Close to buying, need some input
10-06-2007, 01:59 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 56
Close to buying, need some input. I have went to see this car twice now.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/434924363.html - $3200
He has said he will go as low as $2500 firm, but I didn't take it today. I just got back from my second viewing.
Positives:
-Interior is the best part of the car. Very perfect, cleanest I've seen. Seats have no rips.
-Engine has really good oil pressure, about 40psi idle, over 60psi when driving.
-Clutch feels good, still lots of throw and firmness.
-Brakes claimed to be new, don't know about that, but they work fine.
-Lots of power, the more you press down on the pedal, you feel increase in acceleration
-GSL-SE model with LSD/13B engine
Negatives:
-Car has about 150k miles on it.
-Drivers seat adjustment lever is broke off, can't really adjust the seat.
-Roof seems low, probably just me. My hair hits it.
-Pieces of weatherstrip missing above the front windsheild.
-Oil leak somewhere under the oil filter location.
-One piece of side molding near rear is bowed out
-Gears very slightly grind, but not much if I'm careful
My questions:
-Are there any common oil leaks that occur somewhere around the oil filter area? If it was as simple as the oil pressure switch I'm sure he would have already replaced it.
-Is there any weatherstripping available for these cars anymore?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/434924363.html - $3200
He has said he will go as low as $2500 firm, but I didn't take it today. I just got back from my second viewing.
Positives:
-Interior is the best part of the car. Very perfect, cleanest I've seen. Seats have no rips.
-Engine has really good oil pressure, about 40psi idle, over 60psi when driving.
-Clutch feels good, still lots of throw and firmness.
-Brakes claimed to be new, don't know about that, but they work fine.
-Lots of power, the more you press down on the pedal, you feel increase in acceleration
-GSL-SE model with LSD/13B engine
Negatives:
-Car has about 150k miles on it.
-Drivers seat adjustment lever is broke off, can't really adjust the seat.
-Roof seems low, probably just me. My hair hits it.
-Pieces of weatherstrip missing above the front windsheild.
-Oil leak somewhere under the oil filter location.
-One piece of side molding near rear is bowed out
-Gears very slightly grind, but not much if I'm careful
My questions:
-Are there any common oil leaks that occur somewhere around the oil filter area? If it was as simple as the oil pressure switch I'm sure he would have already replaced it.
-Is there any weatherstripping available for these cars anymore?
10-06-2007, 03:46 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 10
very poor pics...you mean the upper window trim peices are missing? If so, a junkyard will cure that. As far as the oil leak, since it doesnt have a beehive, I am not as sure where it is leaking - get under there and find out exactly where it is - probably a pretty easy fix either way. Is the headliner sagging, or is the car just smaller than expected? If the gears are grinding, that means that the syncros are going out, atleast on american transmissions - means a rebuild/swap is soon. $2300 for 150k(for a 12a, it better be a CLEAN car, but I dont know as much about the 13b)...how is the body? any wheelwell/fender/rear hatch drain area rust? Do the headlights go up/down? Is the suspension worn? A/C? Does it work? Did you notice any front seal/rear seal/oil pan leaks? Does he have any service history? If it seems like a solid car, I'd probably do it, but I dont see many 1st gen's around here...
10-06-2007, 10:27 PM
#3
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 22,465
looks nice!
just to address the negatives list...
mileage: 150k is low for an -SE, people drive these, 200k+ isnt uncommon, and we used to see 300k regularly
just the plastic? or the handle? if you find a good used adjuster unit, its 4-6 bolts to swap it out
roof is low, your head will hit it, the leather sits a little higher than the cloth
the windsheild trim, is easy to find, and if its used it needs to be repainted anyways, new is available too, although its not cheap
there is a little aluminum peice that the oil filter goes on, and 2 orings adapt it to the block, its an easy and cheap fix, the heater hose down there should be changed too, oil on a rubber hose is bad
that side moulding is right under the gas door, and the spilled gas ruins the tape, its easily retapeable, and new is also available, but $$$
could be clutch hydraulics? could be you? could be the trans? is it all the gears? just one? a little notchy is fine btw
basically all the weather stripping is still available new still, although if you pay retail its not cheap.
just to address the negatives list...
