and no posi)!



There are plenty of 12a rx7's out there with less miles and in similar condition.



Now if you just like it! Than it is worth it for your happiness. Rx7's are great fun (body style your choosing 1st, 2nd, 3rd gens, body kits, stock, modifications, etc.). There are so many options. If this is a style you like, go for it. You can always replace the motor (when and IF it goes). But for investment purposes... it still has 300k miles and it is too expensive.



Good luck with your choice, I am sure you will be happy either way... Additionally I have 250k miles on my GSLSE and it shows no signs of giving out...

go road racing, the vtec hondas blow up all the time... totally unreliable if you're going more than a 1/4 mile at full throttle...

That's the limit if you don't maintain it. Rotarys have always had a bad rap from people who don't maintain them. There are three things to look for to determine the engine's condition. Does it blow oil smoke? Is there an oil leak on top of the motor where the housings meet? Is it firing well on both rotors? If it's running smooth, doesn't blow oil smoke, and doesn't leak oil up top it's good to go. One nice thing about rotaries is that when they do blow up you can usually drive them another fifty miles. I lost the end of an apex seal and drove another 6 months before I replaced the motor. The other nice thing is that good stock motors are relatively cheap, even if they are increasingly rare.

The car looks sweet. Does it have a disk rear end? Personally I think the base models rock no stupid power window problems and no leaky sunroofs. The mileage is a bit high but theres a chance it could have been replaced or re built. or it could even have a mazda installed replacement motor. The rotor housings are stamped different and say some different ****. But it depends on the year and even so I dont quite remember, but I could consult my elders and find out, but would deffineatly need a pic. And if u live in an emmission state than I believe that ******* rats nest bull **** would be in the way. If you could get pics of the top of the rotor housings I might be able to help some more. Even if it hasn't don't sweat it. Here are some tell tale signs of a shitty 12A does it start right up? or does it take like a while for it to fire up. Seconed how bad and how mutch does it smoke? Trust me when I tell u 12A's are tough 3mm apex seals are a good thing. Bro I have had a lot of 12A cars daily driven, and I have said it onece and will repeat it I romp my **** and they keep on cumming back for more. $2200,,, its clean looking based on the pics provideed. Clean Fb's are becomming few and far between. Flash some cash do a little barganing. maybe $1800 Don't be scared dive in head first. You wont be sorry!!!

I agree, low ball the guy with cash and don't be afraid to walk away. If he takes it great!



Have you made any decisions?