I recently came across an advertisement for a 1983 RX-7. It's fully loaded with leather and sunroof. It's a 5 spd with 177,000 kms. It's got some rust on the rear tire wells (can be fixed right?). I'm just wondering if this is a decent, reliable car. Any feedback would be appreciated.

The car is 21 years old and has 177K miles on it.

if the car has been cared for properly, then it should be ok. look for service records. get it compression tested either way by a rotary specialist. but personally, i would look for an 85 GSL-SE. that is with the 6-port engine. much better performance...similar engine sounds and power delivery to the 8.


santino

Originally posted by santino
if the car has been cared for properly, then it should be ok. look for service records. get it compression tested either way by a rotary specialist. but personally, i would look for an 85 GSL-SE. that is with the 6-port engine. much better performance...similar engine sounds and power delivery to the 8.


santino Thanks for your feedback santino, it will come in handy!

Excellent year for the first gens... IMO (probably because I have an 83 GSL), the 82-83s were the best looking of the bunch inside and out. I understand the argument for the GSL-SEs with the 13B, but my 83 is rediculous fun - you just wont win any drag races with it.

But as for the particular car you're talking about, 177K could be alot, but it all depends on how the car looks and runs. Some engines chug along for 300K, but if they're mistreatd, they can die much sooner (overheating should do the trick). Other stuff to look for are the common interior parts that go wrong: the dash (good replacement cap from Mazdatrix for cheap), the seats, weatherstripping, etc. If you're not afraid of doing some fixes as you own the car, the first gens are great cars. In fact, the whole reason I bought my 8 was because it was remarkably similar to my 83 GSL.

BTW - If you do end up with a first gen, a cat replacing straight pipe is an awesome, cheap, effective mod (just a hassle getting the car ready for the sniffer again)

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to check it right now, I'll provide an update later.

Well, I had a chance to check it out and it was a POS. The tach wasn't working, the driverside window would go back in to place once lowered, the radio antenna was torn of and it had considerable rust (through the metal) at the rear of the car. Once we took it for a spin it felt fine initially until we hit the highway, it seemed like it was struggling to get air as it choked and jerked. I was put off after that experience. Today I found another ad for a 1985 GS w/ 180,000km for $1800. It's "denim" blue and had been lady driven and parked in the winter.

Well then - i have an 85 GSL-SE in excellent conditions - wanna drive down South?

Originally posted by Quino
Well then - i have an 85 GSL-SE in excellent conditions - wanna drive down South? Drive up here so I can take it for a spin!

what are your plans for your 85 GSL-SE in AL. My sister is near Birmingham (bro-in-law's in Air Force).

TiRX8,

just curious...why the desire for a 1st gen? no flaming or the like. just curious.
they are fun cars, either way.

take care

santino

Originally posted by TiRX8
[FONT=arial The tach wasn't working, car. Once we took it for a spin it felt fine initially until we hit the highway, it seemed like it was struggling to get air as it choked and jerked. [/FONT]

Sounds like a bad igniter.

Originally posted by santino
TiRX8,

just curious...why the desire for a 1st gen? no flaming or the like. just curious.
they are fun cars, either way.

take care

santino I've always liked the look of the 1st gen. I'm just trying my luck. I used to like them since I was about 7 years old (a family friend owned a silver one). It's not a must have but if I can find one in good condition, I would be interested!

Originally posted by rx8daniel
what are your plans for your 85 GSL-SE in AL. My sister is near Birmingham (bro-in-law's in Air Force).

Well - until I bought the RX-8 I was driving it two or three times a week. My other car is an old Montero (I keep cars a long time).
I thought about bringing it back up to "pretty" state. But I am not sure that I'll have the $$ or time in the next year or two. So i am considering selling it. My son (13) wants it.

The car has never been wrecked, has some minor little dents, the silver gloss is gone. The interior is very well kept, the engine runs strong, it has a new oil cooler and metal oil lines, the suspension has been lowered one inch with racing beat springs/shocks, and the exhaust system has been upgraded to catback.

Now - just last week one of the eyelids (lights) decided not to come up - so i don't know if it needs to be replaced or not, the power steering pump needs to be replaced (if wished), the muffler gasket needs to be replaced, and I banged one of the wheels against a curb - so got to deal with that. But you see - it's all fixable!

Originally posted by TiRX8
Well, I had a chance to check it out and it was a POS. The tach wasn't working, the driverside window would go back in to place once lowered, the radio antenna was torn of and it had considerable rust (through the metal) at the rear of the car. Once we took it for a spin it felt fine initially until we hit the highway, it seemed like it was struggling to get air as it choked and jerked. I was put off after that experience. Today I found another ad for a 1985 GS w/ 180,000km for $1800. It's "denim" blue and had been lady driven and parked in the winter.

Tach not working = failed ignitor. 99¢ from the junkyards or $115USD from the dealerships.

Rust = Screwed. Rear wheel well rust is a notorius problem with the first gen 7s. Short of limiting your shopping to the southern/western US, you're not going to get away from that problem unless you find someone who has kept theirs in a garage.

Jerking on the highway = could be a whole slew of potential problems, from bad plugs/wires to fuel filter, to the carb...

I still have my '83 GSL...If you're set on getting a FB, try to get a GSL...rear disc brakes/LSD...