mileage: 150k is low for an -SE, people drive these, 200k+ isnt uncommon, and we used to see 300k regularly
just the plastic? or the handle? if you find a good used adjuster unit, its 4-6 bolts to swap it out
roof is low, your head will hit it, the leather sits a little higher than the cloth
the windsheild trim, is easy to find, and if its used it needs to be repainted anyways, new is available too, although its not cheap
there is a little aluminum peice that the oil filter goes on, and 2 orings adapt it to the block, its an easy and cheap fix, the heater hose down there should be changed too, oil on a rubber hose is bad
that side moulding is right under the gas door, and the spilled gas ruins the tape, its easily retapeable, and new is also available, but $$$
could be clutch hydraulics? could be you? could be the trans? is it all the gears? just one? a little notchy is fine btw
basically all the weather stripping is still available new still, although if you pay retail its not cheap.
10-06-2007, 11:11 PM
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
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I dont mean the window trim. I mean the rubber seal that is next to the trim. Its gone in some places.
Whats a big concern is if i have the dowel leak. He said its been to a shop 2 times and they couldnt figure out the leak. I would buy it if i knew it wasnt the common engine block issue.
OH I made a mistake too, its 170k.... so i figure its the engine block leaking. I don't want to buy it just to find out.
Whats a big concern is if i have the dowel leak. He said its been to a shop 2 times and they couldnt figure out the leak. I would buy it if i knew it wasnt the common engine block issue.
OH I made a mistake too, its 170k.... so i figure its the engine block leaking. I don't want to buy it just to find out.
10-06-2007, 11:15 PM
#6
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No rust, new shocks, newish tires, newish brakes, headlights work.
the whole seat adjustment handle is broke off, so i'd need to buy a new seat bottom frame for floor.
the shifting issue was probably just me. as since the seat cant be adjusted i was too far back. when i was careful it wouldnt grind.
isnt 170k time for a rebuild on the rotary? tho it had tons of power.
the whole seat adjustment handle is broke off, so i'd need to buy a new seat bottom frame for floor.
the shifting issue was probably just me. as since the seat cant be adjusted i was too far back. when i was careful it wouldnt grind.
isnt 170k time for a rebuild on the rotary? tho it had tons of power.
10-07-2007, 07:51 AM
#7
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Posts: 2,532
Originally Posted by jobber' post='884777' date='Oct 7 2007, 12:15 AM
No rust, new shocks, newish tires, newish brakes, headlights work.
the whole seat adjustment handle is broke off, so i'd need to buy a new seat bottom frame for floor.
the shifting issue was probably just me. as since the seat cant be adjusted i was too far back. when i was careful it wouldnt grind.
isnt 170k time for a rebuild on the rotary? tho it had tons of power.
the whole seat adjustment handle is broke off, so i'd need to buy a new seat bottom frame for floor.
the shifting issue was probably just me. as since the seat cant be adjusted i was too far back. when i was careful it wouldnt grind.
isnt 170k time for a rebuild on the rotary? tho it had tons of power.
Not necessarily for an N/A with regular oil changes. Like j9 said, they often go 200 or 300k. If it doesn't smoke and makes good power, I wouldn't be concerned by the mileage. Heck, the car's what? 23 years old? That's really not a lot of miles.
If you're looking for a first gen RX-7, the one to get IMO is the GSL-SE. I don't see a lot of them around here anymore. Car looks nice. The little stuff you can fix.
10-07-2007, 11:28 AM
#8
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i just cant risk the oil leak being the big one requiring engine disassembly. he said he's already had the leak looked at 2-3 times and they couldnt figure it out. that sounds bad to me. i rent my townhouse and i can't have oil leaks so i'd have to fix it.
10-07-2007, 02:02 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by jobber' post='884788' date='Oct 7 2007, 09:28 AM
i just cant risk the oil leak being the big one requiring engine disassembly. he said he's already had the leak looked at 2-3 times and they couldnt figure it out. that sounds bad to me. i rent my townhouse and i can't have oil leaks so i'd have to fix it.
looked at by whom? the dowel leak is usually on the 12a's, and its in the front, usually
most mechanics are scared of these cars
10-07-2007, 02:15 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s' post='884795' date='Oct 7 2007, 12:02 PM
looked at by whom? the dowel leak is usually on the 12a's, and its in the front, usually
most mechanics are scared of these cars
most mechanics are scared of these cars
ahh really? mostly 12As? he just said a mechanic had tried to find the leak a couple times...
I been so close to buying it all day. But if it needs an engine (regasketed) ill be hella bummed and ill lose all my $.